What used to be a joke among Korean pop music industry officials has become a reality. Of course, it’s not easy to get on the Billboard charts. However, it is true that K-pop singers such as BTS, Stray Kids, and Seventeen have been frequently ranked at the top of the Billboard charts. On the other hand, it has become difficult to find the name of a male idol at the top of Melon, the nation’s largest music site.
Meanwhile, the group BIGBANG swept the domestic music charts with its first new song “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter” in four years.It topped the Melon daily chart in just half a day since it was released at midnight on the 5th.As of 0:00 p.m. on the fourth day, it is still at the top. In addition, the number of Melon users exceeded 900,000 in 24 hours. According to an analysis by netizens, it is the first time in two years that the number of users exceeds 900,000 24 hours after the release of the song.
“Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter” has also risen in the global rankings. The iTunes World Wide Song Chart also occupied for two consecutive days, and the song, which entered the Sportify Global Chart 115th place on the first day of its release, settled at 21st place, up 94 steps in just one day on the 6th. It is proving its huge popularity on YouTube, breaking the record of 24 hour views excluding BTS and BLACKPINK.
Previously, BIGBANG had always been at the top of the charts during its activities, solidifying its position on the music charts. According to Gaon Chart, the number of times BIGBANG topped the weekly chart on an annual basis for the past 10 years was the highest at seven in 2015, and the most recent at three in 2018. The number one song on the weekly chart is a total of 10. He even set a rare record in 2015, ranking first on the monthly chart for four consecutive months.
Given these past performances, BIGBANG’s latest No. 1 ranking could be taken for granted. However, the reason why it gives meaning to BIGBANG’s Melon No. 1 ranking, which was taken for granted only five to six years ago, is that it has become difficult to enter the top ranks of the Melon charts. BIGBANG is the only boy idol group that has topped the Melon chart every day since the chart aggregation method was changed.
Most of the so-called “fourth generation” boy idol groups do not rank high on domestic music sites, even though they perform well on overseas iTunes charts. In the past, it was common for singers who were popular in Korea to enter Asian countries such as Japan, but in recent years, they have received attention from overseas first and are often known in Korea.
The fact that BIGBANG’s music topped the Melon Chart and the possibility of long-term rule is mentioned can be interpreted as a sign that not only fandom but also the public are intensively using the music at the same time. The strong consumption phenomenon that appeared at the beginning of the existing release could be maintained for two to three weeks, not only by fandom but also by the general public.
Of course, the eyes of BIGBANG are not all that beautiful. This is because two members of the group, including Seungri, who caused a stir over the Burning Sun scandal in Gangnam, and T.O.P, who admitted smoking marijuana four times in total and was sentenced to 10 months in prison – on probation – in 2017, were clearly found guilty. Seung-ri left the team in 2019, and T.O.P. participated in this “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter,” but with the end of his contract with YG, observers say that BIGBANG’s activities are virtually the last. G-Dragon and Daesung have also been embroiled in frequent gossip.
Critics who failed to fulfill their responsibilities as a senior group cannot be avoided, but nevertheless, the performance of “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter” proved again that BIGBANG is a group with public awareness beyond a certain fandom. This is based on the musical achievements of BIGBANG and is the biggest difference from the current junior idol groups. That’s why some say, “I don’t like BIGBANG, but I listen to BIGBANG music.”
