Singer Baek Yerin becomes first S. Korean artist to top song charts with English song

[Baek Yerin's Instagram]

SEOUL -- Baek Yerin, a 22-year-old former member of JYP Entertainment's female duo 15&, has set a milestone in South Korea's music history by topping real-time song charts wih a full English song. Her name also topped the list of top trending keywords in Naver, the country's largest web portal.

"They say that I am the first South Korean to top song charts with a song written in English, so, I think I can brag a little about this?" the 22-year-old wrote on her Instagram. The singer released "Square (2017)", the title song of her new solo album, on Tuesday.

The English song, included in "Every letter I sent You", a full-album containing a total of 18 songs, has topped all major South Korean online music services including Melon, Genie and Soribada on Wednesday. Of 18 tracks, 17 were written in English. Several songs from Baek's album were ranked high.

Baek debuted in 2012 as a member of female duo 15&. The band has been inactive since 2015, when Baek debuted as a solo artist. In 2018, she formed "The Volunteers", an indie rock band. The Volunteers only sings songs written in English. In September this year, she chose not to renew her contract with JYP Entertainment.

Park Sae-jin swatchsjp@ajunews.com

Singer Baek Yerin becomes first S. Korean artist to top song charts with English song

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