A Definitive Listing of Melon Monthly Chart #1 Songs

3 months for Brave girls, that was one crazy run.

Interesting.

I wonder how it correlates to Gaon-Circle Monthly #1., that would establish how dominant Melon is among the charts.

Quote from wsoet

Oh for sure. I consider Rollin' the greatest "reverse run" in K-pop history.

It also seems to be the only song with 3 months and also 3 consecutive months on the list.

That it happened competing with IU - who of course has the most songs in the list (13 with collabs), was an amazing phenomenon.

I think "Hold my hand" is strong competitor for the title of "Greatest reverse run", it is twice older than "Rollin" when it came back.

Just that it is an "IU" song, so people take success as granted, whereas Brave Girls were an underdog on the verge of disbanding, so it is a miraculous story.

Quote from bbgc

Interesting.

I wonder how it correlates to Gaon-Circle Monthly #1., that would establish how dominant Melon is among the charts.

I would say they will skew a bit after the on set of streaming era because Gaon chart is boosted by downloads across services while downloads as a real medium of consumption started dying down and will only be done by fans.

How gee didn't win any song of the year? Or it did?

Wow Rollin crazy

IU, Bigbang and Wonder girls are the leaders. If you add GD to Bigbang then he matches IU.

But then they probably have the longest active careers among the idols.

BTS did not get on until Dynamite, I am surprised. Very strange that it is only their English songs that are on the list.

Oh Dynamite is also 3 consecutive months, aside from Rollin.

Though IU also has 3 consecutive months, but with 2 songs- Good Day & Some Day

hmm interesting

Dynamite and Rollin being the only songs with 3 months, damn. Surprisingly they are both from a non big 3 company

Quote from bbgc

BTS did not get on until Dynamite, I am surprised. Very strange that it is only their English songs that are on the list.

It’s not that strange. Their songs have good peaks but insane longevity. That’s how BTS moves.

Dynamite imo was their first track to ever have insane peak and crush with insane longevity. And that’s why it’s such a monster

Quote from Afriyieau1

It’s not that strange. Their songs have good peaks but insane longevity. That’s how BTS moves.

Dynamite imo was their first track to ever have insane peak and crush with insane longevity. And that’s why it’s such a monster

Well shouldn't analysis look for a reason other than "that's how they move" ?

so happy for ive, love dive is really such a good song

Quote from Afriyieau1

Dynamite and Rollin being the only songs with 3 months, damn. Surprisingly they are both from a non big 3 company

By the time Dynamite was released, BTS was huge enough, that the underdog narrative is unnecessary.

Compared to where Rollin rolled in from..

Quote from bbgc

By the time Dynamite was released, BTS was huge enough, that the underdog narrative is unnecessary.

Compared to where Rollin rolled in from..

umm then why was rollin booming at 2021?

Quote from bbgc

Well shouldn't analysis look for a reason other than "that's how they move" ?

What “reason” lol. You should compare this list with final UL numbers on Melon and see how they stack up. Melon monthly chart is determined by competition so competition based charts tell us nothing other that the fact that they were better than the competition for that month. Maybe the #2 or #3 of a particular month is actually more successful than a #1 of another month because of sheer competition.

It’s impressive no doubt to top monthly chart esp multiple months. But over all digital index and over all Melon ULS tell the actual success of a song.

Quote from ISaidISaid

What “reason” lol. You should compare this list with final UL numbers on Melon and see how they stack up. Melon monthly chart is determined by competition so competition based charts tell us nothing other that the fact that they were better than the competition for that month. Maybe the #2 or #3 of a particular month is actually more successful than a #1 of another month because of sheer competition.

It’s impressive no doubt to top monthly chart esp multiple months. But over all digital index and over all Melon ULS tell the actual success of a song.

There are different types of measurements needed to understand any field. Just because one measurement is preferable to you, does not mean others are not relevant.

You can stay disinterested, but why butt into others who would like to know 'why'?

Quote from bbgc

There are different types of measurements needed to understand any field. Just because one measurement is preferable to you, does not mean others are not relevant.

You can stay disinterested, but why butt into others who would like to know 'why'?

That user actually told you "why" but you aren't smart enough to pick it up. Dumbass.

Quote from desdesdes

umm then why was rollin booming at 2021?

Both Rollin and Dynamite took 3 consecutive months on the list, impressive.

