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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Hallyuwood devider 'The BTS Effect': Over 690% increase in first-time listeners recorded on Spotify

'The BTS Effect': Over 690% increase in first-time listeners recorded on Spotify

Published Mar 26, 2026 03:01 pm
BTS on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" (X/BTS)
BTS on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" (X/BTS)

After the album “Arirang” was released, Spotify revealed “The BTS Effect,” a look into how fans, the ARMY, turned the K-pop superstars’ comeback into a global moment.

Following the release of “Arirang” on March 20, BTS saw a surge of over 690 percent in first-time listeners, in addition to massive spikes in streams, chart dominance, and millions of playlist additions from fans worldwide.

On March 20, BTS grabbed first place on Spotify’s Daily Top Artists charts in 70 different markets. 

During the release weekend of “Arirang,” BTS got more than 260 placements within the Top 50 of Spotify’s Daily Top Songs and Daily Top Artists charts globally. 

Fans added songs from the “Arirang” album to their personal Spotify playlists more than 11.7 million times. 

Hours after the “BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang” concert on March 21, streams of “Arirang” increased by nearly 120 percent. 

“Mikrokosmos” particularly had a 250 percent increase in streams in South Korea following the concert compared to the day before.  

Spotify earlier revealed that BTS broke the record for Spotify’s most streamed album (“Arirang”) in a single day in 2026 to date.

"The BTS Effect" (Spotify)
"The BTS Effect" (Spotify)
"The BTS Effect" (Spotify)
"The BTS Effect" (Spotify)
"The BTS Effect" (Spotify)
"The BTS Effect" (Spotify)

Related Tags

BTS Spotify The BTS Effect BTS Arirang album
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