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If you're a fan of K-Pop and often catch performances of your favorite idols on platforms like YouTube, you've likely watched countless stages from popular music programs like M Countdown or Music Bank. These shows offer exciting performances every week, alongside the coveted trophies given to the best performers.
Many groups walk away with these trophies regularly, but for others, their first music show win can take years to achieve. For most idols, winning a music show trophy is a major milestone, a sign of their success. For smaller groups who wait a long time for their first win, it’s nothing short of a breakthrough!
Even for the bigger groups who rack up wins frequently, these trophies still hold great significance. A song’s popularity is often judged by how many music show wins it garners. Plus, idols often boast records about how quickly after debut they secured their first win, or if they’ve earned a "Triple Crown."
But have you ever wondered how these winners are chosen? In this article, we'll break down the chart systems used by different music shows and explain terms like “Triple Crown” to give you a clearer picture of how it all works.
Music shows that feature a chart system and award trophies include Music Bank, Show! Music Core, Show Champion, Inkigayo, The Show, and M Countdown. Let’s take a closer look at each of them:
Music Bank, another long-standing program, has been on the air since 1998. Initially broadcast live, it switched to a pre-recorded format in 2005. After a decline in ratings, the show returned to a live format in 2007.
Show! Music Core, which first aired in October 2005, replaced a series of earlier chart shows on MBC. The chart system was removed just a year later to focus more on music, and over the next few years, the system was introduced and discontinued multiple times. The current chart system has been in place since 2017.
Show Champion, which first aired in 2012, is even younger than The Show. Since 2013, the show has been broadcast live instead of being pre-recorded.
The Show, one of the newer music programs, has been airing since 2011. Its current chart system was implemented in 2014.
M Countdown, which premiered in 2004, is known for unique segments such as the MCD Vocal Challenge, where idols perform covers of popular songs together.
Inkigayo holds the title of the longest-running music show today, debuting in 1998. It originally aired under the name “SBS Popular Song” in 1991 but was canceled in 1993 before being revived in 1998. Inkigayo also removed its chart system in 2012 to prioritize music content, but it was reinstated in 2013.
The fact that many music shows have periodically introduced and removed their chart systems highlights the importance these charts play in the show’s popularity. These programs attract attention because they feature all of the top idols, giving fans the chance to see their favorite stars live multiple times a week, whether in person or through online broadcasts. With platforms like YouTube and the availability of subtitles, international fans can also easily enjoy the shows and performances.
Several factors contribute to determining the winners on music shows. For four of the major shows—Show! Music Core, Show Champion, Inkigayo, and The Show—the following five criteria are considered:
Here’s a quick breakdown of the weight each criterion holds in the individual music shows, as well as which ones play the biggest role. Keep in mind that these numbers can change over time, and it's not uncommon for a criterion to be removed or a new one to be introduced. The numbers we are presenting (as of September 2022) may be updated in the future.
For example:
In general, we can say that digital sales always account for the largest portion of the overall ranking. The audience voting system varies slightly between shows, sometimes using live voting, pre-votes, or a mix of both.
Now, as promised, let’s go over some key terms you should be familiar with when it comes to music shows!
Triple Crown:
A song earns a Triple Crown when it holds the number 1 spot on the same music show for three consecutive weeks. While an artist can win multiple Triple Crowns with the same song, one per music show, it’s still a rare achievement, even for popular artists. It’s a significant milestone in their career!
In most music shows, a song that has won three times is disqualified from the competition afterward.
Promotion:
This refers to the marketing and advertising efforts for an artist's comeback. Appearances on music shows are an important part of this promotional period.
Comeback Stage:
The live performances of K-pop idols on music shows during their comeback are often referred to as "Comeback Stages" or simply "Stages."
Goodbye Stage:
When an artist performs a song for the final time on a music show before the promotional period for that comeback ends, it’s called a "Goodbye Stage."
Special Stage:
These are unique performances, such as one-off collaborations between different artists. Occasionally, the MCs of the show will perform together, especially if there are new MCs joining the program.
MC:
An MC (Master/Mistress of Ceremonies) is the host or presenter of a show. This term is commonly used not just in music shows, but in all types of entertainment programs in South Korea.
Fanchant:
A “fanchant” (or fan chant) is a chant sung by fans during a song, typically during parts when the idols are not singing. These chants often consist of the idols' names and are designed to cheer on the performers without disturbing them. Fanchants are performed at all types of live performances, including music shows and concerts.
B-Side:
While every album has a title song (which usually has a music video and is performed on music shows), the other songs are called B-Sides. Occasionally, artists will also perform a B-Side on music shows in addition to their title track.
In conclusion, K-pop award shows are a thrilling and vital part of the K-pop industry, offering a unique platform for both new and established artists to showcase their talent and gain recognition. From prestigious events like the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) to the Seoul Music Awards and Golden Disc Awards, each show has its own criteria, voting systems, and fan involvement, making them exciting not only for artists but for fans as well. These shows celebrate the hard work and creativity that goes into K-pop music, while also fostering a sense of community among fans who eagerly support their idols. Understanding the different types of awards, voting systems, and factors that influence the outcomes allows fans to fully appreciate the significance of these ceremonies, and why they continue to be a major highlight in the K-pop calendar. Whether it’s celebrating a song’s success, recognizing the best performances, or honoring the rising stars, K-pop award shows are more than just a competition – they’re a celebration of the K-pop culture that brings millions of fans together worldwide.
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