But to equate BigHit-Hybe in 2020 with Brave Brothers in 2020, as though both were similar in terms of privilege/resources as non-Big3, is nonsensical.

By 2020, it was already being discussed whether it should be called Big4 including HYBE.

So the 2 songs are not comparable based on the companies.

I did not introduce the non-Big3 factor, you can check with the person who did.

Quote from bbgc

IU, Bigbang and Wonder girls are the leaders. If you add GD to Bigbang then he matches IU.

But then they probably have the longest active careers among the idols.

BTS did not get on until Dynamite, I am surprised. Very strange that it is only their English songs that are on the list.

Oh Dynamite is also 3 consecutive months, aside from Rollin.

Though IU also has 3 consecutive months, but with 2 songs- Good Day & Some Day

Display More

BTS only has four songs that ever reached #1 on Melon Daily Charts. Four. So it's not surprising at all that they only have a couple songs top the Monthly Chart.

Quote from BlackpinkHouse

BTS only has four songs that ever reached #1 on Melon Daily Charts. Four. So it's not surprising at all that they only have a couple songs top the Monthly Chart.

Well then the question is why do they have only 4 songs that reached #1 on the Daily.

But I am more curious why it is the English songs of BTS that made it to top #1 on monthly and not their Korean songs.

One possibility is that a percentage of BTS's popularity in S.Korea is because they are popular in the West, which caused the English songs which were major hits in the West, become hits in S.Korea as well.

That said, it is also true that they do better in longevity than peaks. A stable fandom can keep the song running for a long time, whereas GP interest drives the peak and then falls.

Quote from wsoet

That's an intriguing question you pose. Given Melon's declining market share, perhaps we might see growing divergence between Melon and Gaon monthly #1s over the years. I might tackle such an analysis in the future.

Analysis like this always makes me interested so much with digital chart. Thank you for making this thread

Quote from wsoet

Yes, the reversal for "Hold My Hand" happened right before Brave Girls'. However, the song wasn't nearly as dominant on the charts if I recall correctly.

Dominant depends on the period checked, yes Rollin was very dominant in the first half of 2021.

Hold my hand, though it didn't peak as high as Rollin, came back earlier and last I checked regularly charts ahead of Rollin.

It just didn't make as much a splash, lacking the underdog story.

But the two songs, maybe Laboum can be separate study to measure Reverse Runners - peak, longevity, reversal time since, ULs etc.

Quote from bbgc

There are different types of measurements needed to understand any field. Just because one measurement is preferable to you, does not mean others are not relevant.

You can stay disinterested, but why butt into others who would like to know 'why'?

I just told you why lol I answered the question you asked

Suga is on here with 3 different songs, wine, eight and that that.

Quote from bbgc

Well then the question is why do they have only 4 songs that reached #1 on the Daily.

But I am more curious why it is the English songs of BTS that made it to top #1 on monthly and not their Korean songs.

One possibility is that a percentage of BTS's popularity in S.Korea is because they are popular in the West, which caused the English songs which were major hits in the West, become hits in S.Korea as well.

That said, it is also true that they do better in longevity than peaks. A stable fandom can keep the song running for a long time, whereas GP interest drives the peak and then falls.

Display More

Because their eng songs are easy listening and very catchy. Almost all of their korean songs are pop but a bit experimental & out there like Fake Love or DNA if not a weak ballad songs like YTC or LGO. Like BWL (a catchy korean pop song) peaked at very high around 900k uls but it was only released at the same time as Some by Bol4 which is super massive at that time hence it didn't got the top spot. Most of the time- time releases play into a part of getting the top spot. Other songs went into top 1 but didn't got their uls, so it doesn't mean much.

Quote from call-911

Because their eng songs are easy listening and very catchy. Almost all of their korean songs are pop but a bit experimental & out there like Fake Love or DNA if not a weak ballad songs like YTC or LGO. Like BWL (a catchy korean pop song) peaked at very high around 900k uls but it was only released at the same time as Some by Bol4 which is super massive at that time hence it didn't got the top spot. Most of the time- time releases play into a part of getting the top spot. Other songs went into top 1 but didn't got their uls, so it doesn't mean much.

Once or twice, you could point to the nature of the song and competition during the time. But they have been around for 9 years and popular in Korea since 2016, have a huge discography of almost 200 songs by now.

Yet it took an English song in 2020 to achieve this.

So makes me wonder, whether Koreans recognised them to this extent, only when the West went ga-ga over the song, even though they had similar and IMO lyrically better songs in Korean before Dynamite..

Anyway we can only speculate.

I feel kind of sad, when external affirmation is needed to appreciate what is worthy from one's own culture. A colonized attitude.

Kind of reminds of Indian reports when ARRahman won the Oscars, many long time Indian fans were surprised because according to them ARR had far fantastic songs than Jai Ho, yet because of Western recognition it became a massive hit..

Que Sera Sera

Quote from bbgc

Once or twice, you could point to the nature of the song and competition during the time. But they have been around for 9 years and popular in Korea since 2016, have a huge discography of almost 200 songs by now.

Yet it took an English song in 2020 to achieve this.

So makes me wonder, whether Koreans recognised them to this extent, only when the West went ga-ga over the song, even though they had similar and IMO lyrically better songs in Korean before Dynamite..

Anyway we can only speculate.

I feel kind of sad, when external affirmation is needed to appreciate what is worthy from one's own culture. A colonized attitude.

Kind of reminds of Indian reports when ARRahman won the Oscars, many long time Indian fans were surprised because according to them ARR had far fantastic songs than Jai Ho, yet because of Western recognition it became a massive hit..

Que Sera Sera

Display More

You kinda sounds like WhyKnock with this one 😅 Anyways, I already said the reason. Their eng pop songs happen to be very catchy. If they released another BWL it will for sure make a top spot. But it's too late now since HYBE and the group are targeting for global stage with their eng songs and it honestly is the best formula for BTS since it smashes everywhere including in SK which is a feat since I haven't seen another kpop group do that well with their eng songs. BTS is not just a kpop group. They reached a massive audience outside of it and needed to cater to everyone else like many global stars do.

Quote from call-911

You kinda sounds like WhyKnock with this one 😅 Anyways, I already said the reason. Their eng pop songs happen to be very catchy. If they released another BWL it will for sure make a top spot. But it's too late now since HYBE and the group are targeting for global stage with their eng songs and it honestly is the best formula for BTS since it smashes everywhere including in SK which is a feat since I haven't seen another kpop group do that well with their eng songs. BTS is not just a kpop group. They reached a massive audience outside of it and needed to cater to everyone else like many global stars do.

Yes, here I am wondering about the Korean audiences indeed.

But I am not as whacko as whykock to proclaim that K-pop should entirely desert Korea etc.

And it is not uncommon that often an external perspective is needed to appreciate what is already with us.

As to the future, well let's see how they do as soloists in the long run.

Quote from bbgc

Once or twice, you could point to the nature of the song and competition during the time. But they have been around for 9 years and popular in Korea since 2016, have a huge discography of almost 200 songs by now.

Yet it took an English song in 2020 to achieve this.

So makes me wonder, whether Koreans recognised them to this extent, only when the West went ga-ga over the song, even though they had similar and IMO lyrically better songs in Korean before Dynamite..

Anyway we can only speculate.

I feel kind of sad, when external affirmation is needed to appreciate what is worthy from one's own culture. A colonized attitude.

Kind of reminds of Indian reports when ARRahman won the Oscars, many long time Indian fans were surprised because according to them ARR had far fantastic songs than Jai Ho, yet because of Western recognition it became a massive hit..

Que Sera Sera

Display More

I've always held that the Korea GP recognizes and supports BTS because of their accomplishments and successes, the pride that BTS has brought to Korea with their awards and charting successes here in the US and globally. They are definitely well known to GP and a digimon because of that, not because of their actual songs.

Quote from BlackpinkHouse

I've always held that the Korea GP recognizes and supports BTS because of their accomplishments and successes, the pride that BTS has brought to Korea with their awards and charting successes here in the US and globally. They are definitely well known to GP and a digimon because of that, not because of their actual songs.

Well it is a multi factored thing, nobody can say to what extent it is for the songs, irrespective of outside achievements and what extent is it due to external acclaim.

All we can surmise based on the pattern on Korean charts like this thread, is that the external acclaim is definitely a factor.

In any case, inside out or outside in, they are a phenomenon in K-pop .

Quote from bbgc

Yes, here I am wondering about the Korean audiences indeed.

But I am not as whacko as whykock to proclaim that K-pop should entirely desert Korea etc.

And it is not uncommon that often an external perspective is needed to appreciate what is already with us.

