Circle Chart has unveiled its comprehensive rankings for the week spanning September 6 to September 12, showcasing a dynamic landscape of popular music across various categories. The latest chart data highlights significant achievements for both emerging artists and established global acts, reflecting the diverse tastes of the K-pop and wider music fandom. From the physical sales arena to the digital and streaming realms, the charts paint a picture of current music consumption trends and artist popularity.
Album Chart: &TEAM Makes a Strong Korean Debut, Solo Efforts Shine
The physical album chart saw a powerful debut at the coveted No. 1 position by the nine-member Japanese group &TEAM. Their first Korean mini-album, "Mark on Me," marks a significant milestone in their career, signaling a focused push into the Korean music market. This debut not only signifies &TEAM’s growing international appeal but also their strategic expansion beyond their initial Japanese fanbase. The success of "Mark on Me" underscores the increasing global reach of K-pop-influenced groups and their ability to resonate with audiences across different territories.
Following closely, EVAN (Heeseung) secured the No. 2 spot with his highly anticipated solo mini-album, "DEATH OF ME." This release marks Heeseung’s official foray into solo activities outside of his group commitments, a move that has been keenly watched by fans. The strong performance of his debut solo project validates his individual artistry and his ability to captivate listeners independently. The chart placement suggests a significant existing fanbase eager to support his personal musical endeavors.
The chart continued to showcase impressive performances from prominent girl groups. LE SSERAFIM’s new single album, "Made My Night," entered the rankings at No. 3. This release further solidifies LE SSERAFIM’s reputation as a powerhouse in the current K-pop scene, known for their distinct concepts and energetic performances. Their consistent charting success demonstrates their strong and dedicated fandom.
Adding another layer of interest, the Weverse version of CORTIS’s "GREENGREEN" re-entered the chart at No. 4. This resurgence indicates a sustained interest in the artist’s work and the unique engagement strategies employed by platforms like Weverse in fostering continued fan interaction and sales. The re-entry highlights the lasting impact of physical album releases and the loyalty of specific fan communities.
Rounding out the top five, EXO’s Doh Kyung Soo, widely known as D.O., made a notable debut at No. 5 with his new solo mini-album, "DOPAMINE." D.O.’s solo career has consistently been met with critical acclaim and commercial success, and this latest release is no exception. His ability to chart strongly in the top tier, even amidst fierce competition, speaks to his enduring popularity and the significant influence he wields as a solo artist within the K-pop industry. The inclusion of both group and solo efforts from prominent artists like EXO members demonstrates the multifaceted career paths available to established idols and the varied ways fans choose to engage with their music.
Overall Digital Chart: Lim Young Woong’s Dominance Continues
The overall digital chart for the week of September 6-12 was unequivocally dominated by trot singer Lim Young Woong. He achieved a remarkable "double crown," topping not only the overall digital chart but also the streaming chart with his latest hit, "ToTo." This single, released as part of his new album "IM HERO 10," has clearly resonated deeply with the public, showcasing Lim Young Woong’s enduring appeal and his ability to connect with a broad audience across different age demographics. His consistent chart-topping success in the digital sphere underscores his status as a national favorite and a significant force in the Korean music industry.
RESCENE’s "LOVE ATTACK" maintained a strong presence, holding onto the No. 2 position on the overall digital chart. This sustained performance indicates the song’s popularity and its ability to remain a favorite among listeners. Following closely, CORTIS’s "REDRED" secured the No. 3 spot, demonstrating a consistent performance in the digital landscape as well. The dual charting of CORTIS’s releases across physical and digital formats suggests a well-rounded strategy and a growing artist profile.
I.O.I’s commemorative track "Suddenly," released in celebration of their 10th anniversary, climbed back up the chart to secure the No. 4 position. This resurgence is a testament to the enduring legacy of the project group and the continued affection fans hold for their music. The song’s re-entry into the top tier highlights the power of nostalgia and the impact of anniversary-related releases in rekindling fan engagement. BIG Naughty’s "Nostalgia" jumped to No. 5, showcasing the artist’s growing popularity and his ability to capture the attention of the digital music audience with his distinctive musical style.
