aespa has claimed the No. 1 spot on the inaugural "Global-K Chart," the first chart to compile data from music platforms across Korea, China and Japan. The achievement carries added significance as the group becomes the first artist to win the favor of users in the three markets considered the largest consumers of K-pop.
Melon, the music platform operated by Kakao Entertainment, officially launched the Global-K Chart on Wednesday in partnership with China's Tencent Music and Japan's LINE Music, unveiling its first results. The chart is calculated by combining streaming data and fandom activity metrics from Melon, QQ Music and LINE Music.
aespa headlined the debut edition of the Global-K Chart, taking the top spot on the daily, weekly and monthly charts to demonstrate an overwhelming presence. The group's second studio album "LEMONADE," released on Oct. 29, along with the pre-release track "WDA (Whole Different Animal)," drew strong interest from global fans and swept the top of the charts.
BTS came in second. The group, which released its fifth studio album "ARIRANG" in March, reaffirmed its strong fandom influence across Korea, China and Japan. With balanced performances in both streaming metrics and fan activity, BTS reinforced its standing as a leading global K-pop group.
ILLIT ranked third on the monthly chart, with "It's Me," the title track of its fourth mini-album "MAMIHLAPINATAPAI," gaining popularity and securing a top-tier position. Rookie boy group CORTIS came in fourth, drawing attention from fans across the three countries, while IVE took fifth place on the strength of its fourth Japanese album "LUCID DREAM."
NMIXX followed at sixth, LE SSERAFIM at seventh and BOYNEXTDOOR at eighth. Notably, the upper rankings were dominated by artists who made comebacks or released new albums in May. Analysts say the simultaneous rise in streaming consumption and fan metrics reflects the concentration of fandom activity around new releases.
The staying power of artists without official promotional activities also drew attention. SEVENTEEN ranked ninth, maintaining strong streaming figures and fandom firepower despite having no notable activities. BLACKPINK placed 11th based on group-level streaming figures, even as members pursued individual activities.
NewJeans (13th) and IU (17th) also made the upper rankings despite having no separate album activities during the tracking period. Steady streaming and fandom engagement translated into chart performance, observers said.
The Global-K Chart integrates data from Korea, China and Japan, the three markets that serve as the central axis of global K-pop consumption. A defining feature is that it reflects not only streaming performance but also fandom activity metrics, showing the actual influence of K-pop artists.
"The Global-K Chart comprehensively captures the music consumption and fandom activities of fans in Korea, China and Japan," a Melon official said. "We will develop it into a leading indicator that most accurately reflects the global flow of K-pop."
The Global-K Chart is updated daily at noon on Melon, QQ Music and LINE Music.
