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K-pop and J-pop acts top 2020 global album sales – BTS, Kenshi Yonezu, BLACKPINK, ARASHI, and more

K-pop and J-pop acts top 2020 global album sales – BTS, Kenshi Yonezu, BLACKPINK, ARASHI, and more

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BTS, IFPI's Global Artist of the Year, have dominated the Global Albums Sales Chart, alongside their fellow Asian pop stars. The chart recognizes the top-selling albums across physical and digital sales around the world.

The global superstars comprised of RM, Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, reign over the Global Albums Sales Chart with three albums. Map of the Soul:7 takes the top spot, the album they were supposed to perform in sold-out stadiums and arenas.

Their personal and introspective record, BE, comes in second. According to RM, the title track 'Life Goes On' is the group's "way of providing healing and consolation that life continues to go on, it is a simple message but it is also a profound truth."

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The GRAMMY-nominated group makes another appearance on the list at number 8 with their Japanese release, Map of the Soul 7: The Journey. Comprised of 13 tracks, the album features Japanese versions of 'Fake Love,' 'Boy With Luv,' 'Idol,' and 'Black Swan,' as well as original Japanese songs like 'Stay Gold' and 'Lights'.

The K-pop titans also topped the first-ever Global Album Format Chart, while their smash hit, 'Dynamite' is number 10 on the Global Digital Single Chart.

Singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu's fifth studio album, STRAY SHEEP, is in third place, while K-pop girl group BLACKPINK's first full-length effort, THE ALBUM, is fourth on the list. The 'Lovesick Girls' act is the first girl group to make it to the chart since Destiny's Child in 2004.

The Weeknd, BTS, Dua Lipa, Xiao Zhan, and more hit the 2020 IFPI Global Digital Single Award chart

ARASHI's 17th studio album THIS IS ARASHI comes in at ninth place. The J-pop icons released the record ahead of their indefinite hiatus.

Meanwhile, Japanese pop-rock band King Gnu's award-winning album, Ceremony, secures the 10th spot.

Popstars Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber are at fourth and seventh respectively, with Folkore and Changes, while rock legends ACDC's Power Up is at sixth. The record marks their first release since the death of the band's co-founder Malcolm Young.