K-Pop Reigns Supreme: LE SSERAFIM, IU, and TWICE Top the Circle Charts

South Korea’s music scene continues to pulsate with vibrant energy, as revealed by the latest Circle Chart rankings for February 18th to 24th. The Circle Chart, often compared to Japan’s Oricon and the US Billboard charts, serves as the nation’s premier music popularity gauge.

This week’s rankings showcase a captivating blend of established stars and rising talents, offering a glimpse into the ever-evolving landscape of K-Pop.

Dominating the Digital Realm

The digital singles chart is a battleground where established soloists and groups vie for supremacy. This week, BIBI takes the crown with her hit single “Bam Yang Gang.” Following closely behind is the ever-popular IU with her heartwarming track “Love Wins All,” solidifying her place as a K-Pop icon.

Rounding out the top five are TWS with their catchy “Plot Twist,” Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon with the sentimental “To.X,” and Lim Jae Hyun with the emotionally resonant “Rhapsody of Sadness.” IU further cements her dominance with “Shopper” and “Holssi” at positions six and seven, respectively.

LE SSERAFIM, the K-Pop industry’s newest rising stars, make their presence felt with “Perfect Night” at number eight, followed by RIIZE’s “Love 119” and LE SSERAFIM’s chart-topping debut single “EASY” at number ten.

Physical Albums Reflect Fan Devotion

The physical album rankings paint a similar picture, with LE SSERAFIM’s debut album “EASY” reigning supreme. Following closely behind is TWICE’s “With YOU-th,” another testament to their dedicated fanbase. IU’s “The Winning” takes the third spot, showcasing her enduring popularity. LE SSERAFIM doesn’t stop there, with the “Weverse Version” of “EASY” securing the fourth position.

Rounding out the top ten are solo efforts from MAMAMOO’s Moonbyul with “Starlit of Muse” (standard and POCA versions), TWICE’s special “With YOU-th (Nemo Version),” TWS’s “Sparkling Blue,” SEVENTEEN’s powerhouse album “Face the Sun,” and GOT7’s Yugyeom with “TRUST ME.”

Karaoke: Where Classics Reign

The Circle Chart also delves into the world of Korean karaoke, revealing the nation’s favorite sing-along anthems. Topping the list is Parc Jae Jung’s emotional ballad “Let’s Say Goodbye,” followed by Lim Jae Hyun’s “Rhapsody of Sadness,” showcasing the enduring power of these heartfelt tracks.

Nerd Connection’s “Only If I Have You,” Hwagok Dong Green Frog’s nostalgic “Remember Me,” and DAY6’s timeless “You Were Beautiful” complete the top five. Rounding out the list are a mix of contemporary hits and sentimental favorites, including izi’s “Emergency Room,” DK’s “Heart,” BumJin’s “A Letter,” MC The Max’s “No Matter Where,” and Yoon Jong Shin’s “Like It.”

The Circle Chart rankings provide a valuable window into the ever-changing dynamics of South Korea’s music scene. This week’s results highlight the dominance of K-Pop, with established stars like IU and TWICE sharing the spotlight with rising talents like LE SSERAFIM. The popularity of ballads in karaoke rooms further emphasizes the Koreans’ love for emotional storytelling through music. Whether it’s digital streaming, physical album sales, or belting out tunes in a karaoke room, one thing is clear: K-Pop continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Here are the Circle Chart rankings from February 18-24

Circle Chart National Digital Singles Ranking 

1. BIBI – Bam Yang Gang

2. IU – Love Wins All

3. TWS – Plot Twist

4. Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon – To.X

5. Lim Jae Hyun – Rhapsody Of Sadness

6. IU – Shopper

7. IU – Holssi

8. LE SSERAFIM – Perfect Night

9. RIIZE– Love 119

10. LE SSERAFIM – EASY

Circle Chart National Physical Albums Ranking

1. LE SSERAFIM – EASY

2. TWICE – With YOU-th

3. IU – The Winning

4. LE SSERAFIM – EASY (Weverse Version)

5. MAMAMOO’s Moonbyul – Starlit of Muse

6. TWICE – With YOU-th (Nemo Version)

7. TWS – Sparkling Blue

8. SEVENTEEN – Face the Sun 

9. MAMAMOO’s Moonbyul – Starlit of Muse (POCA Version)

10. GOT7’s Yugyeom – TRUST ME

Top 10 songs sung at Karaoke

1. Parc Jae Jung – Let’s Say Goodbye

2. Lim Jae Hyun – Rhapsody Of Sadness

3. Nerd Connection – Only If I Have You

4. Hwagok Dong Green Frog – Remember Me

5. DAY6 – You Were Beautiful

6. izi – Emergency Room

7. DK – Heart

8. BumJin – A Letter

9. MC The Max – No Matter Where

10. Yoon Jong Shin – Like It

Or, you can read the full Circle Chart here.