BTS's 'Retroactive Success': RM's Driver's License News and Fan Campaigns Fuel Chart Dominance Ahead of Comeback

As BTS gears up for their full group comeback, they are demonstrating their immense global influence across music markets. Set to release a new album next spring and embark on a massive world tour, the group is actively engaging with their worldwide ARMY fandom through various platforms, including the global fan community app Weverse.

During a Weverse live broadcast from the practice room on the 16th, RM shared a personal update about recently obtaining his driver's license. This seemingly small piece of news had an immediate impact on music charts. The song 'Nuts' from RM's second solo album, ‘Right Place, Wrong Person’, topped the 'Top Song' charts in 45 countries/regions, including Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, as of 6 AM on the 18th. The lyrics, "He a pro ridah, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo rider / Must be an A1 guider," resonated with fans in conjunction with RM's announcement, drawing significant attention. Consequently, a track from an album released about 19 months ago reached the summit of the charts once again.

In parallel, a fan-led campaign '#BTSInMaCity' on social media, initiated in November, has also garnered considerable attention. Fans streamed 'Ma City', a B-side from their mini-album ‘화양연화 pt.2’ (The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 2), and shared photos of their local scenery on social media, expressing their wish for BTS's 2026 world tour to include their cities. This campaign spread globally, invigorating music charts. 'Ma City' previously ranked number one on the iTunes 'Top Song' charts in 16 countries/regions, including Finland, Singapore, and Luxembourg. Furthermore, it re-entered the Billboard 'World Digital Song Sales' chart (dated November 22nd) for the first time in nearly a decade. 'Ma City' is a song that expresses the members' affection for the cities where they grew up.

Further solidifying BTS's widespread impact, their song 'Anpanman' from the 3rd full album ‘LOVE YOURSELF 轉 ‘Tear’’ achieved the number one spot on the 'World Digital Song Sales' chart (dated December 20th) approximately seven years and seven months after its release. As of 6 AM on the 18th, the track also hit number one on the iTunes 'Top Song' charts in a staggering 75 countries/regions, including the US and UK. Its surge was also evident on the UK's Official Charts, where it landed at 12th on the 'Official Singles Downloads' and 24th on the 'Official Singles Sales' charts, showcasing a fervent global response. 'Anpanman', inspired by a character who shares his head with the hungry, is analyzed as a song that reflects the support of ARMY, who see BTS as approachable heroes who will be with them for a long time, awaiting their comeback.

BTS's enduring popularity and the high anticipation for their upcoming new music are clearly reflected in these objective metrics. All eyes are on the new records and history the seven members will create with their activities in 2026.

Korean netizens expressed excitement, commenting things like 'As expected from BTS!', 'RM getting a driver's license caused all this commotion? lol', 'So touched by Ma City's comeback!', 'Anpanman is a masterpiece, always', 'Just waiting for the comeback!', and 'Can't wait to see the full group!' showing their high anticipation.