‘BTS 방탄소년단’, With Regular Album No. 5 ‘Arirang’—Simultaneously Topping ‘Billboard’… A New Chapter in K-Pop History

BTS Sweeps ‘Billboard’ at the Same Time With Regular Album No. 5 ‘Arirang’… A New History for K-Pop

As Korea’s top global group, BTS, they pulled off an exceptional feat with their fifth regular album, ‘Arirang’—simultaneously claiming No. 1 on the U.S. ‘Billboard’ main charts, Billboard 200 and Hot 100. Even the long stretch of the military service hiatus didn’t slow their explosive global momentum. It’s a record they achieved for the first time in six years since ‘BE’ in 2020, and in particular, a track featuring samples of traditional Korean bell-tolling sounds has moved to the forefront of the global pop market, ushering in a new era for ‘K-Pop’.

Their latest appearance on the U.S. NBC flagship talk show ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ makes the comeback even more meaningful, because they achieved it despite ‘Billboard’’s overt efforts to hold them back. Even unfavorable changes—such as reducing the weekly eligible downloads and excluding YouTube view-count tracking—were offset. Experts say BTS has once again proven that they’re not just pop stars, but an irreplaceable musical force of their own.

The large-scale free concert at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square fully showcases the status BTS has built over 13 years. After becoming the first K-pop act to top ‘Billboard 200’ in 2018, they went on to secure seven No. 1 albums in total. Backed by ‘Dynamite’ in 2020, they also produced seven No. 1 singles on the singles chart—writing an unprecedented record.

Their path as a global cultural icon goes beyond music alone. In 2018, BTS delivered a message of hope to young people around the world through a speech at the United Nations (UN) headquarters. They swept the three major U.S. music awards shows and earned ‘Grammy Awards’ nominations for three consecutive years—solidifying their place at the very center of global pop culture.

In 2022, their first invitation to the White House for a Korean artist—and remarks aimed at helping end anti-Asian hate crimes—reflects BTS’s wide-ranging social impact. They’re demonstrating positive influence that crosses borders and race, and, as representatives of the generation shaping global public opinion, they’re setting a milestone that ‘K-Pop’ artists should look toward next.

At the heart of all these achievements is the massive fandom of about 34 million, ‘ARMY’ (ARMY). By taking over platforms like Weverse and Instagram, they’re more than just music consumers—they’re a community built on shared values and a shared outlook on life. Even the rare feat of consecutive sold-out stadium tours across 34 cities worldwide is further proof of the unshakable bond between BTS and ‘ARMY’, one that holds firm even under harsh conditions.