Jennie and Tame Impala's 'Dracula' Conquers Pop Airplay

In a week that further solidifies Blackpink's legendary status, member Jennie has achieved a monumental solo milestone. Her collaboration with Australian psychedelic pop project Tame Impala, titled 'Dracula,' has ascended to the No. 1 position on Billboard's Pop Airplay chart. This marks the first chart-topping hit on that specific ranking for both Jennie (as a soloist) and Tame Impala (the musical moniker of Kevin Parker). The single, which blends K-pop sensibilities with Tame Impala's signature synth-heavy sound, has become a global phenomenon since its release earlier in 2026, dominating not only pop radio but also rock, alternative, and dance charts.

The Pop Airplay chart, which tracks radio airplay on mainstream top 40 stations across the United States, is one of the most competitive metrics in the music industry. Reaching No. 1 there is a hallmark of widespread commercial appeal and radio-friendly production. For Jennie, who originally rose to fame as one-fourth of Blackpink, this achievement adds to an already glittering solo career. She has previously charted hits like 'Solo' and 'You & Me,' but 'Dracula' represents her first outright radio champion in the U.S.

Blackpink Joins an Exclusive Club

While Jennie's personal victory is impressive, the broader significance lies in how it elevates her group, Blackpink. With Jennie's new No. 1, Blackpink becomes only the fourth musical group in the history of the Pop Airplay chart to have multiple members reach the summit as solo artists. The first Blackpink member to achieve this was Rosé, who topped the Pop Airplay chart in February 2025 with her collaboration with Bruno Mars, 'Apt.' That track held the No. 1 spot for an entire month, a rare feat in the fast-paced world of radio. Now, half of the group's members—Rosé and Jennie—have accomplished what most solo artists never do.

This puts Blackpink in rarefied air alongside some of the biggest acts in pop history. The first group to achieve the milestone was Destiny's Child, which saw two members score solo Pop Airplay No. 1s: Kelly Rowland (with Nelly on 'Dilemma' in 2002) and Beyoncé (who has since amassed seven No. 1s, including 'Irreplaceable,' 'Single Ladies,' and multiple collaborations). The second group was Fifth Harmony, which produced solo chart-toppers from Normani (with Khalid on 'Love Lies') and Camila Cabello (who earned five No. 1s, including 'Havana' and 'Señorita'). The third group is One Direction, which leads all acts with four of its five members scoring Pop Airplay No. 1s: Niall Horan ('Slow Hands'), Zayn ('Pillowtalk'), Liam Payne ('Strip That Down' with Quavo), and Harry Styles (four No. 1s, including 'As It Was' and 'Watermelon Sugar'). Only Louis Tomlinson has yet to achieve this feat.

Blackpink's achievement is particularly noteworthy because the group formed outside the traditional Western pop machine. The four-member South Korean girl group debuted in 2016 under YG Entertainment and quickly became a global phenomenon, breaking records on YouTube, streaming platforms, and international charts. Their ability to produce solo radio hits that resonate with mainstream American audiences—while maintaining their core K-pop identity—demonstrates a unique cross-cultural appeal.

Deep Dive into 'Dracula' and Its Chart Dominance

'Dracula' is not just a pop radio hit; it has become a multi-format powerhouse. The single currently rules seven different Billboard charts simultaneously. In addition to its new No. 1 on Pop Airplay, 'Dracula' remains at the top of Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, Hot Rock Songs, Hot Alternative Songs, Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, Rock Streaming Songs, and Dance Streaming Songs. This unprecedented cross-format success reflects the song's genre-blending production. Tame Impala's Kevin Parker is known for his lush, psychedelic soundscapes, while Jennie's delivery adds a sleek, confident pop edge. The track's dark, driving beat and hooks have made it a staple on both alternative rock stations and mainstream top 40.

For Tame Impala, 'Dracula' marks a career-defining moment. Although the project has been critically acclaimed for over a decade—with albums like 'Currents' (2015) and 'The Slow Rush' (2020) earning Grammy nominations—a No. 1 on Pop Airplay had eluded Parker until now. His previous highest-charting single on the Pop Airplay chart was 'The Less I Know the Better,' which peaked at No. 19 in 2016. Collaborating with a K-pop star might have seemed an unlikely path to radio dominance, but the partnership has proven that genre boundaries are increasingly meaningless in the streaming era.

