BTS' "SWIM" Selected as Apple Music Global "2026 Best Song," a First for a K-Pop Group

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The group BTS (BTS, RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook) has become the first Korean group to have "SWIM," the title track from their fifth full-length album "ARIRANG," selected for Apple Music's global "2026 Best Song" list. The playlist features 100 tracks that represent the year.

"SWIM" was also included in Apple Music's "2026 Best Playlists" under "A-List Pop," "Viral Hits," and "KPOPWRLD." Apple Music highlighted, "BTS' return with 'ARIRANG' was a moment K-pop had long awaited. It is a meaningful homecoming that has borne fruit from years of accumulated anticipation. They have newly defined the flow of K-pop in 2026."

"ARIRANG" recorded 62nd place on the U.S. Billboard main album chart "Billboard 200" for the week dated the 14th. After entering at number one on the chart dated April 4, it topped the list for three consecutive weeks and has remained in the rankings for 33 weeks. On the sub-chart "Top Album Sales," it ranked 24th, and on "Adult Contemporary," it reached 30th place.

"SWIM" climbed five spots to 28th on the "Global 200," which aggregates streaming and digital sales, surpassing Jeonju, and secured 14th place on "Global (Excl. US)." The track "NORMAL" reached 114th on "Global (Excl. US)."

Meanwhile, BTS is scheduled to hold the Southeast Asia tour for "BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG'" across five cities, including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Jakarta, starting with Kaohsiung on the 19th, over a total of 15 performances.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original