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BTS Makes History as Every Member’s Solo Album Surpasses 1 Billion Spotify Streams

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Liam Kim

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January 2, 2026– According to Rolling Stone news, BTS has once again rewritten the rulebook for global music success, becoming the first group in history where every member’s solo album has surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify. The milestone was finalized on New Year’s Eve 2025, when RM’s Indigo crossed the threshold after fans mobilized to push it from 999 million streams the day prior capping a years-long stretch of solo achievements that have unfolded even as the group completes their mandatory military service in South Korea.

The septet’s individual discographies have each carved their own path to success, reflecting the unique artistry of each member while retaining the global appeal that has made BTS the biggest band in the world, as named by Rolling Stone in 2021. Jin was the first to reach the milestone with 1.001 billion streams, a poignant achievement as the first member to enlist in the military in late 2022. Rolling Stone noted at the time of its release that the album’s emotive vocals and introspective lyrics “captured the bittersweetness of transition, resonating with listeners across languages and borders”.


Suga, who has also found acclaim under his alter ego Agust D, hit the mark with D-DAY, a raw, autobiographical project that explored his personal and artistic journey. Rolling Stone praised the album as “a masterclass in storytelling, blending hard-hitting rap with melodic vulnerability that cements his status as one of K-pop’s most vital creators”. J-Hope followed with Jack In The Box, a genre-defying debut solo album that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2022 an achievement Rolling Stone highlighted as “a breakthrough that proved BTS members could dominate global charts on their own terms” and has since amassed 1.027 billion streams. Its lead single “More” was named one of Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Songs of 2022, praised for its dynamic energy and creative range.

Jimin also made history of its own when it was released in 2023, spawning “Like Crazy” the first Korean solo song to top the Billboard Hot 100. Rolling Stone called the track “a stunning showcase of vocal versatility and emotional depth, a defining moment for K-pop’s global expansion”. The album, which explores themes of identity and self-discovery, has now reached over 1 billion streams. V’s Layover, a soulful, retro-inspired project released in 2023, has earned 1.1 billion streams. Rolling Stone described the album as “a lush, nostalgic journey that highlights V’s unique tone and ability to make every track feel deeply personal”, and its success continued even as V began his military service, with tracks like his 2024 collaboration “Winter Ahead” with Park Hyo-shin earning a spot on Rolling Stone’s list of Best K-pop Songs of the year.

Jungkook, widely recognized as one of the greatest singers of all time by Rolling Stone in 2023, leads the group with his album GOLDEN, which has amassed a staggering 6.57 billion streams making it the most-streamed K-pop solo album in Spotify history, as confirmed by Rolling Stone’s data team. The record-breaking project includes hits like “Seven (feat. Latto),” which became the fastest song ever to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify in 2023; Rolling Stone called it “a global phenomenon that redefined what a pop hit could achieve”. The track also earned Jungkook his first solo Grammy nomination, one of five total nominations he has received as a solo artist, as documented by Rolling Stone’s awards coverage.

RM’s, a collaborative project featuring artists like Erykah Badu and Anderson .Paak, rounds out the list. The album, which the rapper described as a “archive of my twenties” in a 2022 cover story with Rolling Stone, has been praised by the publication for its lyrical depth and genre-blending sound, with critics noting it “showcases RM’s growth as a poet and musician, unafraid to explore vulnerability and connection”. While RM previously reached 1 billion streams across his solo tracks, mixtapes, and collaborations in 2021, as reported by Rolling Stone, Indigo’s latest milestone marks the first time his official solo album has hit the mark.

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that it has unfolded during the group’s military hiatus. Even as members step away from active promotion, their music continues to dominate global charts. In 2025 alone, BTS’ total catalog streams on Spotify reached 4.44 billion, keeping them the top-streamed Korean act for the eighth consecutive year, according to data compiled by Rolling Stone. Their solo success has also extended to other platforms: seven of the top 10 most-streamed K-pop songs globally in 2024 were solo tracks by BTS members, with Jimin’s “Who” claiming the top spot, as reported in Rolling Stone’s annual K-pop roundup.



For BTS, the milestone is more than just a numbers game it is a reflection of the deep bond between the group and their fans, known as ARMY, who have continued to support each member’s individual projects while waiting for their return as a group. As the members near the end of their military service, this historic achievement serves as a reminder of their enduring influence and the unprecedented legacy they continue to build, both together and apart, as chronicled extensively by Rolling Stone over the past decade.

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Liam Kim

South Korean Professional Journalist

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