No. 1 is the second Korean-language studio album (third overall) by South Korean recording artist BoA. The album's composition and arrangement was handled by several music collaborators, such as Yoo Young-jin, Kangta, Ahn Ik-soo, Sigurd Heimdal Rosnes, among others. Released through SM Entertainment on April 12, 2002, No. 1 marked BoA's return to South Korea following the release of her debut Japanese album Listen to My Heart a month prior, which saw widespread recognition in Japan.
No. 1 was a commercial success in South Korea, topping the monthly charts compiled by the Recording Industry Association of Korea (RIAK) for two consecutive months. It was the year's fourth best-selling album in the country, with sales of over 540,000 copies. In Japan, the album peaked at number 24 on the Oricon Albums Chart and sold over 14,000 copies.
The title track "No. 1" was released in conjunction with the album and received promotions on domestic music programs. It won various awards in South Korea, including the Most Popular Music Video (daesang) at the 2002 Mnet Music Video Festival and Grand Prize (daesang) at the 2002 SBS Gayo Daejeon.
Background and release
No. 1 was released as BoA's second Korean-language studio album on April 12, 2002.[1] There are only limited copies of the first pressing of the album which sold out just in weeks. The first press includes "No. 1 (Original Version)", "My Sweetie (Original Version)", and "Listen to my Heart (Big Chorus Version)". Later pressings of the album contain "No. 1 (Music Video Version)" and "My Sweetie (Corrected Version)" (featuring a slightly amended ending). The Japanese issue of No. 1 was released on June 1, 2002, and includes an exclusive bonus track "No. 1 (English Version)".
Commercial performance
No. 1 experienced greater success in South Korea compared to her debut album ID; Peace B (2000). No. 1 debuted at number one on the monthly MIAK album chart with initial monthly sales of 232,626 in April 2002 and remained at number one the following month.[2][3] The album was ranked at number four on the list of the best-selling albums in Korea for 2002, with reported sales of 544,853 that year.[4] It also peaked at number 21 on the weekly Oricon Albums Chart in 2002.
^ ab2002년 가요음반판매량 [2002 Album Sales Figures] (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on May 1, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
"2002년 – 가요 음반 판매량" [2002 Domestic Album Sales]. Recording Industry Association of Korea. 2003. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
"2003년 – 상반기 가요 음반 판매량" [2003 First Half Domestic Album Sales]. Recording Industry Association of Korea. 2003. Archived from the original on July 18, 2007. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
