Global interest in BTS’ upcoming release is showing up in the numbers.
BigHit Music, a HYBE Music Group label, said BTS’ fifth full-length album, ‘ARIRANG,’ surpassed 4 million pre-saves on Spotify on March 7. The album topped 1 million pre-saves within two days of the pre-save launch and continued to climb. With about two weeks left until release, attention is on how high the figure will go.
On Spotify’s March 4 ‘Countdown Charts Global,’ ‘ARIRANG’ ranked No. 1 again, holding the top spot for seven straight weeks. The chart tracks pre-save totals for albums and singles ahead of release and is widely used as a gauge of fan anticipation.
BTS will release ‘ARIRANG’ at 1 p.m. on March 20 and hold ‘BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE｜ARIRANG’ at 8 p.m. the next day in the area around Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. The event will be livestreamed on Netflix for audiences worldwide. A previously released trailer featured cheers from ARMY, the group’s fandom, heard at past concerts and visuals of the seven members set against Gyeongbokgung Palace.
The album includes 14 tracks meant to capture ‘today’s BTS.’ The title track, ‘SWIM,’ centers on pressing forward through life’s waves, expressing a resolve to ride incoming currents at one’s own pace as a form of ‘love for life.’ RM handled most of the lyrics, the label said, adding sincerity to the message.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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