The numbers emerging from the streaming world are often staggering, but Jimin’s latest milestone represents something more than just a high count. According to data released Tuesday by Big Hit Music, the BTS member’s solo single “Who” has officially surpassed 2.4 billion streams on Spotify as of May 8.
For those of us who track the intersection of music and data, this isn’t just another chart-topping moment. It marks a significant shift in how Asian solo artists penetrate the global mainstream. “Who” is the first solo track by an Asian artist, released without a featured collaborator, to reach this specific streaming threshold on the platform.
The achievement underscores a broader trend in the “solo era” of BTS, where the individual members are no longer relying on the collective brand or high-profile Western features to maintain longevity. Instead, Jimin has leveraged a distinct sonic identity—one that blends polished pop sensibilities with a vocal agility that has kept the track in heavy rotation for nearly two years.
Breaking the ‘Feature’ Ceiling
In the competitive landscape of global streaming, many international artists utilize “strategic features”—pairing with established American or British stars—to trigger algorithmic boosts and cross-pollinate audiences. Jimin’s success with “Who” is a departure from this playbook.
By achieving 2.4 billion streams as a standalone artist, Jimin has demonstrated a level of individual “pull” that is rare in the industry. From a technical perspective, the song’s persistence on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Global chart since its July 2024 release suggests a high “save-to-stream” ratio, meaning listeners aren’t just discovering the song via playlists, but are actively adding it to their personal libraries.
Currently, “Who” sits at No. 37 on Spotify’s all-time most-streamed songs list, a position that places it among the most enduring pieces of pop music in the digital age.
The Long Game: Billboard and Chart Endurance
While Spotify numbers provide a snapshot of global consumption, the song’s performance on the Billboard Hot 100 tells a story of endurance. As the lead single from his second solo EP, Muse, “Who” didn’t just peak; it lingered.
The track secured a remarkable 33-week run on the Hot 100, peaking at No. 12. For a solo K-pop artist, maintaining a presence on the primary U.S. Singles chart for over seven months is an anomaly. It signals that the track transitioned from a “fan-driven” surge into a “general public” hit.
This record stood as the longest solo chart run for an Asian artist until June 2025, when Blackpink’s Rosé surpassed the milestone with her hit “APT.” The transition of the record from Jimin to Rosé highlights a burgeoning era where K-pop soloists are competing not just with each other, but with the biggest names in global music.
| Metric | Jimin (‘Who’) | Rosé (‘APT.’) |
|---|---|---|
| Spotify Milestone | 2.4 Billion Streams | Verified Global Hit |
| Billboard Hot 100 Run | 33 Weeks | Surpassed Jimin (June 2025) |
| Peak Position | No. 12 | Verified Top Tier |
| Key Distinction | First Asian Solo (No Feature) | Record-Breaking Run |
Why the ‘Muse’ Era Matters
The success of “Who” is inextricably linked to the conceptual framework of the Muse EP. By leaning into a sound that feels more organic and less curated for a specific market, Jimin has managed to avoid the “sophomore slump” that often plagues solo debuts from group members.
The impact of this success ripples beyond the music itself. It provides a blueprint for other artists from non-Western markets to pursue solo ventures without feeling the necessity of a Western “anchor” artist to ensure visibility. When a song remains on the Daily Top Songs Global chart for nearly two years, it ceases to be a “K-pop hit” and simply becomes a “global hit.”
The Ecosystem of Success
Several factors contributed to this trajectory:
- Algorithmic Stability: Consistent placement in “Discover Weekly” and “Today’s Top Hits” playlists.
- Vocal Branding: A unique high-tenor register that distinguishes the track in a crowded pop landscape.
- Global Distribution: The infrastructure of Big Hit Music, which ensures simultaneous global availability and promotion.
While the exact internal metrics of Spotify’s recommendation engine remain proprietary, the data suggests that “Who” hit a “sweet spot” of accessibility and novelty that appealed to both the ARMY fanbase and casual listeners.
As Jimin continues to navigate his solo career, the industry will be watching to see if this streaming ceiling can be pushed even higher. With the Muse project having established a high baseline for solo success, the focus now shifts to his future releases and how they will build upon this foundation.
Official updates regarding Jimin’s upcoming projects and further streaming milestones can be found via the Big Hit Music official portal.
Do you think the era of the “strategic feature” is ending for global artists? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or share this story on social media.
