Why did Hanroro’s Landing in Love become the most-streamed song in Korea in the first half of the year?

The song gained popularity through word of mouth among younger listeners after its August 2023 release. It stayed in the top 10 of the Circle Chart’s weekly digital and streaming charts since late November, which helped cement its position.

How many copies did BTS’ Arirang sell in the first half of the year?

Arirang sold 4,224,016 copies during the January-June period, making it the highest-selling album in the midyear report. The album was released on March 20.

What song led the Global K-pop Chart in the first half of the year?

Golden, performed by the fictional girl group Huntr/x for the Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters, topped the Global K-pop Chart. The song also held the No. 1 spot on the weekly version of the chart for 38 consecutive weeks.

Hanroro's 'Landing in Love' most-streamed song in Korea in 1st half

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Summary

Hanroro’s Landing in Love was the most-streamed song in Korea in the first half of the year, according to a midyear report from the Korea Popmusic Industry Association. BTS topped album sales with Arirang, which sold 4,224,016 copies in the same period. The association said Landing in Love led both the digital and streaming categories for January to June. On the Global K-pop Chart, Golden by the fictional group Huntr/x from KPop Demon Hunters was No. 1.

Key Facts

Landing in Love, from Hanroro’s debut EP Take-off, ranked No. 1 in both the digital and streaming categories for January to June.
The song was released in August 2023 and gained popularity through word of mouth among younger listeners.
BTS’ fifth studio album Arirang sold 4,224,016 copies during the first half of the year.
Arirang was released on March 20 and is a 14-track album about BTS’ identity and the universal emotions its members have encountered.
Golden by Huntr/x topped the Global K-pop Chart and stayed No. 1 on the weekly chart for 38 consecutive weeks.

By Yonhap

Published Jul 10, 2026 11:35 am KST

Singer-songwriter Hanroro / Korea Times file photo

Singer-songwriter Hanroro's "Landing in Love" was the most-streamed song in Korea during the first half of the year, while the boy group BTS topped album sales with its latest album, "Arirang," industry data showed Friday.

According to a midyear report from the Korea Popmusic Industry Association, which operates the Circle Chart, the track from Hanroro's debut EP, "Take-off," ranked No. 1 in both the digital and streaming categories for the January-June period.

Released in August 2023, the song gained popularity through word of mouth among younger listeners to become her signature hit. It has remained in the top 10 of the Circle Chart's weekly digital and streaming charts since late November, cementing its status as one of the defining songs of the first half of the year.

BTS' fifth studio album "Arirang" was the highest-selling album, with 4,224,016 copies sold during the same period.

Released March 20, the 14-track album explores the identity of BTS as a group that began in Korea and the universal emotions its members have encountered throughout their lives.

While the association announced the comprehensive midyear data Friday, the Circle Chart website currently only reflects the first-half update for the Global K-pop Chart.

Topping the chart, which measures both domestic and overseas streaming, was "Golden," performed by the fictional girl group Huntr/x for the hit Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters." The song held the No. 1 spot for 38 consecutive weeks on the weekly version of the chart.

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