K-pop supergroup BTS debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with 'Swim,' securing their seventh chart-topper. The upbeat track leads their fifth studio album 'Arirang,' which also topped the Billboard 200. The achievement follows a nearly four-year hiatus from group activities.
A Billboard preview released Monday U.S. time showed BTS's 'Swim' topping the Hot 100 for the week of April 4. The track outpaced Ella Langley's 'Choosin' Texas,' logging 15.3 million streams, 25.8 million radio airplay audience impressions, and 154,000 sales in the U.S. for the week ending March 26.
This marks BTS's seventh No. 1, following 'Dynamite,' 'Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat)' (BTS Remix), 'Life Goes On,' 'Butter,' 'Permission to Dance,' and 'My Universe.' Billboard noted BTS holds the most No. 1s among groups in nearly half a century, since the Bee Gees' nine from 1971-79, ranking behind the Beatles (20), Supremes (12), Bee Gees, and Rolling Stones (eight).
'Arirang,' a 14-track album produced under Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk's direction, explores the group's Korean roots and universal emotions. Released March 20 after a nearly four-year hiatus due to military service, it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and UK's Official Albums Chart Top 100, with 'Swim' at No. 2 on the UK singles chart. The group held a free concert for tens of thousands of fans at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul the next day.
In a statement via BigHit Music, BTS called the success "a great honor," thanking "ARMY, who have always shown us unwavering love and support, as well as everyone who listened to our music." Describing 'Swim' as encouraging perseverance through difficulty, they hoped it "offered a bit of courage and comfort beyond borders." This is their first group project since 2022.
