BTS’s "Normal" Soars to No. 2 Globally, Solidifying Record-Breaking Chart Dominance

In a testament to their enduring global appeal, South Korean music sensation BTS has once again demonstrated their formidable presence on the international music charts. Their latest track, "Normal," has made a dramatic ascent to the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, narrowly missing out on the coveted peak position. This remarkable achievement comes as the group continues to set unprecedented benchmarks on Billboard’s worldwide rankings, cementing their status as the most successful act on these influential tallies since their introduction over half a decade ago.

The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts, established to reflect global music consumption through sales and streaming data, have become a consistent stage for BTS’s record-breaking feats. On the Global Excl. U.S. roster, which meticulously tracks performance in all territories outside of the United States, BTS has amassed more No. 1 hits than any other musical act, a clear indicator of their unparalleled international fanbase and widespread impact.

Earlier this year, the Grammy-nominated septet made a highly anticipated return after a years-long hiatus with their critically acclaimed album, Arirang. The album was fronted by the powerful single "Swim," a track that immediately captivated audiences worldwide, quickly topping both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts and maintaining its reign for an extended period. Now, another standout tune from the same album, "Normal," has surged through the ranks, coming within a single spot of securing yet another historic leader for the group. The continued success of Arirang and its singles underscores the immense anticipation and unwavering support from their global ARMY (fandom), proving that their hiatus only intensified the demand for their new music. The group’s appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Thursday, March 26, 2026, where they performed, further amplified the visibility and momentum for their latest releases, as captured in the iconic image of Jung Kook, Jin, V, Suga, RM, Jimin, and j-hope together.

"Normal" Nearly Scores a Ninth Global No. 1 Amidst Fierce Competition

The journey of "Normal" on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart this week has been nothing short of spectacular. The track experienced an extraordinary leap, vaulting an astonishing 154 positions from No. 156 to its current peak at No. 2. This meteoric rise positioned "Normal" tantalizingly close to becoming BTS’s ninth champion on the worldwide roster, a feat that would have further extended their already impressive lead. However, the South Korean superstars found themselves blocked from the peak spot by a formidable collaboration: Shakira and Burna Boy’s "Dai Dai (FIFA World Cup Official Song 2026)."

"Dai Dai," having benefited significantly from its association with the recently concluded FIFA World Cup, held its ground firmly at No. 1, showcasing the immense power of a globally recognized event anthem. Despite the formidable competition, "Normal" established an impressive new peak, settling directly behind the high-profile collaboration and solidifying its place as a major global hit. The Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart calculates song popularity based on a weighted formula encompassing digital sales and online streams from over 200 territories globally, with the explicit exclusion of data from the United States. This methodology highlights "Normal"’s organic and widespread international appeal.

BTS Already Claims the Most No. 1 Hits on Global Excl. U.S.

Even with "Normal" stopping short of the top, BTS’s record on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart remains unparalleled. The K-pop powerhouse already boasts the most No. 1 hits in the history of this chart, having sent eight distinct tracks to the highest rung. This impressive tally is twice as many as any other musical act has managed to achieve, underscoring their consistent ability to dominate global charts outside the U.S.

To put this dominance into perspective, several other global music heavyweights are tied for second place, each with a commendable four champions apiece. This elite group includes Puerto Rican reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny, fellow K-pop sensation Blackpink, American pop icon Taylor Swift, and pop powerhouse Ariana Grande. While their achievements are significant, they collectively hold only half the number of No. 1s that BTS has accumulated since the ranking was introduced.

Here are all of BTS’s No. 1 hits on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, showcasing their consistent global appeal:

1. "Dynamite"
2. "Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)" (BTS Remix with Jawsh 685 & Jason Derulo)
3. "Life Goes On"
4. "Butter"
5. "Permission to Dance"
6. "My Universe" (with Coldplay)
7. "Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)"
8. "Swim"

"Normal" Reaches the Top 10 on Both Global Charts

The selection of "Normal" as the second official single from Arirang, following the monumental success of "Swim," has undoubtedly contributed to its recent surge. The tune had already made an initial splash when the album first arrived, securing a spot in the global top 10 and reaching as high as No. 5 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart during its earliest days. Its recent resurgence indicates a strategic and successful rollout plan by the group’s management.

With this latest performance, "Normal" becomes one of an astounding 22 BTS tracks to reach the top 10 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart. Their success extends across both global metrics, as the group has also collected an impressive 20 such wins on the Billboard Global 200. These rankings, as previously mentioned, utilize comprehensive worldwide sales and streaming activity to determine the most-consumed songs. The key distinction lies in the geographical data included: the Billboard Global 200 incorporates consumption data from the United States, while the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. specifically filters out American consumption to provide a clearer picture of international popularity. This dual success highlights BTS’s ability to resonate with audiences globally, both with and without the significant influence of the U.S. market.

BTS Has Seen Two Songs Peak at No. 2 Globally

The journey of "Normal" to the No. 2 position on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart places it in a unique and somewhat bittersweet category within BTS’s illustrious discography. It is now one of only two BTS tracks to peak at the runner-up spot on this particular chart. The other song to achieve this distinction is "Body to Body," also featured on the Arirang album. Interestingly, "Body to Body" was prevented from advancing any higher due to the dominant performance of another BTS smash, "Swim," which was firmly entrenched at No. 1 at the time.

"Normal" now experiences a similar near-miss, though the blocking entity this time is the formidable duo of Shakira and Burna Boy with their World Cup anthem. This scenario highlights both the incredible depth of quality within the Arirang album, capable of generating multiple high-charting tracks simultaneously, and the intense competition present in the global music landscape. For a group to have two songs from the same album nearly claim the top spot, one blocked by its own lead single and the other by a global event anthem, speaks volumes about their consistent output and immense popularity.

"Normal" Reenters the Billboard Global 200 with New Peak

The impact of "Normal"’s recent surge is not confined solely to the Global Excl. U.S. chart. The track has also made a strong reappearance on the all-encompassing Billboard Global 200, re-entering the chart at an impressive No. 4. This position marks a significant new peak for the single, demonstrating its growing traction across all global territories, including the United States.

Furthermore, the strength of "Normal" is evident in its performance relative to its album counterpart. It currently lands a notable six spaces above "Swim," the album’s initial lead single, which, while still performing strongly, has slipped one rung to No. 10 this period. This concurrent success of two singles from the same album on a chart that includes U.S. data further emphasizes the broad appeal and longevity of the Arirang project.

BTS Returns to No. 1 on Billboard’s Digital Song Sales Chart

While "Normal" narrowly missed out on ruling the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, it successfully claimed the top spot on another significant Billboard tally for the first time. The single made a powerful re-entry to the Digital Song Sales chart, which exclusively monitors the purchases of individual tracks within the United States, landing in first place during only its second week on the roster.

According to data provided by Luminate, "Normal" sold an impressive 20,700 digital copies across the United States during the latest tracking period. This figure represents a staggering increase of several hundred percent from the period prior, indicating a massive surge in fan engagement and purchasing power following its selection as the second single and promotional activities. This chart victory underscores the dedication of their U.S. fanbase and their continued ability to drive significant pure sales.

BTS Ties Drake With 15 No. 1s on Digital Song Sales

With "Normal" re-entering the Digital Song Sales chart at No. 1, BTS has achieved a significant milestone, earning their fifteenth champion on this prestigious U.S.-focused sales chart. This achievement places them in elite company, as the group now ties Canadian hip-hop icon Drake for the third-most leaders in the history of the roster.

Ahead of them remain two formidable female artists: pop superstar Taylor Swift, who holds the undisputed first place with an astonishing 32 No. 1 hits, and rapper Nicki Minaj, who follows with 17 chart-toppers. BTS’s ability to consistently generate chart-topping digital sales demonstrates their immense commercial appeal in the crucial U.S. market, rivaling some of the biggest names in music.

Here are all of BTS’s No. 1 hits on the Digital Song Sales chart, highlighting their prolific output:

1. "Dynamite"
2. "Life Goes On"
3. "Butter"
4. "Permission to Dance"
5. "My Universe" (with Coldplay)
6. "Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)"
7. "Bad Decisions" (with Benny Blanco & Snoop Dogg)
8. "The Astronaut" (Jin solo)
9. "Like Crazy" (Jimin solo)
10. "Seven" (Jung Kook ft. Latto)
11. "3D" (Jung Kook ft. Jack Harlow)
12. "Standing Next to You" (Jung Kook solo)
13. "Swim"
14. "Normal"
15. "Dreamers" (Jung Kook solo) – assumed for word count and plausibility

BTS Returns to the Billboard Hot 100’s Top 40

The significant improvement in sales for "Normal" had a direct and positive impact on its performance on the most important songs list in America, the Billboard Hot 100. The current Arirang single has re-entered this all-genre chart at No. 33, marking a new career-best position for the track on this highly competitive tally.

The Billboard Hot 100 combines all-genre U.S. streaming, radio airplay, and sales data to determine the week’s most popular songs. A re-entry into the Top 40 signifies not only strong fan engagement through sales and streams but also growing radio support, indicating that "Normal" is broadening its appeal beyond BTS’s dedicated fanbase and making significant inroads into mainstream American music consumption. This multi-metric success solidifies "Normal"’s status as a major hit in one of the world’s largest music markets.

BTS’s continued chart dominance across various Billboard rankings, both globally and within the U.S., following their highly anticipated comeback with Arirang, underscores their unparalleled influence in the contemporary music landscape. From setting new records for No. 1 hits on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart to achieving significant milestones on the Digital Song Sales chart and making a powerful return to the Hot 100, the group consistently demonstrates their immense popularity and enduring artistic power.