Bigbang Breaks into Top 30 of US iTunes Album Chart

Big Breakout: A K-pop boy band's surprise success on the US iTunes album chart reflects the genre's overseas growth.

K-pop boy band Bigbang scored a first for Korean artists by cracking the top 30 on the US iTunes’ Album Chart when its special edition Still Alive album was released Sunday.

It was the first time any Korean band had made it into the top 100 of the US iTunes Album chart. However, by Tuesday evening the Still Alive album had slid down to No. 105.

The most popular single download on the new album is the new hit “Monster”.

Alive is the group’s fifth EP and its most successful to date. One of the album’s tracks was produced with the help of German DJ Boys Noize who worked with band members G-Dragon and TOP to produce the song “Feeling.”

Alive was originally released on Feb. 29 and has enjoyed surprising success on both domestic and international charts.

Bigbang was formed in 2006 and consists of leader G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang, Daesung and Seungri. The group won early respect as one of few K-pop groups whose songs are actually composed and produced by its members.

After enjoying success in Korea, the group shifted its efforts to Japan in 2009 and 2010, winning acclaim there. That success inspired members to undertake solo ventures, including albums and acting in TV dramas and musicals. T.O.P became a film and TV star while Daesung hosted popular variety shows.

Bigbang reunited in 2011 and won the “Best Worldwide Act” award at the inaugural MTV Europe Music Awards. After releasing their 5th Mini Album Alive in Korea and Japan in early 2012, in March the group embarked on its first world tour of 25 cities in 16 countries.