K-pop rookie TWS tops Melon as the most streamed with their debut hit, "Plot Twist." Courtesy of Pledis Entertainment

K-pop rookie boy band TWS achieved the most-streamed debut single of the year on Korea's top music platform, Melon, with "Plot Twist."

It was followed by girl group (G)I-DLE's "Fate" in second place. aespa's "Supernova," which held the top spot on Melon's weekly chart for 15 consecutive weeks, securing the record for the longest time at number one, ranked third.

According to Melon's annual chart released on Thursday, six-member boy group TWS claimed the top spot with "Plot Twist," the title track from its debut album "Sparkling Blue," released on Jan. 22 last year.

It is the first time in 14 years that a debut track has topped Melon's annual chart, with the last being girl group miss A's "Bad Girl Good Girl" in 2010. TWS is also the first boy group to claim the top spot in six years, following iKON's "Love Scenario" in 2018.

Aespa's "Supernova" ranks third among Melon's most streamed songs last year. Courtesy of SM Entertainment

Shift in dominance: Girl groups and K-band rise

Although K-pop girl groups remained strong on the charts, their prominence slightly waned. In 2023, eight of the top 10 tracks were by girl groups, but in 2024, only three made the top 10.

(G)I-DLE and aespa were joined by ILLIT's debut single, "Magnetic," in eighth place. NewJeans also showcased its dominance, placing six songs in the Top 40, including "How Sweet" (15th) and "Bubblegum" (35th). Notably, the group's older hits like "Hype Boy" (23rd), "Ditto" (33rd), "ETA" (36th) and "Super Shy" (37th) remained popular.

In contrast, the rise of K-bands — a fusion of K-pop and rock band elements — marked a significant trend.

DAY6 demonstrated broad mainstream appeal by placing four songs in the Top 40, including "Time of Our Life" at fifth, "You Were Beautiful" at seventh, "Welcome to the Show" at 17th and "Happy" at 38th.

Girl band QWER also scored well with "T.B.H" at 10th and "My Name Is Malgeum" at 91st.

K-pop rock band DAY6 lands four songs in Melon's Top 40. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

Solo artists shine

Solo artists also delivered standout performances. IU's hit "Love wins all" ranked fourth, while Lim Jae-hyun's "Rhapsody of Sadness" took sixth place.

Other notable solo entries in the Top 20 included Lee Chang-sub's "Heavenly Fate" (9th), Taeyeon's "To. X" (11th), Lee Moo-jin's "Episode" (12th), BIBI's "Bam Yang Gang" (16th) and Parc Jae-jung's "Let's Say Goodbye" (18th).

Zico's collaboration with BLACKPINK's Jennie on "SPOT!" secured the 19th spot. BLACKPINK's Rose also charted 46th with "APT.," her duet with American pop star Bruno Mars, released in October.

On Melon's international songs chart, Charlie Puth's "I Don't Think That I Like Her" secured first place for the second consecutive year. NewJeans' Japanese debut track "Supernatural" took second, while Seiko Matsuda's classic "Blue Lagoon," performed by NewJeans' Hanni during a Tokyo Dome concert, entered the domestic chart for the first time, ranking 95th.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.