“Another reason to say BTS PAVED THE WAY” — Fans react as BTS breaks 40 Million album sales, reportedly boosting South Korea’s economy by $5 Billion

On October 7, 2024, a popular American magazine publication The New Yorker highlighted BTS’s achievement of surpassing 40 million album sales in South Korea. This milestone marked the group's dominance in the music industry and their contribution to the national economy, reportedly estimated at $5 billion annually.

The publication praised the septet for their authenticity, noting how the group distinguished themselves from their peers by addressing personal struggles and mental health in their music. It stated:

"This cultivation of “authenticity” has been rewarded. BTS has sold more than forty million albums in South Korea alone, contributing an estimated five billion dollars a year to the national economy."

Unlike other K-pop groups during their debut in 2013, BTS members wrote lyrics that often reflected their uncertainties about the future. Their down-to-earth image allowed fans to connect with them in a way that was different from other artists, building a loyal global fanbase.

Phrases like "BTS paved the way" trended online, with fans congratulating the septet on their record-breaking success and influence. Fans of the group took to social media to celebrate the K-pop idols' latest feat.

"Another reason to say BTS PAVED THE WAY," an X user @infinity_vmin7 wrote.

Fans laud BTS for their album sales record (Image via X/@infinity_vmin7)

Some of the comments by netizens, appreciating the septet's growth are given below:

"Put some respect on their name!!" a fan wrote.

"This is 1 of the many examples of what ARMYs meant when we say they Paved The Way, This is what real organic growth and Impact looks like, Not juiced up Album Sells/Streaming numbers to look more successful than K-Acts actually are just a whole bunch of Kpoppies Idol hopping," an X user wrote.

"Their impact needs to be talked about more," a user commented.

Many highlighted how the group’s legacy has not only shaped the K-pop industry but also boosted South Korea’s economy. Others suggested that the country should acknowledge and honor their impact more openly.

"Not one not two but FIVE BILLION DOLLARS!! Yet the country treats them like that, what a shame," an X user remarked.

"crazy how bts does so much for the national economy, but the gov, media, industry, etc, can't even treat them with basic respect," a fan mentioned.

"Too bad the damn country leads do not act like they know this," another person wrote.

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More about BTS' album sales in South Korea and other achievements

The recent report by The New Yorker also shed light on how these K-pop idols typically promoted their albums on television before their debut, then disappeared from the public eye until their next release. However, the seven members of BTS managed their own X accounts and interacted with fans directly, which was unusual for K-pop acts at the time.

Despite being away from the spotlight for over a year due to mandatory military enlistments and an aim to focus on solo careers, the group has continued to make headlines by breaking records.

As of now, Jin is the only member discharged from military service, while J-Hope is set to return in less than ten days. The remaining members—RM, Jungkook, V, Jimin, and Suga—are scheduled to return by June 2025.

According to recent data shared by Statista, the septet has sold nearly 40 million albums in South Korea alone, from their debut in 2013 to 2023. Their most successful year was 2020, during which they sold a staggering 9.7 million albums.

The group's fourth Korean studio album, Map of the Soul: 7, broke the all-time domestic sales record, selling 4.1 million copies in less than nine days after its early 2020 release. It also became their fourth US number-one album.

Later that year, they dropped their fifth Korean-language album, BE, following the global success of their hit single Dynamite. Guinness World Records also recognized the septet for selling around 4.44 million copies of Map of the Soul: 7. Both albums brought comfort to fans during the COVID-19 pandemic and propelled the group to even greater global fame.

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The members are reported to make a comeback after all seven of them complete their service in 2025.