Global superstars BTS have once again proven their unrivaled influence in the Japanese music market, securing new streaming certifications from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).
According to the latest data released on January 30, 2026, the group’s 2022 hit “ Yet To Come “—the title track of their anthology album Proof—has officially surpassed 100 million cumulative streams in Japan.
This achievement has earned the track a prestigious Platinum certification in the streaming category, adding another accolade to the group’s extensive list of international successes.
In addition to the Platinum status for “Yet To Come,” the group’s B-side track “Love Maze” from their 2018 third full-length album LOVE YOURSELF: Tear has also reached a significant milestone.
The song exceeded 50 million streams, securing a Gold certification. These new certifications bring BTS’s total count in Japan to an impressive 16 Platinum and 48 Gold streaming certifications.
Notably, their massive hits “ Dynamite ” and “ Butter ” have both previously achieved Diamond certification (over 500 million streams), making BTS the first and only K-pop act to reach such a status in the Japanese streaming landscape.
The Meaning Behind the Music and Continued Legacy
The tracks receiving these new certifications carry deep significance for both the group and their global fandom, ARMY.
“Yet To Come” is a reflective anthem that looks back on BTS’s decade-long musical journey while simultaneously delivering a hopeful message about the future. It serves as a reminder that their “best is yet to come.”
On the other hand, “Love Maze” is a fan-favorite track known for its heartfelt message of staying true to one’s path even when navigating the complexities of life and love.
BTS (Credit: YouTube)
The continued streaming success of these older tracks highlights the timeless nature of BTS’s discography.
Industry experts view these latest milestones as a direct result of fans revisiting the group’s back catalog in anticipation of their upcoming full-member activities.
As the members complete their mandatory military service and prepare to reunite, the “BTS fever” in Japan—and worldwide—shows no signs of waning.
These certifications are a testament to the group’s enduring popularity and the consistent consumption of their music by a dedicated listener base that spans multiple generations.
Anticipation for the 2026 Comeback and World Tour
The timing of these certifications is particularly relevant as BTS prepares for a monumental return to the spotlight. The group is set to release their highly anticipated fifth full-length album, ARIRANG, on March 20, 2026.
This will mark their first full-group release in nearly four years, featuring 14 tracks that explore profound themes of identity and longing.
The excitement surrounding the album has already reached fever pitch, with pre-orders expected to shatter existing records.
Following the album release, BTS will embark on a massive world tour starting April 9 at Goyang Stadium.
The tour is set to span 34 cities with a staggering 82 shows. Demonstrating their unmatched ticket-selling power, all dates—including the stadium shows across North America and Europe—have already sold out.
This tour will make history as BTS becomes the first Korean artist to hold a series of solo stadium concerts of this scale across the West.
As they transition from their military hiatus back into active global promotion, these new RIAJ certifications serve as a powerful prelude to what is expected to be the most successful year in the group’s storied career. For BTS and ARMY, the journey continues, and the records keep falling.
K-pop fans in Hong Kong and across Asia have been met with unexpected news as the highly anticipated “Dream Concert World Tour 2026” in Hong Kong has been officially cancelled until further notice.
Originally scheduled to take place over two days from February 6 to February 7, the event was intended to be a massive celebration of Korean music and culture.
The cancellation comes just a week before the event was set to begin, leaving many fans who had already purchased tickets and made travel arrangements in a state of shock and disappointment.
The Hong Kong stop was particularly significant because it was slated to be the first official overseas stop of the iconic “Dream Concert” series, which has a long and storied history in South Korea.
Also, it was meant to serve as the grand kickoff for an ambitious “Dream Concert World Tour,” intended to bring the festival’s unique energy to various cities around the globe.
The event was set to be held at the impressive Kai Tak Stadium, a venue capable of hosting the large-scale production and massive crowds typically associated with the Dream Concert brand.
Internal Conflicts and Unresolved Issues
According to industry reports, the primary reason for the sudden cancellation stems from ongoing internal conflicts between the local event organizers in Hong Kong and the Korea Entertainment Producer’s Association (KEPA), the organization responsible for managing the “Dream Concert World Tour 2026.”
While specific details regarding the nature of the dispute have not been fully disclosed, it appears that the disagreements were significant enough to prevent the event from proceeding as planned.
The timing of the announcement is particularly unfortunate, as the festival had already secured a star-studded lineup of headliners.
The roster featured some of the biggest names in the industry, including EXO-CBX, Taemin, The Boyz, Hwa Sa, and BamBam, among others.
The promise of seeing these top-tier artists share a single stage had made the Hong Kong event one of the most talked-about K-pop festivals of the year.
With the cancellation, it remains unclear whether these artists will be rebooked for a future date or if their participation was strictly tied to the now-void February schedule.
Uncertainty Surrounding Future Dates and Ticketing
As of now, there is no official confirmation on whether “Dream Concert 2026 in Hong Kong” will be rescheduled for a later date.
The use of the phrase “until further notice” suggests a level of indefinite suspension, leaving the fate of the Hong Kong leg of the world tour hanging in the balance.
Fans are currently awaiting further instructions regarding ticket refunds and any potential updates on a new timeline for the event.
The cancellation of the Hong Kong stop also raises questions about the remainder of the “Dream Concert World Tour.”
As the first stop of the tour, its failure to launch could potentially impact the logistics and planning for subsequent international locations.
For now, the focus remains on resolving the administrative and organizational issues that led to this setback.
The K-pop community continues to monitor the situation closely, hoping that the issues between KEPA and local partners can be resolved so that the historic festival can eventually make its way to international audiences as originally envisioned.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the complex logistical and professional challenges involved in producing large-scale international music festivals in the post-pandemic era.
