BTS 'Arirang' Sets a Billboard Record With Back-to-Back Weeks at No. 1…'Swim' Lands at No. 2

K-pop's first feat: Achieves a historic two-week No. 1 run on 'Billboard 200'

The group 'BTS' ('BTS') created an unprecedented new chapter on the United States Billboard main album chart with its full-length album 'Arirang' ('ARIRANG'), released after a long military service hiatus. According to Billboard's official announcement, 'BTS''s 'Arirang' topped the main album chart 'Billboard 200' for two consecutive weeks. It is the first time in the history of South Korean music that an album by a K-pop artist has held the No. 1 spot on the chart for two straight weeks.

Title track 'Swim' takes No. 2 on the 'Hot 100' and claims No. 1 with overwhelming digital sales

Along with the album's mega-hit momentum, the title track 'Swim' ('SWIM') is also demonstrating formidable digital power that is second to none. In a report previewing the Billboard charts on the 6th (local time), 'Swim' settled at No. 2 this week on the main singles chart 'Hot 100', dropping one spot from last week's No. 1.

In particular, 'Swim''s digital single sales surpassed 67,000 units, firmly defending its No. 1 position for two straight weeks. Even though this represents a 29% decline compared to the previous week, it is still an overwhelming sales figure that widens the gap over the No. 2 contenders. Meanwhile, this week's 'Hot 100' No. 1 is 'Ella Langley''s country song 'Choosin' Texas'.

A successful full-group return completely quells concerns about a hiatus

'BTS' had an unavoidable break as each member faithfully fulfilled their mandatory military service, led by the eldest, 'Jin' ('Jin'), in December 2022. After all members completed their discharge and were released from call-up last June, they announced the most dazzling and successful comeback to the world last month through a massive concert in Gwanghwamun and the release of their fifth full-length album. This Billboard chart performance is a clear indicator that 'BTS''s global influence remains firmly at the center of the global music market.