BTS Sets New Record (Again): "Map Of The Soul: Persona" Reaches Number 1 On The Billboard 200 Chart!

Ariana Linh |Apr 23, 2019

BTS has done it again with their latest album "Map Of The Soul: Persona". The album recently hit rank 1 in the U.S Billboard chart. Even more impressive, the newest hit was released less than a year of the last.

No.1 in the U.S

The Bangtan Boys a.k.a BTS is no doubt one of the apex of the K-pop world. Their latest album Map of the Soul: Persona captures the No.1 spot on the U.S Billboard 200 chart.

Bts Persona 06 — *The seven members of BTS, a.k.a. The Bangtan Boys. Source: korea25.com*

More impressively, this comes less than a year following Love Yourself: Tear in June 2018 and Love Yourself: Answer in September 2018, both sat atop the list when they were released. Before that, Love Yourself: Her was also comfortably placed at No.7 in 2017.

With Map of the Soul: Persona, BTS manages to sell an equivalent of 230,000 units. In total, fans purchased 196,000 albums and listened to the songs online for 37,4 million times during its first week in the U.S.

It wasn't smooth sailing for the boys either, as they have to dethrone the globally-loved Billie Eilish. They also have to face the ever popular R&B singer-songwriter Khalid and his album Free Spirit. Nevertheless, in the end, BTS edged out and claimed their rightful position.

Bts Billie — *The beloved Billie Eilish proves to be tough competition for BTS. Source: thecurrent.org*

The massive success of BTS newest release can be contributed somewhat to the single lead Boy With Luv. With an appearance from American singer Halsey, this catchy song and its MV is widely predicted to join the album at the top of another chart: The Hot 100. However, because the song was dropped simultaneously with the album, the Hot 100 chart hasn't had time to refresh itself yet.

Dominate the U.K

Isn't happy with just the U.S, the all-male group is also dominating the U.K. With 26,500 units, The Bangtan Boys has done it again, becoming the few K-pop groups actually to get into the chart, and the first ever to top it. Being a tougher audience, BTS's last year hits didn't manage to quite reach the top, with Love Yourself: Tear in No.8 and both Love Yourself: Her and Love Yourself: Answer in 14th.

Bts Love — *Previous covers of BTS's equally successful albums. Source: soompi.com*

As aforementioned, Map of the Soul: Persona isn't BTS's first foray as a top contender in the U.S. With the Love Yourself series, this 7-member boy band has become the first K-pop band to have 3 No.1 albums in the Billboard. Although Korean music has garnered massive following worldwide, BTS's popularity might not be rivaled for quite some time.