The group Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS) once again built another golden milestone in the UK pop market, solidifying its status as a global icon. The achievement comes from a complete-group album released after its hiatus.
BTS surpasses Michael Jackson…Hits No. 20 on UK Official chart in first half
According to “Top 40 Best-Selling Albums in the First Half of 2026,” released by the UK Official Charts on the 16th (local time), BTS’s fifth studio album, “ARIRANG,” ranked at No. 20. A key point of attention is its race for rank against pop king Michael Jackson. By beating Jackson’s landmark album “Thriller” (No. 21), which sparked a back-catalog resurgence after the recent release of an electrical film, BTS made a major impact on the local music market.
Only 6 teams among new releases worldwide…Proves its unmatched position in the mainstream pop market
This chart entry is an accomplishment achieved by clearing a higher barrier than ever. Among the many new releases worldwide released this year, only six teams—including BTS, Drake, and Harry Styles—appear on the chart. Its significance is heightened by the fact that, as the only K-pop act, it achieved this result in the conservative UK charts through long-term streaming and physical album sales.
A full-group return that makes the hiatus feel irrelevant…Opens the second chapter of superstardom with “ARIRANG”
BTS wrapped up the military service hiatus that began in 2022 and returned as a whole group in good health last year. The group then made a striking comeback by releasing “ARIRANG,” a new album that combines Korea’s traditional sensibilities with pop sounds, in March. BTS, sweeping global charts despite the break, announced the start of a second golden era to the world through this latest achievement.
