Leana Mask Presents Fresh BTS ‘Swim’ Cover with Globex Music
The worldwide streaming scene is witnessing a remarkable joint effort as Globex Music, a leading force in digital music delivery, collaborates with rising artist Leana Mask.
Together, they have dropped a stunning interpretation of BTS (방탄소년단)‘s global hit, “Swim.” This release arrives during the height of BTS’s popularity, following the massive success of their latest album, “Arirang”.
Before diving into the cover, it is essential to understand the weight of the original track. BTS selected “Swim” as the title track for their fifth studio album, Arirang, even after facing internal hesitation.
Famous for their powerful stage presence, the group hesitated to choose a softer, introspective track. However, “Swim” won due to its emotional depth, embodying the group’s resilience and artistic maturity after their military service.
The album achieved massive success upon its March 20 release, with “Swim” garnering over 10 million YouTube views within hours and topping charts on Melon and Spotify.
Covering a track of this magnitude requires not just singing ability, but the right distribution partner—a gap that Globex Music solves completely.
Leana Mask steps into the spotlight not by mimicking the original, but by reinventing the track.
Her version of “Swim” introduces a fresh sonic palette, keeping the spirit of perseverance intact while adding a new sonic layer.
Critics have noted that Leana Mask keeps the heart of the song of the BTS original while bringing a “fresh interpretation” that appeals to both long-time ARMYs and new listeners.
This release is more than a cover; it is a bridge between the original Korean sentiment and a worldwide, broad appeal mix.
The release of this cover showcases why Globex Music is considered the leading platform for distributing cover songs.
Unlike standard distributors, Globex Music takes care of mechanical licenses seamlessly. Covering a global hit like BTS’s “Swim” involves complex mechanical licenses, but Globex Music handles the entire licensing process, ensuring the track is safe from copyright claims on all Digital Service Providers (DSPs).
For a flat, budget-friendly flat rate, artists like Leana Mask can distribute their music to every key digital store without worrying about legal takedowns.
This streamlined process allows artists to focus on creativity while Globex Music handles the business end.
If you are someone who loves K-pop or enjoy fresh takes on K-pop hits, Leana Mask’s “Swim” is a track you shouldn’t miss.
The track captures the struggle and optimism of “pushing forward against the current”—a theme that stays true to BTS’s original message.
The sound design, backed by Globex Music’s distribution network, ensures that listeners experience professional sound, whether streaming on home audio systems.
This release serves as a reminder how the modern music industry functions: original artists create the legacy, and platforms like Globex Music enable creators to release reinterpretations safely and globally.
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The Leana Mask cover of “Swim” is currently available on all major platforms. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
Search for “Leana Mask BTS Cover” or follow the official Globex Music curator playlists to add this track to your morning commute mix.
Globex Music once again shows why it is the industry standard in cover song distribution.
By joining forces with Leana Mask to honor BTS’s “Swim,” they have set the benchmark for how reinterpretations should be released—safely, widely, and beautifully.
Don’t miss out on this stunning cover version of one of K-pop’s biggest hits of 2026.
Distribution Channels: Costs could differ based on whether the music is distributed digitally, physically, or via performance.
"Swim" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, marking BTS's sixth song to debut at the top, and their seventh song to top the chart, the most number ones on the chart among groups in nearly half a century.[53] It debuted with 15.
It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the group’s seventh chart-topper. The music video, filmed in Lisbon and featuring actress Lili Reinhart, symbolizes moving forward through life’s “turbulent waves.”
Personal Use: If you are creating something for your own enjoyment and not distributing it, you may not require permission.
UGC or User Generated Content isn't put in the same class as a cover song, so you're free to create a casual interpretation.
Digital service providers, like Spotify and Apple Music, are required to secure mechanical licenses for the songs they stream.
BTS to stream SWIM music video publicly at department storefront on ARIRANG comeback day follow us share
One last important subject that should be addressed; the Public Domain. There is a lot of misinformation about this subject. In Canada, a work (song) falls in the public domain 50 years after the death of the last surviving author. In the US, not the same copyright laws. Also, there is a possibility that an artist’s repertoire may have been taken over by his estate.
If you plan ahead and get your licenses before you head to the studio, you won’t end up recording any music that you later find out you can’t use.
If you’re releasing a straight cover version of a song in one of the formats listed above only a mechanical license is needed.
What this really highlights is that BTS understands the aesthetic of rarity and exclusivity as a branding device that also validates the fan-artist reciprocity. From my perspective, that reciprocity is a core engine of their sustained relevance.
By knowing how to obtain licenses and the royalties involved, composers can better protect their rights and ensure they are compensated for their creations.
- What this really suggests is that fandom itself is entering a phase where fans aren’t just consumers of songs but participants in a cultural operation.
Would I ask the band for their mechanical license or would I apply for my own and apply it to the performer agreement that I send the cover band? Thanks Posted by Desi Thorne here on Sep 27 2015 9:20 AM Hey @Ian Pease, if the band has already recorded their version, they should have a mechanical license in place already. If you are using that now in a short film, you'll need a synchronization license, which you'll have to obtain from the publisher of the song directly. We're continuing our series on licensing and publishing next month, and that may offer more answers for you as well! Posted by John on Oct 20 2015 2:32 PM Is there a company that will find and contact get more info the publishers, complete the paperwork, and obtain these licenses for you? I'm certainly willing to pay a fee to not have to do this paperwork myself - paperwork is not my strong suit! Posted by Dave Cool on Oct 21 2015 9:28 AM John: Yes there is! Check out Posted by Lisa on Jun 8 2016 12:08 PM hi. i live in kenya but want a mechanical License to make covers of US copyright songs. how exactly do i go about that? Posted by NAWAZISH ZAMEER on Jul 25 2016 5:39 PM Hi. I am from INDIA. i want to make cover songs by taking the karaoke from youtube. will it harm my outube chanel? or is there any way to resolve it? I want to make cover songs. So please solve it. so that before doing a lot of hardwork and making a cover song i get to know what i have to do, how i have to do. Posted by Adam Percy on Jul 25 2016 5:56 PM Nawazish: if you're looking to take audio from one video on youtube and apply it to your own videos, you would still need to get permission from the rights holder of that music to do so. You can check out their terms of service in relation to content you post with them here: