Grammy-nominated K-pop group BTS member V has set a new all-time record with his first solo album “Layover.”
“Layover” was released on Sept. 8 and according to Korea’s Hanteo Chart, the album sold a total of 1,672,138 copies on the first day of release and topped the daily physical album chart.
With this, V has set a new all-time record for the highest first-day sales for an album of a solo artist in Hanteo Chart history.
BTS member V (Big Hit Music)
There are only three solo artists who have sold at least one million copies of albums on the first day of release in Hanteo Chart history and they are all BTS members including V.
BTS’ Suga’s “D-Day” album under the name Agust D earlier set the highest first-day sales for a solo album with 1,072,311 copies sold on April 21.
Before him, BTS member Jimin’s “Face” held the record by selling 1,021,532 copies on March 14.
Meanwhile, Hanteo Chart issued a notice regarding the correction of sales volume for “Layover.”
Hanteo Chart recorded on Sept. 8 that “Layover” sold 2.2 million copies before it adjusted it to 1.67 million due to seller Kpop Merch’s incorrect information.
“The real-time sales volume of 'V(BTS)-Layover, Weverse Albums ver.' on September 8th was overcounted due to violation of KPOPMERCH regulations, and acorrection notice was issued after reviewing the entire actual sales volume,” said Hanteo Chart.
It added, “In addition, we would like to inform you that a follow-up inspection request will be made to the relevant seller regarding measures to prevent recurrence.”
K-pop Merch issued a statement on Sept. 9 and said, “We sincerely apologize for Hanteo Chart’s mistake regarding V’s ‘Layover’ Weverse version album,” Korean media reported.
Pre-orders for which the final order had not been completed were listed on the Hanteo Chart.
“We confirmed that this was a clear violation of Hanteo Chart’s regulations, and the sales volume in question was deleted. The Hanteo Chart reflection of fan sales for the album will be reflected sequentially from the order that was finally completed starting next Monday,” K-pop Merch added.
“Layover” has six tracks: “Rainy Days,” “Blue,” “Love Me Again,” focus track “Slow Dancing,” “For Us” and bonus track “Slow Dancing (Piano Ver.)”. The first five tracks each have an accompanying official music video.
“Since I’m the last one to release a solo album among BTS members, I am nervous, but I’ll show everyone what I’ve been working on one layer at a time,” said V.
He added, “Layover is an album that captures the essence of who Kim Taehyung is as a person. It’s fresh, surprising, and relaxing.”