BTS ARIRANG's long-lasting time

While initial, dazzling news is nice, there is a different kind of joy in news that endures. When I saw the article stating that BTS’s ARIRANG had remained on the Billboard 200 for 30 weeks, my heart was drawn first to that long period of time. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the fact that the album’s name remains even after the initial interest has faded.

On the chart dated October 24, ARIRANG ranked 41st, climbing two spots from the previous week. It is also reported that they rose two spots on Top Album Sales to secure 17th place. While a single number cannot fully explain the value of music, confirming such consistent performance is certainly happy news for fans. It likely brings a sense of reassurance that is different from their initial achievements.

The title track "SWIM" ranked 9th on the Global Excluding U.S. chart. It is said to have been in the top 10 of that chart for a total of 29 weeks. It is impressive that the album and the songs are building up time in their respective places. However, I do not intend to attribute the reason to a specific atmosphere or the fans' feelings.

When you rediscover a song you’ve loved for a long time, you are often left with feelings different from the first time. I would be happy if I liked the parts exactly as I did the first time, or if verses I didn't notice before resonated with me in a new way. I want to welcome ARIRANG’s latest record with delight as news that shows the potential for such multiple choices to follow.