In an unprecedented display of longevity and fan-driven power, BTS’s 2018 hit “Anpanman” has officially returned to the summit of the music world.
On December 17, 2025, Billboard released its latest rankings for the week of December 20, revealing that “Anpanman” re-entered the World Digital Song Sales chart at No. 1.
This achievement comes approximately 7 years and 7 months after the song’s initial release, marking one of the longest gaps for a K-pop B-side to reach the top spot on a global Billboard chart.
A Global Resurgence Driven by ARMY
The resurgence of “Anpanman” began earlier in the month when the track started climbing iTunes charts across the globe.
By December 8, the song had achieved No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart in 75 countries and regions, including major music markets such as the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Italy.
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In addition to its Billboard success, where it also ranked No. 7 on the overall Digital Song Sales chart, the track made a significant impact on the UK’s Official Charts.
According to data released on December 13, the song reached No. 12 on the Official Singles Download chart and No. 24 on the Official Singles Sales chart.
Industry experts attribute this renewed interest to the collective efforts of the BTS fandom, ARMY, who have been celebrating the recent reunion of the group’s seven members following their military discharges and anticipating their full-group comeback next spring.
The Meaning Behind the Hero
“Anpanman” was originally released in May 2018 as a B-side on BTS’s third full-length album, Love Yourself 轉 ‘Tear’.
The song is inspired by the Japanese superhero of the same name—a character made of red bean bread who helps those in need by giving away pieces of his own head.
The track serves as a metaphor for BTS’s own identity as artists. Unlike traditional superheroes with cosmic powers, BTS likens themselves to Anpanman—a “weak” hero who lacks superpowers but remains sincere, hardworking, and always stays close to those who need hope.
Lyrics such as “I’ll stay right by your side / I may fall again, but trust me, because I’m a hero” resonate deeply with fans, particularly during the group’s transition back into the public eye after their military hiatus.
The song represents the group’s promise to be a source of strength for their fans for a long time to come.
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Continued Solo and Group Dominance
While “Anpanman” captured the headlines this week, individual BTS members continue to dominate the Billboard Global charts.
Jungkook’s “Seven” and Jin’s “Don’t Say You Love Me” maintained their positions on the Global 200 at No. 150 and No. 166, respectively.
On the Global (Excl. U.S.) chart, Jin, Jungkook, and Jimin (with “Who”) all secured spots in the Top 150. Furthermore, the group’s anthology album Proof remained a staple on the World Albums chart, coming in at No. 9.
The historic climb of “Anpanman” to No. 1 serves as a powerful reminder of BTS’s enduring influence.
Even without active group promotions or a new release, the group’s discography continues to live and breathe through its global community, setting the stage for what is expected to be a record-breaking comeback in 2026.
