In March, BTS finally returned after a years-long hiatus with the highly-anticipated album Arirang. The K-pop group stepped away from the spotlight so all seven members could fulfill their mandatory military enlistment – required of all men by a certain age in South Korea – and while waiting for their colleagues to do the same, each singer released music on their own.
Arirang became a global blockbuster the moment it dropped, and lead single “Swim” was another major win for the Grammy-nominated troupe. Less than a month after the project arrived, BTS began the Arirang World Tour, which fittingly kicked off in South Korea. The trek is slated to run into next spring, with 88 shows currently planned.
The superstars are currently in Europe, and they recently finished two nights at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. BTS returns to multiple charts in the United Kingdom, with both Arirang and “Swim” becoming bestsellers again due to all the excitement around the band’s recent performances.
BTS Turns “Swim” Into a Bestseller Again
“Swim” only appears on a pair of tallies in the U.K., and it reappears on both of them, becoming a top 40 success again. “Swim” glides back onto the Official Singles Downloads chart at No. 20 – an especially lofty placement for a returning favorite. On the Official Singles Sales ranking, which also includes purchases on CD, cassette and vinyl, as well as digital downloads, “Swim” is a top 40 smash again as it makes a home at No. 29.
“Swim” Reaches 13 Weeks on Two U.K. Charts
“Swim” earns its lucky thirteenth turn on both the Official Singles Sales and Official Singles Downloads charts as it returns. The former No. 1 is the fourth longest-running hit by the K-pop group on the two tallies.
Arirang Returns to the Vinyl Ranking
While “Swim” reenters two lists in the U.K., its parent full-length Arirang only manages to find its way back to one roster, the Official Vinyl Albums chart. Arirang lands at No. 36 on the format-specific tally. Arirang departed the vinyl chart in mid-June, and the title last sat in a loftier position a little more than a month ago.
Arirang Climbs on Every Other Chart
Here is where Arirang by BTS appears on the U.K. charts this week.
- Official Albums Sales – No. 20
- Official Physical Albums – No. 20
- Official Vinyl Albums – No. 36
- Official Albums – No. 37
- Official Albums Streaming – No. 45
Arirang Hits 15 Weeks on the U.K. Albums Charts
As of this period, Arirang has lived on four of the five rankings it inhabits for a milestone 15 weeks. The set is up to 11 stays on the Official Vinyl Albums chart, as it has disappeared and rebounded on that ranking alone.
