Difference In BTS Solo “ARIRANG” Version Sales Triggers Heated Debate On Members’ Popularity

Is it what you expected?

The difference in sales numbers for the member versions of BTS‘s new album ARIRANG has triggered a heated debate among netizens.

The members of BTS

Like most K-Pop groups, BTS’s new album had a wide range of versions, inlcuidng solo versions for each member.

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Recently, the sales in the US over 24-hours was posted on the Korean forum theqoo, showing the difference in numbers and indirectly indicating possible popularity rankings.

When the picture was posted, it sparked a heated debate. Some were surprised by the members’ ranking, while others thought HYBE’s doing member-only versions was cruel and a way of pitting fans against each other.

| theqoo

• V is really popular in Korea, though. Why are people applying U.S. standards and calling him unpopular or saying he’s low-ranked? That’s honestly embarrassing lol.
  V should just promote in Korea. I like his face.

• I thought V would be really popular.

• From the moment they released group albums with individual member cover versions, it was obviously a tactic to rank members and get their individual fandoms fighting so they’d sell more albums. Why are people saying not to bring it up when it already exists? What, is this some kind of private fan-only space?

| theqoo

• So I guess Jungkook is the clear top.

• How is Jin ranked lower than Suga?

• I never really felt Suga’s popularity at all, so this is surprising. V’s ranking is unexpected too.

| theqoo

• Brutal.

• I honestly don’t get why they release separate cover versions for each member. It might boost profits in the short term by making fans compete with each other, but I feel like it just makes stanning more exhausting.

• This is seriously so cruel…

• I’m not interested in ranking them, but I’m surprised the sales are lower than I expected