BTS's 'ARIRANG' Goes Platinum in France at Record Speed, Continues Its Run in Japan

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[The Financial News] Bangtan Boys (BTS) has once again proven its global box-office power, earning platinum certification in France just one month after the release of its fifth full-length album, 'ARIRANG,' and following that up with more achievements in Japan.
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BTS's fifth studio album, 'ARIRANG,' recorded combined sales of 100,000 copies in France, including physical albums and streaming.
According to the official website of the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) on the 27th, 'ARIRANG' received platinum certification in the album category. The certification is given to albums that reach the equivalent of 100,000 copies in combined physical sales, downloads, and streaming.
It is the group's fourth such achievement, following 'Map of the Soul: 7,' 'Proof,' and 'LOVE YOURSELF: Answer.'
'Map of the Soul: 7' and 'Proof' each took one year and two months to go platinum, but 'ARIRANG' reached the milestone in just one month.
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BTS is also drawing strong reactions in Japan.
According to the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) on the 28th, 'Let Go,' a track from their third Japanese studio album 'FACE YOURSELF,' released in 2018, surpassed 100 million cumulative streams in March and received platinum certification in the streaming category. The group has now earned its 17th platinum certification, breaking its own record for the most certifications by a K-pop artist.
The RIAJ awards monthly certifications based on cumulative streaming counts, with gold for more than 50 million streams, platinum for more than 100 million, and diamond for more than 500 million.
As of March, the fifth full-length album 'ARIRANG' had surpassed 750,000 shipments, earning triple platinum certification. The feat came just 11 days after release.
Meanwhile, BTS kicked off its North American tour on the 25th local time with the first show of 'BTS World Tour 'Arirang' in North America' at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
The North American leg will span 31 shows across 12 cities, including Mexico City, Las Vegas, and Chicago. Tickets sold out long ago for every performance. After completing three shows in Tampa, BTS will continue the tour at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas, on May 2 and 3.
jashin@fnnews.com Shin Jin-a Reporter