{
  "id": 16831735,
  "title": "Virtual idol group PLAVE hits No. 31 on Billboard 200",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/virtual-idol-group-plave-hits-no-31-on-billboard-200",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-28T02:07:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/k-pop/20261028/virtual-idol-group-plave-hits-no-31-on-billboard-200"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Korean virtual idol group PLAVE has reached its highest-ever position on the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart with their latest EP, Hyperdrive. The fifth release from the band entered at No. 31 on the main albums chart, as reported by Billboard on Tuesday. This marks an improvement from PLAVE's previous best ranking of No. 145, which they achieved with their fourth EP, Caligo Pt. 2, in May. The release that propelled them higher was Hyperdrive, which was released on October 19. The EP sold over 1.32 million copies in Korea within its first week, setting a new sales record for the group.\n\nOther notable entries on the Billboard 200 included the original soundtrack for the hit Netflix animation KPop Demon Hunters, which landed at No. 35, and Katseye's Wild at No. 39. BTS' fifth full-length album, Arirang, was ranked 46th, a drop of five spots from the previous week. The album's run on the chart extended to its 31st consecutive week. Stray Kids' single This & That held the 93rd position on the chart. On the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, Dracula, a collaborative single by BLACKPINK's Jennie and Australian act Tame Impala, ranked at No. 8, spending.",
  "summary": "Korean virtual idol group PLAVE has achieved its highest-ever ranking on the U.S. Billboard's main albums chart with its latest release. The band's fifth EP, \"Hyperdrive,\" debuted at No. 31 on the Billboard 200, according to the latest chart released Tuesday (U.S. time). The result surpassed the group's previous best ranking of No. 145, set by its fourth EP, \"Caligo Pt. 2,\" in May, which marked…",
  "key_points": [
    "South Korean virtual idol group PLAVE reaches No. 31 on Billboard 200",
    "Their EP Hyperdrive released on October 19",
    "Hyperdrive sold over 1.32 million copies in Korea in its first week"
  ],
  "editors_take": "PLAVE’s rapid ascent on the Billboard 200 signals the growing commercial viability of virtual idols as they secure significant mainstream chart positions alongside established K-pop heavyweights.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Virtual idol group Plave hits No. 31 on Billboard 200",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/virtual-idol-group-plave-hits-no-31-on-billboard-200-16834328",
        "published": "2026-10-28T01:31:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}