BTS has done it again! The global sensation has made history with their smash hit "Dynamite," becoming the first K-pop group to reach a massive 2 billion streams on Spotify.

According to Big Hit Music on January 14, BTS’s digital single "Dynamite," which was released on August 21, 2020, hit the incredible milestone of 2 billion streams as of January 12. The group’s achievement marks a new record, making them the first K-pop artists ever to hit this milestone on the platform.

"Dynamite" also made waves when it became the first song by a Korean artist to hit No. 1 on Spotify’s “Daily Top Songs Global” chart, with an all-time high in streams on its release day. Not only that, but it was also the first K-pop song to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify—another record-breaking feat.

This song has been nothing short of revolutionary for BTS. With "Dynamite," they made history as the first Korean artists to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart and set the longest streak at No. 1 on the chart for a K-pop act. They also became the first-ever Korean artist nominated for a Grammy Award, one of the prestigious "Big Four" American music awards. And in Japan, BTS was the first foreign artist to hit over 800 million streams for a single song on Oricon’s charts.

Known for its lively disco-pop vibe, "Dynamite" has left a permanent mark on the global music scene. Its upbeat rhythm, catchy chorus, and incredible performances continue to captivate fans worldwide. Even after more than four years since its release, the song remains beloved by many, cementing its place as a timeless classic. At the end of last year, Dynamite even made it to UPROXX’s "The 100 Best Hit Songs of the Century So Far." Plus, the music video for "Dynamite" surpassed 1.9 billion views on YouTube, proving its lasting popularity.

BTS has once again proven why they are a global powerhouse, setting new records and breaking barriers for K-pop around the world.

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The upcoming SBS drama Love Scout, starring Han Ji Min and Lee Jun Hyuk, is already making headlines—but for all the wrong reasons.

Recent revelations about the show’s co-director, Ham Joon Ho, have sparked controversy. It was revealed that Ham Joon Ho had faced legal issues in 2020 for assault and defamation while intoxicated.

This incident led to disciplinary action within SBS and has raised questions about his involvement in the new project.

On January 13, the production team of Love Scout released an official apology, saying, "We deeply regret causing concern with unpleasant news related to PD Ham Joon Ho."

They confirmed the allegations, stating, "It is true that PD Ham Joon Ho was accused of assault and defamation while intoxicated in early 2020. However, he sincerely apologized to all victims, and the matter was resolved through forgiveness and mutual agreement."

They added, "He also received legal punishment for the incident. Additionally, reports about his prior criminal record from five years ago are unrelated to this case, as they involve a misdemeanor."

The team explained that Ham Joon Ho was suspended from his duties following the incident and spent three years reflecting on his actions before returning to directing. They added, "We kindly ask for viewers’ understanding."

The controversy began after online posts brought up the 2020 incident, sharing a news article from that time. The article described an SBS drama department employee, referred to as “A,” causing a disturbance in Hannam-dong, Seoul, while intoxicated. Police booked “A,” and due to their prior criminal record, an arrest warrant was requested but later denied.

It was later confirmed that “A” was PD Ham Joon Ho. After serving his suspension, he made his directorial comeback with the SBS drama Payback before taking on Love Scout.

Despite the production team's apology, the controversy has cast a shadow over the highly anticipated drama, leaving viewers wondering how it will impact the show’s reception.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds!

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