BTS has officially been beaten by J-Pop group ARASHI with the honor of being recognized for having the “World’s Best-Selling Album Of 2019”.
According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which counts full album sales (digital and physical) from around the world, announced ARASHI took the crown with a total of 3.3 million units sold across the globe.
The top ten IFPI best-selling albums of 2019 are as follows:
1. ARASHI // 5×20 All the BEST!! 1999-2019 // 3.3 million
2. Taylor Swift // Lover // 3.2 million
3. BTS // MAP OF THE SOUL : PERSONA // 2.5 million
4. Lady Gaga // A Star is Born OST // 1.2 million
5. Billie Eilish // When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? // 1.2 million
6. Queen // Bohemian Rhapsody // 1.2 million
7. Ed Sheeran // No.6 Collaborations Project // 1.1 million
8. Ariana Grande // thank u, next // 1 million
9. Rammstein // Rammstein // 900,000
10. The Beatles // Abbey Road // 800,000
Japan is home to the second-largest music market in the world, which is a large contributing factor in their achievement, as well as the fact that the group announced they would be taking a hiatus in 2021. ARASHI has a large fan base that has continued to grow since their debut in 1999.
Japanese netizen reactions to the accomplishment include:
- “It’s because other countries don’t buy CDs anymore.”
- “Take that, K-Pop!”
