Global K-pop sensation BTS has achieved another historic milestone as its hit single “SWIM” officially surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify, becoming the first song released worldwide in 2026 to reach the remarkable achievement.
According to BIGHIT MUSIC, the group’s agency, “SWIM” reached the billion-stream mark on October 24, just over seven months after its release on March 20, 2026. The achievement also makes it the fastest BTS song to reach 1 billion streams on the global music streaming platform.
The track serves as the lead single from BTS’s fifth studio album, ARIRANG, which marked the group’s highly anticipated return as a complete seven-member act following nearly four years of solo activities and mandatory military service.
With this latest milestone, “SWIM” becomes BTS’s seventh song to surpass 1 billion Spotify streams, joining the group’s previous global hits, including “Dynamite,” “Butter,” “Boy With Luv” featuring Halsey, “FAKE LOVE,” “Life Goes On,” and its collaboration with Coldplay, “My Universe.”
Beyond its streaming success, “SWIM” has demonstrated an impressive performance on international music charts. The song debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April and remained on the chart for 20 consecutive weeks. It also reached No. 2 on the United Kingdom’s Official Singles Chart, marking the group’s highest position on the chart.
On its release day alone, “SWIM” accumulated approximately 14 million Spotify streams, topping the platform’s Daily Top Songs Global chart and recording the highest single-day streaming figure for a song released in 2026.
The track has also earned major international recognition, winning Song of the Summer at the 2026 American Music Awards and Song of the Year at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Meanwhile, BTS’s comeback album, ARIRANG, continues to dominate global streaming platforms. As of October 14, the album had accumulated more than 5 billion Spotify streams, making it the most-streamed album released worldwide in 2026 at that point. All 14 tracks on the album have individually surpassed 200 million streams.
Co-written by BTS leader RM, “SWIM” delivers a message of resilience, perseverance, and embracing life’s challenges. Through the metaphor of navigating waves, the song encourages listeners to continue moving forward at their own pace despite life’s uncertainties.
The latest achievement further reinforces BTS’s enduring influence on the global music industry, highlighting the group’s ability to break streaming records and connect with audiences worldwide.
As the first song released in 2026 to cross the billion-stream milestone, “SWIM” adds another significant accomplishment to BTS’s growing list of international achievements, demonstrating the group’s continued global popularity following its long-awaited reunion.
