Can BTS’s latest song break the “Gangnam Style” record?
BTS’s “Dynamite” arrived in August 2020 as a bright, disco-flavored single and quickly turned into a long-distance runner on the Billboard Hot 100. The track ultimately spent thirty-two weeks on the chart, nudging past Psy’s “Gangnam Style,” which logged thirty-one weeks nearly a decade earlier. That narrow margin settled the original question: the newer song did break the record for longest-charting Korean act on the ranking.
“Dynamite” is number one
The single debuted at No. 1, the first time an all-Korean act had done so. It held the top slot for three non-consecutive weeks and finished its run at thirty-two total weeks. The performance erased any doubt about staying power and confirmed that the song’s early momentum translated into sustained radio and streaming support across markets.
Psy’s record
“Gangnam Style” peaked at No. 2 for seven weeks in 2012 and remained on the Hot 100 for thirty-one weeks total. When “Dynamite” crossed the thirty-one-week mark in April 2021, it officially surpassed Psy’s mark by one week and took the record for longest-charting Korean song on the list.
Psy’s wild music video
The “Gangnam Style” clip, released in July 2012, still sits near the top of YouTube’s all-time views with roughly 5.9 billion plays as of mid-2026. “Dynamite,” which premiered in August 2020, has cleared 2.1 billion views in the same period. The newer video lacks the meme-driven chaos that made Psy’s dance inescapable, yet its sleek choreography and retro styling kept viewers returning long after the initial hype.
Dynamite's Lasting Streaming Legacy
Years after release, “Dynamite” continues to appear on global streaming charts and YouTube’s most-viewed lists. Post-release data showed it ranking among the top-streamed tracks of its era, with digital sales that outpaced most K-pop singles of the period. The steady numbers reflect a song built for repeat plays rather than one-off virality.
Impact on K-Pop's Global Chart Breakthrough
“Dynamite” marked the first time an all-Korean act opened at No. 1 on the Hot 100. That debut opened doors for later BTS entries and for other K-pop acts that followed. Industry trackers now treat the moment as a clear before-and-after point for Korean music on mainstream U.S. charts.
Dynamite's Music Video Milestones
The clip became the first BTS video to reach two billion views and kept climbing past 2.1 billion by mid-2026. Those figures place it among the platform’s most-watched music videos overall, even without the novelty factor that propelled “Gangnam Style.”
Psy and BTS: Enduring Cultural Footprints
“Gangnam Style” still generates fan recreations and live performances in 2026, keeping its horse-riding dance alive in pop-culture memory. Meanwhile, “Dynamite” settled into a quieter but consistent presence, soundtracking playlists and events long after its chart peak. Together the two tracks illustrate how Korean music can lodge itself in global conversation through very different routes.
