Established in 2010—its first issue was dated January 23[1]—as one of 21 genre-specific song charts launched by Billboard that year, it originally ranked the 25 best-selling digital singles in the World Music genre,[2] but was reduced to 15 entries in November 2021,[3] then 10 entries effective the issue dated October 28, 2023.
[4] Hawaiian singer-songwriter and musician Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's recording of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was the first song to rank at number one on the chart.
It has dominated the ranking for most of its existence, spending 365 cumulative weeks at the top,[5] including a 116-week run at number one from the chart's inception[1] until April 2012.
[11] Over the years, many other K-pop artists have appeared on the chart, with some reaching the top position.
[13] The current number-one song on the chart, as of the issue dated February 15, 2025, is "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole.