Jennie Kim, known globally as Jennie from Blackpink, has once again proven her dominance on the American radio charts. Her collaboration with Australian psychedelic rock band Tame Impala, titled "Dracula," has climbed to No. 7 on Billboard's Pop Airplay chart, tying with two of the most beloved K-pop hits in history. This achievement marks a significant milestone not just for Jennie, but for K-pop as a genre gaining traction on top 40 radio in the United States.
From Viral Hit to Radio Smash
Released in late 2025 as a single by Tame Impala, "Dracula" quickly became an alternative and rock radio favorite. However, it was the addition of Jennie's vocals in a remix that propelled the song into the mainstream. The version featuring Jennie was shared weeks after the original release, and her star power, combined with the song's infectious melody, turned "Dracula" into a multigenre phenomenon. Within weeks, it began climbing Billboard's radio charts, making history with every new position. The track now sits at No. 7 on the Pop Airplay chart, a career high for both Tame Impala and Jennie.
This is not the first time Jennie has achieved chart success outside of Blackpink. As a solo artist, she has scored hits on both the Digital Song Sales and Global 200 charts, but "Dracula" marks her highest peak on the Pop Airplay ranking. For Tame Impala, whose previous radio hits like "The Less I Know the Better" and "Feels Like We Only Go Backwards" performed well on alternative rock formats, "Dracula" represents a breakthrough into pop radio.
Fourth-Highest Peaking K-Pop Song
The No. 7 position places "Dracula" in elite company. It ties with BTS's "Butter" (released in 2021) and Fifty Fifty's "Cupid" (released in 2023) as the fourth-highest peaking songs by K-pop acts on the Pop Airplay chart. Both of those songs spent 20 weeks on the chart and stalled at No. 7, though "Dracula" may continue to climb in the coming weeks.
Only three songs by K-pop artists have peaked higher. The highest is "Apt." by Rosé and Bruno Mars, which became the first K-pop song to hit No. 1 in early 2025. Rosé, also a member of Blackpink, set a new standard for the genre. Just months later, "Golden" by KPop Demon Hunters featuring Ejae and Huntr/x reached No. 1 as well, spending multiple weeks at the top. BTS's "Dynamite" peaked at No. 5 in 2020, a record that stood for four years until Rosé broke it. Psy's "Gangnam Style" was the first K-pop song to enter the top 10, peaking at No. 10 in 2012, paving the way for all subsequent successes.
Jennie's Solo Journey and Blackpink's Radio History
While Blackpink has had multiple hits on the Pop Airplay chart, none have reached the top 10. The girl group's four entries include "How You Like That," "Ice Cream" (with Selena Gomez), "Lovesick Girls," and "Pink Venom." These songs peaked between No. 10 and No. 20, making Jennie's solo feat with "Dracula" even more impressive. Individually, Jennie has also charted with her solo singles "Solo" and "You & Me," but neither reached the heights of her collaboration with Tame Impala.
Jennie's ability to cross over from K-pop to Western pop radio highlights her appeal as a global superstar. She has amassed a massive following on social media, with over 80 million Instagram followers, and her fashion ventures with brands like Chanel and Calvin Klein have made her a style icon. Her work with Tame Impala also showcases her versatility as an artist, blending her K-pop roots with alternative rock and electronic music.
The Rise of K-Pop on American Radio
The journey of K-pop on U.S. pop radio began with Psy's "Gangnam Style" in 2012. At the time, it was unprecedented that a non-English song could receive significant airplay on top 40 stations. The viral nature of the song forced radio programmers to play it, and it peaked at No. 10. For years, no other K-pop act matched that feat. BTS changed the game with "Dynamite" in 2020, becoming the first K-pop group to hit No. 5. Then came Rosé and Bruno Mars in 2025, followed by "Golden," and now Jennie.
The Pop Airplay chart measures the number of spins on mainstream top 40 radio stations across the U.S. Historically, K-pop acts have struggled to gain traction on these stations due to language barriers and the preference for English-language hits. However, as K-pop has grown in global popularity, radio programmers have become more open to including songs with Korean lyrics or by Korean artists. Jennie's "Dracula" features primarily English lyrics, which may have aided its radio success, but it still represents a win for K-pop representation.
Chart Milestones and Future Potential
In addition to its Pop Airplay success, "Dracula" appears on 21 different Billboard charts this week, including a debut at No. 26 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It also reaches new peaks on three other radio-based charts: Adult Pop Airplay (No. 14), Alternative Airplay (No. 3), and Rock & Alternative Airplay (No. 4). The song's cross-format appeal indicates that it has staying power beyond just pop radio.
With the continued momentum, "Dracula" could potentially surpass No. 7 in the coming weeks, depending on radio support and streaming numbers. The song is also performing well on streaming platforms, with millions of weekly streams on Spotify and Apple Music. If the trend continues, Jennie may soon have the highest-peaking K-pop song on the Pop Airplay chart among soloists, tying or exceeding Rosé's record.
Tame Impala's Unlikely Pop Crossover
For Tame Impala, "Dracula" represents a surprising but welcome crossover success. The band, led by Kevin Parker, has long been a staple of alternative and indie rock scenes, with critical acclaim for albums like "Currents" and "The Slow Rush." However, mainstream pop radio has eluded them until now. The collaboration with Jennie opened doors to a wider audience, and the song's production—featuring Parker's signature synth-heavy sound and Jennie's crisp vocals—appeals to both demographics. It is a testament to the power of cross-genre collaborations in today's music industry.
As "Dracula" continues its chart run, it highlights the growing influence of K-pop in American music culture. Jennie's tie with BTS and Fifty Fifty is more than just a statistic; it represents the breaking down of barriers that once limited K-pop's reach. With each new milestone, acts like Blackpink, BTS, and Rosé pave the way for future generations of Korean artists to find success on U.S. radio.
Source: Forbes News