BTS’s “Arirang” Named This Year’s Best Album by Overseas Music Magazines

BTS’s fifth studio album, “Arirang,” made it onto a list of this year’s greatest albums selected by renowned overseas music publications. American pop culture outlet Complex, music magazine Rolling Stone, and British music publication NME all ranked “Arirang” as one of the best albums of the year in succession.

Rolling Stone stated that BTS’s Comeback was the biggest news in the global music market this year, praising the members for brilliantly translating Korean cultural elements into their music through “Arirang.” The Telegraph gave high praise, calling BTS “the face of K-pop.” NME noted that the group returned to what they do best and highlighted “Body to Body” as a must-listen track. In addition, these four outlets included “Arirang” in their lists of “2026’s Best Albums.”

Since its release in March, “Arirang” has topped sales charts for CDs and LPs in the United States. It played a significant role in helping South Korea rise to third place as the world’s top music exporter, behind the United States and the United Kingdom. BTS is currently on tour with their “Arirang” World Tour. BTS’s fifth studio album, “Arirang,” is recognized as one of the standout albums of the year in the global music market.