The group BTS once again took command of the global music market with their 5th full-length album, “ARIRANG,” and its title track, “SWIM.”
According to Spotify, the world’s largest music streaming platform, which announced its results on the 23rd, BTS’s new song “SWIM” surged to claim the No. 1 spot for three days in a row on the “Daily Top Song Global” chart. Following that, the track “Body to Body” climbed to No. 2, and with no fewer than eight songs entering the Top 10, the album’s entire tracklist swept the upper ranks of the charts—proving its formidable global streaming power.
Their performance in the Japanese market is just as dominant. According to Oricon’s weekly album rankings on the 24th, “ARIRANG” launched at No. 1 right from the moment of release. In particular, it sold 547,000 copies during the tracking period, setting a new record for the highest sales by an overseas artist in 2026, and rose to the top of the weekly album ranking for the 11th time overall.
In major domestic music sites such as Melon, Vibe, and Genie, “SWIM” also swept the No. 1 spot on the daily charts, confirming its unparalleled mainstream appeal.
Along with the music hit, the performance video has also become a hot topic. The “SWIM” performance video released on the 24th is praised for delivering a perfect harmony between the seven members’ precise stage movements and restrained choreography, completing a BTS-style stage filled with immersive intensity.
Meanwhile, BTS meets fans through wide-ranging activities spanning both home and abroad. Following individual variety appearances by members including Jin, Jimin, RM, and SUGA, the group will appear as a full lineup on the U.S. NBC flagship program “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on the 26th and 27th, continuing the global wave of enthusiasm.
