Solo acts dominate Korean charts as K-pop groups fade from top rankings
Singer 10CM, right, and TV personality Joo Woo-jae. Courtesy of CAM
Solo artists have taken over Korea’s digital music charts in a notable shift, edging out idol groups that once reigned supreme. Since April, the top spots across major charts have consistently been filled by solo performers, a stark contrast to past trends dominated by K-pop groups.
According to data from the Korea Music Content Association’s Circle Chart, solo artists have held all five top positions on the digital chart — which combines streaming and downloads — for eight consecutive weeks from March 16 to May 10.
Recent chart-toppers include WOODZ’s “Drowning,” Jennie’s “Like Jennie,” G-Dragon’s “Too Bad,” 10CM’s “To Reach You,” Zo Zazz’s “Don’t You Know?” and Hwang Garam’s “I Am a Firefly.”
A similar trend is visible on Korea’s largest music platform, Melon. Since girl group IVE’s “Love & Heart” ranked No. 5 in the third week of March, solo acts have monopolized the top five.
In the most recent weekly chart (May 12–18), aespa’s “Whiplash,” released in October last year, was the highest-ranking K-pop group song at No. 7. The only other group songs in the top 10 are BOYNEXTDOOR’s “I Love You” and IVE’s “Rebel Heart,” both released in January.
While the early months of the year are often considered a lull for K-pop, the contrast is clear compared to previous years. In spring 2023, groups like NewJeans, IVE, Le Sserafim and aespa consistently topped charts.
Singer WOODZ. Courtesy of EDAM Entertainment
Evolving tastes of listeners
This year, although many K-pop groups such as NCT WISH, TWS, Le Sserafim, Zerobaseone, BOYNEXTDOOR and P1Harmony have released new albums, they have not made the same impact on the charts.
New girl groups like Hearts2Hearts and KiiiKiii, despite major investment, have also yet to deliver breakout hits.
Analysts point to several factors. While idol groups have launched new releases, many of the songs currently charting high gained traction organically, without heavy promotion.
Viral social media content and public word-of-mouth have propelled lesser-known or older songs by solo artists into the spotlight.
WOODZ’s “Drowning,” for example, was originally released two years ago but climbed the charts following a buzzworthy performance on KBS2’s “Immortal Songs” last year — aired as a military special — while the singer is currently serving in the army.
Likewise, 10CM’s “Reach You” is a cover of a 15-year-old Japanese anime theme song that became popular after entertainer Joo Woo-jae featured it in a video challenge. Tracks by lesser-known singers like Hwang Garam and Zo Zazz have gained long-term chart presence through viral traction on social media.
Experts say the shift reflects not only the evolving tastes of listeners but also a broader diversification in the domestic music landscape.
“The success of ballads and the rise of Japanese songs even beyond the top 200 show the growing demand for varied genres," music data journalist Kim Jin-woo said. "As ballads, dance, hip-hop and rock all find their audiences, Korea’s digital music market is becoming more diverse and healthier.”
As solo artists lead the way and unconventional paths to chart success become more common, the dominance of idol groups on Korea’s music charts may no longer be a given.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.