forbes.com
Ejae Makes K-Pop History with Two Hot 100 Top 10s
Ejae becomes the first solo female K-pop artist to achieve two top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, surpassing even Blackpink's Rosé, with "Golden" at No. 1 and "How It's Done" at No. 10.
- What is the significance of Ejae's achievement on the Billboard Hot 100?
- Ejae is the first solo female K-pop artist to have two songs in the Hot 100's top 10 simultaneously. This breaks a barrier in the industry, as only one other solo K-pop artist, Rosé of Blackpink, previously achieved a single top 10 hit.
- What are the potential broader implications of Ejae's success for the K-pop industry?
- Ejae's achievement could signal a shift in the international recognition of solo female K-pop artists. It may pave the way for more female soloists to achieve similar success on the global stage, breaking down existing gender barriers and potentially leading to greater representation.
- How does Ejae's accomplishment compare to other K-pop artists' achievements on the Hot 100?
- While several male K-pop soloists have had multiple top 10 hits, including Psy and Jung Kook, Ejae is the first woman to achieve this. This highlights a gender disparity previously existing in the international success of K-pop soloists.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article focuses heavily on Ejae's achievement, framing it as a historic moment for female K-pop solo artists. While acknowledging other artists' successes, the narrative prioritizes Ejae's accomplishment and positions her as a trailblazer, potentially overshadowing the contributions of others. The headline "Ejae Claims Two Hot 100 Top 10s" directly emphasizes her win. The repeated comparison to Rosé, highlighting Ejae surpassing her, further reinforces this focus.
Language Bias
The language used is generally positive and celebratory towards Ejae. However, phrases like "breaks down a barrier" and "uppermost region" are somewhat hyperbolic and could be considered slightly loaded. The description of Saja Boys as "menacing" might carry a negative connotation, although it's arguably fitting with the film's theme. More neutral alternatives could include phrases like 'achieves a significant milestone' and 'highest ranking' instead of 'breaks down a barrier' and 'uppermost region' respectively. Describing Saja boys as a 'successful boy band' might be a more neutral alternative than 'menacing boy band'.
Bias by Omission
The article omits discussion of the overall contributions of the songwriters, producers, and other collaborators involved in Ejae's and Saja Boys' success. While mentioning group members, it doesn't delve into the individual roles or the collaborative processes. The focus remains heavily on the solo artists' achievements, potentially overlooking crucial elements that contributed to the songs' success. Additionally, the article does not mention the sales figures and streaming numbers which also play an important role in achieving top 10 status.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy by primarily contrasting Ejae's success with that of Rosé, implying a limited number of female K-pop soloists achieving top 10 hits. While Rosé is mentioned as the only other female artist to reach this milestone, this might not fully represent the diversity within the K-pop industry. The focus on male versus female artists in the context of multiple top 10 hits also creates a somewhat reductive dichotomy.
Gender Bias
The article highlights the significance of Ejae's achievement as a female K-pop solo artist, directly contrasting it with the male artists who have previously achieved similar milestones. This emphasis on gender is relevant given the historical underrepresentation of women in the genre's top ranks. However, the description of Saja Boys as 'menacing' could be seen as implicitly gendered, associating masculinity with a negative quality. A more neutral term, focusing solely on their musical success, could be used. The article could benefit from including more examples of successful female K-pop solo artists, even if they haven't reached the top 10 of the Hot 100, to provide a more balanced perspective.
Sustainable Development Goals
Ejae's achievement as the first solo female K-pop artist with multiple top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 significantly contributes to gender equality in the music industry. It challenges existing gender imbalances and provides increased visibility for female artists in a male-dominated field. This success can inspire other female artists and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable music landscape. The article highlights this disparity, noting that before Ejae, only one other solo female K-pop artist had achieved a top 10 hit.