BTS in a backstage photo from their performance at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, South Korea, March 21, 2026. Photo from BTS' X account
(UPDATE) K-pop superstars BTS expressed gratitude on Tuesday to their fans after their latest single "Swim" debuted atop Billboard's main songs chart, marking their seventh No. 1 hit.
On their X account, the septet shared the music publication’s report that "Swim" topped the Billboard Hot 100 for the week of April 4.
"'SWIM' debuted #1 on the HOT 100!" the band wrote on X, reacting to the article.
"We're always grateful for your love and support," they told fans called ARMY.
Screenshot from BTS' X account
Meanwhile, leader RM took to Instagram Stories to share the achievement, writing: "Sendin my [love] and gratitude."
Screenshot from RM's Instagram Stories
The Hot 100 ranks the most popular songs in the United States across all genres, measured through streaming data, radio airplay and sales.
"Swim" is BTS' seventh song to top the Hot 100 following "My Universe" with Coldplay (2021), "Permission to Dance" (2021), "Butter" (2021), "Life Goes On" (2020), "Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat)" with Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo (2020), and "Dynamite" (2020).
In its report, Billboard noted that "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."
"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), Bee Gees, the Rolling Stones (eight) and BTS," the publication added.
This development came just a day after Billboard announced that "Arirang," the album that includes "Swim," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, highlighting the group's dominance of major music charts in the United States.
ENDURING INFLUENCE
South Korean news agency Yonhap noted that the band's chart achievements — seen as a display of enduring "global influence" — came even as BTS paused group activities for about four years while members fulfilled their mandatory military service.
Some male K-pop stars have struggled to resume their careers after military service in a cut-throat industry where artists are easily replaceable.
Yonhap also noted that the Billboard successes occurred even as the music publication adjusted its chart methodology in recent years in ways that appeared disadvantageous to fan-driven acts, such as K-pop artists.
NEWS, SOCIAL MEDIA MENTIONS
Meanwhile, BTS' comeback also generated significant buzz online, both across news outlets and social media platforms, according to online media intelligence company Meltwater.
News mentions of BTS across the Asia-Pacific region surged by over 570 percent, while social media mentions jumped 257.3 percent between March 17 and 23.
The figures reflect significant excitement in the days leading up to and immediately following the release of Arirang, Meltwater said.
Social media activity from Japan, with 278,000 mentions, led the conversation in the region, followed by South Korea (133,000 mentions) and India (102,000 mentions).
The Philippines ranked fourth, recording 82,100 mentions, just ahead of China with 81,700 mentions.
Released on March 20, the 14-track "Arirang" is BTS's first album after a hiatus of almost four years while all seven members served in the military.
The album is supported by a world tour of the same name, set to kick off in Goyang, South Korea, in April before heading to stops across Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America. Its two-day stop in the Philippines is scheduled for March 2027.
READ: BTS to bring upcoming world tour to Manila in March 2027
BTS is widely regarded as the music vanguard of the Korean cultural wave, which includes Oscar-winning films like "Parasite" and "KPop Demon Hunters," and hit series like "Squid Game."
RELATED VIDEO