BTS's 'Arirang' passes 5 billion Spotify streams
BTS's album "Arirang" has passed 5 billion streams on Spotify, the group's label said Wednesday. That is the most for any album released this year, and 2 billion more than the next album, by Olivia Rodrigo. All 14 songs on the album have now topped 200 million streams each.
BTS's fifth studio album, "Arirang," has passed 5 billion streams on Spotify, the group's label, BigHit Music, said Wednesday, according to Yonhap and The Korea Herald.
That is the most streams for any album released this year, Yonhap reported. It is 2 billion more than the runner-up, Olivia Rodrigo's third studio album, "You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love."
"Arirang" also topped new albums from Bruno Mars and Harry Styles, which have about 1 billion and 2 billion streams, Yonhap said.
All 14 songs on the album have passed 200 million streams, both outlets reported. That includes "No. 29," a track made up only of the sound of an ancient Korean temple bell, the Sacred Bell of King Seongdeok, both outlets said.
"Swim," the album's lead song, is nearing 1 billion streams, Yonhap reported.
The album was released on March 20 and drew more than 110 million streams on its first day, both outlets said. The Korea Herald reported that its songs took the top 14 spots on Spotify's global songs chart.
"Arirang" was the group's first full project in nearly four years, Yonhap said. It came out after all the members finished their required military service in South Korea and reunited.
It also became the first album by a group to top the Billboard 200, the main U.S. albums chart, for three weeks in a row since Mumford & Sons' "Babel" in 2012, Yonhap reported.
Separately, BTS member V's solo song "Slow Dancing" has passed 600 million plays, The Korea Herald said. It is his fourth solo release to do so. The song led his first solo album, "Layover," from 2023.
What we know: "Arirang" has passed 5 billion Spotify streams, the most for a 2026 album.
What we don't: When "Swim" will cross 1 billion streams.
Where outlets agree Yonhap and The Korea Herald both report, citing BigHit Music, that "Arirang" passed 5 billion Spotify streams and that all 14 tracks topped 200 million.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.