On the Anniversary of Their Debut, the Sale of 3 BTS Films Originally Released between 2015 and 2017 Expands to More than 80 Countries and Territories, including America!

/

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of their debut on June 13th, 3 BTS films originally released by Pony Canyon between 2015 and 2017 are now on sale in approximately 80 countries and regions, including America and European countries.

Originally released in 2015, 'BTS 2015 1st JAPAN TOUR 2015 "WAKE UP:OPEN YOUR EYES"' features recordings from the group’s national tour of Japan, which stopped in 4 cities and featured 6 performances. The film focuses primarily on their concert in Makuhari Messe. As a bonus, special behind the scenes footage and curated clips from each performance on the tour are also included in the package.

In 2016, '2015 BTS LIVE <In the Mood for Love ON STAGE>〜Japan Edition 〜 at YOKOHAMA ARENA' was released, which features a recording of the group’s performance on December 9th, 2015 at the Yokohama Arena. In addition to the captivating live performance replete with a custom stage design to evoke the world of the 'In the Mood for Love' albums, the package also features special bonus videos, such as a documentary that explores what happens behind the scenes, and all of the interviews with members that were played at each venue on the tour during the shows.

Finally, in 2017, '2016 BTS LIVE <In the Mood for Love onstage: epilogue 〜Japan Edition〜> ' was released, which features the full recording of the final performance from the 'In the Mood for Love: Epilogue' tour, which took place at the Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo. In addition, the package also includes a 'making-of' documentary that is approximately 1 hour long and shares the feelings the members poured into the performances as well as offering a glimpse into who they really are behind the scenes.

To all of the fans overseas who couldn’t get your hands on these shows until now, as well as those fans who have seen these shows many times, make sure to get your fix of the incredible charms of BTS with these 3 amazing film packages. Be sure to check it out in the links below!

◆Blu-ray - BTS 1st JAPAN TOUR 2015 "WAKE UP:OPEN YOUR EYES"

◆Blu-ray - 2015 BTS LIVE<In the Mood for Love ON STAGE>~Japan Edition ~at YOKOHAMA ARENA

◆Blu-ray - 2016 BTS LIVE <In the Mood for Love on stage: epilogue~ Japan Edition~>

King and Prince wins big at Japan Golden Disc Awards!

/

The thirty-third Japan Golden Disc Awards ceremony happened this past week and none other than Johnny’s new group King & Prince took home the gold, becoming 2018’s New Artist. 

There were certainly other points of interest from the award show. For the second year in a row, Amuro Namie became Artist of the Year for domestic side—with this being her third time winning the award overall. While not surprising, with their hit movie taking Japan, the band Queen took Artist of the Year for the western side—it has been fourteen years since they have last done so. Korean group BTS also won the award for Best Asian Artist while—also not surprising—Kiyoshi Hikawa won Best Enka Singer of the Year.

Check out a full breakdown of the winners below!

▽Winners of the 33rd Annual Japan Golden Disc Awards
■Artist of the year
【Domestic】Amuro Namie（Second year consecutively, third time overall ）
【Western】Queen（Fourteen years since last won and second overall） 

■Best Asian Artist of the year
【Asia】BTS

■Best Enka or Traditional Artist of the year
Kiyoshi Hikawa

■New Artist of the year
【Domestic 】King ＆ Prince
【Western】Alan Walker
【Asia】SEVENTEEN 

■Album of the year
【Domestic】『Umi no Oh, Yeah!!』（Southern All-Stars）
【Western】『Bohemian Rhapsody: The Original Soundtrack』（Queen）
【Asian】『FACE YOURSELF』（BTS） 

■Single of the Year
「Teacher Teacher」（AKB48）

■Song of the year/ Most popular downloaded
【Domestic】「Lemon」（Kenshi Yonezu）
【Western】「The Middle」（Zedd, Maren Morris, Grey）
【Asia】「Candy Pop」（TWICE） 

■Best Music Video
【Domestic】『namie amuro Final Tour 2018 ～Finally～』（Amuro Namie）
【Domestic】『ARASHI LIVE TOUR 2017-2018 「untitled」』（Arashi）
【Domestic】『Hey! Say! JUMP I/Oth Anniversary Tour 2017-2018』（Hey! Say! JUMP）
【Western】『From From The Vault: No Security - San Jose 1999』（The Rolling Stones）
【Asia】『2017 BTS LIVE TRILOGY EPISODE III THE WINGS TOURIN JAPAN ～SPECIAL EDITION～ at KYOCERA DO』（BTS） 

■Special Award
「U.S.A.」DA PUMP

Oricon Reveals Their 2018 Rankings!

/

Oricon released their official 2018 ranking with Namie Amuro taking Top Artist Sales, thus winning this ranking two years consecutively—a feat that hasn’t been accomplished by a female solo artist since Koda Kumi in 2007. Amuro totaled the year out with close to 19 billion yen in sales, making 2018 the second consecutive year Amuro has sold past 10 billion yen.

As the Hesei Era ends in Japan, so too will Hesei Pop Queen Namie Amuro. Following Amuro is Nogizaka46 with 1.3 billion yen in sales—making them one of the only groups with shorter careers to make the Top 3 in two consecutive years—and AKB48 taking third.

Speaking of AKB48, they also broke an amazing record by “Teacher Teacher” and “Sentimental Train” taking both #1 and #2 for Top Selling Singles. This marks the ninth consecutive year they have achieved this. Following AKB48 is Nogizaka46’s “Synchronicity” tailing in at third, with additional artists such as Keyakizaka46’s “Glass wo Ware” taking eighth and King & Prince’s “Cinderella Girl” rounding out at tenth.

On the album side of accomplishments, Namie’s Finally took number one, albeit selling only 630,000 copies. AKB48’s 僕たちは、あの日の夜明けを知っている (Bokutachi wa, Ano Hi Yoake) trailed close behind with a 20,000 copy differential. With Southern All-Star’s 海のOh,Yeah!! (Umi No Oh, Yeah!!) taking third. Not to be ignored, Korea’s BTS’s FACE YOURSELF and Twice’s BDZ taking seventh and eighth respectively .

We at Ongaku To You would like to thank and congratulate all of the artists for their hard work throughout this year and we are excited for what they have in store for 2019!

Billboard Japan Releases Mid-year Rankings!

/

Billboard Japan announced today their mid-year ranking. Kenshi Yonezu took the first spot for TOP ARTIST  with both TWICE and BTS taking second and third respectively.

For HOT 100, “Lemon” took first which is understandable with its amount of digital sales. “Glass wo Ware” from Keyakizaka 46 took second and Gen Hoshino’s song “Doraemon” took third.

For HOT ALBUMS Namie Amuro’s Finally took first --once again, very understandable with close to two million copies sold as of this post. AKB48’s Bokutachi wa, ano Hi no Yuake wo Shitteiru took second and Kenshi Yonezui‘s BOOTLEG took third.

We congratulate everyone for all their hard work to secure their place on the list and we can’t wait to hear what is next for these artist!