BTS’s Jimin Proves Unrivaled Popularity in Japan...
'MUSE' Album Achieves Gold Certification

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BTS member Jimin continues to establish himself as a global solo artist, showcasing his unrivaled popularity in Japan.

His recently released second solo album MUSE has earned Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), and he has ranked #1 in local popularity polls for 17 consecutive months, marking a string of remarkable achievements.

According to the RIAJ, Jimin’s MUSE album surpassed 100,000 units shipped by July, securing a Gold certification.
The Japan Record Association grants certifications based on cumulative shipments, with Gold (100,000 units), Platinum (250,000), Double Platinum (500,000), Triple Platinum (750,000), and Million (1,000,000) as the key milestones.

This certification holds special significance for Jimin.

He had already achieved Platinum certification with his first solo album FACE, setting a new record as the first and most successful K-pop Korean solo album ever. With MUSE now Gold certified, Jimin has set a new record with consecutive certifications from the Japan Record Association.

Jimin’s popularity in Japan extends beyond album sales.
In a popularity poll conducted by Japanese media outlet Danmee from July 16 to 23, Jimin claimed first place with 3,357 votes out of 6,716 total votes. This victory marks his 17th consecutive month as the top performer in the poll.

The Danmee poll is held to capture the voices of Japanese K-pop fans, taking into account voting numbers, idol activity, brand index, and SNS reactions to select nominees.
To ensure fairness, each person is allowed only one vote.

Jimin’s solo activities have also seen great success on the music charts.

The title track Closer from the MUSE album topped Spotify Japan's Weekly Top Songs chart (August 23 to August 29), marking the first time a solo artist has claimed the number one spot in 2024. Additionally, the track charted for seven consecutive weeks on Billboard Japan’s main singles chart, the Hot 100, demonstrating his enduring popularity.

Music industry experts have praised Jimin’s accomplishments.
One insider noted, “Jimin's popularity in Japan has been steady since BTS’s group activities. Through his solo work, he’s been able to highlight his unique musical style, further solidifying fan support.”

Another expert commented, “Japan is the second-largest music market in the world, and success here is significant in establishing a global artist's presence.

Jimin’s achievements are a prime example of the potential for K-pop solo artists.”

Jimin’s success is yet another demonstration of the BTS members’ thriving individual careers.

His steady popularity in Japan reflects his potential as a solo artist and his growing global influence. As anticipation builds around Jimin’s next musical endeavors, his impact on the global K-pop scene is expected to continue expanding, setting a new model for future K-pop artists entering international markets.