After nearly four years away for mandatory military service, BTS has made a triumphant return with their album ARIRANG, breaking records and reaffirming their global dominance.
Released on March 20, the album sold 641,000 equivalent units in its first week, marking the biggest opening for a group since Billboard began tracking streaming-adjusted sales in 2014.
Pure album sales reached an astonishing 532,000 copies, surpassing One Direction’s Midnight Memories (2013) as the highest first-week group sales in over a decade. Vinyl collectors contributed 208,000 units alone. The lead single SWIM also soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, giving BTS their seventh chart-topping hit in the U.S.
The comeback marks the end of a long period of national service for all seven members. Jin was the first to enlist in December 2022, followed by J-Hope in April 2023, with the remaining members RM, V, Jimin, Jungkook, and Suga completing their duties by December 2023. Suga, who served via social service after shoulder surgery, was the last discharged, returning to civilian life on June 21, 2025.
The album title, ARIRANG, reflects BTS’s connection to their homeland. Named after Korea’s most iconic traditional folk song, the title embodies themes of sorrow, longing, resilience, and joy—emotions the members experienced during their hiatus.
Group leader RM spoke candidly about the challenges of the comeback. “There are no references. We’re experimenting to rediscover what makes us BTS,” he said, adding, “One who wears the crown bears the crown.”
The reunion was a poignant moment for fans who had followed the staggered enlistments of the seven members over two years. RM reflected on the milestone, saying, “12 years as BTS has been a blessing. Evolution requires change, even without a blueprint.”
The comeback concert, streamed live on Netflix from Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, drew roughly 260,000 viewers. BTS’s world tour kicks off April 9 in Korea, with the U.S. leg beginning April 25 in Tampa.