BTS' "Anpanman" has reached the top of major global charts approximately seven years and seven months after its original release.
"Anpanman" is a track from BTS' third studio album "LOVE YOURSELF: Tear," released in May 2018. The song re-entered at No. 1 on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart dated December 20, announced on the 16th. It also debuted at No. 7 on the Digital Song Sales chart.
The track had already signaled the start of a global resurgence by topping iTunes Top Songs charts in 75 countries and regions including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy and Mexico through December 9. On the UK Official Charts announced December 13, it ranked No. 12 on Official Singles Downloads and No. 24 on Official Singles Sales.
"Anpanman" draws a parallel between BTS and the Japanese character Anpanman, a hero who gives away pieces of his head to feed the hungry—a hero without superpowers who stays close to people over time. The song encapsulates the group's sincerity in delivering messages of hope through music and performance. The lyrics "Still, with all my strength / I'll be by your side / I'll fall again, but trust me, I'm a hero" symbolize solidarity and comfort. The song's renewed popularity ahead of the group's full reunion next spring is seen as a result of support from ARMY, the fandom that has waited for them through the years.
Solo tracks from BTS members continue to perform well on Billboard's component charts. Jungkook's solo single "Seven (feat. Latto)" ranked No. 150 and Jin's "Don't Say You Love Me," the title track from his second solo album "Echo," placed No. 166 on the Global 200. On Global Excl. U.S., "Don't Say You Love Me," "Seven (feat. Latto)" and Jimin's "Who" from his second solo album "MUSE" ranked No. 79, No. 81 and No. 137, respectively. BTS' anthology album "Proof" held at No. 9 on World Albums, demonstrating enduring popularity three years after release. Jimin's "MUSE" ranked No. 18 on the same chart.
The members' tours have also achieved significant results. Billboard announced its "Top 10 Highest Grossing K-Pop Tours of the Year" on December 15. J-Hope's first solo world tour "HOPE ON THE STAGE" and Jin's first solo fan concert "#RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR" ranked No. 3 and No. 7, respectively. J-Hope achieved the highest ranking among solo artists.
According to Billboard, J-Hope drew more than 500,000 audience members across 33 shows in Asia and North America. Jin attracted approximately 300,000 fans through 18 shows across Asia, North America and Europe. These figures are notable given that attendance from his encore fan concert held October 31 to November 1 at Incheon Munhak Stadium was not included in the tally. The chart is based on official Billboard Boxscore data, calculated from global concert performances between October 2024 and September 2025.
Meanwhile, according to Japan's Oricon "Annual Ranking 2025" announced on December 17, covering the period from December 23, 2024 to December 15, 2025, Jin's second solo album "Echo" ranked No. 39 on the Album Ranking. This marks the best performance among Korean solo artists.
