BTS Makes History on Apple Music's Top 100 Songs of the Year

K-pop group BTS has earned a spot on Apple Music's "Best Songs of 2026" playlist. "SWIM," the title track from the group's fifth studio album, "ARIRANG," was included in the list of 100 songs released on Nov. 7.

The group's agency, BIGHIT MUSIC, announced the news on Nov. 11. According to the agency, BTS is the first Korean group to make the annual list, which highlights 100 songs selected by Apple Music.

"SWIM" was also featured on three other Apple Music year-end playlists: "A-List Pop," "Viral Hits" and "KPOPWRLD."

Apple Music praised the group's return. "BTS' 'ARIRANG' comeback was a moment K-pop had waited a long time for," the platform said. "It was a meaningful return, where years of built-up anticipation finally paid off. They redefined the direction of K-pop in 2026."

The album continues to chart on Billboard. "ARIRANG" ranked No. 62 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Nov. 14. It debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated April 4 and held the top spot for three consecutive weeks. The album has now spent 33 consecutive weeks on the chart. It also ranked No. 24 on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart.

"SWIM" also continued to perform on Billboard's global charts. The song climbed five spots to No. 28 on the Billboard Global 200, which tracks streaming and digital sales worldwide. It ranked No. 14 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, which measures streaming and digital sales outside the United States. Another track from the album, "NORMAL," landed at No. 114 on the same chart.

BTS will begin the Asian leg of its world tour in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on Nov. 19. The "BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG'" will include 15 shows across five cities: Kaohsiung, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Jakarta.