Album sales often serve as one of the clearest indicators of success in K-Pop. That’s why fans of LOONA’s Chuu were left surprised and concerned after seeing the first-week sales numbers for her latest mini album, Only Cry in the Rain.
Released on April 21, Only Cry in the Rain sold just 17,237 copies in its first week.
The shocking figure marks a significant drop compared to Chuu’s previous releases. Her first mini album, Howl (released in October 2023), recorded a whopping 57,949 copies sold in its first week.
Her following comeback — Strawberry Rush, released in June 2024 — managed to sell 46,251 copies.
The steep decline in sales has left many fans wondering what went wrong, especially since Only Cry in the Rain is being praised as one of the strongest physical releases in Chuu’s discography.
[HT] #CHUU (@chuu_atrp) 1st Week Sales
Howl ㅡ 57,949
Strawberry Rush ㅡ 46,251
Only cry in the rain ㅡ 17,237 🆕️— KOREAN SALES (@koreansales_twt) April 27, 2025
[HT] CHUU (@chuu_atrp) 3rd Mini Album <Only cry in the rain>
DAY 1: 10,947
DAY 2: 01,922
DAY 3: 00,503
DAY 4: 00,531
DAY 5: 00,901
DAY 6: 00,260
DAY 7: 02,173TOTAL: 17,237 #CHUU #츄 pic.twitter.com/GIIJeteUkI
— KOREAN SALES (@koreansales_twt) April 27, 2025
One factor frequently mentioned is the recent introduction of new tariffs in the United States, which might’ve discouraged some international fans from purchasing albums from overseas. Others have blamed Chuu’s agency for the limited promotion, with many claiming that the general public was not even aware that a comeback was happening.
im surprised chuu got less sales this time when her physical album and everything looked so much better than last time i wonder why the first day sales dropped so much?
— cement bread (@kimhyjs) April 22, 2025
oh yeah in the case of us fans that could be a thing that definitely impacted her sales
— cement bread (@kimhyjs) April 22, 2025
i really don’t think they did a good job of promoting bc i seen quite a few ppl surprised when they found out she dropped new music… lowk feel like if i didn’t keep up the way i did i probably would’ve had no idea abt it either 😭
— bri ✩ (@lavundur) April 22, 2025
Some fans also noted that the long period of inactivity between comebacks may have contributed to a decline in momentum and excitement.
Chuu low sales are so sad, and it makes me worried for ARTMS & Loossemble too, cause low sales like this are a consequence of spending too long without a release, too long away from the public eyes, barely promoting and/or not managing public hype properly so people lose interest
— G • ARTMS2 is coming! (@virtualjindori) April 26, 2025
Despite the low sales its clear that Chuu remains a beloved artist for many K-Pop fans.
Whether future releases will see better sales figures remains to be seen, but many are hopeful that with stronger promotion and better conditions, Chuu will return to the heights she was achieving just a year ago.
