BTS on course for first Number 1 on the Official Irish Albums Chart with Map Of The Soul: 7

BTS are heading for their first Number 1 album in Ireland with Map Of The Soul: 7.

The group's seventh studio album leads the Top 50 at the midweek mark, outselling their nearest rivals Lewis Capaldi and Dermot Kennedy combined.

Should BTS hold onto their early lead, they'll secure the first ever K-pop Number 1 album on the Official Irish Albums Chart this Friday. J-Hope, Jimin, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Suga and V's have previously impacted the Top 20 with studio album Love Yourself: Tear (8), EPs Map Of The Soul: Persona (6) and Love Yourself: Her (19), and compilation Love Yourself: Answer (15).

The lead single from the album ON is aiming for the Official Irish Singles Chart Top 20, and is currently at Number 17 after four days of sales. ON could mark the fourth Top 50 hit for BTS; their highest charting single Boy With Luv ft. Halsey peaked at Number 14 last April.

It's not just as a group that the band have found success. Back in October 2018, Mono the second mixtape by RM from the band, entered the Albums Top 50 at Number 37, making him the first ever Korean soloist to impact the Irish Albums Chart.

© IRMA