BTS's new album 'ARIRANG' sets sales records and tops charts globally, showcasing their enduring popularity and fan anticipation.
March/27/2026 16:25Related Groups & Members
BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) has once again achieved a career high. The astonishing sales of their 5th full album 'ARIRANG' prove their global popularity and influence, feeling no gap in the 3 years and 9 months. On the 27th, according to the Korean HANTEO chart, 'ARIRANG', released on March 20, recorded an initial sales volume (sales in the first week after release) of 4,169,464 copies, breaking the group's own record. This significantly exceeds the initial sales of 3.37 million copies of their 4th full album 'MAP OF THE SOUL: 7', released in February 2020. The new album achieved million-seller status in about 10 minutes after release, selling 3.98 million copies on the first day alone. This set a record for the highest sales volume in a single day for albums released in 2026. The high expectations of music fans around the world waiting for BTS are numerically proven. The momentum on global music platforms is also overwhelming. As of the 21st, 'ARIRANG' ranked first on album charts in 102 countries and regions, including the US, Japan, Germany, and Mexico, on Apple Music. By the 27th, it had reached first place in 115 countries and regions, creating a global 'ARIRANG' phenomenon. Notably, this work recorded the highest number of streams among BTS's albums on the first day of release. At the same time, they rose to become the 'most streamed artist' on Apple Music that day. The title track 'SWIM' maintained first place on Spotify's 'Daily Top Songs Global' for six consecutive days (March 20-25). Their influence in the Japanese market is also remarkable. It debuted at number one on the Oricon 'Weekly Combined Album Ranking' as of March 30, marking the group's seventh number one record. It also recorded the highest weekly sales for an overseas artist this year. They achieved a triple crown on major Oricon charts, dominating the 'Weekly Album Ranking' and 'Weekly Digital Album Ranking'. The 5th full album 'ARIRANG' deeply explores BTS's identity and the universal emotions faced in life. The title track 'SWIM' conveys a message of deep empathy and comfort to listeners, singing about the attitude of continuing to swim without stopping amidst life's rough waves. On March 24, BTS held a special event 'Spotify X BTS: SWIMSIDE' on the rooftop of 'Pier 17' in New York, interacting with local fans. While waiting for BTS's appearance, the audience sang along to the track 'Body to Body', and a chorus erupted during the part of the folk song 'Arirang' included in the song, drawing attention. Currently, in Seoul, the project 'BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL' is being implemented. The entire city is being developed as a cultural and artistic venue, hosting a festival where fans and citizens can enjoy together.
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