BTS’s ‘ARIRANG’ Shatters Streaming Records: How ‘SWIM’ Dominated Global Charts

BTS ARIRANG / Photo = Provided by BigHit Music

[Sports Today reporter Lim Si-ryeong] BTS dominated Spotify’s global charts by occupying 14 spots.

According to Spotify on the 21st, BTS’s fifth studio album ARIRANG became the most-streamed K-pop album in Spotify history. It also logged the most streams in a single day worldwide this year, underscoring the album’s enormous buzz.

On Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Global chart, the group made an equally strong showing: title track “SWIM” surged to No. 1 on the chart dated the 20th, while every track from the album claimed positions 1 through 14, filling the very top of the global chart with BTS songs. Even track 6, an interlude capturing the sound of the Emille Bell (the bell of King Seongdeok), charted, drawing attention. They also topped Spotify’s Daily Top Artists Global chart.

BTS’s comeback momentum extended to Apple Music, where ARIRANG set new records. On its release day, ARIRANG became the most-streamed K-pop album in Apple Music history and posted the highest first-day streams among the group’s pop releases. The figures underscore global fans’ pent-up anticipation after a 3-year, 9-month wait for the group’s return.

ARIRANG is sweeping domestic album and digital charts as well. Title track “SWIM” reached No. 1 on Melon’s daily chart dated the 20th, and it held the top spot on Melon’s realtime Top 100 from 8 a.m. on the 21st until 1 p.m. on the 22nd. Sales numbers are striking: first-day sales topped 3.98 million copies on Hanteo Chart, instantly eclipsing the group’s previous record for first-week sales. The album also held No. 1 on Hanteo’s daily chart for two consecutive days (March 20–21).

ARIRANG reflects BTS’s identity and the universal emotions the members confront. Chairman Bang Si-hyuk served as executive producer, and the record is infused with the members’ candid feelings. The title track “SWIM” urges listeners to keep swimming through life’s waves rather than stop; RM wrote the bulk of the lyrics, delivering a sincere message about embracing life.

[Sports Today reporter Lim Si-ryeong ent@stoo.com]
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