2022 has been a huge year for Jung Kook when it comes to his solo successes. The BTS member has yet to release a complete collection without his bandmates, but he has doled out a handful of tracks, including one with fellow pop superstar Charlie Puth. The two collaborated on the single “Left and Right,” which quickly took him to new heights on the Hot 100 and proved he was more than ready to take part in hits all on his own.
This week, “Left and Right” continues its ascension on a number of Billboard’s radio charts, which are notoriously difficult to crack. In fact, the tune appears on all three lists focused on pop music, and in a relatively short span of time, the Jung Kook/Puth collaboration has become one of the biggest and highest-reaching tracks by a South Korean musician in U.S. history.
Here’s a quick look at how “Left and Right” is currently performing on the Billboard pop radio charts as well as what those positions mean.
On this week’s Pop Airplay chart (which has also been called the Mainstream Top 40, among other names), “Left and Right” climbs to a new peak of No. 12. It’s been inching closer and closer to the top 10 for weeks now, and it may soon break into the highly competitive space.
“Left and Right” now appears to be the fourth-highest-charting song by or featuring a South Korean musical act, as three tracks—BTS’s “Dynamite” (No. 5) and “Butter” (No. 7) and Psy’s “Gangnam Style” (No. 10)—have reached the top 10. Focusing on soloists based in the Asian nation, only Psy has managed to climb higher than Jung Kook (at least for the time being).
Adult Contemporary
On the Adult Contemporary chart, which is aimed at radio stations that appeal to those who love the more AC-style of pop, “Left and Right” returns after having fallen off the list recently. This time around, it’s back at No. 27, its peak showing. It looks like the duet might be just the third track with a South Korean artist attached to find its way to the 30-spot ranking, as well as the only one with a soloist to do so. It currently comes in behind both BTS smashes “Dynamite” (No. 16) and “Butter” (No. 25), and while it might not improve any further, the tune has already made history.
Adult Pop
The Adult Pop chart often features many of the same titles as both the Pop Airplay and Adult Contemporary lists, though the radio stations it pulls data from are targeted at older listeners as well. Just like on the Pop Airplay roster, “Left and Right” jumps to No. 12, a new high point for the release.
It appears to be the third-highest-charting song by any South Korean musical act, sandwiched between BTS’s “Dynamite” (No. 10) and “Butter” (No. 14), with only the same septet’s “My Universe” with Coldplay soaring higher. That catchy cut topped out at No. 8 during its heyday.
