After 3 years and 9 months, BTS returned to claim the top of the album and digital charts, announcing the king's return.
According to Hanteo Chart on the 21st, BTS's fifth full-length album 'Arirang' (ARIRANG) sold 3.98 million copies on its first day of release and rose to No. 1 on the daily chart. After being released at 1 p.m. on the 20th, it became a "million seller" in about 10 minutes, proving the explosive reaction. It was a moment that made clear the desperate waiting of music fans around the world for the new record presented after 3 years and 9 months.
BTS's highest first-week sales (sales during the first week after release) to date is the 3.37 million copies of their fourth full-length album MAP OF THE SOUL : 7, released in February 2020. Arirang set a new personal record with sales that far surpassed that figure on its release day alone. With much of the first-week counting period still remaining, attention is focused on the history they will write. The new album confirmed its global popularity by reaching No. 1 on iTunes' "Top Albums" chart in 88 countries/regions worldwide, including Italy, Mexico and Sweden.
Digital tracks are also strong. The title track "SWIM" reached No. 1 on iTunes' "Top Song" in 90 countries/regions, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany and France, as of 9 a.m. on the 21st. At the same time, multiple album tracks were positioned high on the charts, proving the enormous interest in BTS's comeback.
There was a seismic shift even on domestic digital charts, where rankings had been relatively static. "SWIM" went straight to No. 1 on Melon and Bugs' real-time charts. In particular, on Melon the entire album entered the real-time "Top 100" chart. "SWIM" held the No. 1 spot from 2 p.m. on the 20th until midnight on the 21st and remained at the top as of 10 a.m. on the 21st. Album track "Body to Body" stood alongside "SWIM," ranking No. 2 on Melon's "Top 100" at 10 a.m. on the 21st, crowning the top of the chart with BTS.
Reaction to the "SWIM" music video is also hot. The video reached No. 1 on rising music charts in 70 countries/regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico and France. "Body to Body" has drawn great attention by recording high ranks in several countries/regions with its official audio video alone.
Released at 1 p.m. on the 20th, Arirang is an album that deals with BTS's identity and the universal emotions they face, with Bang Si-hyuk serving as the chief producer. The title track "SWIM" sings of the attitude of continuing to swim amid life's waves without stopping, delivering a deeply empathetic message to those who do their best in their own places.
BTS is scheduled to hold "BTS comeback live: ARIRANG" (BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE｜ARIRANG) around Gwanghwamun Square at 8 p.m. on the 21st and will show live performances of new songs, including the title track, for the first time.
[Photo] BigHit Music
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