MelOn, South Korea’s leading and most influential music streaming platform, has long been a key indicator of a song’s domestic success. Its charts, ranging from daily to yearly, reflect the country’s music preferences in real time. A high debut on the MelOn Daily Chart signals immense anticipation, with the release generating buzz among both dedicated fans and the general public alike.
As we step into the second half of 2025, let’s take a look at the songs that have made the highest debuts on the MelOn Daily Chart so far.
1. TOO BAD [G-DRAGON feat. Anderson .Paak] — #1
It’s no surprise that the top spot goes to the King of K-pop, G-Dragon. Early this year, GD made his highly anticipated return to the music industry after a long hiatus with ‘Übermensch,’ with “TOO BAD” serving as the album’s title track. The hit debuted straight at #1 on the MelOn Daily Chart and even earned the coveted Perfect All-Kill, demonstrating his chart-topping power.
2. Never Ending Story [IU] — #3
Released as the lead single from her third remake album, ‘A Flower Bookmark 3,’ IU’s rendition of Boohwal’s classic "Never Ending Story” debuted at #3 on the MelOn Daily Chart. Praised for her emotional delivery and modern arrangement, the track topped numerous charts, captivating both fans and non-fans in South Korea.
3. Dirty Work [aespa] — #5
The latest release by the popular SM girl group aespa, titled “Dirty Work,” made a solid entry at #5 on the MelOn Daily Chart. The comeback was highly anticipated, and it demonstrated the group’s continued strong chart presence. Highlighting aespa’s evolving sound, “Dirty Work” showcased their command over the general public.
4. DRAMA [G-DRAGON] — #6
“DRAMA” is a ballad hit from ‘Übermensch’ that highlights G-Dragon’s vocal prowess and emotional depth. Featuring lyrics in English, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese, the track explores the pain of a toxic relationship. Paired with a stirring piano arrangement, GD’s vocals leave a deep, lingering impact on the hearts of the listeners, earning the song a No. 6 debut on the MelOn Daily Chart.
5. TAKE ME [G-DRAGON] — #9
The fan-favourite track “TAKE ME” from G-DRAGON’s ‘Übermensch’ debuted at No. 9 on the MelOn Daily Chart, further cementing the album’s status as one of the finest releases of the year so far. Once again, VIPs prove their love for B-side tracks over the title tracks when it comes to BIGBANG and their solos.
The first half of 2025 on the Melon Daily Chart was marked by powerful solo comebacks from acclaimed artists like G-Dragon and IU and a new track from one of the current leading girl groups, aespa. The second half promises even more chart-topping surprises!
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