BTS has made history as the only K-pop group to land two songs on Apple Music’s Top 500 Most-Streamed Songs of the Decade. Their hits Dynamite and Butter outranked tracks by global superstars like Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars, proving their massive influence in the music industry.
The list, celebrating Apple Music’s 10th anniversary, ranks songs based on global streams since 2015. Dynamite secured the 34th spot, while Butter came in at 252nd. Both songs outperformed Taylor Swift’s Cruel Summer (No. 57) and Bruno Mars’ That’s What I Like (No. 59).
This achievement highlights BTS’s global dominance, especially as a non-English act competing with Western pop giants. Fans, known as ARMY, celebrated the milestone on social media, calling it a “historic moment” for K-pop.
BTS Breaks Barriers in Global Music Industry
BTS is the only K-pop and Asian act featured in Apple Music’s Top 500 list. Their success with Dynamite, their first fully English single, opened doors for greater recognition on Western platforms. The song’s high ranking reflects its massive popularity, with over 1.6 billion streams on Spotify alone.
Apple Music’s Top 10 most-streamed songs of the decade include:
- Shape of You – Ed Sheeran
- Blinding Lights – The Weeknd
- God’s Plan – Drake
- Sunflower – Post Malone & Swae Lee
- rockstar – Post Malone
BTS’s inclusion among these global hits shows how K-pop has grown into a major force in music. Their ability to compete with top Western artists marks a significant shift in the industry.
Fan Reactions and Social Media Celebration
ARMY quickly took to social media to celebrate BTS’s achievement. Many praised the group’s hard work and impact on global music.
“Dynamite and Butter deserve this! BTS changed the game for K-pop worldwide.”
“Seeing BTS above Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars is unreal. They’ve made history again!”
Others pointed out how Dynamite helped bring K-pop into mainstream Western music. The song’s success led to more opportunities for other Korean artists on global platforms.
How BTS Compares to Other Global Stars
While BTS made history, other artists dominated the overall list. Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You took the No. 1 spot, followed by The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights and Drake’s God’s Plan.
However, BTS’s presence in the Top 500 is significant because:
- They are the only K-pop act on the list.
- Both Dynamite and Butter ranked higher than songs by Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Lady Gaga.
- Their success proves that language is no longer a barrier in global music.
What This Means for K-Pop’s Future
BTS’s achievement signals a new era for K-pop. Their ability to compete with the biggest names in Western music shows the genre’s growing influence. Other K-pop groups, like BLACKPINK and Stray Kids, are also gaining traction globally.
Also read: Kpop Demon Hunters Soundtrack Dominates Spotify Charts With All Songs in Top 100
Industry experts believe this is just the beginning. With more Korean artists breaking into international charts, K-pop is set to become a permanent fixture in mainstream music.
Credits: Apple Music
