K-pop boy band BTS’ ‘Map of the Soul: Persona’ tipped to top US and UK album charts
- Billboard says album, released last Friday, could sell up to 225,000 copies in US by Thursday as single, ‘Boy with Luv’, hits 100,000 YouTube views 38 hours after release
Boy band BTS is almost certain to make K-pop history by topping the music charts in both the United States and United Kingdom with its latest album, “Map of the Soul: Persona”.
In an article published before Sunday’s latest chart listing, Billboard, the online music news magazine and website, known for its numerous music charts, said the new album was heading for the top spot on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart.
If the top spot is achieved, it will be the third time that the seven-member group will have accomplished this feat, following “Love Yourself: Tear” last May, and “Love Yourself: Answer” in September.
Billboard predicted that by Thursday the new album could sell between 200,000 and 225,000 copies in the US. The Billboard 200 ranks the week's 200 most popular albums of all genres.
BTS is also set to top in the UK’s Official Albums Chart as well.
The Official Charts Company, which compiles the chart, said the album has sold more than 10,000 copies so far and that midweek sales are already more than the first week of sales of its three previous Top 20 albums combined.
This will make BTS the first K-pop group to top the Official Music Chart.
To some extent, the album's success has been expected, given the band's global popularity.
Pre-orders for “Persona”, before its official release last Friday, reached more than 3 million. The album, featuring two high-profile collaborations with pop stars, Halsey and Ed Sheeran, has already garnered huge interest worldwide.
The music video for Boy with Luv holds the record for gaining 100 million views in the fastest time on the video-sharing website, YouTube – of less than 38 hours. The previous record was held by K-pop girl band BLACKPINK's Kill This Love video, which took 62 hours.