BTS and NCT are the Only K-pop Artists with Most Album Sales in the United States in the First Half of 2021
BTS and NCT had the most album sales in the United States in the first half of 2021 among the K-pop artists.
On July 13 local time, MRC Data released the rankings of singers based on sales (albums and digital songs) in the US market from Jan. 1 to July 1.
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MRC Data provides the data and analysis to the music business and consumers, including Billboard, music retailers, and digital service providers.
BTS and NCT Obtained the Most Album Sales in the United States in the First Half of 2021
Based on the report, BTS's "BE" is the only K-pop release included on the list of Top 10 albums in the US - it ranked No. 6.
According to MRC Data, "BE" recorded album sales of 128,000 copies in the United States over the past six months.
Following its release in November 2020, "BE" reached 500,000 units in the US in only its second week.
In South Korea, "BE" is the fastest K-pop album in history to sell more than one million copies on the Hanteo Chart. The mark was attained in just over 30 minutes of release.
When it comes to the best-selling physical albums in the US in the first half of 2021, works by BTS and NCT made it to the Top 10 list - BTS occupied two spots, while NCT has one entry.
According to MRC Data, BTS's "BE" placed No. 6 with album sales of 125,000 units in the United States. At No. 10 is BTS's "MAP OF THE SOUL: 7" with 105,000 units.
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In 2020, "MAP OF THE SOUL: 7" is the No. 1 best-selling physical album in the US. In February alone, a total of 646,000 copies were already sold in the country.
Meanwhile, "BE" ranked fifth on the top-selling physical album list with 252,000 units.
Another K-pop release with the most album sales in the United States in the first half of 2021 is NCT's "RESONANCE Pt. 1." It sits at No. 8 with 106,000 copies.
"RESONANCE Pt. 1," which was released in October 2020, is the first album that made NCT a million-seller.
The album debuted at No. 6 on Billboard 200 and charted for nine weeks. It also topped the United World Chart in October 2020 with 764,000 equivalent sales.
Congratulations to BTS and NCT!
BTS Records Biggest CD Album Sales in the United States in the First Half of 2021
BTS has also attained the highest CD album sales in the United States over the past six months, surpassing Taylor Swift.
According to MRC Data, BTS had a total of 573,000 copies in CD album sales in the US. Meanwhile, American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift sold 414,000 units.
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When it comes to physical album sales in the United States (which include vinyl albums and cassette tapes), BTS came in second with 573,000 copies, following Taylor Swift with 746,000 copies.
The seven-member boy group also ranked second in the overall album sales (physical and digital sales), while Swift took first place.
BTS's achievement is more noteworthy considering that they did not release a new CD in the first half of 2021. The septet's last CD, "BE," was released in November 2020.
The band's newest hit "Butter" was initially released as a digital single in May and was later issued in the CD format on July 9.
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Written by Mhaliya Scott
