After a three-year and nine-month hiatus, BTS has topped both album and music charts with their latest release.
According to Hanteo Chart on the 21st, BTS’s fifth full-length album, ‘ARIRANG’, sold 3.98 million copies on its release day, securing the top spot on the daily chart.
Released at 1 p.m. on the 20th, the album achieved ‘million seller’ status within approximately 10 minutes, demonstrating an explosive reaction. This rapid success underscored the immense anticipation from global music fans for their first new release in three years and nine months.
BTS’s previous record for first-week sales was 3.37 million copies with their fourth full-length album, ‘MAP OF THE SOUL: 7’, released in February 2020. ‘ARIRANG’ surpassed this figure on its release day, setting a new personal best. With the first-week sales counting period still underway, anticipation is high for the new records they are expected to set.
The new album also claimed the No. 1 spot on iTunes’ ‘Top Album’ chart in 88 countries and regions worldwide, including Italy, Mexico, and Sweden, affirming its global popularity.
Music tracks from the album are also performing strongly. The title track ‘SWIM’ topped iTunes’ ‘Top Song’ charts in 90 countries and regions by 9 a.m. on the 21st, including the U.S., Japan, the UK, Germany, and France. Numerous other tracks from the album also ranked high on various charts, further demonstrating the intense interest in BTS’s comeback.
Even domestic music charts, which previously showed minimal movement, experienced significant shifts. ‘SWIM’ quickly soared to the top of real-time charts on Melon and Bugs. Notably, every track from the album entered Melon’s real-time ‘Top 100’ chart.
‘SWIM’ held its No. 1 position from 2 p.m. on the 20th until midnight on the 21st and continues to hold that position as of 10 a.m. on the 21st. The track ‘Body to Body’ secured the No. 2 spot on Melon’s ‘Top 100’ alongside ‘SWIM’ at 10 a.m. on the 21st.
The music video for ‘SWIM’ also quickly rose to No. 1 in trending music categories in 70 countries and regions, including the U.S., UK, Mexico, and France. ‘Body to Body’ is also garnering significant attention with high rankings in various regions, based solely on its official audio video.
‘ARIRANG’ is an album that encapsulates BTS’s identity and universal emotions, with Chairman Bang Si-hyuk overseeing the overall production. The title song ‘SWIM’ conveys a message of perseverance amid life’s challenges, offering deep empathy to those striving hard in their respective roles.
Meanwhile, BTS will host ‘BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG’ at 8 p.m. on the 21st at Gwanghwamun Square, where they are set to unveil new performances, including that of the title track.
