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BTS has earned a place on Apple Music’s Best Songs of 2026 playlist with “SWIM,” becoming the only K-pop group represented on the streaming service’s annual selection of 100 standout tracks. The recognition adds to a strong year for the South Korean group, whose return as a full seven-member lineup has been marked by major chart performances and international awards.
Apple Music Highlights BTS’ Long-Awaited Full-Group Return
Apple Music released its annual playlist on Nov. 7, describing the 100 selections as songs its editors believe defined 2026. British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean was named the platform’s Artist of the Year.
“SWIM” also appeared on three other Apple Music year-end playlists: A-List Pop, Viral Hits and KPOPWRLD. The service described BTS’ comeback with its album “ARIRANG” as a long-awaited moment for K-pop, saying years of anticipation had culminated in a meaningful return that reshaped the genre’s direction in 2026.
The playlist introduction described BTS as returning to active duty with the confident energy of “SWIM.” The wording carries an additional meaning for Korean audiences: all seven members have completed South Korea’s mandatory military service, making the album their first full-group studio release since fulfilling that obligation.
‘SWIM’ Tops Billboard and Reaches 1 Billion Spotify Streams
Released March 20 as the lead single from BTS’ fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” “SWIM” expresses a determination to keep moving at one's own pace through the turbulent currents of life. Group leader RM contributed extensively to the song’s lyrics.
The track debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the leading U.S. singles chart. It surpassed 1 billion cumulative streams on Spotify by Oct. 24, becoming the fastest song released in 2026 to reach that milestone.
The song also won Song of the Summer at the American Music Awards in May and Song of the Year, the MTV Video Music Awards’ top honor, in September. On Billboard’s Nov. 14 Global 200 chart, it climbed five places to No. 28. It ranked No. 14 on the Global Excluding U.S. chart.
BLACKPINK’s Jennie and Pianist Yunchan Lim Also Make the List
BTS was not the only South Korean artist recognized. BLACKPINK member Jennie was included for “Dracula,” her collaboration with Australian psychedelic pop project Tame Impala. The disco-influenced electronic pop track appears on Tame Impala’s fifth album, “Deadbeat,” released in September 2025. It became the project’s first song to enter the Billboard Hot 100.
Classical pianist Yunchan Lim also made the selection with a live recording of Variation 13 from Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” (BWV 988), performed at Carnegie Hall in New York last year.
BTS to Begin Southeast Asian Tour Dates in Taiwan
BTS will begin the Southeast Asian leg of its “ARIRANG” world tour on Nov. 19 with a concert at National Stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The itinerary includes five cities — Kaohsiung, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Jakarta — with 15 performances scheduled in total.
Strong ticket demand in Jakarta has prompted organizers to add a further performance on Dec. 29, extending the group’s tour schedule.
The Apple Music recognition, alongside the U.S. chart success and awards, underscores the continued international reach of BTS’ return as a complete group.
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