Rookie girl group Kiki, debuting less than a year ago, has broken Melon’s stronghold.
On the 10th, Kiki topped the Melon TOP100 chart with their title track “404 (New Era)” from their second mini-album, ‘Delulu Pack’.
Having debuted in March of last year, Kiki garnered significant attention by reaching the top of the chart just 16 days after the release of “404,” demonstrating remarkable power. The Melon TOP100 chart is typically dominated by songs released the previous year, with many tracks holding long-term positions. For a rookie group in their debut year to breach this formidable barrier is highly unusual.
Currently, Kiki’s “404” has also secured the top spot on both the YouTube Music daily chart (as of February 8) and weekly chart (January 30 to February 5), as well as the Apple Music popular chart. The song achieved the highest position on Spotify’s daily chart and topped the Bugs daily chart (as of February 9) and weekly chart (February 2 to February 8). Furthermore, it ranks high on various other music charts, including Vibe and Flo, signaling potential for long-term success.
Kiki’s remarkable success stems from the overwhelmingly positive reviews for their new song. “404” cleverly reinterprets the web error code “404 Not Found” as “freedom existing without coordinates,” showcasing Kiki’s unique charm. Its addictive melody and lively, playful lyrics quickly captivated listeners, with positive word-of-mouth significantly contributing to its rapid ascent on the charts.
Despite being a rookie group with less than a year since debut and potentially lacking widespread recognition, the addictive quality and public appeal of “404” have captivated numerous listeners, proving the song’s inherent strength.
Kiki’s rise is also drawing comparisons to their label seniors, IVE. In 2022, IVE achieved significant popularity with their second single, “Love Dive,” topping the Melon annual chart. They continued their success, captivating both the general public and their fanbase with successive hits like “After LIKE” and “Rebel Heart.”
Notably, IVE’s new song “BANG BANG” also appears within the top 10 of the latest Melon chart, alongside Kiki, showcasing their continued influence.
Kiki’s “404” is achieving high ranks not only domestically but also performing well on international charts, portending long-term success. Having breached Melon’s formidable barrier and established themselves as a burgeoning music powerhouse, Kiki’s future endeavors are garnering significant attention.
