Breaking down the numbers
The band’s return after a four-year hiatus has been nothing short of explosive. ARIRANG moved 641,000 equivalent album units in its opening week, the biggest week for any group since 2014. 532,000 of those were pure sales, marking the biggest sales week for a group in more than a decade.
A legacy of ‘seven’
The number seven is proving to be a powerful charm for the septet:
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“SWIM” is the seventh no. 1 of BTS on the Hot 100.
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ARIRANG is their seventh album to reach #1 on the Billboard 200.
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They now trail only The Beatles (20), The Supremes (12) and the Bee Gees (9) for the most number 1s by a group in history.
Beyond the USA. charts, BTS currently occupies the top nine spots on the Global 200, tying Taylor Swift for the top 10 hits in a single week. Even more impressive, they became the first act in history to monopolize the entire top 10 on Global Excl. USA. chart.
Lakshana is an entertainment and lifestyle journalist with over a decade of experience. It covers a wide range of stories – from community and health to mental health and inspiring people. A passionate K-pop enthusiast, she also enjoys exploring the cultural impact of music and fans through her writing.
