BTS' 'Life Goes On' surpasses 1 bil. streams on SpotifyK-pop supergroup BTS' hit song "Life Goes On" has surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify, its agency BigHit Music said Monday, marking the group's sixth track to hit the milestone on the platform. The pop ballad, released in November 2020 as the main track of the septet's seventh EP, "Be," carries a message of comfort and resilience amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "Life Goes On" became the first song performed mainly in Korean to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States upon its release. The album "Be" also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 main albums chart.Mar 23, 2026By Yonhap
BTS comeback fuels ‘ARIRANG’ wave as TXT, rookie CORTIS line up nextBTS’ long-awaited return may have dominated headlines, but the real story now is what comes after. With the group’s “ARIRANG” comeback already shaking the global music scene, its labelmates are rapidly stepping in — turning one comeback into what fans are calling a full-blown “HYBE relay.” The K-pop supergroup returned as a full unit for the first time in three years and nine months with its fifth studio album “ARIRANG” on Friday. The album blends BTS’ signature storytelling with universal themes, while the title track “SWIM” delivers an alternative pop sound about pushing forward through life’s waves. The comeback reached a peak with “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG,” held at Seoul’s iconic Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday. The event marked the first time a single group has staged a large-scale concert at the historic site, drawing massive crowds and global attention. It was also streamed live to viewers in over 190 countries via Netflix — reportedly the first time the platform has broadcast a stand-alone artist concert in real time. But even as the exciMar 23, 2026By Xportsnews
P1Harmony's new release debuts at No. 4 on Billboard 200K-pop boy group P1Harmony has entered the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart at No. 4 with its latest release, achieving the group's highest position to date. Billboard said on Sunday (U.S. time) that P1Harmony's ninth EP "Unique," released on March 12, debuted at No. 4 on the main albums chart. The group previously reached No. 9 last September with its English-language album "X," its first top-10 appearance on the Billboard 200. "Unique" sold an estimated 58,000 equivalent album units in its first week, including about 56,000 physical copies, according to Billboard. The original soundtrack of the Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" climbed one spot to No. 10 this week after it won the K-pop genre's first Best Original Song at the Academy Awards.Mar 23, 2026By Yonhap
BTS' 'SWIM' tops Spotify's global chart for second day in a rowK-pop giant BTS has topped Spotify's Daily Top Songs Global chart for the second consecutive day with "SWIM," the lead track from its new album "ARIRANG," released last week. The track ranked No. 1 on Friday and Saturday, with "Body to Body" placing second, keeping both songs at the top positions globally, Spotify data showed. Other songs from the 14-track album also entered the chart's upper ranks, including "Hooligan" at No. 4, "Fya" at No. 5, "Normal" at No. 6 and "Aliens" at No. 8. BTS also dominated domestic charts. As of 11 a.m. Monday, "SWIM" held the No. 1 spot on the Top 100 songs chart of Melon, a leading local music streaming service, with five songs from "ARIRANG" in the top 10. The album sold around 540,000 copies in Japan on its first day, debuting atop Oricon's daily album chart, and surpassed 4 million sales within three days of release in the country, according to Hanteo Chart. BTS marked its return as a full seven-member group after nearly four years of a break from group projects by hosting a free concert at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Saturday, drawing tensMar 23, 2026By Yonhap
NCT WISH to release first full-length album next monthSix-member boy band NCT WISH will release its first full-length album, "Ode to Love," on April 20 across major streaming and digital music platforms. According to the band’s agency, SM Entertainment, the 10-track album includes a lead single of the same name and marks the group’s first full-length Korean release since its debut in February 2024. Preorders opened Monday through online and offline retailers. The Seoul-based group — made up of members Sion, Riku, Yushi, Jaehee, Ryo and Sakuya — has notched consecutive million-selling singles. Its third EP, “COLOR,” released in September 2025, sold 1.47 million copies in its first week, while the preceding EP, "Poppop," sold 1.08 million copies. "COLOR" also topped major domestic album charts upon release and topped QQ Music's trending chart in China, where the group's fan engagement event drew more than 530,000 comments — a record for a Korean pop act on the platform. The album release follows the group's ongoing first solo concert tour spanning 30 shows across 18 regions worldwide. Encore concerts are scheduled for April 17-19Mar 23, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan
