BTS have hit No.1 in the UK with Arirang (Bighit/Polydor) – their third chart-topping album.
The Korean group’s comeback included a live concert special, which reached 18.4 million viewers on Netflix. The figures for BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang cover the initial livestream plus those who watched it over the course of the next day.
BTS’ 10th album (including Japanese-language LPs) opened with consumption of 41,551 units (26,019 physical copies, 2,297 downloads and 13,235 sales-equivalent streams), according to the Official Charts Company.
It marks an increase of 9.4% compared to the opening of 37,978 units for their previous No.1, 2020’s Map Of The Soul: 7. With strong physical sales, Arirang also topped the vinyl albums chart.
Arirang is BTS’ first studio album since Be, also released in 2020, which opened at No.2 with consumption of 19,562 units.
Their first albums chart No.1 was 2019’s Map Of The Soul: Persona, a seven-track EP which debuted at the summit with consumption of 26,498. BTS now have six Top 10 albums in the UK including compilations.
With their new album campaign, BTS also secured a new peak on the singles chart at No.2 with Swim (56,843 units), having previously stalled at No.3 with Dynamite (2020), Butter (2021) and Coldplay collaboration My Universe (2021).
The group’s best ever UK result for Swim also marks BTS’ fifth Top 10 hit. With primary artists limited to three entries under chart rules, BTS also charted at No.28 with Body To Body and No.39 with FYA.
BTS’ stadium tour includes two dates at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (July 6-7).
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