“How Did This Chart?”: Netizens Confused by ATEEZ’s ‘Lemon Drop’ Billboard HOT 100 Entry

ATEEZ’s latest release, Lemon Drop, has unexpectedly entered the Billboard HOT 100 at #69. It left both fans and chart watchers completely stunned. What’s puzzling is that the song showed no significant presence on major global charts. On top of that, it had relatively modest streaming numbers throughout the week.

No Major Streaming Impact

Lemon Drop from GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3 failed to chart on Global Spotify, U.S. Spotify, Apple Music, Apple Music U.S., and Amazon Music. 

The song briefly appeared on U.S. iTunes, peaking at #36, but showed no notable traction in digital sales or streaming otherwise. The highest daily stream count for the track hovered around 884,000. Released on June 13, Lemon Drop’s total streams sit at over 7.8 million.

Despite these figures, the song still landed a place on the prestigious Billboard HOT 100. Even the Billboard chart predictor accounts did not predict that the song would enter this week’s chart.

Netizens Demand Answers

Netizens quickly took to social media to express their confusion. Many questioned how the song could have made the Hot 100 given the lack of visible metrics.

“It is not just strange, it is controversial”

“No Global Spotify, no US Spotify, and no Amazon Music?? How??

“No hate I love ATEEZ but I am genuinely confused HOW?

“We need Billboard to explain this entry actually”

“Just pure fraudulence”

“This makes zero sense no matter what way you twist it”

“Nowadays anybody can chart on the HOT 100”

“Following in HYBE’s footsteps”

Fans Defend ATEEZ

Some fans quickly stepped in to clarify the confusion. Lemon Drop debuted with 1,220,112 streams on Spotify, not under 1 million as some assumed. While streaming numbers are often the most visible metric, the Billboard HOT 100 formula does not rely solely on streaming. The chart generally follows a weighted system where streaming contributes approximately 20-30%, sales (both digital and physical) account for about 30-40%, and radio airplay typically holds 30-40% of the overall chart calculation.

As part of their strategy, ATEEZ’s fandom focused heavily on boosting sales, including purchasing both digital singles and physical CD singles. Fans defend that it made a strong impact on the song’s chart position.

On another note, ATEEZ will embark on their world tour IN YOUR FANTASY with two shows in Incheon next month.