K-POP Charts See Shift from Groups to Solo Artists as “Second Golden Age” Emerges

The South Korean music market is undergoing rapid changes. Charts once dominated by group idols are now filled primarily by solo artists. According to the latest data from Melon, Korea’s largest music streaming service, aespa is the only group idol remaining in the top 10. In May of last year, aespa ranked 7th, IVE at 9th, and BOYNEXTDOOR at 10th on Melon’s monthly chart, but in May 2023, groups accounted for seven out of the top 10 spots, including ILLIT, IVE, I-DLE, QWER, TWS, aespa, and BABYMONSTER. A similar pattern appeared on Circle Chart’s April digital chart, operated by the Korea Music Content Association. Solo artists such as G-DRAGON, Jennie, Woods, Jo Jae-ze, Hwang Ga-ram, and Rosé dominated the rankings, with only three group songs listed—aespa’s “Supernova,” IVE’s “Heya,” and LE SSERAFIM’s “Hot.” Even in the most recent weekly chart, only aespa, BOYNEXTDOOR, and RIIZE made it into the top 10. Music critic Lim Hee-yoon analyzed the situation by stating, “K-POP groups are not performing well right now. While artists like IU remain consistently strong, and soloists such as Woods, Hwang Ga-ram, and Jo Jae-ze are gradually building momentum with impressive comebacks or ballads, group idols lack many new songs that can truly capture the public’s attention.” Numerous groups, including NCT Wish, LE SSERAFIM, TWS, BOYNEXTDOOR, Hearts2Hearts, and GIGIGI, released new albums in the first half of this year but failed to maintain a consistent presence on the charts. In contrast, many of the solo artists dominating the charts are former members of major groups like BIGBANG and BLACKPINK. Their strong brand recognition, solid fan bases, and outstanding individual musical talent have contributed to their success. G-DRAGON from BIGBANG ranked first on Circle Chart’s April “Digital Top 400 Artist Index,” with 12 of his songs appearing on the top 400 chart, accounting for 5.5% of the total. This shift is also attributed to differences in music formats. Idol music is designed around choreography and contains plenty of rap, making it exciting on stage, but in the streaming era, solo songs that showcase an artist’s individual artistry and creativity gain greater resonance. 2025 marks a “Renaissance” era as veteran K-POP idols return with solo projects. Professional musicians who led K-POP from the late 2000s to the mid-2010s are stepping back onto stages. Their solo activities are not merely aimed at staying relevant but express a determination to grow, reinvent themselves, and dominate new stages with their own unique voices. Jay Park, Leader of 2PM, launched his six-year-long world tour “Serenades and Body Rolls” to commemorate the 10th anniversary of “MOMMAE,” while ONEW, Leader and main vocalist of SHINee, is expanding his own musical territory through solo albums. For long-time fans, this change holds deep significance, as they get to watch their beloved idols grow, take risks, and share their own stories.