YG’s rookie girl group BabyMonster has made an incredible achievement, surpassing 1.72 million album sales in only one year since their debut.

After making their official debut on April 1st last year, BabyMonster released their first full album and embarked on their very first world tour, accomplishing massive goals at an extraordinary pace for a rookie group.

They’ve quickly outpaced expectations, especially after being named “the most promising K-pop rookie of 2024” by Billboard.

The group’s impressive rise can be credited to their undeniable talent. With a wide range of musical styles and a signature high-quality sound, along with powerful live performances on music shows, radio, and year-end stages, BabyMonster has gained a passionate following.

Tracks like SHEESH and DRIP made huge chart moves, climbing quickly on major domestic charts like Melon and sparking a reverse-charting phenomenon.

DRIP especially made waves, ranking 16th on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart and 30th on the Billboard Global 200, staying on the charts for 16 and 20 consecutive weeks.

On Spotify, the world’s largest music streaming platform, SHEESH achieved the best entry for a K-pop girl group song in 2024, marking the start of their success. With over 1.1 billion streams, BabyMonster has shown incredible potential with just two albums under their belt, making their future in the music world even more exciting.

The group’s loyal fanbase has been a huge driving force behind their growth. With their first mini-album BABYMONS7ER, they set a new record for first-week sales by a K-pop girl group debut (401,287 copies).

Their first full album DRIP sold 1.7 times more, with 677,961 copies sold, and made it to 149th place on the Billboard 200. Now, with over 1.72 million albums sold, they’re on the verge of reaching “million-seller” status.

On YouTube, BabyMonster has also made a massive impact. Since debuting, their official channel has gained over 4.28 million new subscribers, reaching a total of 8.89 million.

Their music video for SHEESH made history as the fastest K-pop girl group debut song to hit 100 million views, and they now have 8 videos with over 100 million views. Their total view count has surpassed 4.2 billion.

The group is also expanding their fanbase worldwide. Last year, they held a fan meeting tour with 12 sessions in 7 cities, and participated in major music festivals like Japan’s Summer Sonic and the TMEA in Chinese-speaking regions.

This year, they kicked off their first world tour, 2025 BABYMONSTER 1st WORLD TOUR HELLO MONSTERS, which is even bigger, with 32 sessions across 20 cities.

As BabyMonster continues to gain more popularity, their global reach is expected to grow even more in the second half of 2025.

Fans are eagerly anticipating their live performances, and BabyMonster is also making a mark through TV, radio, and YouTube appearances.

BabyMonster’s journey, which has already left a major mark on K-pop in their first year, is just getting started. YG has promised to continue supporting the group’s artistic growth, stating, “We will fully support BabyMonster so they can show their limitless potential and musical abilities. Look forward to many exciting projects in the second half of 2025.”

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Lee Kyung Gyu's star-making influence goes beyond Kang Ho Dong, as Hong Jin Kyung shares how he helped her kickstart her career.

On the April 24 episode of KBS 2TV’s Problem Child in House, legendary comedian Lee Kyung Gyu appeared as a guest—and a touching story from the past was revealed.

Hong Jin Kyung surprised everyone when she said, “He’s the teacher for all of us. Personally, he’s the one who helped me debut.” She even pinned a carnation flower on his chest to show her gratitude.

Lee Kyung Gyu smiled and said, “I still remember when Hong Jin Kyung walked up the stairs onto the stage for the first time.”

Hong Jin Kyung then shared her journey to becoming a star. “I joined a supermodel contest, but only the top 3 winners were noticed in broadcasting. I got a special prize, so I had no chance to be on TV."

She continued, "At first, I was just a backup for a show. But somehow, I became a regular the next week. I never knew why."

She added, "I thought the PD gave me a shot. But then one day, I randomly met Kyung Gyu sunbae, and he told me it was actually him who recommended me.”

Kim Sook asked with a smile, “So Kyung Gyu sunbae said nice things about you to the PD?”

Lee Kyung Gyu playfully replied, “Don’t say it in such a childish way,” making everyone laugh.

He then explained more seriously, “The show was Scoop TV Entertainment, and I was pretty much the main MC. When Jin Kyung showed up, I saw her determination and passion."

He added, "While others didn’t seem serious, she really stood out. I told the PD, ‘She seems unique. Why not keep her on the show?’”

Kim Jong Kook chimed in, “So if the main MC said that, doesn’t that mean you basically got her in?”

That made Lee Kyung Gyu happy. He grinned and replied, “Exactly! You speak well. Be like him!”

He added, “After that, Jin Kyung’s career took off. She started doing shows with Lee Young Ja and just kept going.”

Fans are now calling Lee Kyung Gyu not only a top MC, but also a quiet star-maker behind the scenes!

Source: [1]