BTS Achieves New Career High with Record-Breaking Sales of 'ARIRANG'

BTS has once again reached a new career high with their latest album, 'ARIRANG'. The group's fifth studio album has proven their global popularity and influence, despite a 3-year and 9-month hiatus.

According to Hanteo Chart, 'ARIRANG', released on the 20th, surpassed 4,169,464 copies in its first week of sales, setting a new record for the group. This figure far exceeds the 3.37 million first-week sales of their fourth studio album, 'MAP OF THE SOUL: 7', released in February 2020. The new album achieved million-seller status within approximately 10 minutes of release and sold 3.98 million copies on its first day alone, marking the highest first-day sales for any album released in 2026.

The album's performance on global music platforms is equally impressive. As of the 21st, 'ARIRANG' topped the album charts in 102 countries/regions, including the United States, Japan, Germany, and Mexico, on Apple Music. By the 27th, it had reached number one in 115 countries/regions. Notably, the album recorded the highest number of streams for any BTS album on its release day, making BTS the most-streamed artist on Apple Music that day. The title track 'SWIM' maintained the number one spot on Spotify's 'Daily Top Song Global' chart for six consecutive days (March 20-25).

BTS's influence in the Japanese music market is also significant. 'ARIRANG' debuted at number one on Oricon's 'Weekly Combined Album Ranking' for March 30, marking the group's seventh number-one album. It also achieved the highest weekly sales for a foreign artist this year. The album topped the 'Weekly Album Ranking' and 'Weekly Digital Album Ranking', achieving a triple crown on Oricon's major charts.

Produced by Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, the album delves deeply into BTS's identity and the universal emotions encountered in life. The title track 'SWIM' conveys a message of perseverance and resilience, resonating with listeners worldwide.

On March 24, BTS held a special event, 'Spotify X BTS: SWIMSIDE', on the rooftop of Pier 17 in New York, where they met with local fans. While waiting for BTS, the audience sang along to the track 'Body to Body', and the inclusion of the traditional Korean song 'Arirang' in the song sparked a sing-along moment. In Seoul, the 'BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL' project is currently underway.

By Ji-won Kim, Ten Asia Reporter one@tenasia.co.kr