BTS's title track 'SWIM' from their fifth studio album 'ARIRANG' has been named Apple Music's Best Song of 2026.
According to their agency Big Hit Music, 'SWIM' is the first song by a Korean group to be included in Apple Music's year-end playlist 'Best Songs of 2026,' announced on November 7 (local time).
In addition to this prestigious list, the song is featured in several major playlists, including 'A-List Pop,' 'Viral Hits,' and 'KPOPWRLD.' Apple Music praised BTS's return with 'ARIRANG' as a significant comeback that fulfilled years of anticipation, stating that they have redefined the flow of K-pop in 2026.
The album continues to perform well on the U.S. Billboard charts. As of November 14, 'ARIRANG' ranks 62nd on the Billboard 200, maintaining its presence on the chart for 33 consecutive weeks after debuting at number one for three weeks starting April 4. It also holds the 24th position on the 'Top Album Sales' chart and 30th on the 'Adult Contemporary' chart.
Globally, 'SWIM' has shown a notable rise, climbing five spots to 28th on the 'Global 200' chart, while ranking 14th on the 'Global (excluding U.S.)' chart. The album's track 'NORMAL' is positioned at 114th on the 'Global (excluding U.S.)' chart.
Meanwhile, BTS is set to kick off their world tour 'ARIRANG' on November 19 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, with a total of 15 performances across five Southeast Asian cities, including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Jakarta.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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