Full Group Comeback Sells 3.98M Copies in One Day

BTS has dominated the music market with their 5th full-length album 'Arirang', marking their first full group comeback in approximately 3 years and 9 months.

According to Hanteo Chart and their agency Big Hit Music on the 21st, 'Arirang' sold 3.98 million copies on its release day, topping the daily chart. This figure ranks as the second-highest first-day sales in history, following SEVENTEEN's 10th mini-album 'FML'.

Notably, the album achieved million-seller status in just 10 minutes after release, showing unprecedented speed. With pre-orders exceeding 4 million copies, actual sales approached this remarkable figure.

Breaking Their Own Record... Surpassing Highest Initial Sales

BTS's previous record for highest initial sales was 3.37 million copies for 'MAP OF THE SOUL : 7' released in 2020. 'Arirang' surpassed this milestone on release day alone, writing new history.

With the initial sales counting period (one week after release) still remaining, the final figures are expected to grow even larger. Despite the recent slowdown in overall K-pop album sales, this confirms their overwhelming fandom power.

Global Chart Domination... No. 1 in 90 Countries

'Arirang' reached No. 1 on iTunes 'Top Albums' charts in 88 countries and regions, including Italy, Mexico, and Sweden.

The title track 'SWIM' also topped the 'Top Songs' charts in 90 countries and regions, including the United States, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, and France, proving their worldwide popularity.

The domestic music market showed immediate response as well. 'SWIM' went straight to No. 1 on Melon and Bugs real-time charts, and all album tracks entered Melon's 'Top 100'. Particularly, 'SWIM' claimed the top spot within one hour of release, demonstrating explosive popularity.

'Return of the Kings' Amid K-pop Market Slowdown

BTS's comeback is expected to reverse the recent K-pop market atmosphere.

While album sales had been declining overall since the second half of 2023, 'Arirang' recorded nearly 4 million copies sold on day one, once again demonstrating the market's potential.

With members completing individual activities and military service during the approximately 3 years and 9 months hiatus, expectations are high for their upcoming activities as a complete group.