Only five K-pop groups so far have earned one or more streaming certifications from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for their songs.
What is the Recording Industry Association of Japan?
The Recording Industry Association of Japan is an agency immersed in the Japanese music industry. Just like the Korea Music Content Association in South Korea, their activities include promoting music sales, gathering data from the industry, and issuing certifications to artists after attaining particular achievements.
In April 2020, the RIAJ implemented a new certification system that involves giving out streaming certification for a track that has reached a certain amount of streams in Japan. Based on the new system, songs are certified silver once they hit 30 million streams, gold at 50 million streams, platinum at 100 million streams, and diamond at 500 million streams.
Five K-pop Groups That Have Received Streaming Certifications from RIAJ
So far, only five South Korea-based groups have received these certifications for one or more of their songs. They are listed below according to how many they have earned up to now (least to most).
5. MAMAMOO
MAMAMOO has one single that has been officially certified silver by RIAJ for their streaming category - it is none other than their iconic "HIP" that came out in 2019 as the lead single of their second full-length album titled "Reality in Black." This track also made its way to Billboard's Japan Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 39.
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4. BIGBANG
In November 2020, the "Kings of K-pop" has finally received their very first streaming certification from RIAJ with their 2015 hit "BANG BANG BANG" from their "MADE" album.
Like MAMAMOO's "HIP," BIGBANG's song also reached 30 million streams in Japan. Moreover, "BANG BANG BANG" ranked No. 2 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart.
3. BLACKPINK
YG Entertainment's world-renowned quartet has a total of five songs with streaming certifications given by RIAJ, and each has been certified silver: "BOOMBAYAH," "As If It's Your Last," "DDU-DU DDU-DU," "Kill This Love," and "How You Like That." All of these soared high on Billboard's Japan Hot 100. Except for the first two songs, the three last ones made it to the top 10 of the chart. "BOOMBAYAH" was at No. 15, while "As If It's Your Last" was at No. 19.
2. BTS
BTS is the Korean boy group with the most songs certified by the Recording Industry Association of Japan, with nine in total. "Idol," "Your Eyes Tell," "Fake Love," and "ON" all received silver streaming certifications. "Boy With Luv," "DNA," "Stay Gold," and "Lights" are officially certified gold. Meanwhile, BTS's "Dynamite" got a platinum certification after hitting 100 million streams. All nine songs of the boy band managed to enter the top 15 of Billboard's Japan Hot 100.
1. TWICE
And finally, TWICE sits at the top of this list with an outstanding 13 total songs that earned certifications for the streaming category. Nine of them have silver certifications: "TT" (Japanese version), "Heart Shaker," "Likey," "TT" (Korean version), "Candy Pop," "Dance the Night Away," "Fanfare," "More & More," and "I Can't' Stop Me."
Four of TWICE's singles have gold certifications: "What is Love," "Yes or Yes," "Fancy," and "Feel Special." All songs except for "What Is Love" (which ranked No. 6) landed on the top 5 of Billboard's Japan 100 chart.
Is your favorite idol group included in the list? Tell us in the comments!
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Written by Mhaliya Scott
