Wanna One, X1, EXO, and More: These are the Best-Selling Debut Albums by K-Pop Boy Groups

By Alexa Lewis Apr 28, 2021

What is one big milestone ever K-pop artist looks forward to? It is the release of their debut album! Want to know which debut boy group albums are considered best-sellers? 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.

Wanna One's "1X1=1 (TO BE ONE)" is the Best-Selling Debut Album by a K-pop Boy Group

Wanna One's debut mini-album, "1X1=1 (TO BE ONE)," is not only the best-selling debut album by a K-pop boy group, but it is also the best-selling debut album by a K-pop group overall. Released on Aug. 7, 2017, "1X1=1 (TO BE ONE)" has sold 805,290 copies since its release.

(Photo : Wanna One Twitter)

"1X1=1 (TO BE ONE)" topped the Gaon Monthly Album Chart for the month of Aug. 2017, selling over 704,000 copies. By Oct. 2017, the mini-album has sold 733,000 copies. In the United States, "1X1=1 (TO BE ONE)" debuted at number three on the Billboard World Albums Chart. The mini-album debuted at number one on the iTunes Albums Chart in eleven countries. The album's title song, "Energetic," topped all six major music sites in South Korea and achieved a real-time all-kill status.

Previously, Wanna One made headlines when it was announced that "1X1=1 (TO BE ONE)" surpassed 600,000 pre-order copies, making it the debut K-pop album with the highest volume of pre-orders.

(Photo : Wanna One Twitter)

X1's "EMERGENCY: QUANTUM LEAP" is the Second Best-Selling Debut Album by a K-Pop Boy Group

Following Wanna One's "1X1=1 (TO BE ONE)" is X1's "EMERGENCY: QUANTUM LEAP." Coincidentally, both groups were formed through Mnet's "Produce" series! Released on Aug. 27, 2019, "EMERGENCY: QUANTUM LEAP" has sold 657,888 copies since its release.

(Photo : X1 Twitter)

In South Korea, "EMERGENCY: QUANTUM LEAP" debuted at the top of the Gaon Weekly Album Chart and peaked at number four in the Gaon Monthly Album Chart. In the United States, the mini-album peaked at number nine on the Billboard World Albums Chart. In Japan, it peaked at number four on the Oricon Chart and number ten on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.

It also charted in France and Japan. On Frace's National Syndicate of Phonographic Public (SNEP) charts, "EMERGENCY: QUANTUM LEAP" ranked at number 76. In Poland's Polish Societ of the Phonographic Industry (ZPAV) chart, "EMERGENCY: QUANTUM LEAP" peaked at number 22.