BTS’ new compilation album Proof debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200 chart (dated June 25), garnering the superstar group its sixth album at the top of the charts.
The compilation—consisting mostly of previously released material—earned 314,000 equivalent album units moved in the U.S. in the week ending June 16, according to Luminate. According to Billboard, “the majority of that unit figure was driven by CD album sales.”
The anthology was released on June 10, four days before the group announced an indefinite “hiatus” to focus on solo ventures. The seven-member South Korean act was formed in 2010 and made its U.S. Billboard chart debut in 2013. BTS has accrued 15 entries on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Speaking in a press release about Proof, BTS leader RM said: “Proof is a special album that closes the first chapter of BTS before going into our 10th year. We especially paid more attention to the lyrics as our message to our fans, ARMY who have been with us for nine years, is the key to this album.”
J-hope described the record as “the soul of BTS,” while Jungkook likened it to finishing “writing a big book.” “As always, we gave a lot of thought into every detail of this album while working on it,” he added. “It is a reflection of the time we spent together as BTS and the emotions we felt throughout our nine-year journey.”
Earlier this month, Lollapalooza added several names to its lineup for its upcoming 2022 event, and K-pop devotees celebrated that J-Hope from BTS will headline on Sunday night.
The festival’s Instagram account said, “We are thrilled to announce j-hope of @bts.bighitofficial will headline #Lolla 2022 on Sunday, July 31st! His performance will make history, cementing him as the first South Korean artist to ever headline a main stage at a major U.S. music festival.”
