BTS Members with packages with white ribbons stating "ARMY" and purple box background.

Run BTS returns to No.1 on iTunes ahead of the group’s 2026 comeback.

Run BTS Returns to No.1 on iTunes as BTS 2026 Comeback Nears

This fan-led catalog revival in 60+ countries signals BTS’ post-hiatus market power, ahead of their comeback this year.

02 JAN 2026, 06:26 PM
  • Run BTS returned to No. 1 on iTunes in 61 countries through fan-led streaming.
  • Older BTS tracks have resurfaced on global charts, time and again, reflecting sustained demand.
  • The renewed surge amplifies anticipation for BTS’s full-group album release in March 2026.

BTS's 2022 hit track Run BTS climbed back to the top on a global music chart. The song returned to No.1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart in 61 nations and territories, indicating fresh global attention for the group as they prepare for an awaited comeback in 2026.

BTS's agency, BigHit Music (under HYBE), confirmed the song's revival on Jan 2, 2026. According to industry reports, the song topped charts in a variety of markets, including Brazil, Finland, Mexico, and Greece, apart from Asian countries, where K-pop acts are very much popular.

Fan-Led Streaming Drives BTS’s Chart Momentum

Run BTS was originally released in 2022 and appeared on BTS' anthology album Proof. Global fans then streamed the tune in massive numbers, reviving its chart power. BigHit Music reportedly defined the renewed action as ARMY's desire to "run alongside" BTS ahead of the group's full-member reunion on March 20, 2026.

Other older BTS songs have frequently returned on global charts, including iTunes revivals of both solo and group releases. Spring Day, for instance, re-entered the iTunes top songs list years after its initial release, rising to No. 1 in numerous territories by late 2023 amid group members’ military enlistments.

Furthermore, in 2024, BTS set a historic record by being the first and only group to have 33 songs reach No. 1 on the Worldwide iTunes Song Chart throughout their career. As per industry sources, individual tracks by BTS members, including Jimin's Who, Suga's Polar Night and Haeguem, RM's Come Back to Me, and V's FRI(END)S, have ranked amongst others.

Reportedly, in the same year, the group track We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal, eventually went on to surpass Suga's Polar Night from his debut solo album D-DAY. Suga’s song topped the Worldwide iTunes Song Chart, where it remained for two days before being surpassed by, We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal.

Recently, as 2025 was coming to an end, another old group track Anpanman resurfaced on the global music charts too. Amidst this, Run BTS' renewed No. 1 ranking ahead of their upcoming album and tour shows the group's enduring international appeal, as well as a growing number of fan-led digital pushes.

Setting the Stage for BTS’ Full-Group Return

BTS' forthcoming album, their first full-group production after finishing South Korea's mandatory military duty, is eagerly anticipated. The March release will be an important moment in the septet's career, possibly acting as a catalyst for larger industry momentum in 2026, with upward results particularly for K-pop and associated acts.

Diya Mukherjee

Diya Mukherjee

Author

Diya Mukherjee is a Content Writer at Outlook Respawn with a postgraduate background in media. She has a passion for writing content and is enthusiastic about exploring cultures, literature, global affairs, and pop culture.

Published At: 02 JAN 2026, 06:26 PM