BTS has once again proven their unmatched global power.
The group’s highly anticipated 5th full-length album, ARIRANG, has surpassed 4 million pre-orders just one week after reservations opened—setting a new career-high record.
According to BigHit Music, pre-orders for ARIRANG reached 4.06 million copies based on distributor YG Plus data, making it the highest first-week pre-order total in BTS history.
A New Record, Surpassing ‘MAP OF THE SOUL : 7’
This milestone breaks the group’s previous record set by MAP OF THE SOUL : 7 (2020), which recorded 3.42 million pre-orders in its first week and later surpassed 5 million in cumulative sales.
Scheduled for release on March 20, ARIRANG marks BTS’s first new album in 3 years and 9 months since their 2022 anthology album Proof.
The album features 14 tracks, exploring universal themes such as identity, longing, deep love, and emotional connection—core elements of BTS’s musical DNA.
World Tour Heat: All Goyang Shows Sold Out
Fan excitement extends far beyond album sales. BTS’s upcoming world tour is already generating massive buzz.
Their concerts scheduled for April 9, 11, and 12 at Goyang Sports Complex have sold out completely, while additional shows have been confirmed in Tampa and Stanford due to overwhelming demand in the U.S.
Meanwhile, BTS’s long-awaited full-group comeback has become a cultural moment in Seoul. Tourists from around the world—including fans from Hong Kong—have been spotted taking photos of BTS promotional displays near Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno.
Grand Comeback Stage at Gwanghwamun Square
Adding to the excitement, BTS is expected to hold a large-scale comeback performance at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has reportedly conditionally approved the venue request submitted by HYBE and BigHit Music, signaling a historic outdoor event in the heart of the city.
With record-breaking sales, sold-out stadiums, and a symbolic return to Seoul’s most iconic square, BTS’s 2026 comeback is shaping up to be nothing short of legendary.
KOREA FBI Editor’s Comment
BTS’s return isn’t just a comeback—it’s a cultural reset. From historic pre-orders to city-wide anticipation, ARIRANG confirms that even after a long hiatus, BTS remains the undeniable center of the global music universe.
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