South Korean boy band BTS has become the first musical group in history to accumulate more than 10 billion Spotify streams within a single year, according to its label, BigHit Music. The group reached the milestone after a massive surge in listener numbers driven by their latest studio project.
BigHit Music reported on Friday that the band’s total streams more than doubled from the 4.5 billion recorded in 2025. Solo acts such as Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Bad Bunny had previously crossed the 10 billion-stream threshold, but BTS stands as the first band or group to achieve the feat.
The record-breaking year follows the group’s return to full-group activities. All seven members completed South Korea’s mandatory military service before reuniting for fresh music production and promotional tours.
The primary driver behind the massive streaming numbers is the fifth studio album, Arirang, which dropped on March 20. Yonhap News Agency reported that the album has alone accumulated more than 5 billion Spotify streams, cementing its status as the most-streamed album among all releases in 2026.
Audience engagement was immediate upon release. The record racked up more than 110 million streams on its debut day alone.
Spotify’s own newsroom confirmed that Arirang shattered previous platform records on March 20. It officially became the most-streamed K-pop album in Spotify history on its launch day.
Platform data from April placed BTS 12th on the list of the most-streamed artists of all time on the streaming service. The metrics show the enduring international reach of the band and the broader global popularity of South Korean pop music, which expands via streaming networks and social media channels.
Ever since debuting in 2013, BTS has grown into one of the most successful K-pop groups in the world. Previous international milestones include topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart with hit singles such as Dynamite and Butter.
