As if welcoming the return of the group BTS, record-breaking results are pouring in.
BTS released their new record "Arirang" at 1 p.m. on the 20th, their first in 3 years and 9 months.
The fifth full-length album "Arirang" sold 3.98 million copies on its first day, topping the daily chart (according to Hanteo Chart), and became a "million seller" in about 10 minutes. The hearts of music fans around the world who had been waiting for BTS's new release were clearly conveyed.
BTS broke their own record. Their previous highest first-week sales were 3.37 million copies for the fourth full-length album MAP OF THE SOUL : 7, released in February 2020, but they surpassed that figure on the day of release.
With ample time remaining in the first-week sales counting period, attention is focused on the record-breaking results they may show. ARMY, the fandom, proved they are present across the globe as the new album topped iTunes' "Top Albums" chart in 88 countries and regions, including Italy, Mexico and Sweden, confirming their global popularity.
Music streaming charts are also noteworthy. The title track "SWIM" reached No. 1 on iTunes' "Top Songs" in 90 countries and regions, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany and France, as of 9 a.m. on the 21st, and "Arirang" became the most-streamed K-pop album globally on its release day in Apple Music history.
In addition, the album became the most streamed pop album by the group on its first day. Several album tracks ranked high on various charts, demonstrating the immense interest in BTS's comeback.
According to Spotify on the 21st, "Arirang" became the most-streamed K-pop album in history. It also ranked as the most-streamed album in a single day this year, showcasing overwhelming buzz. "SWIM" also made its presence felt on Spotify's "Daily Top Songs Global," jumping to No. 1 on the chart dated the 20th, and album tracks occupied positions 1 through 14. The top of global music charts was filled by BTS.
Domestic music chart performance is also strong. "SWIM" shot to No. 1 on Melon and Bugs' real-time charts. On Melon, all album tracks entered the real-time "Top 100" chart. After "SWIM" topped Melon's daily chart dated the 20th, it also held the top spot on the real-time "Top 100" from 8 a.m. on the 21st until 1 p.m. on the 22nd. The track "Body to Body" stood alongside "SWIM," ranking No. 2 on Melon's "Top 100" at 10 a.m. on the 21st, filling the top of the chart with BTS.
The performance of the released "SWIM" music video also draws attention. After the music video was released, it topped the rising music charts in 70 countries and regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico and France, and "Body to Body" has drawn significant attention by ranking highly in several countries and regions with just its official audio video.
Also, the Gwanghwamun comeback show prepared to coincide with the album release, 'BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE｜ARIRANG' (BTS comeback live "Arirang"), was successfully concluded. About 104,000 spectators packed the venue, creating a huge crowd.
For this comeback show, they chose Korea's representative folk song "Arirang" as the album title and selected the symbolic spaces of Gwanghwamun Square and Gyeongbokgung Palace as the stages. Through a production that combined tradition and modernity, BTS spread Korea's past, present and future to the world.
[Photo] OSEN DB, BigHit Music, Spotify, Apple Music
[OSEN]