Top 10 highest first-week sales in South Korea: BTS breaks sales record with ARIRANG
BTS made a triumphant return on March 20, 2026, with their latest album, ARIRANG, which shattered all previous first-week sales records for the group. The response to their comeback was immediate and massive, with the album selling over 3.9 million copies on the first day alone. This figure surpassed their previous record of 3,378,633 copies for Map of the Soul: 7 in 2020, solidifying ARIRANG as one of the most significant music events of the year in South Korea, signaling strong demand and popularity from the get-go.
In just one week, from March 20 to March 26, 2026, ARIRANG had sold an impressive total of 4,169,464 copies based on Hanteo Chart data. This achievement marked a new personal best for BTS, an illustrious milestone in their already successful career. The album’s success was not limited to sales figures alone. It also catapulted BTS into the ranks of top-selling artists in South Korea’s history.
Some of the top 10 highest first-week sales in South Korea now include ARIRANG, with SEVENTEEN’s “SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN” leading the pack at 5,091,887 copies, followed by Stray Kids’ “5-STAR” and SEVENTEEN’s “FML” with 4,617,499 and 4,550,214 copies, respectively. BTS’s ARIRANG secured the fourth spot with 4,169,464 copies. Other notable albums on the list included releases from Stray Kids, NCT DREAM, and more, showcasing the fierce competition on the music scene in South Korea.
Beyond national borders, ARIRANG soared to the top of global music charts, securing the #1 spot on various platforms such as the UK Album Charts, the ARIA Top 50 Albums chart, and Japan’s Oricon album list by March 27, 2026. This widespread success underscored ARIRANG’s appeal across diverse music markets worldwide. The album also dominated streaming services, claiming the top spot on Apple Music in over 115 regions and earning the title of the most-streamed project in a single day on Spotify, with all 14 tracks making it to the platform’s Top 50 chart. BTS’s comeback was not just a display of their enduring popularity but also a testament to their ability to set new benchmarks for themselves in the music industry.
BTS’s ARIRANG has not only captivated fans in South Korea but has also captured the hearts of global audiences, reaffirming the group’s status as a powerhouse in the music world with their chart-topping success and groundbreaking achievements in the music industry.