Following the significant impact of the controversial 'HYBE Industry Trend Reports', musicians representing the original 'Big 3' label sounds return to dominating Melon's 'TOP 100'

AKP STAFF

Days after the significant impact left behind by the 'HYBE Industry Trend Reports', Korean netizens believe that the music industry is on track to "return to normalcy".

Previously, the widespread publication of the controversial 'HYBE Industry Trend Reports' resulted in a major blow to the image of HYBE Corporation as well as to many K-Pop acts affiliated with the entertainment conglomerate, particularly those acts directly or indirectly involved in the reports such as Seventeen, LE SSERAFIM, TOMORROW x TOGETHER, ILLIT, and more.

Coincidentally, the highly publicized controversy overlapped with major music releases by the industry's veteran musicians. First, there's BLACKPINK's Jennie and Rosé, both of whom successfully signaled new solo chapters in their careers with "Mantra" and "APT." feat. Bruno Mars. Then, most recently on October 31 KST, Big Bang's G-Dragon released "Power", his first new song release in 7-years and a precursor leading up to his full album in November.

Now, as of November 11 at 11 AM KST, Melon's 'TOP100' chart (which combines music usage from the past 24 hours with usage from the last hour) has stabilized with the following songs in the top 10:

For many netizens, the above rankings suggested a "return to normalcy" represented by the sounds of the original 'Big 3' companies once again dominating the domestic music chart (BLACKPINK, G-Dragon, and AKMU representing YG; aespa representing SM, and DAY6 representing JYP).

For some, this "return to normalcy" also meant a return to a music industry where the "viral marketing tactics" of HYBE Labels held less sway in affecting chart rankings. For others, the chart's stabilization was finally made possible due to the overlapping of two highly influential events - HYBE's recent controversy and the return of the "chart king", G-Dragon.

How are Korean netizens reacting to what some claim to be the 'TOP100' chart's supposed "stabilization"?

Some said,

"Those HYBE execs must be having seizures right now."

"The big three companies HYBE wanted to bring down so badly are all doing just fine kekekeke."

"If anyone at HYBE knew anything about music, this should be proof enough that music quality matters over anything else but... they'll probably never get it."

"Technically, GD and BLACKPINK don't represent YG anymore but it's the vibe that matters I guess. It sucks for YG that they couldn't keep them around lol."

"Bang Si Hyuk is 'highly sensitive' to the reactions on online communities, right? I wonder how he feels about this kekekeke."

"This chart is the STANDARD."

"Finally, I'm so happy that there are no artists from that one company (HYBE) in the top 10."

"No one is saying that YG, SM, or JYP are angels for companies, but at the very least, they still care about music quality and don't waste all their money and resources on viral marketing."