This year marks the 10th year that mp3 music files have outsold physical albums in Korea, leading the local market in music sales. Although the early stages of the mp3’s history involved free online streaming and file sharing that was later deemed a copyright violation, in 2004, MelOn and Soribada ― some of the nation’s most popular online music sites ― launched for the first time with K-pop star Se7en’s “Crazy” becoming the first official Korean digital single that was purchased for download.

Data for the Top 100 yearly singles over the past decade shows that ballad trio SG Wannabe, K-pop idol group Big Bang and pop ballad duo Davichi were the top three acts with the most hit digital singles. 

The three members of SG Wannabe made their debut in 2004 and are still active together, releasing seven studio albums in the past decade. The group reigns at the top spot of digital hits with 24 singles including “I Loved You to Death,” “Good to Love,” “Partner for Life” (No. 1 single in 2006) and “Crime and Punishment” (No. 1 single in 2005). 

In second place is popular five-member boy band Big Bang, who racked up 22 top-100 singles of the year since their debut. After debuting in 2006, Big Bang has grown to become one of the nation’s most successful idol bands. Some of the group’s biggest hit tracks over the years include “Dirty Cash,” “Sunset Glow” and “Haru Haru” as well as four tracks infiltrating the Top 100 chart in 2012 ― “Fantastic Baby,” “Monster,” “Blue” and “Bad Boy.” 

Coming in at the third spot is female vocal duo Davichi, and after making their debut six years ago, members Lee Hae-ri and Kang Min-kyung have released 18 hit singles including their first single “I Hate You, I Love You,” “Blue Moon,” “My Man” and “Turtle.” After making their debut in 2008, the two snagged a number of Best New Artist awards including the Mnet Asian Music Awards, Golden Disk Awards and the Seoul Music Awards.

Following close behind in fourth place with 16 chart-toppers is K-pop girl group 2NE1, while Lee Seung-ki, Busker Busker, Brown Eyed Girls, MC Mong and SeeYa all share the No. 5 spot, each with 15 hits.

By Julie Jackson
(juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)