BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ Becomes First K-Pop Album to Earn FIMI Platinum Certification, Surpassing 50,000 Units

Landmark achievement breaks through Europe’s high barriers to entry

BTS has reached another landmark in the global music market. Big Hit Music officially announced on the 4th, citing an announcement by the Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) on the 2nd (local time), that BTS had become the first K-pop act to earn platinum certification. The achievement is considered particularly impressive in Italy, a market known for its high barriers to entry even within Europe’s conservative music industry.

The album behind the milestone is BTS’ fifth studio album, ARIRANG, released worldwide simultaneously in March. FIMI’s platinum certification is awarded only to albums that surpass a cumulative total of 50,000 units, calculated by combining physical album sales with digital downloads and streaming figures.

BTS has steadily pursued the European market with a carefully tailored local strategy and distinctive musicality. The group previously built a strong local fan base, earning FIMI gold certifications in succession for several earlier releases, including ‘LOVE YOURSELF 結 Answer,’ ‘MAP OF THE SOUL : PERSONA,’ ‘MAP OF THE SOUL : 7,’ ‘BE’ and ‘Proof.’

Fueled by its explosive success in Europe, BTS is also stepping up its global activities. Beginning in Taiwan’s Kaohsiung this month, the group is set to launch the Southeast Asian leg of its ARIRANG world tour in December, with 15 shows across five major cities: Bangkok, Thailand; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Singapore; and Jakarta, Indonesia.