Music Charts Stagnate with Akdong Musician, HIGH4, and Park Hyo Shin Among Top Five

Following the general pause in the music industry following the Sewol ferry accident, the top 10 on the music charts at the time of the accident on April 16 have been maintaining their spots for a week, due to groups postponing their comebacks and holding back from promotions for the time being.

Akdong Musician’s “200%,” HIGH4 and IU’s “Not Spring, Love, or Cherry Blossoms,” A Pink’s “Mr. Chu,” Park Hyo Shin’s “Wild Flower, and 15&’s “Can’t Hide It” have been unchanging in the top five.

The general atmosphere of the music industry, and in turn the stagnant charts, have been affecting music consumption, as well. Visitors to music sites have fallen as little as 5% to even 10% on the higher end, which is then reflected in purchases.

On the tail end of this will come a major surge of comebacks in May, including those that were originally planning on releases in May and then those that were unable to make their comebacks in April. The artists with comebacks ready are especially on the edge of their seats, considering the upcoming Brazil World Cup in June, which is known as a slow period for the music industry.

One industry official said, “In the midst of the atmosphere of grief and mourning, the various record labels are deep in discussion. There are teams that are just pushing back their comebacks to after June, switching out their title tracks and reshooting their jacket photos.”