BTS is showcasing their influence in the global music market as they prepare for a full-group comeback.
The group is set to release a new album next spring and embark on a massive world tour. Ahead of their comeback, BTS is actively engaging with their global fanbase, ARMY, through various platforms, including the global superfan platform Weverse. On November 16, they held a live practice session on Weverse, where RM revealed he recently obtained his driver's license. This small update quickly impacted music charts, as his solo album's track "Nuts" from 'Right Place, Wrong Person' topped the iTunes 'Top Songs' chart in 45 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, by the morning of November 18. The lyrics "He a pro ridah, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo rider / Must be an A1 guider" resonated with fans, leading to the track's resurgence on the charts nearly 1 year and 7 months after its release.
Additionally, the 'BTSInMaCity' campaign, spontaneously initiated by fans on social media in November, gained attention. Fans streamed the track "Ma City" from their mini-album 'The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 2' and shared scenic photos of their cities on social media, hoping BTS's 2026 world tour would include their hometowns. The campaign expanded globally, impacting music charts as "Ma City" topped the iTunes 'Top Songs' chart in 16 countries, including Finland, Singapore, and Luxembourg. The track also re-entered Billboard's 'World Digital Song Sales' chart at number one on November 22, nearly a decade after its release. "Ma City" is a song expressing the members' affection for their hometowns.
BTS's impact was further confirmed on Billboard's latest chart (December 20), where "Anpanman" from their third studio album 'LOVE YOURSELF 轉 'Tear'' claimed the number one spot on the 'World Digital Song Sales' chart, approximately 7 years and 7 months after its release. By the morning of November 18, "Anpanman" topped the iTunes 'Top Songs' chart in 75 countries, including the US and UK. It also made waves on the UK Official Chart, ranking 12th in 'Official Singles Downloads' and 24th in 'Official Singles Sales'. "Anpanman" is inspired by a hero who shares his head with the hungry, symbolizing a hero without superpowers but always close by. The collective support of ARMY eagerly awaiting BTS's comeback is believed to have driven the song's resurgence.
BTS's popularity and anticipation for their new album are evident in these objective metrics. The records the seven members will set with their new activities in 2026 are highly anticipated.
By Ji-won Kim, TenAsia Reporter one@tenasia.co.kr