Global superstar group BTS has achieved an unprecedented milestone this year, becoming the first act to surpass 500 million streams worldwide with a single track.
According to data from the global audio and music streaming platform Spotify on May 27th, BTS’s hit title track ‘SWIM’ from their 5th full-length album, ‘ARIRANG,’ released just this past March, has officially exceeded 500 million cumulative streams as of May 26th.
‘SWIM’ is a powerful anthem that embodies a deep love for life and an unwavering determination to continue moving forward at one’s own pace, even amidst life’s tumultuous waves. BTS leader RM actively participated in writing the lyrics, weaving in the honest reflections and perspectives of ‘today’s BTS’ into the song’s narrative.
Further cementing its global appeal, ‘SWIM’ recently earned the prestigious ‘Song of the Summer’ award at the American Music Awards (AMAs) on May 25th (local time) – one of the three major popular music awards in the United States. Upon receiving the honor, BTS shared a heartfelt message: “We send our love and encouragement to everyone who continues to swim forward, no matter the situation. Let’s keep swimming!”
Indeed, ‘SWIM’ has delivered an overwhelming performance, establishing itself as a contender for the best summer song of 2026. The track debuted at No. 1 on the highly coveted U.S. Billboard ‘Hot 100’ main song chart (dated April 4th) and has remarkably maintained its chart presence for eight consecutive weeks, signaling its enduring popularity. It also achieved a new personal best for the group, reaching No. 2 on the UK’s ‘Official Singles Top 100’ (chart dated March 27th-April 2nd), following its release on March 28th. Furthermore, ‘SWIM’ dominated Spotify’s ‘Weekly Top Song Global’ chart, securing the top position for four consecutive weeks.
