For years, K-pop artists and bands have been achieving commercial success in Western markets, long after the genre dominated the music industry in South Korea. For some time now, many in the music world have been wondering when other Asian artists will develop such massive fan bases in places like the United States and the United Kingdom. Which genre and nation will be the next to export their own distinctive sound?
A handful of J-pop and Chinese stars have made a name for themselves, and now a Filipino boy band appears to be representing their country and paving the way for what could become a new wave of what is known as Pinoy pop. SB19 recently released their new EP, “Simula at Wakas,” which became a commercial success in the United Kingdom.
Simula at Wakas debuts on two UK charts this week. The short studio effort starts in the top 10 of the Official Album Downloads chart, where it debuts at number four. It also narrowly misses the top 40 on the even more competitive Official Albums Sales chart, where it debuts at number 40.
The Filipino boy band has only achieved two other records in the country before. “Dam,” the lead single from the new album, debuted on a few charts in March. “Dam” climbed to No. 4 on both the Official Singles Sales and Official Singles Downloads charts. That means SB19 has now reached the highest spot — and coincidentally reached No. 4 — on three charts.
This week, the Official Albums Sales chart is especially packed with new releases. The comprehensive ranking of the country’s best-selling titles — which includes both digital and physical purchases — predicts the release of 25 new projects before Simula no Wakas.
When it comes to platforms like iTunes and Amazon in the UK, the market has not been as competitive. Only three projects — Ghosts’ Skeleta (No. 1), Stereophonics’ Make Him Laugh, Make Him Cry, Make ‘Em (No. 2) and James Arthur’s Pisces (No. 3) — have kept Filipino musicians from leading the pack. Even so, the group has managed to beat out some well-known stars, including Billy Idol, the Wu-Tang Clan and even Jeff Goldblum, the actor and musician, who started out behind the lead singers.
