BTS’s fifth full length album “ARIRANG” has achieved strong global results, reportedly helping South Korea rise to third place among the world’s largest music exporting countries.
On July 15, entertainment data company Luminate released its “2026 Midyear Trends in Music, TV & Film Report.” The study examined 30 trillion data points across streaming, physical album sales, video viewing, and box office activity.
According to the report, the international music market is changing as songs in languages other than English continue to gain influence. Luminate named BTS and Bad Bunny among the global artists who made a major impact on the U.S. music market during the first half of 2026.
Released on March 20, BTS’s “ARIRANG” ranked No. 1 on Luminate’s lists for U.S. CD album sales and vinyl album sales, based on approximately three months of tracking data.
The album also placed No. 4 on the overall U.S. Top 10 Albums ranking.
Its title track, “SWIM,” reportedly reached 987 million on demand audio streams and ranked No. 6 on the Global Top 10 Songs chart. The results were achieved despite the song being available for only part of the report’s tracking period.
Luminate also highlighted the role of K pop in the continued growth of physical music sales. While U.S. on demand audio streaming increased by 4.4% compared with the same period last year, combined sales of vinyl records, CDs, and cassette tapes rose by 7.8%.
The report stated that the presence of BTS and other K pop artists had become an important factor in the recovery of physical album sales. It added that the trend contributed to stronger music exports and helped South Korea move from fourth place last year to third place globally.
HYBE Labels artists also claimed five positions in the U.S. Top 10 CD sales ranking. BTS’s “ARIRANG” placed No. 1, followed by ENHYPEN’s “THE SIN: VANISH” at No. 2.
CORTIS’s “GREENGREEN” ranked No. 5, TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s “7TH YEAR: When the Wind Stopped for a Moment in the Thorn Bush” placed No. 7, and KATSEYE’s “SIS” ranked No. 10.
“ARIRANG” also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and remained in the top position for three consecutive weeks. It ranked No. 25 on the chart dated July 18.
Meanwhile, “SWIM” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later ranked No. 84, marking its 16th consecutive week on the chart.
BTS are currently completing the European leg of their stadium tour. The group is also scheduled to appear at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final halftime show on July 19 alongside Madonna, Shakira, and Justin Bieber.
