BTS's new album "Arirang," released after a three-year, nine-month hiatus, sold nearly 4 million copies on its first day.
Big Hit Music announced on the 21st that the fifth studio album "Arirang," released at 1 p.m. the previous day, sold 3.98 million copies.
The group's previous first-week sales record was 3.37 million copies set by their fourth studio album "Map of the Soul: 7" in February 2020. The fifth album easily surpassed that figure in a single day, breaking their own record.
International response has been strong. The album topped iTunes' "Top Albums" charts in 88 countries and regions, including Italy, Mexico, and Sweden. The title track "Swim" reached No. 1 on iTunes' "Top Songs" charts in 90 countries and regions, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, as of 9 a.m. on the 21st. "Swim" also debuted at No. 1 on domestic streaming charts Melon and Bugs, with all tracks from the album entering Melon's "Top 100."
Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk served as executive producer for the album. The project explores BTS's identity and universal emotions the group faces. "Swim" conveys a message of perseverance through life's waves.
BTS will hold "BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang" at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul at 8 p.m. on the 21st, premiering the new songs live. The event will be streamed globally to approximately 190 countries via Netflix.