By JONATHAN M. HICAP
March 12, 2010, 1:45pm

TVXQ (known as Tohoshinki in Japan), SM Entertainment’s most prized artist and perhaps the most popular K-pop group in Asia nowadays, demonstrated its Midas touch anew when their “Best Selection 2010” reached double platinum status in Japan recently, selling more than 500,000 copies.

The sales record is based on data released by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for the period January 1 to February 28.

The feat is made more impressive by the fact that “Best Selection 2010” was released only last February 17.

Since its release, “Best Selection 2010” album has swept Japan’s Oricon charts, topping the daily, weekly and monthly rankings.

Last month, the album broke the 14-year-old record held by international rock group Bon Jovi when it reached sales of more than 400,000 in Japan. It is now the best-selling album for a foreign group in the Asian country. Bon Jovi’s “These Days” album sold 379,000 when it was released in 1995.

Fans are celebrating Tohoshinki’s latest achievement, saying that the boys have proven once again their immense popularity and talent.

“Congrats TVXQ! (I’m) proud of all the fans that made it possible and the boys for being so amazing,” posted a fan with username Redblossom2 on the international fan forum www.onetvxq.com.

“They seriously deserve this for all of their hard work! I am so proud! And (I) will always be proud of them. Love you guys so much! Always keep the faith,” added another with the handle xLuv_KJaeJae_4everx.

The album’s meteoric rise comes on the heels of Tohoshinki’s 29th single, “Break Out”, which reached platinum status in Japan last month.

According to RIAJ’s criteria, singles and albums are certified Gold with 100,000 in sales, Platinum with 250,000 and Million with one million in sales.

“Break Out” sold 255,917 copies in just one week after its release last January 27. It broke the 12-year-old record set by Elton John's “Candle in the Wind.”

"Candle," a tribute to the late Princess Diana, sold 184,000 copies on its first week.

Japan is the second biggest music market in the world after the US.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/247374/tvxq-...-platinum-japan
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