Most Popular Soloist Debuts This Year, Based On Album Sales

The music industry often gauges the success of artists’ debuts through album sales, and solo debuts are no exception. In 2023, several solo artists from popular groups made a significant impact with their debut albums. The sales data mentioned here is calculated using Circle Chart — formerly known as the Gaon Chart —  one of the most reliable sources for tracking music sales in South Korea.

1. BTS’s Jungkook

The BTS superstar set a new standard with his debut album “Golden,” released on November 3, 2023. The album sold an impressive 2,633,296 copies, marking a historic moment as it achieved one of the highest sales for a K-Pop solo artist.

2. BTS’s V

V released his debut solo album, “Layover,” on September 8. The album witnessed remarkable success, selling 2,243,861 copies. This feat demonstrated V’s immense global popularity and the strong anticipation for his solo work.

3. BTS’s Jimin

Jimin made his solo debut with the mini album “Face” on March 24, 2023. The album achieved significant sales of 1,696,398 copies, highlighting Jimin’s popularity and the high demand for his solo endeavors within the ARMY community.

4. BLACKPINK’s Jisoo

Jisoo became the last member of BLACKPINK to enjoy a solo debut by releasing “ME” on March 31. The album sold 1,535,581 copies, a testament to Jisoo’s strong individual appeal and the group’s loyal fanbase.​

5. TWICE’s Jihyo

Jihyo from TWICE debuted with her mini album “ZONE” on August 18, 2023. It sold 599,735 copies, showcasing her talent as a solo artist and the solid support from TWICE fans.

6. NCT’s Taeyong

NCT’s Taeyong released his debut solo mini-album, “SHALALA,” on June 5, 2023. The album, which enjoyed success across various international iTunes charts, sold a total of 507,683 copies.

7. Soojin

Soojin, formerly of the girl group (G)I-DLE, made her solo debut with the EP “AGASSY” on November 8, 2023. The album marked her return to the industry with sales of 70,000 copies, highlighting her enduring popularity​.

8. Jini

Jini debuted with her EP “An Iron Hand In A Velvet Glove” on October 11, 2023. Her debut was successful, with sales reaching 61,904 copies, establishing her as a promising solo artist.