Unexpected Victory: K- Drama with 2% Ratings Soars to No. 1 on Billboard with Its OST

While tvN’s weekend drama 'When The Stars Gossip' has seen underwhelming viewership ratings in Korea, its OST has taken the global music scene by storm, delivering an unexpected twist to the drama’s success. According to the latest Billboard charts, BTS’s Jin (Kim Seok-jin) topped the Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart with “Close to You”, the drama’s OST, gaining worldwide recognition.

Despite its star-studded cast and fresh concept, 'When The Stars Gossip' has recorded viewership ratings around the 1% to 2% range, falling short of initial expectations. However, the lack of domestic success hasn’t stopped the OST from making a major impact internationally, earning explosive responses from global fans.

Released on January 26, “Close to You” soared to No. 1 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart and entered the top 10 of the Billboard Digital Song Sales Chart, demonstrating its powerful global influence. Additionally, the song made waves on the UK Official Charts, securing the 20th spot in the "Single Downloads" category and 22nd in the "Single Sales" category.

“Close to You” is a mesmerizing track that portrays a journey across the infinite expanse of the universe to reunite with a loved one. The dreamy instrumental arrangement, paired with Jin’s soothing and crystal-clear vocals, evokes deep emotions and perfectly complements the drama’s themes.

In the series, the OST plays during key moments of heightened emotion between Min-ho Lee’s character Gong Ryong and Gong Hyo-jin’s character Eve Kim. One particularly impactful scene features Gong Ryong’s quiet confession, with Jin’s soulful vocals amplifying the scene’s intensity and creating a dramatic, unforgettable effect.

This isn’t Jin’s first success with a drama OST. In 2021, he made his solo OST debut with “Yours” for tvN’s drama 'Mount Jiri', which also saw major success on international charts. With “Close to You”, Jin once again proves his incredible power as a solo artist, with the track immediately drawing global attention and topping charts worldwide.

While 'When The Stars Gossip' hasn’t made a significant mark locally, its OST has carved out a unique success story in the global market. This achievement highlights the growing influence of Korean drama soundtracks on international audiences and offers a glimpse into the untapped potential for Korean dramas to reach beyond viewership ratings through music-driven success.