BTS dare to dream of Grammy nomination after first No 1 hit single on Billboard chart, Dynamite

America has warmed to BTS and they feel like they’ve earned respect there, says RM, a member of the K-pop group, after their single, Dynamite, debuted at No 1

The song’s success could translate into a Grammy Awards nomination for BTS. ‘The sheer thought of a nomination is thrilling,’ says band member J-Hope

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BTS performed from South Korea during the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, which was held virtually amid the coronavirus pandemic. Their song, Dynamite, debuted at No 1 on the US music charts this week. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:15pm, 3 Sep 2020Updated: 4:36am, 4 Sep 2020

Loud, happy screams erupted in unison from the members of BTS when they heard they had notched up their first No 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“It still doesn’t feel real,” said BTS member Suga. “We’re really happy.”

Dynamite, the group’s first all-English song, debuted at No 1 on the US music charts this week, making BTS the first South Korean pop act to top the chart and the first Asian act to hit No 1 since Japanese singer Kyu Sakamoto’s Sukiyaki held the top spot for three weeks in 1963. The upbeat song even supplanted Wap, the raunchy smash hit by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, to claim the No 1 position.

“Never expected it,” RM said of beating Wap for the top spot. “Never! It’s like the song of the year.”

Getting their first chart-topping track seemed inevitable for the K-pop boy band, who have found increasing success in the United States in the past few years. They’ve had four albums top the Billboard 200 albums chart, achieved top 10 successes on the Hot 100 with Boy With Luv , On and Fake Love, and sold out US football stadiums in minutes.

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