BTS’s ‘ARIRANG’ is now Spotify’s most-streamed K-pop album

Less than a week after its release, BTS’s “ARIRANG” has been named as the most-streamed K-pop album on Spotify and is one of the most pre-saved releases in the platform’s history.

Spotify announced “ARIRANG’s” milestone in a press statement, adding that it’s proof of ARMY’s “massive display of global fandom,” as the record was set after four days.

The platform added that the album now holds the title as Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day in 2026 as of this writing. It has garnered over 249 million streams also as of this writing.

“ARIRANG” is BTS’s first group effort in four years after “PROOF” in June 2022. The songs were written and produced by the group, along with songwriter-producers Diplo, Kevin Parker and Jasper Harris.

The tracks include “Body to Body” (featuring a sampling of the traditional Korean folk song “Arirang”), “Hooligan,” “Aliens,” “FYA,” “2.0,” “No.29,” “SWIM,” “Merry Go Round,” “NORMAL,” “Like Animals,” “they don’t know ‘bout us,” “One More Night,” “Please” and “Into the Sun.”

According to Spotify, all 14 tracks made it to its daily top songs chart shortly after its release on March 20.

In the days leading up to the release, BTS worked with Spotify for a series of promotional efforts. The first is a treasure hunt crafted for ARMY where fragments containing the members’ voices are hidden throughout the platform. 

A special quiz testing one’s knowledge is also up, where they can also go head-to-head with fellow ARMY, and a virtual listening party with the septet took place on Tuesday, March 24.

BTS also capped off their appearance on the platform’s “SWIMSIDE” event in New York, where 1,000 listeners attended. The event also featured immersive experiences, special performances and a question-and-answer segment.

The septet will then return to South Korea for the “SWIMSIDE” cruise, which kicks off at the Spotify Lighthouse in Yeouido Hangang Park, then along the Han River. /ra