BTS debut at No.1 on Irish Albums Chart with Arirang

K-Pop group BTS have debuted at No. 1 on the Irish Album Chart with their new album, Arirang.

The record becomes the band's third to hit No. 1 and follows on from the success of Map of the Soul: 7 and BE in 2020.

Arirang uses the Korean folk song 'Arirang' to explore themes of identity, longing, and artistic rebirth after their military service.

The folk song is featured at the end of the first track on the album, 'Body To Body', and acts as a bridge to their roots in an era of pop culture globalisation by blending the "han" (sorrow/longing) and "heung" (joy) of Korean culture with personal stories of reunion, resilience, and love for life.

From wearing traditional hanbok in music videos to addressing Korean social issues in lyrics and performing an 'Arirang' medley on stage in the past, BTS has always embraced their Korean heritage.

The album has also seen the band score the biggest album debut by a group or male artist on Billboard.

It's the biggest first week for an album by units since Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl hit No. 1 with over four million units last year.

• Listen to Arirang below: