BTS has achieved a significant milestone by clinching the top spot in the category of artist sales in Japan’s Oricon Reiwa Era Rankings, marking the first time foreign artists have dominated this position since the era began in May 2019.
The announcement, made by their management company Big Hit Music on April 21, underscores BTS’s unparalleled success in the Japanese music market.
Their dominance extends across various formats including singles, albums, music DVDs, Blu-rays, digital singles, and streaming, with album sales accounting for the largest portion at 36.6%, followed closely by music DVDs and Blu-rays at 33.8%, and streaming at 25%.
BTS’s latest album, ‘BTS, THE BEST,’ achieved exceptional sales, surpassing 1.05 million copies sold, a feat unmatched by any foreign artist in Japan during the Reiwa era. This accomplishment solidifies BTS’s position as a global phenomenon with an immense fanbase in Japan and beyond.
However, challenges loom on the horizon for international artists, including those in the K-pop industry, as the United States government implemented a significant increase in visa costs for musicians touring the country.
Effective April 1, 2024, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) imposed a staggering 250% rise in visa fees for touring musicians, with standard visa fees for a typical rock band quadrupling from $1,840 to approximately $6,760.
Also, expedited processing options are available at a premium fee of $2,805 per application. This sharp increase in visa costs poses potential obstacles for K-pop companies like HYBE, which are preparing for world tour comebacks for artists such as BTS, NewJeans, and Seventeen.
As fans eagerly anticipate these concerts, they may face challenges and increased expenses due to the heightened visa fees imposed by the US government.
