Yeji Starts ITZY's Solo Run With 'Air' Album: U.S. Chart Analysis

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Yeji started ITZY’s solo run as the first member to release her own album.

The 24-year-old’s AIR was released physically in the U.S. four days after its digital release and after the EP was physically available globally via Korea, meaning U.S. fans either needed to wait until the 14th to get their copy — or find other means to get it sooner. The slight U.S. delay makes strategic sense as Monday is a more advantageous day for K-pop acts to release in Korea (based on their chart and promotional systems). However, Friday is the global release day that Billboard follows and maximizes the amount of sales she can earn in the States with a full seven days of physical units counted in the States, all of which gives Yeji the best chart chances on both sides.

AIR landed at No. 16 on Top Current Album Sales, and No. 17 on Top Album Sales, missing the Billboard 200. Comparatively, ITZY has landed seven albums on the Billboard 200: they peaked in 2022 when Checkmate hit No. 8, but have had diminishing chart results with both of the girl group’s 2024 releases, Born to Be and Gold, landing at Nos. 62 and 60, respectively.

All things considered, Yeji not being able to translate ITZY’s consistent chart presence into her solo release is a bummer — especially since Yeji feels like one of the most likely, if not the member with the most potential to connect in the States.

But ITZY’s chart drops might speak to the larger impacts of how members’ solos will likely perform.

ITZY’s older sister group under JYP Entertainment, TWICE, is a different story. Since July 2021’s Taste of Love hit No. 6 on the Billboard 200, TWICE has earned six consecutive Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200. During that time, three of the members have released solo albums that have all charted: Nayeon hit No. 7 twice with both 2022’s Im Nayeon and 2024’s NA, Jihyo’s Zone EP peaked at No. 14, and Tzuyu entered at No. 19 with her Aboutzu EP.

It may be an apples and oranges (and bananas?) situation to compare group and solo performances — even between groups. But I think even these chart analyses indicate, or at least hint, needing to try new directions or promotional opportunities for ITZY and members.

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ITZY’s western PR team 42west did secure some unique publicity for the release: Access Hollywood, tmrw, NME, Wonderland Magazine, CNA, plus a “Live Lecture” in partnership with Meta via an Instagram Live to learn the “Air” choreography. Yeji also curated a playlist for Apple Music.

Elsewhere on the charts, AIR is also No. 6 on the World Albums chart (which combines U.S. physical sales, streaming activity, and download activity for albums) behind LE SSERAFIM’s HOT, Stray Kids’ Hop, and Jimin of BTS’ Muse albums as the fourth biggest K-pop album in the States this week.

The title track single, “AIR,” is also No. 9 on World Digital Song Sales with U.S. fans showing they still are looking for multiple ways to support Yeji and general interest in the star.

All of this led to Yeji debuting at No. 73 on the Billboard Artist 100 chart, ranking alongside LE SSERAFIM, Jennie, Rosé, Stray Kids and Jisoo as the biggest K-artists in the U.S. this week.

If you’re digging what you hear from Yeji, check out “Invasion,” my favorite track from AIR alongside the title track single.

A version of this story originally appeared in The Crossover’s March 26 Newsletter. Subscribe now to get the latest updates in your inbox.