BTS’ ‘Arirang’ Tops Billboard 200 for Second Week, Netflix Live Draws 18.4 Million

After a 3-year, 9-month wait, BTS returned with its fifth full-length album, “Arirang (ARIRANG),” and quickly posted major results across charts and streaming platforms.

◆Billboard 200: Two straight weeks at No. 1, a first for a Korean act

BTS’ “Arirang” held the top spot for a second consecutive week on the Billboard 200, the main U.S. albums chart. A chart preview published on the 6th said the album remained No. 1 on the April 11-dated chart. It is the first time a Korean artist has led the Billboard 200 for two straight weeks. It is also BTS’ seventh No. 1 album on the chart.

In its second week, “Arirang” recorded 187,000 album units. That included 114,000 in pure album sales, 65,000 streaming equivalent album (SEA) units and 8,000 track equivalent album (TEA) units. The album debuted with 641,000 units in its first week, the group’s best weekly total for an album, and maintained strong numbers in week two.

◆Spotify and Netflix: Strong results across platforms

BTS also led Spotify’s latest weekly global charts, taking No. 1 on “Weekly Top Albums,” “Weekly Top Songs” and “Weekly Top Artists” for a second straight week.

A key moment in the comeback came on March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, where about 100,000 people gathered for a comeback stage. The event was livestreamed on Netflix to about 190 countries. Netflix data cited in the article said 18.4 million people connected simultaneously on the day of the live broadcast. Afterward, it ranked in the weekly top 10 in 80 countries and No. 1 weekly in 24 countries.

◆HYBE cites U.S. song camps and a Korea-forward concept

HYBE and BigHit Music pointed to three factors behind the results: a production system built around large song camps in the United States, a concept that puts Korean sensibilities at the center, and a strategy aimed at expanding beyond the core fan base.

The companies said Bang Si-hyuk, HYBE’s board chairman, leased a U.S. studio for an extended period in 2025 and brought in multiple producers. Through repeated song camps, 200 to 300 candidate songs were gathered, with final tracks selected from that pool.
 
The album’s concept highlights Korean elements. The article said “Arirang” incorporates a traditional rhythm pattern and other cultural motifs into a global pop framework. It said the track “ALIENS” reflects aspects of everyday Korean life, and the title track “SWIM” uses visuals tied to Korean spatial aesthetics. The sixth track, “NO. 29,” uses the sound of the bell of King Seongdeok’s Divine Bell from the Silla era.

◆Beyond the fan base: New listeners up more than 690%

Spotify data cited in the article said the number of new listeners who first encountered BTS music on the album’s release day jumped by more than 690%.

International reviews also followed. The Guardian said, “If ‘BUTTER’ was an attempt to move toward the Western mainstream market, ‘Arirang’ is an album that invites the world in BTS’ own way.” Rolling Stone UK gave the album a perfect score, praising its scale and completeness.

◆‘ARIRANG’ world tour to open in Goyang

BTS is set to open “BTS WORLD TOUR ARIRANG” on April 9 at the main stadium of Goyang Sports Complex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.

With results already posted across album charts, streaming and online viewing, the group is now moving into touring as its next phase of activity.