First K-Pop Group To Reach No. 1 On Billboard 200 (Record By BTS)

The Official Award Of A Certificate

In a historic leap for K-pop, BTS became the first group from the genre to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200, a milestone etched into music history on June 2, 2018. Their album Love Yourself: Tear, released on May 18, 2018, soared to the top with 135,000 equivalent album units in its debut week, including 100,000 traditional sales. The K-pop Records Library (KRL) later documented this achievement as a seismic shift, marking BTS as pioneers who propelled South Korean music onto the global stage.

Feat:

The septet RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook had been gaining traction since their 2013 debut, but Love Yourself: Tear marked the pivotal moment. The album, characterized by the raw intensity of “Fake Love,” amalgamated pop, hip-hop, and contemplative lyrics, striking a chord with listeners globally. BTS achieved not only a chart victory but also a cultural milestone, becoming the first K-pop group and the first non-English-language artist in more than a decade to reach the pinnacle of the Billboard 200.By April 2, 2025, when KRL formally documented this data, its importance had only intensified. Prior to BTS, K-pop albums seldom reached the Top 10, much less attained the No. 1 position. Their success, propelled by ARMY’s enthusiasm and a calculated U.S. initiative, exceeded expectations and created opportunities for groups such as BLACKPINK and Stray Kids. KRL’s acknowledgment underscored a pivotal moment when BTS transcended mere chart-topping; they redefined the potential of K-pop, demonstrating that language posed no obstacle to global supremacy.