Global superstars BTS continue to solidify their legacy as chart-topping artists by breaking yet another Billboard record.
On July 27, 2025 (local time), Billboard officially announced that BTS’s latest release—“PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LIVE”—has debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200, making them the K-pop group with the most Top 10 albums in the chart’s history.
This remarkable achievement not only highlights BTS’s continued influence on the global music scene but also underlines the enduring power of their fandom, ARMY, and their innovative approach to releasing content—including live concert albums.
A Record-Breaking Billboard Entry
The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums across the United States, based on a combination of traditional album sales, streaming equivalent albums (SEA), and track equivalent albums (TEA).
For BTS, charting in the Top 10 is no longer a novelty—it’s a standard they’ve now exceeded eight times.
The release of “PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LIVE” marks BTS’s eighth Top 10 entry on the Billboard 200.
With this, they’ve officially surpassed other top K-pop acts like TWICE, ATEEZ, and SEVENTEEN, who were previously tied with BTS in the number of Top 10 Billboard 200 appearances.
The list of BTS albums that have reached the Top 10 now includes:
- Love Yourself: Her
- Love Yourself: Tear
- Love Yourself: Answer
- Map of the Soul: Persona
- Map of the Soul: 7
- BE
- Proof
- PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LIVE
Impressive First-Week Sales and Streaming Performance
According to Luminate (formerly Nielsen Music), “PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LIVE” garnered a total of 43,000 equivalent album units during its first tracking week, which ended on July 24.
Here’s a breakdown of those numbers:
- 36,000 units were traditional album sales, making it the second best-selling album of the week in the U.S.
- 5,000 units came from streaming equivalent albums (SEA), which amounts to 6.58 million on-demand audio streams in a single week.
- 2,000 units were from track equivalent albums (TEA).
These figures demonstrate that BTS’s reach is not limited to physical album sales alone.
They maintain strong digital and streaming numbers as well, showing that both casual listeners and die-hard fans remain highly engaged across all platforms.
A Milestone Live Album from an Iconic Tour
“PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LIVE” isn’t just another album—it’s a powerful live recording from BTS’s iconic concert tour that ran from late 2021 into 2022.
The tour was a landmark moment in K-pop history, as it marked BTS’s return to in-person performances during the pandemic recovery era.
The album captures the energy, emotion, and spectacle of the group’s live shows, particularly their performances in Seoul, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.
For fans who couldn’t attend in person, the album offers a high-quality audio experience that brings them as close to the concert as possible.
Live albums are relatively rare in the K-pop industry, and even rarer on U.S. charts, which makes this Top 10 debut all the more impressive.
It’s a testament to BTS’s ability to defy industry norms and still achieve mainstream success.
Outpacing Peers and Redefining K-Pop Milestones
BTS’s latest Billboard feat puts them ahead of some of the biggest names in K-pop. While groups like TWICE, ATEEZ, and SEVENTEEN have seen explosive growth and record-setting releases of their own, BTS continues to push boundaries with every drop.
Their consistent appearance on the Billboard 200, especially within the Top 10, sets them apart not only from their K-pop contemporaries but also from many Western pop acts who don’t maintain such consistent chart performance over time.
This chart success also helps bridge the cultural and commercial gap between East and West, continuing BTS’s mission to bring Korean music and language to global audiences.
Celebrating Another Historic Chapter in BTS’s Journey
With this new record, BTS adds another accolade to their long list of achievements.
From Grammy nominations and UN speeches to chart-topping albums and sold-out stadium tours, their influence is as cultural as it is musical.
The group’s ability to keep evolving while maintaining a deep connection with fans—especially during their individual military enlistments—demonstrates a unique strength and unity that is rarely seen in the music industry.
Whether through studio albums, documentaries, or live recordings, BTS continues to tell their story on their own terms—and the world continues to listen.
Congratulations to BTS on setting yet another incredible Billboard milestone!
