Everything about Kpop and Korea
The 2026 American Music Awards nominations turned K-Pop into a bigger story than a genre roundup, with BTS reaching Artist of the Year and BLACKPINK, Jennie, and KATSEYE adding momentum across key categories.
BTS kicks off the ARIRANG world tour at Goyang Stadium with 85 shows across 34 cities, while lead single Swim earns the group's seventh No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Here is everything you need to know about K-pop's biggest tour of 2026.
BTS has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with their comeback album ARIRANG, earning 641,000 equivalent album units in its first week. This marks the group's seventh chart-topping album and the biggest sales week for a group since Billboard began tracking units in 2014.
BTS is set to make Billboard history as 'SWIM' is projected to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100, while all 14 tracks from the record-breaking 'ARIRANG' album are expected to chart within the Top 80. The album has already topped charts in the UK, Australia, France, and 127 countries on Apple Music, with 545 million Spotify streams in its first week.
BTS's comeback album ARIRANG has broken every record in its path, selling 4.17 million copies in its first week, debuting at No. 1 on the UK Official Albums Chart, and amassing 545 million Spotify streams. Here's a complete breakdown of the historic first-week achievements.
BTS returns after nearly four years with their fifth studio album ARIRANG and its stunning title track SWIM. Directed by Tanu Muiño and starring Lili Reinhart, the music video is a cinematic voyage filled with hidden meanings and powerful symbolism.
BTS has unveiled the complete 14-song tracklist for their fifth studio album 'ARIRANG,' their first full-length release in six years. The title track 'SWIM,' with lyrics led by RM, is an upbeat alternative pop anthem about resilience. The album features production from Diplo, Ryan Tedder, Flume, JPEGMAFIA, and Kevin Parker.
BTS has unveiled the 14-song tracklist for their fifth studio album ARIRANG, set to release on March 20, 2026. The album features collaborations with Diplo, Kevin Parker, JPEGMAFIA, Mike WiLL Made-It, and more, with SWIM confirmed as the title track.