From a production standpoint, 'Dracula' features Parker's trademark warped synthesizers, a four-on-the-floor drum pattern, and Jennie's bilingual verses (the song includes lyrics in both English and Korean). The chorus is a soaring, anthemic hook that lends itself to radio repetition. The music video, released simultaneously with the single, has amassed over 200 million views on YouTube within its first few months, further amplifying its reach.

Historical Context: Blackpink's Solo Trajectories

Blackpink's members have all pursued solo endeavors since the group's hiatus from full-group activities in 2023. Jennie launched her own label, Odd Atelier, in late 2023 and has since released several singles and collaborations. Her debut solo single 'Solo' (2018) had already established her as a formidable independent artist, but 'Dracula' represents a quantum leap in commercial scale. Rosé's 'Apt.' with Bruno Mars became a global phenomenon, spending multiple weeks atop the Billboard Global 200 and earning her a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Lisa, the third member, has focused on Thai and international markets, scoring hits like 'Money' and 'Rockstar,' though she has not yet topped a U.S. radio airplay chart. Jisoo, the fourth member, has concentrated on acting and solo releases in Korea, with her single 'Flower' performing well on Asian charts but not crossing over to major U.S. airplay.

The fact that half of Blackpink's members have now topped the Pop Airplay chart is a testament to the group's built-in fanbase (known as BLINKs) and their strategic partnerships with Western artists. Both Rosé and Jennie collaborated with established Western stars—Bruno Mars and Tame Impala, respectively—to bridge the gap between K-pop and American radio. This contrasts with earlier K-pop acts like BTS, whose members have had solo hits on other Billboard charts (e.g., Hot 100) but have not yet achieved a No. 1 on Pop Airplay as soloists. BTS members Jung Kook, Jimin, and V have come close, with Jung Kook's 'Seven' peaking at No. 3 on Pop Airplay in 2023.

The Pop Airplay chart has historically been dominated by solo artists from traditional Western pop backgrounds. Groups that generate multiple solo No. 1s are rare because they require each member to have independent star power strong enough to break out of the group's shadow. One Direction achieved this because they were launched as a manufactured boy band designed to solo eventually. Destiny's Child and Fifth Harmony both had clear lead singers who overshadowed others, yet still managed to produce two solo chart-toppers each. Blackpink's members, by contrast, have always been marketed as equal parts of a cohesive group, making their solo radio success even more remarkable.

Radio and the Future of K-pop in America

The Pop Airplay chart is notoriously difficult for non-English songs or non-Western artists to crack. Historically, only a handful of K-pop acts have reached the top 10, let alone No. 1. Before Rosé's 'Apt.,' BTS's 'Dynamite' peaked at No. 2 in 2020, and PSY's 'Gangnam Style' reached No. 4 in 2012. The fact that two Blackpink members have now conquered the summit suggests a shift in radio programming. Program directors are more willing to play K-pop-infused tracks, especially when they feature familiar Western collaborators. This trend mirrors the growth of K-pop's streaming audience, which has expanded exponentially in the U.S. since 2020.

Jennie's success with 'Dracula' also highlights the importance of collaboration in breaking into radio. The song's production is anchored in Tame Impala's alternative rock and psychedelic pop foundation, which gives it a sound more familiar to U.S. radio than traditional K-pop. Yet, Jennie's presence and the song's hooky chorus ensure it retains a distinct identity. This hybrid approach is likely to be replicated by other K-pop acts seeking radio play.

Industry analysts predict that Blackpink's solo achievements will bolster the group's collective brand when they eventually reunite for a new album. Their next group project, expected in 2027, will benefit from the heightened profiles of Jennie and Rosé as solo radio stars. Meanwhile, the two remaining members, Lisa and Jisoo, may also pursue solo radio ambitions—Lisa in particular has been rumored to be working with Western producers for a potential pop crossover.

Conclusion: A Historic Week for Blackpink

Jennie's No. 1 on the Pop Airplay chart is more than just a personal win; it is a historic milestone for Blackpink and a sign of K-pop's growing integration into the mainstream American music landscape. By joining the ranks of One Direction, Destiny's Child, and Fifth Harmony, Blackpink cements its legacy as a group capable of producing bonafide solo superstars. As 'Dracula' continues to dominate multiple charts and radio airwaves, Jennie, Tame Impala, and Blackpink have carved a permanent place in Billboard history.

Source: Forbes News