BTS has clinched the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, following their success on the Billboard 200, further demonstrating their global impact.
According to a chart preview article published on Billboard’s official website on the 31st, BTS’s fifth studio album ‘ARIRANG,’ with its title track ‘SWIM,’ has ascended to the top of the main song chart, the Hot 100 (dated April 4).
This marks BTS’s seventh No. 1 hit, following their previous successes with ‘Dynamite,’ ‘Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat) (BTS Remix),’ ‘Life Goes On,’ ‘Butter,’ ‘Permission to Dance,’ and ‘My Universe (Coldplay X BTS).’
‘SWIM’ became the 1,190th song to reach No. 1 on the Hot 100 and notably, the 89th song to debut at the top. This is a rare achievement, representing only 7% of all No. 1 hits.
Billboard noted, “BTS has set a record for the most No. 1 hits by a group since the Bee Gees, who had nine No. 1 hits from 1971 to 1979.” Furthermore, BTS now ranks as the group with the fifth most No. 1 hits since the Hot 100 chart was introduced in August 1958.
According to media reports, The Beatles hold the record for the most No. 1 hits (20), followed by The Supremes (12), the Bee Gees, The Rolling Stones (8), and then BTS.
Released on the 20th, ‘SWIM’ accumulated 15.3 million streams, 25.8 million radio listeners, and sold a total of 154,000 digital and physical singles by the 26th. It debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Streaming Songs Chart, marking a new high for the group, and at No. 18 on the Radio Songs Chart, also BTS’s highest debut.
On the Digital Song Sales Chart, the track secured the No. 1 spot, becoming BTS’s 13th song to achieve this status. This achievement positions them as the group with the most No. 1 hits on this chart.
Through their agency Big Hit Music, BTS expressed sincere gratitude, stating, “After a long wait of 3 years and 9 months, we are honored to achieve No. 1 on Billboard. We deeply thank our ARMY and everyone who enjoyed our music.”
They added, “During the preparation for the new album, we focused on capturing universal emotions. The title track ‘SWIM’ is a song about moving forward despite difficulties. We hope it provides courage and comfort across borders. Thank you for your unwavering support, and we will continue to make heartfelt music.”
In a chart preview article released on the 30th, Billboard announced that ‘ARIRANG’ also topped the Billboard 200. This marks the first time BTS has topped both the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 since their mini-album ‘BE’ and title track ‘Life Goes On’ in 2020.
Other artists who have achieved No. 1 on both charts in the same week include Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Drake. BTS joins these artists, proving themselves to be musicians who inspire fans globally.