As to the future, well let's see how they do as soloists in the long run.

Display More

Yeah. Well their solo success will depend a lot on what kind of songs they will put out and their promotions. Seeing with J-Hope's solo- I doubt he'll reach his solo success with his song choices and not even a bare minimum promotions. It feels like a formalized mixtape than a proper solo debut.

Idk about the other members. I guess it depends on what they want to do or their goals. Some might want solo commercial success and some might want to express themselves through creative freedom and artistic purposes like what Jhope is doing.

Quote from call-911

Yeah. Well their solo success will depend a lot on what kind of songs they will put out and their promotions. Seeing with J-Hope's solo- I doubt he'll reach his solo success with his song choices and not even a bare minimum promotions. It feels like a formalized mixtape than a proper solo debut.

Idk about the other members. I guess it depends on what they want to do or their goals. Some might want solo commercial success and some might want to express themselves through creative freedom and artistic purposes like what Jhope is doing.

I don't subscribe to the narrative that artists don't want commercial success. That's a fan excuse, which is actually demeaning to the artist.

Just that already successful artists can afford to take some risks and not compromise on their own preferences. Nevertheless they wouldn't NOT wish for public to appreciate that.

Of course truly great artists, will take the public along even as they experiment and actually form/reform public tastes.

These things are better assessed by a body of work over a career, than jump to conclusions based on one success or one less than expected performance.

So let's watch how future unfolds

Quote from call-911

Because their eng songs are easy listening and very catchy. Almost all of their korean songs are pop but a bit experimental & out there like Fake Love or DNA if not a weak ballad songs like YTC or LGO. Like BWL (a catchy korean pop song) peaked at very high around 900k uls but it was only released at the same time as Some by Bol4 which is super massive at that time hence it didn't got the top spot. Most of the time- time releases play into a part of getting the top spot. Other songs went into top 1 but didn't got their uls, so it doesn't mean much.

No point telling these "chart lovers" lol....

I'm sure none of them know 'DNA' was only 2nd to IU song, LGO was 2nd to 'Dynamite' which was so huge that it blocked even the main single of Blackpink's first ever full album which was heavily promoted in Korea, 'ON' blocked by Zico's 'Any Song' which went viral at the same time as 'ON' was released.

These "chart watchers" probably still wouldn't have seen that Paul Kim's EDEM which has more than 3b GAON digital points was not good enough to top this "Melon Monthly charts" in any of the big months it would have had over these years.

Because these users follow charts not because they like doing so but because they have narratives to push like "BTS are popular only because of their western achievements in the US", etc. when 'Spring Day' & 'Blood, Sweat & Tears' & 'FIRE' were their most used tracks on Korean Television till 'Dynamite' happened. 'DNA' was #2 on every chart and if not for IU fandom's mass streaming it would have gone #1....

All I said was I am surprised that it was only in 2020 with an English song that BTS made this list. I simply had assumed that their Korean songs would have already done so.

I would have thought that the 'surprise' would have been seen as a compliment to BTS.

But no, some ARMY are so touchy..

Anyway don't want to hijack this records thread into yet another BTS slanging match

I will exit here on that subject.

Better to discuss other artists.

Quote from bbgc

I don't subscribe to the narrative that artists don't want commercial success. That's a fan excuse, which is actually demeaning to the artist.

Just that already successful artists can afford to take some risks and not compromise on their own preferences. Nevertheless they wouldn't NOT wish for public to appreciate that.

Of course truly great artists, will take the public along even as they experiment and actually form/reform public tastes.

These things are better assessed by a body of work over a career, than jump to conclusions based on one success or one less than expected performance.

So let's watch how future unfolds

Display More

I'm not making an excuse. Artists know what songs will do well with charts esp to veterans like BTS. They have to release commercialize songs to pander with as many people as possible. It's not a reached to say that Jhope or some members might only want to release what they want. Targetting commercial success and wanting success is different. If Jhope really want commercial success he will be releasing trendy rap songs and promote it as much as he can but that's not what's happening. He might not feel the need about it after stifling his solo creativity to release generic commercialized songs in his group releases. But yeah, let’s see. This is merely my observations from what's happening rn.

Quote from call-911

Artists know what songs will do well with charts esp to veterans

No they don't.

No, not even the veterans can assume that.

That's what makes artistry great, that they have to face the test time and again, never know when the public taste changes.