Conversation so far:
When did Utada Hikaru try the international market?
Utada Hikaru released her English-language debut album Precious in early 1998.
Was Utada Hikaru's album Precious popular?
Utada Hikaru's Precious albumwas a commercial failure.

Question: Was it popular worldwide or was this still before she went international?
Self-contained rewrite: Was Utada Hiraku's album Precious popular worldwide or was this before her cross-over to the international market?