Best K-Pop Groups 2017: BIGBANG Trumps BTS By Crossing 7 Million YouTube Followers

South Korean band BIGBANG crossed 7 million followers on YouTube, setting a new record for the largest number of followers that any K-pop group has garnered on the video-sharing website. The band also surpassed rival group BTS, or the Bangtan Boys, by earning over double of BTS’ total followers.

K-pop boasts of an ever-expanding fan base across the world, and a major chunk of this limelight comes through YouTube. The record for the most number of YouTube followers for any K-pop artist is currently held by PSY, courtesy his blockbuster hits “Gangnam Style” and “Gentleman,” which went viral globally.

Read: BIGBANG On Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’ 2017 After Making $44 Million In 2016

While PSY’s record stands at 9 million YouTube followers, BIGBANG’s record as the K-pop group with the most number of followers stands at over 7,016,000 as of Thursday. If BIGBANG achieves the target of 9 million, its next step would be to reach 10 million subscribers, a feat accomplished by SM Entertainment, the channel which boasts of handling numerous K-pop artists, including EXO.

BIGBANG — made up of members Kwon Ji-yong (G-Dragon), 28, Kang Dae-sung (Daesung), 27, Choi Seung –hyun (T.O.P), 29, Lee Seung –hyun (Seungri), 26, Dong Young-bae (Taeyang), 28 — was the only K-pop act to be featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for 2017 revealed on the magazine’s official website earlier this year .

K-pop band BTS, however, has a long way to go, in terms of YouTube followers as its main channel on the website has just over 3 million subscribers, despite the number of records that the group has been breaking following the release of their latest repackaged album.

After breaking into Billboard’s Main Albums Chart for the fourth consecutive time, a first for a K-pop group, BTS’ “Wings: You Never Walk Alone” sold 713,063 copies in the month of February. This is the highest number of albums registered on Gaon’s monthly album charts for K-pop artists.

BIGBANG’s T.O.P recently enlisted in the army for his compulsory military service and other members of the group are also expected to take a break from their music careers to fulfill their duty. BTS, on the other hand, is in the middle of an international tour, performing in South America, North America and Asia.