The South Korean band BTS has effectively captured the top positions on both domestic and international weekly charts with their fifth studio release, 'Arirang'.
Data from Hanteo Chart, as of the 30th, indicates that BTS's 'Arirang' ascended to the top of the weekly world and album charts (tracking period: March 23-29). Remarkably, the album achieved the number one position within three days post-release on the 20th and sustained its lead for two consecutive weeks.
BTS group image [Photo=Big Hit Music]
In a preliminary report by Billboard, dated the 30th, it was revealed that 'Arirang' has attained the top position on the 'Billboard 200' for the chart dated April 4. The album entered with 641,000 album units, representing the strongest weekly performance for a group album since unit tracking began in December 2014. This includes 532,000 pure album sales, both physical and digital, setting a new benchmark for the highest weekly sales of a group album in over ten years.
The band also achieved significant success on global music charts. BTS dominated the weekly rankings of the international audio and streaming service Spotify (tracking period: March 20-26), leading categories such as 'Weekly Top Albums', 'Weekly Top Songs', and 'Weekly Top Artists'. Particularly, the lead single 'SWIM' secured the number one position on the 'Weekly Top Songs Global', while all 14 tracks from the album were within the top 30.
'SWIM' persistently held the number one spot on Spotify's 'Daily Top Songs Global' and Apple Music's 'Top 100 Global' charts for 9 days (March 20-28) and 7 days (March 23-29), respectively. Moreover, every track from the album continues to feature prominently on the latest charts of both platforms. Even ten days after its release, the album's tracks maintain high popularity, indicating a strong following among international music enthusiasts.
Concurrently, BTS is scheduled to conduct the 'BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG'' with performances at the Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on April 9, 11, and 12. In October, stadium concerts are slated for South America, including countries like Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. Notably, all 46 performances, covering venues in Goyang, North America, Europe, and Tokyo, Japan, have sold out well in advance, underscoring the group's substantial ticket-selling prowess.