Download Chart: Lim Young Woong Claims Top 5 Spots
The digital download chart presented an extraordinary display of Lim Young Woong’s commercial power, as he completely swept the top five positions. All songs from his new album "IM HERO 10" achieved remarkable penetration into the download market, with his title track "ToTo" leading the charge at No. 1. The subsequent tracks, "Baila" at No. 2, "Moise" at No. 3, "Please Be Happy" at No. 4, and "A Song For Us" at No. 5, all demonstrated significant download numbers. This unprecedented achievement underscores the immense loyalty of Lim Young Woong’s fanbase and their willingness to actively purchase music, a trend that is increasingly rare in the current streaming-dominated market. The dominance in the download chart also suggests a dedicated core of listeners who prefer ownership of their music and actively seek out their favorite artist’s full catalog.
Streaming Chart: RESCENE and CORTIS Maintain Momentum
The streaming chart saw RESCENE’s "LOVE ATTACK" continue its reign at the No. 1 position, maintaining its status as the most streamed song of the week. This sustained popularity highlights the song’s widespread appeal and its ability to consistently attract listeners on streaming platforms. CORTIS’s "REDRED" held firm at No. 2, further solidifying their presence in the digital streaming sphere. The simultaneous strong performance of "LOVE ATTACK" and "REDRED" on both the overall digital and streaming charts indicates their broad reach and consistent listener engagement.
I.O.I’s "Suddenly" secured the No. 3 spot on the streaming chart, indicating that the song’s nostalgic appeal is translating into active listening on streaming services. BIG Naughty’s "Nostalgia" made a significant leap to No. 4, demonstrating its growing popularity and its ability to capture the attention of a wider streaming audience. Rounding out the top five, RESCENE’s remake of "Pretty Girl" climbed to No. 5. This successful remake showcases the group’s ability to reinterpret existing hits and find new audiences for them, adding another dimension to their charting success.
Global K-Pop Chart: International Appeal Remains Strong
The Global K-Pop Chart reflects the international reach and popularity of K-pop artists and releases. HUNTR/X’s "Golden," featured on the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack, maintained its stronghold at the No. 1 position, underscoring the song’s strong global appeal and its ability to resonate with listeners worldwide. BTS’s "SWIM" also held its ground at No. 2, further demonstrating the enduring global influence of the septet and the continued interest in their music even during periods of individual activities.
The collaboration between BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Bruno Mars, "APT.," climbed back up to No. 3. This high-profile collaboration continues to garner significant attention on a global scale, highlighting the power of cross-genre and cross-cultural musical partnerships. ATEEZ’s "BAD" remained a strong contender at No. 4, showcasing the group’s growing international fanbase and their consistent impact on global charts. ILLIT’s "It’s Me" rose to No. 5, indicating the rookie group’s rapid ascent and their ability to capture the attention of international K-pop fans with their fresh sound and concept. The diversity of artists and genres represented on this chart highlights the evolving global K-pop landscape and the varied ways in which artists achieve international recognition.
Social Chart 3.0: ILLIT Leads the Pack, Established Acts Follow
The Social Chart 3.0, which measures artists’ engagement and popularity across social media platforms, saw ILLIT retain their No. 1 position. This sustained dominance on social media underscores their strong connection with fans online and their effective use of social platforms to build and maintain a dedicated following. BTS maintained their strong presence at No. 2, a testament to their massive global fanbase and their continued active engagement with fans across various platforms.
BLACKPINK secured the No. 3 spot, reflecting their continued global influence and their active social media presence. TWICE followed at No. 4, demonstrating their enduring popularity and consistent engagement with their fans. Stray Kids rounded out the top five at No. 5, highlighting their growing international fanbase and their strong presence in online fan communities. The Social Chart’s consistent inclusion of these major K-pop groups indicates the critical role social media plays in maintaining artist visibility and fostering fan loyalty in the digital age.
The Circle Chart rankings for the week of September 6-12 provide a comprehensive snapshot of the music industry’s current trends, celebrating the achievements of both established artists and rising stars. The data highlights the continued strength of physical album sales for dedicated fanbases, the pervasive influence of digital streaming, and the enduring power of artist-fan connections forged through social media. Congratulations are extended to all the artists who have achieved chart success this week.
