BTS Makes History With ‘Love Yourself: Tear’ Debut at No. 1 on Billboard 200
By Carl Samson
BTS debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with their latest album, “Love Yourself: Tear,” marking a first in K-Pop history.
The album, released on May 18, scored 135,000 equivalent units in the week ending on May 24, Billboard reported.
Of that figure, 100,000 were traditional album sales, while the rest came from streaming (26,000) and track equivalent albums (9,000).
The Billboard 200 ranks the 200 most popular records in the US every week.
The chart, dated June 2, will be posted on Billboard’s websites on Wednesday, May 30.
This is the first time a K-Pop act led the chart, and the second for a spot in the top 10, as BTS debuted and peaked at No. 7 with “Love Yourself: Her” back in October.
BTS appeared at the Ellen Show last week and performed their headline single, “Fake Love,” as well as “Airplane Pt. 2,” an online exclusive. The group appeared on the show for the first time in December.
On their Billboard achievement, South Korean President Moon Jae-in shared a letter congratulating them and ARMY, their fans, on Twitter.
Soompi quoted the president as writing:
“I express my congratulations to the seven boys who love music and the boys’ wings called ‘ARMY.’
“Young people all over the world are comforted and find courage because of BTS’ songs and dancing, dreams and passion. I congratulate you on the album ‘Love Yourself: Tear’ reaching No. 1 on the United States’ ‘Billboard 200.’ It’s the first time in 12 years for an album in a language that is not English, and the first time ever for a Korean artist.
“BTS puts their sincerity into their outstanding dancing and singing. They have a magical ability to turn sadness into hope, and difference into similarity. Each of the seven members put who they are and how they live into their music, and they are overcoming location and language, and culture and institutions.
“Korean popular music has made a leap forwards on the world stage thanks to BTS. Through the language of K-pop music, our young people can share experiences of life and love, dreams and pain with young people all over the world.
“I support BTS’s dreams of reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, winning a Grammy award, doing a stadium tour, and becoming the most influential artists in the world. I also support their fan club ARMY, who are raising their voices together with BTS towards the world.
“BTS, whose name means ‘We’ll block the prejudices and oppression that teenagers experience.’ I will now remember each of the names of the seven boys Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. As ever, this is a new start. Thank you for sharing profound emotions with our nation’s people and people all over the world through your wonderful selves.
“Young people all over the world are comforted and find courage because of BTS’ songs and dancing, dreams and passion. I congratulate you on the album ‘Love Yourself: Tear’ reaching No. 1 on the United States’ ‘Billboard 200.’ It’s the first time in 12 years for an album in a language that is not English, and the first time ever for a Korean artist.
“BTS puts their sincerity into their outstanding dancing and singing. They have a magical ability to turn sadness into hope, and difference into similarity. Each of the seven members put who they are and how they live into their music, and they are overcoming location and language, and culture and institutions.
“Korean popular music has made a leap forwards on the world stage thanks to BTS. Through the language of K-pop music, our young people can share experiences of life and love, dreams and pain with young people all over the world.
“I support BTS’s dreams of reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, winning a Grammy award, doing a stadium tour, and becoming the most influential artists in the world. I also support their fan club ARMY, who are raising their voices together with BTS towards the world.
“BTS, whose name means ‘We’ll block the prejudices and oppression that teenagers experience.’ I will now remember each of the names of the seven boys Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. As ever, this is a new start. Thank you for sharing profound emotions with our nation’s people and people all over the world through your wonderful selves.
Congratulations to BTS!
Featured Image via Instagram / bts.bighitofficial
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