February was the month of some of the most prominent K-pop artists’ comebacks, including IU, Le Sserafim, TWICE, Cha Eunwoo, and more.
The month of love started with rising icon Babymonster’s pre-debut release “Stuck In The Middle.” Later, TWICE released their pre-comeback “I Got You” on February 2. Since then, IU teased multiple tracks from her comeback album, The Winning, before unveiling it finally on February 20. K-pop heartthrob Cha Eun Woo made his solo debut this month. Le Sserafim proved why they set the new K-pop trend with their album, ‘Easy.’
So here, let’s take a quick look at the top 10 K-pop artists whose albums in February made strides in music charts and fan hearts.
Cravity
K-pop ‘monster rookies’ Cravity has been making waves since its beginning in 2020. The group released their 7th mini album, Evershine, on February 26. Within days, it crossed over 180,000 copies of album sales on Korean chart Hanteo.
The group’s last EP, Sun Seeker, sold over 337,203 copies in 2023, peaking at South Korea’s weekly Circle Album Chart. Following the success of Sun Seeker, Cravity is looking at another album that has a similar impact on the charts. The mini album’s title track, “Love Or Die,” also impressed fans, bringing out yet another electrifying performance from the group. It garnered over 311,845 views within two days of its release.
Plave
K-pop rookie virtual group PLAVE dropped their second mini album, ASTERUM: 134-1, on February 26, 2024. They received an astonishing response from fans. The album sold over 221,151 copies on the first day of its release, becoming its highest first-day sales ever since its debut.
Moreover, the album’s title track, Way 4 Luv, clocked over 2 million views within two days of its release, becoming one of the most watched K-pop MVs of the week.
The concept of virtual K-pop artists and groups is getting increasingly popular. The success of the K-pop quintet, consisting of five virtual members, Yejun, Noah, Bamby, Eunho, and Hamin, proves nothing is impossible.
NCT Taeyong
February was all about NCT members flaunting their solo creations. NCT Taeyong’s second solo EP, Tap, has emerged as one of February’s most dazzling music releases.
“Tap” explores the diverse taste of Taeyong’s artist persona. It tells the story of a heartbroken lover who is depicting the story of his healing after drifting away from someone special. The album was released on February 26. It sold over 179,323 copies in two days. The music video for the title track “Tap” also gained over 2.1 million views within two days, becoming one of the most-viewed K-pop music videos of the week.
NCT Ten
NCT Ten released his self-titled extended play on February 13 and sold over 139,404 copies of the new album. Ten peaked on Korea’s Circle Album Chart at number 3. It also ranked at number 21 on Japan’s Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Ten has always been known to be one of K-pop’s most powerful performers. His self-titled album strengthened the rapport by delivering groovy beats and an upbeat tempo album that became a fan favorite.
Moonbyul
Mamamoo’s Moonbyul has been rocking her solo era with one hit album after another. The songstress released her first full-length album, Starlit Of Muse, on February 20. The album sold over 101,720 copies in the first week of its release, becoming one of her highest solo first-week album sales.
Moonbyul’s new title track MV “TOUCHIN&MOVIN,” where she channeled her inner Michael Jackson and garnered over 10 million views within a week of its release.
P1Harmony
P1Harmony’s new album Killin It dropped on February 7. The album sold over 148,136 copies in its first week. Along with topping South Korea’s Circle Album Chart, it debuted at number 39 on the US Billboard 200 and eighth on the US Independent Albums chart.
Keeho, Theo, Jiung, Intak, Soul, and Jongseob proved their global impact by selling over 18,000 copies of the album in the U.S. within the first week topping the US World chart. The album marks a milestone in P1Harmony’s music career, making them promising budding icons of K-pop at the current time.
Cha Eun Woo
K-pop heartthrob Cha Eun Woo released his much-awaited solo debut album Entity on February 15, 2024. The album sold over 132,801 copies in the first week of sakes, ranking at number 2 on the Circle Album Chart.
After stealing fan hearts in plenty of hit K-dramas, Cha Eun Woo showed he is a Jack Of All Trades in Entity. The heart-wrenching lyrics of the tracks and soulful vocals of the ASTRO member connected with fans, as they look forward to seeing more of Eun Woo’s artistic colors in the upcoming music releases.
IU
K-pop’s ever-shining queen IU ended a long wait and released a new album after almost four years. IU’s new album ‘The Winning’ gained praise from global music critics. It also sold over 229,019 copies in its first week of sales in South Korea.
In addition to the album sales, IU gained an All-Kill status, with her new album sweeping South Korea’s multiple charts in real-time. It claimed the No. 1 spot on real-time music charts—including Melon (the Top 100 and Hot 100), Genie, and Bugs.
TWICE
K-pop’s history-making girl group TWICE released their 13th mini album With YOU-th on February 23. The spring release of the K-pop hitmakers sold over 820,000 copies of the album within four days of release on Hanteo.
The album’s title track, “One Spark,” garnered over 17 million views within five days of its release, becoming one of the most-viewed K-pop MVs of the week. After TWICE’s impressive performance with its previous EP, Ready To Be, fans are looking at another record-making album.
Le Sserafim
HYBE’s girl group, Le Sserafim, dropped their most anticipated album, Easy, on February 19, 2024. The album surpassed 990,000 copies sales on Hanteo within a week of its release. The album “Easy” title track received over 45 million views on YouTube within one week.
The album’s tracks also topped the iTunes chart in 18 different regions, including Brazil, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, and more. Furthermore, the album topped the iTunes’ U.S. Top Albums chart on February 20th, becoming the group’s first album to rank first.
In addition to the artists mentioned above, K-pop rookies Babymonster, K-pop group A.C.E, and TWS stirred the K-pop fandom in February by showing their potential with new music releases.