BTS fly to New York hours after comeback show as RM appears on crutchesJust hours after drawing massive crowds in central Seoul, BTS headed straight to the United States — sparking concern and admiration in equal measure as leader RM was seen navigating the airport on crutches following a recent injury. The seven-member group departed for New York via Incheon International Airport on Sunday, continuing its global schedule shortly after its highly anticipated full-group comeback. The appearance marked one of its first major overseas moves since reuniting as a complete lineup for the first time in four years. RM drew particular attention at the airport, arriving in a casual outfit with a cap and sunglasses while using crutches to walk. His condition quickly became a trending topic among fans online, with many expressing concern over his decision to travel despite his injury. According to BTS’ agency BigHit Music, RM sustained injuries during a rehearsal on Thursday. He was diagnosed with a sprained accessory navicular bone, partial ligament damage and a bruise to the talus. Medical staff advised him to minimize movement for at least two weeks, but he choMar 23, 2026By Xportsnews
BTS comeback live tops Netflix movies chart in 77 countries"BTS: The Comeback Live" topped Netflix's movies chart in 77 countries, data showed Monday. According to FlixPatrol, an online site that tracks daily streaming data, the live event also reached the top three in every country the site collects data from. Official viewership data from Netflix is released every Wednesday. The K-pop supergroup staged the live performance at Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday night in front of tens of thousands of fans. The historic event was simultaneously livestreamed globally on Netflix. The event followed the release of BTS' fifth studio album, "ARIRANG," the previous day.Mar 23, 2026By Yonhap
BTS comeback costumes inspired by Joseon era, 'han'Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul became the stage for BTS’ grand comeback performance on Saturday evening. Much like its setting — the historic square at the heart of the capital — and the album title itself, "ARIRANG," named after a 130-year-old Korean folk song, the show was widely seen as a statement about the place of Korean culture and identity on the global stage. Among the many elements that deepened the performance’s Korean resonance, the costumes stood out especially vividly. As BTS danced against the backdrop of Gyeongbok Palace, the sight of luminous fabric gliding over dark, subtly shimmering outfits created an impression of both grace and power. The stage costumes, titled “Lyrical Armor,” were created by Korean designer brand Songzio. The brand’s creative director Jay Song described the pieces as “embodying the spirit of a new generation of heroes who carry the turbulent history of Korea," on the fashion house brand's Instagram page. Blending the sturdy armor worn by warriors of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty with flowing "hanbok" (Korean traditional clothiMar 22, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Taemin to become 1st K-pop solo artist featured at Grammy MuseumTaemin, member of K-pop boy band SHINee and soloist, will take center stage at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles next month with a new exhibition — the first ever devoted to a K-pop solo artist. Running from April 1 to May 25, “TAEMIN: Performer. Artist. Icon” will trace the 32-year-old singer’s evolution as one of contemporary music’s most dynamic performers, featuring an intimate selection of his signature stage ensembles and personal keepsakes. “Each performance is a story I share with my fans. These outfits and artifacts hold memories of those moments on stage,” Taemin said in a statement. “I hope visitors can feel the passion and love for music that has guided my journey. I’m truly honored to have my stage outfits displayed at the Grammy Museum.” The display will feature two of Taemin’s distinctive costumes — a red and black outfit from his “Ephemeral Gaze” world tour in 2024-25 and a white look worn during his “Veil” arena tour and on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” in 2025 — along with his in-ear monitors, white stage-used microphone, official lightMar 22, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
HYBE thanks authorities, citizens for supporting BTS concertHYBE, the K-pop giant behind BTS, thanked the authorities and citizens Sunday for helping ensure the group's comeback show in downtown Seoul was held safely. The company posted a letter on its website hours after BTS' concert wrapped up at Gwanghwamun Square, expressing gratitude for use of the venue and calling it a place "where the history and identity of the Republic of Korea, as well as today's culture, live and breathe together." "HYBE is extremely honored to have been able to stage a performance for the entire world at this place," it said. "We deeply thank the police, firefighting, and government and local government officials who worked to ensure this concert wrapped up safely." The company also extended its thanks and apologies to citizens who endured road closures, security searches and other inconveniences around the time of the concert, while promising to swiftly devise measures to protect and promote national heritage sites in close consultation with relevant organizations. Police had initially expected the concert to draw approximately 260,000 people, including 22,000 tickeMar 22, 2026By Yonhap
