As of Nov. 7, solo tracks from idol group members occupy the top five spots on South Korea’s largest music platform, Melon’s Hot 100. BLACKPINK’s Rosé leads with “APT.” (1st), followed by BIGBANG’s G-Dragon with “POWER” (3rd), aespa’s Karina with “UP” (4th), and BLACKPINK’s Jennie with “Mantra” (5th). The only exception is aespa’s “Whiplash” in second place.
Similarly, The Circle Chart (formerly known as the Gaon Music Chart) shows that more than half of the top 10 spots on its latest “Global K-pop Chart” are solo tracks by idol members. These include Rosé (1st), BTS’s Jimin (3rd), G-Dragon (4th), Jennie (5th), BTS’s Jin (7th), BTS’s Jungkook (8th), and Karina (9th).
The trend of solo idol tracks dominating the charts continues. A source from a major idol agency said, “In the past, agencies were reluctant to release solo songs during group hiatuses for fear of rumors about disbandment or splitting the fanbase. But now, solo songs are often released alongside group tracks and even compete with them for chart positions.”
A prime example of this competition was aespa member Karina’s solo song “UP,” which went head-to-head with her group’s track “Whiplash” for the top spot upon release. BLACKPINK’s Lisa (“Moonlit Floor”), Jennie (“Mantra”), and Rosé (“APT.”) also dropped their new tracks in quick succession last month, battling for chart positions on international platforms like Billboard and the UK Official Charts.
Critics say this trend is fueled by the longer careers of idol groups and the flexibility of modern contract structures, which allow members to pursue both group and solo activities. In the past, idol groups often disbanded after their seven-year contract term ended. However, many groups have recently renewed their contracts and continued to thrive, including TWICE (nine years), BTS (11 years), and Super Junior (20 years).
BLACKPINK, for instance, chose a model where members signed with new agencies for solo activities while renewing their group contract with YG when their exclusive seven-year contracts expired last year. A source from a performance agency said, “Releasing solo songs gives members the chance to pursue their musical interests, creating an incentive to renew their contracts.”
Some analysts argue that solo songs have become an essential tool for filling the void during group hiatuses or content gaps. BTS serves as a key example, maintaining visibility by releasing solo tracks while members were fulfilling military service. BTS’s RM, for example, reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 with his second solo album released in May while serving in the military. Other members, including V (“FRI<END>S,” No. 65), Jungkook (“Never Let Go,” No. 97), and Jimin (“WHO,” No. 12), also saw their solo tracks enter the Billboard Hot 100 during their military breaks.
Music critic Lim Hee-yun said, “In the 2010s, idols often took periodic breaks between major comebacks. Today, idols keep their fanbase engaged by releasing singles and continuously sharing content on social media. Balancing solo activities helps maintain a steady flow of content.”
