BTS roared back after 3 years and 9 months, immediately reclaiming the throne as they dominated both album and song charts.
According to real-time sales tracker Hanteo Chart on the 21st, BTS’s 5th studio album ‘Arirang’ sold 3.98 million copies on its first day, debuting at No. 1 on the daily chart. That figure sets a new all-time record for first-day sales on the day of release. The album also hit No. 1 on iTunes ‘Top Albums’ charts in 88 countries and regions, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Germany, proving its global firepower.
Their digital performance was just as strong. Title track ‘SWIM’ reached No. 1 on iTunes ‘Top Songs’ in 90 countries as of 9 a.m. KST on the 21st, including the U.S., Japan, the U.K., Germany, and France. In Korea, ‘SWIM’ topped Melon and Bugs real-time charts, drawing massive buzz. On Melon, every track from the album entered the ‘Top 100’, while the B-side ‘Body to Body’ joined ‘SWIM’ near the top, grabbing attention.
Meanwhile, BTS will host ‘BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG’ around Gwanghwamun Square at 8 p.m. KST today.