Label BigHit Music has shaken the global music market this first half of the year, perfectly proving its stature as a "global top label." Led by BTS, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, and the "monster rookie" CORTIS, all three teams achieved the monumental feat of dominating the top ranks of the U.S. Billboard main album chart.
According to Circle Chart recently, the combined cumulative sales of the albums these three teams released this year are already approaching 10 million copies. In addition, they swept first place on major domestic music shows in relay fashion, successfully executing what is known as a "grand slam" baton touch.
At the center of this "relay mega-hit" was the strategy emphasized by BigHit Music founder and chief producer Bang Si-hyuk: "good music and content, artists' autonomy, and expanding fan experience." With full support from the label, the artists participated directly in song camps to create music and communicated closely with fans through abundant behind-the-scenes content. As a result, three historically massive IP teams with distinct identities captivated the world.
BTS, returning as a full group for the first time in about three years and nine months, once again surprised the world with the work "Arirang," which delved deeply into the group's roots. The Korean character woven densely into the performance — from the Gwanghwamun comeback stage to the Geon-gon-gam-ri logo and sampling of the folk song "Arirang" — captivated fans around the world.
The result was a huge success. They achieved the monumental feat of simultaneously topping the U.S. Billboard "Billboard 200" and the "Hot 100," and they won 15 domestic music show crowns without any broadcast appearances. Foreign media praised their stage, which filled overseas stadiums with mass singing of "Arirang," calling it "a combination of Korean identity that broke down genre boundaries."
TOMORROW X TOGETHER, returning for their first comeback after re-signing, candidly laid out the anxieties and real-world concerns of the past seven years through their eighth mini album "7TH YEAR: When the wind briefly stopped in the thornbush." With a long title reminiscent of their debut days, they stirred fans' nostalgia while delivering a deeply resonant message with authenticity.
They succeeded in expanding beyond their core fandom to broader popularity. Communicating intensely, they appeared across TV variety shows and popular YouTube programs, which led to increased favorability. Ultimately, they secured No. 3 on the "Billboard 200" and a music show "grand slam" simultaneously, opening the second act of their contract renewal in spectacular fashion.
CORTIS, who debuted less than a year ago, has continued a steep rise with their second mini album "GREENGREEN." Breaking the burden of expectations from their previous blockbuster, under the identity of collaborative creation they gambled on a more "raw" honesty.
Unretouched album photos, rough-textured sound, and choreography personally crafted by the members were a refreshing shock. CORTIS's bold attempt to completely twist the existing idol grammar worked, and among boy groups that debuted in the past five years, they achieved by far the best results, immediately claiming No. 3 on the "Billboard 200" and a music show "grand slam."
BigHit Music's planning gave artists the right tools at the timing when they could shine the most, perfectly piercing the global market in the first half of 2026. In particular, senior BTS supported the juniors' signature choreography, and TOMORROW X TOGETHER and CORTIS shared challenge exchanges, adding warmth to the close "BigHit familyship." It is the best synergy created by a label-level, sophisticated plan beyond the success of a single team.<
[Photo] BigHit Music
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