BLACKPINK, IZ*ONE, and More: These are the Best-Selling Debut Albums by K-Pop Girl Groups

By Alexa Lewis Apr 28, 2021

One of the big milestones K-pop groups is when they release their debut albums. Want to know which debut albums by girl groups are best-sellers, according to Gaon? Then keep on reading!

Note: Debut albums do not always mean debut songs. Some groups release a single for their debut, while some release albums. This list will strictly contain mini-albums and full-length studio albums.

BLACKPINK's "SQUARE UP" is the Best-Selling Debut Album by a K-Pop Girl Group

According to the Gaon Music Chart, BLACKPINK's first mini-album, "SQUARE UP," is the most successful debut album by a K-pop girl group. Released on Jun. 15, 2018, the mini-album has sold 371,698 copies since its release. Within the first fifteen days of its release, "SQUARE UP" sold 1790,000 copies and debuted at the top of the Gaon Albums Chart.

(Photo : BLACKPINK Instagram)

In the United States, "SQUARE UP" debuted number 40 on the Billboard Global 200. Additionally, "SQUARE UP" also topped the Billboard World Albums Chart. In Japan, the mini-album debuted at number one on the Oricon Weekly Digital Albums chart. By the end of the year, Billboard named "SQUARE UP" the 20th best K-pop album of the year, noting how the songs exuded confidence, sass, and chicness.

Refinery29 ranked "SQUARE UP" as the eighth-best album of the year, saying that it flaunts BLACKPINK's signature cheekiness and effortless swagger.

(Photo : BLACKPINK Instagram)

IZONE's "COLORIZ" is the Second Best-Selling Debut Album by a K-Pop Girl Group

Following after BLACKPINK's "SQUARE UP" is IZ*ONE's debut mini-album, "COLOR*IZ." Released on Oct. 29, 2018, this mini-album has sold 282,816 copies since its release.

(Photo : IZ*ONE Twitter)

"COLOR*IZ" debuted at number two on the Gaon Album Chart for the first week of its release. For the Monthly Gaon Album Chart, the mini-album peaked at number four. All seven tracks of the album charted on the Gaon Download Chart, with the title track "La Vie en Rose" charting at number 14.

In Japan, "COLOR*IZ" debuted at the top of the Oricon Weekly Album Chart and the Oricon Weekly Digital Album Chart. In the United States, "COLOR*IZ" debuted at number nine on Billboard's World Albums Chart. "La Vie en Rose" debuted at number six on the World Digital Songs chart. IZ*ONE is one of the eight K-pop girl groups to have their debut releases appear on both the World Albums and World Digital Songs chart.

(Photo : IZ*ONE Twitter)

"COLOR*IZ" topped the iTunes Albums Chart in ten countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Japan, Israel, and Indonesia. According to Nielsen Music, "La Vie en Rose" was the best-selling K-pop song from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1.