BTS sets record with latest album, 4th to make Billboard chart

SEOUL: Korean idol group BTS is making history by setting a record for being the first Korean act to have four consecutive albums make its way to the Billboard 200 chart.

The feat was achieved after Billboard announced the rankings for the first week of March, ranking BTS’s new album “Wings: You Never Walk Alone” at 61.

Already having had their previous three albums ranked on the chart, this is evidence of BTS’s reputation and recognition even to the international audience.

Domestic fans crashed servers while pre-ordering the group’s newest album, and the record topped major national charts as well. The idol group will look forward to beating their own record for the highest ranking ever by a K-pop artist, which currently stands at 26th, with “Wings”, their second studio album.

The highest-ranked single by a Korean artist on Billboard’s charts was the 2012 sensation “Gangnam Style” by Psy, which took the No. 2 spot on Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Expanding its popularity beyond Asia and into North America, BTS’ single “Spring Day” debuted at No. 15 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. The list acts as an extension for the songs that hover just below the Hot 100 singles chart.

“The feat is truly unprecedented given K-pop’s history on Billboard’s singles chart,” Billboard commented, taking into consideration that the single is almost all in Korean, had no promotion at all in America and was released during a competitive week with the 2017 Grammy Awards.

BTS continued to perform strong on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart, with “Spring Day”, “Not Today”, “A Supplementary Story: You Never Walk Alone” and “Outro: Wings” taking the No. 1, No. 2, No .3 and No. 4 spots, respectively.

Meanwhile, BTS are back on the circuit of domestic music shows following the album’s release, starting off with an appearance on Mnet’s music show M Countdown on Thursday.

The feat is truly unprecedented given K-pop’s history on Billboard’s singles chart. Billboard’s statement

This is the fourth consecutive time BTS or Bangtan Boys has made the Billboard chart list.