BTS's Jimin has done it once again, making history in the UK with his solo song "Who," earning a prestigious BRIT Gold certification!

On the 15th (Korean time), Jimin’s track "Who" reached 400,000 units sold in the UK, officially earning BRIT Gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). This incredible achievement comes just 211 days after the song's release on July 19, 2023, and is the first-ever K-pop solo song to earn a Gold certification since PSY's "Gangnam Style."

The BRIT certification considers digital downloads, streaming counts, and physical album sales. To earn a Gold certification, a song needs to sell 400,000 units, with Platinum being 600,000+ and Multi-Platinum reaching 1.2 million units.

What makes this even more impressive is that Jimin achieved this milestone without any collaborations with major artists, setting a new bar in the UK, a notoriously tough market for K-pop acts.

"Who" also made waves on the UK Official Singles Top 100 chart, climbing to #17—its highest ranking yet—marking its 7th week on the chart since entering in July 2023. With a total of 24 weeks on the chart, it set a new record for the longest chart run by a K-pop solo song since the chart's overhaul in 2014.

Jimin now holds the second-longest charting song for all K-pop tracks, behind only BTS's "Dynamite." He's still holding the record for the longest charting solo and group song, proving that his solo career is just as impactful as his group achievements.

"Who" continues to shine on various charts as well, ranking 23rd on the Official Audio Streaming chart and 26th on the Streaming chart. It has stayed in the top 29 for 29 weeks, further solidifying its place as a fan favorite.

And that’s not all—Jimin also earned the Global Artist in Europe award at the 2024 HANTER Music Awards, showing his unstoppable global popularity even during his hiatus. Jimin continues to make waves worldwide, and fans are eagerly awaiting his next moves!

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Director Bong Joon Ho couldn’t hold back his emotions while remembering the late Lee Sun Kyun.

On February 18, Bong Joon Ho appeared as a guest on MBC’s Son Suk Hee’s Questions and shared his thoughts on filmmaking, his reputation for being meticulous, and his deep regret over Lee Sun Kyun’s passing.

During the interview, Bong Joon Ho explained, "I never start a film thinking about social or political issues. If the storyboard isn’t finished by the morning of the shoot, I get really anxious."

He also talked about his admiration for actors, saying, "A director’s greatest luck is working with talented actors. I always stay alert while watching films, dramas, or plays, wondering if there are amazing actors quietly doing great work without getting noticed."

When asked about his ‘Bong-tail’ nickname—given to him for his extreme attention to detail—he responded, "Sometimes, I feel like it’s a label I want to escape from. Audiences analyze every little thing, looking for mistakes. While precision is important, I don’t think it alone determines a film’s value."

However, the most emotional moment came when the late Lee Sun Kyun was mentioned. Letting out a deep sigh, Bong Joon Ho said, "He was someone I worked with, and so many memories come flooding back. No matter what anyone says, he was a good person. He was a great actor." His heartfelt words left a strong impression.

Bong Joon Ho also addressed the statement he had released following Lee Sun Kyun’s passing. "As someone who worked with him, it was only right to speak up," he admitted.

However, he also expressed deep regret, saying, "I feel ashamed and sorry that I didn’t do it sooner. I kept asking myself why I didn’t act more quickly before such a tragic situation happened."

As he spoke, he became visibly emotional, shedding tears and leaving a heavy atmosphere in the studio.

Meanwhile, Bong Joon Ho’s highly anticipated film Mickey 17 is set to premiere first in South Korea on February 28.

The sci-fi thriller follows the story of an expendable worker, ‘Mickey,’ who is sent on dangerous missions and replaced with a new version when he dies. However, chaos unfolds when ‘Mickey 18’ is printed while ‘Mickey 17’ is still alive.

Source: [1]