BTS’ Taehyung’s Layover becomes the first and only album of 2020’s by an Asian Soloist to achieve 110 #1’s on iTunes

Modified Oct 24, 2024 07:07 GMT

V's Layover breaks records on iTunes (Image via Weverse)

On October 23, 2024, BTS’ Taehyung achieved a groundbreaking feat with his album Layover. It became the first and only album of the 2020s to reach the number 1 spot in over 110 countries by an Asian soloist. Globally, it's only the second album ever to accomplish this milestone. In addition, Layover set multiple other records.

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Taehyung became the first and only K-pop soloist to have seven songs surpass 100 #1s on iTunes.

The album is also the first by an Asian soloist to have at least three songs reach 100 #1s on the platform. Even a year after its release, Layover continues to break records and dominate charts.

Taehyung's Layover breaks new record on iTunes

BTS member V's solo album Layover has not only showcased his musical versatility but has also shattered multiple records on iTunes and beyond.

In the 2020s, Layover became one of the successful albums on iTunes, securing its place among the albums with the most #1’s on the platform:

Speak Now by Taylor Swift - 126
Layover by V - 110
D-2 by Suga - 109

The 110 #1’s for Layover have been achieved across the following countries:

UK
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Bolivia
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Estonia
Fiji
Finland
France
Gambia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guatemala
Guinea-Bissau
Hungary
Honduras
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Mozambique
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Palestine / Israel
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tajikstan
Thailand
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
UAE
Uganda
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Zimbabwe

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One of Taehyung's prior releases, Sweet Night, holds the record of being the first track in iTunes history by an Asian soloist to reach #1 in 119 countries. Additionally, with both Sweet Night and Christmas Tree, V became the first and only artist to have two K-OSTs reach #1 in 100 countries.

In the current year, his track FRI(END)S became the first song worldwide to achieve 100 #1’s on iTunes. It also made Taehyung the first K-pop artist to top the USA iTunes chart in 2024 with this track.

V’s achievements extend beyond iTunes. He became the first K-pop soloist to surpass 100 million streams for every track on Layover on Spotify. In the U.S., he set another milestone by becoming the first Asian solo artist whose entire album surpassed 100,000 units sold per track, further highlighting his digital streaming dominance.

Layover debuted at an impressive #2 on the Billboard 200, while two of its tracks, Slow Dancing and Love Me Again, charted on the Billboard Hot 100.

He also made history by becoming the first K-pop soloist to have every track from an album chart on both the Billboard Global 200 and Global 200 Excl. US charts.

Global critical acclaim

BTS' Taehyung's artistry has not only been recognized by fans but also by the music industry. The British music magazine NME described Layover as,

"Artistic choice rather than a commercial one, it was worth the wait."

Meanwhile, Portuguese media outlet FNAC included Layover in their "Top 10 Albums You Should Know," emphasizing its blend of jazz, soul, and pop with lyrics that explore themes such as love, sorrow, and intimacy.

Taehyung's solo journey continues to break new grounds, both commercially and artistically.

Edited by Prem Deshpande