Ateez lands atop Billboard 200 with 'The World EP Fin: Will'

Boy band Ateez [KQ ENTERTAINMENT]

Ateez's "The World Ep Fin: Will" topped the Billboard 200 albums chart, becoming the seventh K-pop group to top the chart.

The boy band's second full-length album "The World Ep Fin: Will," released on Dec. 1, is its third album to chart on the Billboard 200 albums chart's top 3, following its eighth EP "The World Ep.1: Movement" at No.3 and ninth EP "The World Ep. 2: Outlaw" at No. 2.

"We were surprised to hear the news that we topped the Billboard 200 chart," Ateez said in a press release. "We're so happy, and it feels like a dream to get such good responses again, following our previous release EP 'The World Ep. 2: Outlaw.'"

"It's all thanks to ATINY, who always supports and gives us strength that we are receiving daily gifts like this, even though it's only been a few days since our comeback."

ATINY is the boy band's official fandom.

"The World Ep Fin : Will" also sat at No. 2 on Britain's Official Albums Chart on Dec. 8, making Ateez the only fourth-generation K-pop group to land at No. 2 on the chart, its agency said.

The album sold over 1.7 million copies during the first week of its release, a record for the band. It's also the boy band's third album to become a million seller.

Ateez debuted in 2018 under KQ Entertainment. It has eight members: Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho.

It's known for songs such as "Wave" (2019), "Answer" (2020), "Guerrilla" (2022) and "Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers)." Its latest album, "The World Ep Fin: Will," was the band's first full-length album in four years.

To find out more about Ateez, visit Celeb Confirmed!

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]