'Friends' becomes the first BTS subunit song produced by a BTS member to achieve a Gold RIAJ Certification

'Friends,' a song produced, written, and composed by Jimin and a subunit with member Taehyung, was originally released as a part of BTS' Map of the Soul 7 album in February 2020. The song, which beautifully illustrates the friendship between the two, was an instant hit with fans and the public alike.

'Friends' became the first Korean song to be an OST for a global Hollywood Blockbuster film Marvel's 'Eternals' after its Director, Chloé Zhao, expressed her love for Jimin and the song. Thanks to the song, Jimin was the First and Only BTS member to have a song he produced nominated for the 10th Gaon Chart Awards for Song of The Year.

It was also the most streamed BTS song by a member on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, Melón, Jiosaavn, Line music, Gaana, Pandora, and Deezer. Together with "Black swan," it was the only track out of the album to chart #56 on Billboard Japan Hot 100 and debuted at #36 on Japan's Billboard streaming songs chart. On the United States Billboard Digital Song Sales chart, 'Friends' was at #6. It peaked at #7 on Billboard's Korea K-Pop Top 100 and was also the only song produced by a BTS member to enter the 2020 Gaon digital chart at #83 and the fastest song produced by a BTS member surpassing 200 Million index points on the Gaon chart, amongst other records.

Now the song has surpassed 175 Million streams on Spotify, becoming the most streamed unit song from the MOTS 7 album. It has seen 65 number #1s on iTunes globally and on Melón has over 130 Million streams together with 41 Million streams on YouTube.

On the 22nd of August, the song surpassed 50,000,000 Million streams in Japan, thus achieving Gold Certification by the Recording Industry Association of Japan. It is the first BTS subunit track, as well as a subunit produced by a BTS member, to receive this certification. 

RIAJ streaming certifications are based on data from Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Rakuten Music, LINE MUSIC, KKBOX, AWA, d Music, and Rec Music. It should be remembered that by March of this year, Filter, Lie, and Serendipity Full Length Edition were eligible for Gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America after having reported over 500K units in sales. This makes Jimin the FIRST and ONLY Korean artist to achieve this feat with his four songs; fans celebrated the achievement with Congratulations Producer Jimin, PROUD OF PRODUCER JIMIN, and more keywords on social media.

Congratulations, Producer Jimin, for yet another achievement!