BTS refutes allegations on chart manipulation in recent Billboard interview

▲ This photo captured from Billboard's Twitter page, shows K-pop superstar BTS posing after an interview with Billboard. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ This photo captured from Billboard's Twitter account shows BTS featured in the latest issue of U.S. music and entertainment magazine Billboard. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ This photo captured from Billboard's Twitter account shows BTS featured on the cover of the latest issue of U.S. music and entertainment magazine Billboard. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Aug. 27 (Yonhap) -- K-pop sensation BTS directly refuted claims of manipulating the rankings on Billboard's music chart raised by some in the U.S. pop music industry, in a recent interview with Billboard on Wednesday (local time).

In the article regarding BTS' interview, Billboard wrote, "when 'Butter' and 'Permission to Dance' reigned atop the Hot 100 for 10 straight weeks total, fans of artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Dua Lipa -- whose own singles were shut out from the No. 1 spot during that time -- began calling ARMY's work akin to cheating."

The article also points out BTS landing at the top of the charts despite having weaker streaming numbers and radio airplay in comparison to other pop artists due to the efforts made by the group's global fandom 'ARMY.' Billboard then asked the seven-piece-act about the claims of chart manipulation

When Billboard asks the seven-piece-act on the recent claims of chart manipulation, BTS leader RM responds, "It's a fair question. But If there is a conversation inside Billboard about what being No.1 should represent, then it's up to them to change the rules and make streaming weight more on the ranking.

"Slamming us or our fans for getting to No.1 with physical sales and downloads, I don't know if that's right...It just feels like we're easy targets because we're a boy band, a K-pop act, and we have this high fan loyalty."

Shin Young-jae, the president of HYBE subsidiary Big Hit Music, was also asked the same question regarding the alleged chart manipulation. In return, Shin told Billboard, "I get that there are market developments [related to BTS] that are head-scratchers for some people."

"But I don't believe the U.S. market is one that can be handily topped by downloads alone. We think the songs' impact was shown in many ways, and we are proud of that achievement."

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