BTS World Becomes NetMarble's First No. 1 iPhone Game in the U.S.

South Korean pop music sensation BTS has propelled mobile gaming giant NetMarble to the top of the charts in 25 countries including the United States, where the publisher's just-launched title BTS World debuted directly at No. 1 among all iPhone apps. This marks the first time the South Korea-based publisher has produced a No. 1 app on Apple's U.S. App Store, according to Sensor Tower App Intelligence data.

BTS World, which sees players managing the internationally renowned ensemble, also shot immediately to No. 1 on Apple's platform in South Korea, Japan, and all South East Asian markets. It is currently ranked among the top five apps in an additional 36 countries. In China, the title ranks No. 50 overall but is the country's No. 8 iPhone game by downloads at present.

In terms of spending, the game is currently among the top 10 grossing iPhone apps in six countries, including South Korea where it is ranked highest at No. 4. In key South East Asia markets, it is ranked No. 6 in Indonesia, No. 7 in Singapore, No. 8 in the Philippines, and No. 10 in Thailand. It has already reached No. 37 for revenue in Great Britain, while it is currently ranked No. 77 in the U.S.

NetMarble's most successful prior launch was 2016's Lineage 2: Revolution, which has grossed more than $525 million globally to date. That game reached No. 17 for downloads among all iPhone apps in November 2017 and has placed as high as No. 28 for revenue.

BTS World's debut at No. 1 for U.S. iPhone downloads outpaced last week's highly anticipated Harry Potter: Wizards Unite from Niantic, which took 15 hours to reach the App Store's top spot.