BTS has secured its seventh No. 1 hit on the U.S. Billboard's main singles chart with its latest single “Swim.”

The upbeat alternative pop song — the title track for the band's fifth studio album “Arirang” — topped the Billboard Hot 100 for the week of April 4, according to a Billboard preview released on Monday.


The milestone adds “Swim” to the band's impressive roster of Billboard Hot 100 triumphs following “Dynamite” (2020), “Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat) (BTS Remix)” (2020), “Life Goes On” (2020), “Butter” (2021), “Permission to Dance” (2021) and “My Universe” (2021).

The song's success mirrors the commercial dominance of “Arirang.” Billboard announced on Sunday that the album debuted atop the Billboard 200 albums chart, the group's seventh No. 1 album on the list following “Love Yourself: Tear” (2018), “Love Yourself: Answer” (2018), “Map of the Soul: Persona” (2019), “Map of the Soul: 7" (2020), “Be” (2020) and the anthology album “Proof” (2022).

The momentum extended to Britain on Friday, with “Arirang” debuting at No. 1 on the Official Albums Chart Top 100 and “Swim” at No. 2 on the Official Singles Chart Top 100.

“BTS has the most No. 1s among groups in nearly half a century since the Bee Gees banked its nine career chart-toppers in 1971-79,” Billboard said. “As for the most No. 1s among groups since the chart began in August 1958, the Beatles lead all acts with 20, followed in the category by the Supremes (12), the Bee Gees, the Rolling Stones (eight) and BTS.”

Among Korean artists, only BTS and its members Jimin and Jungkook have topped the chart.

In the K-pop genre, “Golden” (2025) from the original soundtrack of the Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” (2025) also reached No. 1 last year.

The Billboard Hot 100 ranks the most popular songs in the United States across all genres by combining data from streaming, radio airplay and sales.

Released on March 20, “Swim” drew 15.3 million streams, 25.8 million radio airplay audience impressions and sold 154,000 copies in the United States in the week ending on March 26, according to Billboard.

“We have been deeply honored to earn the huge distinction of a Billboard No. 1 with an album released after a long wait of three years and nine months,” BTS said on Tuesday. “We are profoundly grateful not only to ARMY for always giving us unstinting love and support but also to everyone who listened to our music and shared their hearts with us.”

ARMY is the official name for BTS fans.

“While preparing the new album, we put a great deal of thought into capturing universal emotions that many people could relate to. The title track, ‘Swim,’ is a song that tells listeners to keep moving forward through hardship. We hope the song has offered a small measure of courage and comfort to many people.

“We are thankful for the unwavering trust and support you have given us over such a long time, and we will continue to repay that with sincere music.”

The septet celebrated its long-awaited return after an almost four-year hiatus with a free performance in front of tens of thousands of fans at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square on March 21.

Produced under the direction of HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, “Arirang” explores BTS's identity as a group that began in Korea and the emotions its members have encountered throughout their artistic journeys. “Swim” serves as an anthem for navigating life's challenges, with lyrics cowritten by the band's leader RM.

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG, YONHAP [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]