That a band or an artist who does not come from the western world tops Ifpi's list has never happened before.
Even more sensational is that the South Korean band's songs are largely not sung in English.
"They really show that the power of music brings joy to and creates community with people all over the world," says Ifpi CEO Frances Morre in a statement taken by NME.
The seven-member band BTS was formed in South Korea in 2013, and has since not only conquered the domestic music market but also topped the charts in the USA, among other places. Last year, they were named Entertainer of the Year by Time magazine, and for four years in a row, they have become the band most tweeted in the United States.