By Shim Sun-ah
BTS continues to make waves on the UK’s Official Charts! Their latest single, “Swim,” from their fifth studio album, “Arirang,” has reached an impressive No. 2 on the Official Singles Chart Top 100, just behind Oliver Dean’s “Rein Me In.” This marks the highest chart position ever achieved by the South Korean band. Previously, BTS peaked at No. 3 with “Dynamite,” “Butter,” and “My Universe.”
Adding to their success, two other tracks from “Arirang,” “Body to Body” and “Fya,” also made their debut on the chart at No. 28 and No. 39 respectively.
On the Official Albums Chart Top 100, BTS celebrated their third No. 1 debut. They previously topped the chart with “Map of the Soul: Persona” in 2019, becoming the first K-pop act to achieve this, and again in 2020 with “Map of the Soul: 7.”
“Arirang,” produced under the direction of Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, explores BTS’ journey from their Korean roots to the universal emotions they’ve experienced. “Swim” is an upbeat alternative pop song reflecting on life’s challenges, with lyrics co-written by RM, the band’s frontman.
The K-pop group made their comeback Friday with the album, following a nearly four-year hiatus from group activities due to members’ military service. To celebrate their return, they performed a free concert for tens of thousands of fans at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square the following day.
“Arirang” is projected to debut at the top of the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart next week, which would mark their seventh album to achieve this milestone. “Swim” also has a strong chance of debuting at No. 1 on its respective chart.
