On March 20, the Korean band BTS released their new album “Arirang”. It was their first release in four years while the band members served their mandatory military service.
The first single from the album “Swim” has debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the album “Arirang” has topped the Billboard Album 200 chart as fans are eager to celebrate the band’s return.
It is the seventh number one single and album for BTS.
BTS currently ranks fifth on the all time chart toppers for groups. The Beatles rank number one with 20; followed by The Supremes with 12, the Bee Gees with nine, The Rolling Stones with eight, and BTS with seven.
“Swim” sold 154,000 copies – digital downloads and physical singles – had 25.8 million radio airplays, and 15.3 million streams on their way to the number one spot.
“Swim” also topped the Billboard Global 200 and the Billboard Global Excluding the U.S. charts.
In fact, BTS holds the top nine spots in the Global 200 chart.
In the Global Excluding the U.S. chart, BTS holds down the top 13 spots on the chart.
“Arirang” had a total of 641,000 album units – 532,000 of them via actual physical album sales and digital downloads – the biggest ever for the band.