Global sensation BTS has landed its seventh No. 1 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, debuting at the top spot with their latest single, “Swim.”
The upbeat alternative pop track, leading the band’s highly anticipated fifth studio album, “Arirang,” dominated the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week of April 4. According to a Billboard preview released Monday (US time), “Swim” surpassed Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” to seize the coveted No. 1 position.
This achievement adds “Swim” to BTS’s impressive collection of Billboard successes, following previous No. 1 hits like “Dynamite,” “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)” (BTS Remix), “Life Goes On,” “Butter,” “Permission to Dance,” and “My Universe.”
The overwhelming success of “Swim” reflects the broader commercial triumph of “Arirang.” Billboard announced on Sunday that “Arirang” also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, marking the group’s seventh chart-topping album. This momentum extended to the UK, where “Arirang” debuted at No. 1 on the Official Albums Chart Top 100 and “Swim” entered the Official Singles Chart Top 100 at No. 2.
“BTS boasts the most No. 1s among groups in nearly half a century—since the Bee Gees amassed nine career chart-toppers between 1971 and 1979,” Billboard stated. “Looking at the overall history of the chart since its inception in August 1958, the Beatles lead with 20 No. 1s, followed by the Supremes (12), the Bee Gees, the Rolling Stones (eight), and BTS.”
Among Korean artists, only BTS, along with members Jimin and Jungkook, have achieved the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
In the K-pop landscape, “Golden,” from the original soundtrack of the Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” also reached No. 1 last year.
The Billboard Hot 100 ranks the most popular songs in the United States across all genres, based on a combination of streaming data, radio airplay audience impressions, and sales figures.
Released on March 20 as part of the “Arirang” album, “Swim” garnered 15.3 million streams, 25.8 million radio airplay audience impressions, and sold 154,000 copies in the U.S. during the week ending March 26, according to Billboard.
This release marked the end of a nearly four-year hiatus from group activities. To celebrate their highly anticipated comeback, BTS held a free concert for tens of thousands of fans at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul the following day.
Produced under the guidance of Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, “Arirang” delves into BTS’s journey as a group originating from Korea and the universal emotions experienced by its members throughout their lives. “Swim” serves as an empowering anthem for navigating life’s challenges, with lyrics co-written by the band’s frontman, RM. (Yonhap)
