Gallup Korea conducted a poll three times in 2024, in July, September to October, and November, asking 5,281 people aged 13 and older across South Korea (excluding Jeju) to name their three singers or Favorite groups active in the Korean pop music scene. year (open responses).
30 years and under: NewJeans is in the spotlight
Among those in their 30s and younger (ages 13 to 39), NewJeans garnered 25.5% of the vote, taking first place. Debuting in July 2022, they jumped from fifth place in their first year to first place the following year. Despite challenges related to their agency, they remained the most favored group this year, demonstrating their resilience and dominance by surpassing longtime stars like IU and BLACKPINK, even in BTS’s absence.
IU (20.6%) ranked second in this demographic. Since her debut in 2008, IU has been active as a singer-songwriter and actress, consistently ranking in the top places for “Singer of the Year” since 2011, including top places in 2014 and 2017. This year, she successfully concluded her world tour, performing 31 shows in 12 countries and attracting audiences of 500,000.
aespa, debuted in 2020, ranked third (13.3%). They were followed by BTS (10.7%), IVE (10.2%), DAY6 (8.5%), BLACKPINK (8.0%), Rosé (7.7%), Lim Young Woong (5, 4%) and Lee Mu Jin (3.9%) completing the top ten.
In addition to the top ten, other artists or groups receiving more than 1.5% of the votes in this age range included Seventeen (3.4%), (G)I-DLE (3.2%), AKMU (3.1%), Sung Si Kyung (2.5%), ZICO (2.5%), BIBI (2.4%), G-DRAGON (2.3%), LE SSERAFIM (2.2% ), Jannabi (2.1%), TWICE (2.0%), NCT (1.7%), Taeyeon and tvN drama group Eclipse, along with Lee Young Ji (1.5%).
40 years and older: Lim Young Woong continues his reign
For the fifth consecutive year, Lim Young Woong ranked first among those aged 40 and over, securing 33.9% of the votes at the top of the list. Debuting in 2016, he gained nationwide recognition through the Chosun TV audition program “Mr. Trot” in 2020, captivating audiences with his thrilling performances and emerging as the winner. Since then, he has solidified his status as a top star in concerts, broadcasts and commercials.
The runner-up in this demographic was Lee Chan Won (12.2%), who also rose to fame with “Mr. Trot” in 2020, earning third place with his performance of “Jinttobaegi.” He later debuted as a professional singer and this year released a self-composed album, “Bright: Chan.” Lee Chan Won has also been active in various entertainment programs such as “Immortal Songs”, “High-End Penny Pincher” and “Stars’ Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant”.
The top ten for those aged 40 and over was rounded out by Jang Yoon Jung (11.8%), Young Tak (10.0%), Na Hoon A (8.1%), Jin Sung (7 .8%), IU (6.4%), Song Ga In (5.8%), Jang Min Ho (4.6%) and Park Seo Jin (4.2%).
Other artists and groups who received more than 1.5% of the votes included Jeong Dong Won (3.5%), Kim Yeon Ja (3.3%), NewJeans (3.2%), Jeon Yoo Jin (3 .1%), Lee Seung Chul (2.7%), Cho Yong Pil (2.6%), Lee Moon Sae (2.3%), Sung Si Kyung (2.2%), Nam Jin (2, 1%), Yang Ji Eun, BTS, Lee Mujin (1.9%), Rosé (1.8%), Ahn Sung Hoon (1.6%) and Park Ji Hyun (1.5%).
Favorite songs of 2024
The survey also asked respondents to name their favorite songs released or performed this year (up to three songs, open-ended). Among those in their thirties and younger, the collaboration of Rosé and Bruno Mars APT. (9.8%) was named the top song, while Lim Young Woong’s Love Always Run Away (5.9%) ranked first among those aged 40 and over.
For the younger demographic, other top songs included Supernova (aespa, 7.2%), How Sweet (NewJeans, 5.9%), HEYA (IVE, 5.3%), Happy (DAY6, 4, 7%), Through the Night (IU, 4.3%), Hype Boy (NewJeans, 4.1%), Bam Yang Gang (BIBI, 3.7%), Love Wins All (IU, 2.7%) and Supernatural (NewJeans, 2.5%).
Among those aged 40 and above, top songs included Warmth (Lim Young Woong, 5.5%), At Andong Station (Jin Sung, 3.9%), Trust In Me (Lim Young Woong) and Drink Makgeolli (Young Tak) (both 3.8%). ), First Marriage (Jang Yoon Jung, 3.3%), Grains of Sand (3.1%), Purple Postcard (2.8%, all Lim Young Woong), Fate in Time and A Trip to Sky (both Lee Chan Won) and My Starry Love (Lim Young Woong, 2.7%).
