BTS star Jung Kook is on track for his high-charting solo single in the U.K. as “3D” makes a bright start.
Based on midweek sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, “3D” (via BigHit Entertainment), which features Louisville rapper Jack Harlow, is set to bow at No. 2, for the week’s highest debut.
“3D,” which leads Billboard’s new music poll this week with 62% of the vote, appears to be closing the gap on the incumbent, Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red” (Ministry of Sound). In an earlier update from the OCC, “3D” entered at No. 3, before leapfrogging Kenya Grace’s “Strangers” (FFRR), now appearing likely to dip 2-3 on the national singles tally.
In the meantime, Doja Cat’s hit remains in the box seat for a fifth consecutive week at No. 1 in the U.K.
Jung Kook made U.K. chart history earlier this year with “Seven,” his collaboration with Latto. The track landed at No. 3 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published July 21, for the highest-charting debut by a solo Korean act.
All seven members of the BTS – Jin, Jimin, Suga, Jung Kook, RM, V and J-Hope – have shared solo material.
First, bandmate j-hope set the mark with his J. Cole collaboration “On The Street,” peaking at No. 37 in the U.K. Then Jimin bettered it, nabbing his own top 40 appearance with “Set Me Free Pt. 2” (No. 30 peak). Jimin then reset the bar with a top 10 for “Like Crazy,” peaking at No. 8 in March.
If “3D” holds its spot, or goes one better, it would give Jung Kook a higher U.K. chart position than any single released by BTS. The K-pop phenomenon has a peak of No. 3 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, achieved on three occasions – with 2020’s “Dynamite,” plus “Butter” and “My Universe” with Coldplay (both from 2021).
The next-best debut on the U.K. chart should belong to Ed Sheeran, with “American Town” forecast to debut at No. 23, and “Magical” poised to enter at No. 37, for what would be the English singer and songwriter’s 62nd and 63rd top 40 appearances. “American Town” and “Magical” are lifted from Sheeran’s Autumn Variations (Gingerbread Man), which is sailing to No. 1 on the U.K. albums chart.
The Official U.K. Singles Chart is published late Friday, Oct. 6.
