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Music & Charts

BTS's 'SWIM' Makes Apple Music's 'Best Songs of 2026'

BTS's 'SWIM', the title track of 'ARIRANG', is on Apple Music's global 'Best Songs of 2026' year-end playlist released November 7 local time, the only track by a K-pop group on this year's list, Korean outlets reported.

By 2FC NEWSROOM · Published · Updated

The seven members of BTS in dark suits posing against a red background
Image: BIGHIT MUSIC (via Money Today)

BTS's 'SWIM' has been named one of Apple Music's Best Songs of 2026. Korean outlets reported on November 11 KST that the title track of BTS's fifth studio album 'ARIRANG' is on the streaming service's global year-end playlist of 100 songs, released on November 7 local time. It is the only track by a K-pop group on this year's list, according to JoongAng Daily, citing BigHit Music.

'SWIM' was also picked for Apple Music's 'A-List Pop', 'Viral Hits' and 'KPOPWRLD' best-of-2026 playlists, according to Money Today. Apple Music praised the 'ARIRANG' comeback as a long-awaited moment that redefined K-pop in 2026, the outlets reported. JoongAng Daily noted that the same year-end list also includes Tame Impala's 'Dracula', featuring BLACKPINK's Jennie.

'ARIRANG' is still on the Billboard 200 in its 33rd week, at No. 62 on the chart dated November 14, while 'SWIM' climbed to No. 28 on the Global 200, MK reported. BTS's 'ARIRANG' world tour heads to Kaohsiung on November 19, followed by Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Jakarta, MK reported.

Confirmed

  • Apple Music's editorial 'Best Songs of 2026' playlist is live on Apple Music (Apple Music playlist page).

Reported by other outlets

  • Money Today, Maeil Business (MK) and other Korean outlets reported on November 11 KST that 'SWIM' is included among the 100 songs on Apple Music's global 'Best Songs of 2026' playlist, released November 7 local time.
  • JoongAng Daily, citing BigHit Music, reported that 'SWIM' is the only track by a K-pop group on this year's list. The same report noted that the playlist also includes Tame Impala's 'Dracula', featuring BLACKPINK's Jennie, and a recording by pianist Lim Yun-chan.
  • According to Money Today, 'SWIM' was also selected for Apple Music's 'A-List Pop', 'Viral Hits' and 'KPOPWRLD' best-of-2026 playlists, and Apple Music described BTS's 'ARIRANG' comeback as having redefined K-pop's direction in 2026.
  • MK and Money Today reported that 'ARIRANG' ranked No. 62 on the Billboard 200 dated November 14 in its 33rd week on the chart, and that 'SWIM' rose to No. 28 on the Global 200 and No. 14 on the Global Excl. U.S.

Analysis

Interpretation by 2FC NEWSROOM, not reported fact.

2FC NEWSROOM analysis: A year-end editorial pick from a major platform adds to the 2026 record for 'ARIRANG', which is still charting in the U.S. more than seven months after release.

Sources

Conflicts of interest: None. The Apple Music list was released November 7 local time; Korean outlets reported it on November 11 KST.

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Corrections & updates

  • : Corrected the headline and story: 'SWIM' is on Apple Music's 'Best Songs of 2026', but it is not the first song by a K-pop group to make that year-end list. Apple Music's 'Best Songs of 2025' already included BLACKPINK's 'JUMP' and CORTIS's 'GO!'.

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