Global K-pop group BTS has once again demonstrated its worldwide influence, as the group’s latest album Arirang recorded nearly 3.98 million copies sold within its first 24 hours, marking the highest first-day sales in the group’s career.
Released in March 2026, the album represents BTS’ first major full-group comeback in almost four years following the members’ completion of South Korea’s mandatory military service. The strong opening performance highlights the group’s continuing popularity despite the long hiatus and changing global music landscape.
{img}According to the group’s agency BigHit Music, Arirang surpassed BTS’ previous first-week record of 3.37 million copies, which had been set by their 2020 studio album Map of the Soul: 7. Achieving a higher figure in just one day reflects the extraordinary anticipation surrounding the group’s return.
The album’s impact was not limited to physical sales. It also reached the top position on iTunes Top Albums charts in 88 countries and regions, while its lead track Swim ranked No. 1 on iTunes song charts in 90 markets, including major music industries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and Germany.
Domestically, all tracks from the album entered the Melon Top 100, one of South Korea’s major streaming charts. This rare achievement shows how strongly local listeners responded to the comeback alongside the global fan community.
{img}Industry observers view these results as a clear signal that BTS remains one of the most influential acts in contemporary pop music. The album’s title, inspired by Korea’s well-known folk song “Arirang,” also reflects the group’s continued effort to connect modern global pop with elements of Korean cultural identity.
{img}As the group prepares for additional promotions and an upcoming global tour following the album’s release, the record-breaking first-day performance confirms that the demand for BTS’ music remains exceptionally strong worldwide.