BTS Achieves Historic Milestone on Spotify: 1 Billion Streams for Nine Consecutive Years
The global K-pop sensation BTS has once again etched its name in the history books, becoming the first Asian artist to exceed one billion streams on Spotify for nine consecutive years, spanning from 2017 to 2025, as reported by Pop Core. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the enduring popularity of the group amidst their ongoing military service and hiatus from group activities.
BTS’s extensive discography, which includes a mix of classic hits and newer releases, continues to resonate with listeners worldwide. Fans, known as ARMYs, celebrated this historic accomplishment, showcasing the band’s unwavering impact on the music industry. One fan aptly described the achievement as:
“Legend things”
“Every year, BANGTAN streaming will increase. Aamiin. May his achievements continue to increase, Amen. BTS BTS BTS! !! BTS PAVED THE WAY!!!”read a comment from another fan.
“BTS keeps making history! 9 years straight with over 1 BILLION Spotify streams – LEGENDS,”said one netizen.
“Kings of Streaming! Nine consecutive years with over a billion streams? BTS isn’t just making history – they ARE history! Even during military service, their impact never fades. Truly legendary!”mentioned one ARMY.
Fans continue to express their admiration for BTS’s ability to maintain significant industry influence despite the band’s hiatus and military commitments. Many took to social media to underscore this impressive feat:
“Haven’t released an album since 2020, are on hiatus since 2022, and yet, they remain the biggest in the industry,”commented one ARMY.
“Being on hiatus since 2022, without releasing anything as a group since 2023, without a studio album since 2020, and with one last anthology album in 2022. While other K-pop artists releasing several albums a year would love to have the impact of the Kings of the industry,”said another netizen.
“During their peak hiatus year, 5/7 in the military, and it’s just MAR 2025,”posted an individual on X.
Upcoming Military Discharges and Career Updates for BTS Members
As the members of BTS approach the end of their military service, significant developments are on the horizon. Enlisted from 2022 to 2023, each of the able-bodied male members has complied with South Korea’s mandatory conscription laws, which typically require a service period of 18 to 21 months.
Currently, RM, V, Jungkook, Jimin, and Suga are fulfilling their service obligations. By March 2025, they will have completed around 80% of their mandatory term. Suga, who enlisted on September 22, 2023, as a social worker due to health considerations, is slated to be discharged on June 21, 2025. RM and V enlisted on December 11, 2023, while Jimin and Jungkook began their service one day later as active-duty soldiers.
V has excelled in his military training, qualifying for the elite Special Duty Team (SDT) within the 2nd Military Police Corps, where he achieved the highest rank in his unit.
Jimin and Jungkook successfully completed five weeks of basic training at the Army’s 5th Division Recruit Training Center in Yeoncheon, where Jimin was honored as the top trainee and later joined an artillery unit within the same division.
Excitingly, RM and V are scheduled for discharge on June 10, 2025, while Jimin and Jungkook will follow closely on June 11, 2025. Jin, who was the first member to enlist in December 2022, completed his service in June 2024, and j-hope joined shortly thereafter in April 2023, exiting military service in October 2024.
Having returned, Jin is actively pursuing a vibrant solo career, engaging in music, variety shows, and brand partnerships. His debut solo album, titled Happy, launched on November 15, 2024 at 2 PM KST, features six tracks, with Jin taking a significant role in writing, composing, and producing four of the songs. Collaborations include notable names like Gary Barlow from Take That, Wendy from Red Velvet, and Taka from One OK Rock.
The album had a sensational start, topping the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart and having its lead single, Running Wild, achieve the number one spot on the Worldwide iTunes Song Chart. Pre-sales surpassed 953,000 copies in just the first week, making it the highest-selling solo album in Korea for 2024, also leading the daily rankings on the Hanteo Chart.
In addition to his musical pursuits, Jin is venturing into variety entertainment, set to join the regular cast of Netflix’s upcoming 2025 show, Daehwanjang Gianjang, while also hosting his program, RunJin.
On the other hand, j-hope is making a triumphant return to the limelight with his first solo world tour, HOPE ON THE STAGE, kicking off with a three-night concert series at Seoul’s KSPO Dome, starting February 28, 2025. Following his Seoul concerts, j-hope will embark on a North American leg, performing at venues like Barclays Center in New York, Allstate Arena in Chicago, and BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The Asian segment will showcase acts in Manila, Saitama, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Macau, and Taipei, culminating in Osaka on June 1, 2025. Notably, he has also released two singles in 2025: Sweet Dreams, featuring Grammy-winning artist Miguel, on March 7, followed by Mona Lisa on March 21.
As the military service period draws to a close, ARMYs are eagerly anticipating BTS’s reunion and upcoming group projects. With each member pursuing their individual paths, expectations are high for the magic they will create together on stage once again.