By Shim Sun-ah
BTS’s latest album, “Arirang,” has achieved a remarkable feat, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for the week of April 4, according to Billboard’s chart preview released on Sunday (U.S. time). This marks the K-Pop sensation’s triumphant return after a three-year and nine-month hiatus from group projects.
This is BTS’s seventh album to reach the top spot on the Billboard 200, joining the ranks of “Love Yourself: Tear,” “Love Yourself: Answer,” “Map of the Soul: Persona,” “Map of the Soul: 7,” “Be,” and the anthology album “Proof.”
The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums in the United States each week, using a metric of equivalent album units that considers physical album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA), and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).
BTS’s “Arirang” accumulated an impressive 641,000 units, with 532,000 stemming from physical and digital album sales. This achievement represents the largest sales week for an album by a group in over a decade, according to Billboard.
Adding to their success, the album’s lead single, “Swim,” is also poised for a potential No. 1 debut on the Hot 100 singles chart, currently leading Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas.” A No. 1 debut for “Swim” would mark the group’s seventh chart-topping single.
“Arirang,” produced under the guidance of Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, delves into BTS’s identity as a group originating from Korea and explores the universal emotions experienced by its members throughout their journey. “Swim,” an upbeat alternative pop track, addresses navigating life’s challenges and features lyrics co-written by RM, the band’s frontman.
The seven-member group celebrated their highly anticipated comeback and the release of their 14-track album on March 20 with a free concert in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square the following day, performing for tens of thousands of enthusiastic fans.
Earlier on Friday, “Arirang” also made a stellar debut at the top of the British Official Albums Chart Top 100, while “Swim” secured the No. 2 position on the Official Singles Chart Top 100.
