On February 24, IVE’s BANG BANG officially achieved a rating of Perfect All-Kill (PAK)meaning it ranked first on all major Korean music charts aggregated by iChart. It is the first K-pop song in 2026 to reach this milestone.
With BANG BANG, IVE now holds 6 songs that have achieved Kill everything perfect: After LIKE, Kitsch, I AM, Baddie, REBEL HEART and BANG BANG. This record makes IVE the girl group with the most PAK songs in K-pop history as of February 2026.
The result contrasts directly with recent speculation that the group’s popularity has waned. While their social media virality and trending dominance may not mirror their explosive debut era, IVE remains the most digitally stable fourth-generation girl group in South Korea. Each comeback continues to deliver high domestic charts, accompanied by strong album sales and lucrative concert tours.
IVE debuted in December 2021 under Starship Entertainment and quickly established themselves as one of Gen 4’s signature artists. Their signature “teenager” the upscale image and accessible pop sound helped them make an immediate impact with their debut single ELEVEN, which earned 13 music show trophies. Subsequent hits such as Love Dive, After LIKE and I AM topped the major charts and won Daesang awards for “Song of the Year” including ceremonies MOM, MMAAND Gold Record Awards within just one year of debut.
The six-member lineup – An Yujin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Wonyoung, Liz and Leeseo – has often been described by Korean media as a team “no visual gaps” group, highlighting their balanced graphics and surprising average height. An Yujin and Jang Wonyoung were previously active in IZ*ONE before debuting with IVE again, while Liz is the lead singer, Gaeul and Rei handle rap roles, and Leeseo remains the youngest member. The lineup has remained unchanged since its debut.
Despite strong national indicators, IVE has faced criticism regarding its performance in international rankings compared to competitors such as NewJeans or LE SSERAFIM. Some later releases, including Baddie and HEYA, reached high charts in Korea but required longer chart climbs than previous mega-hits. The group also encountered debates about the stability of live vocals during encore stages. These factors fueled the narratives of critics who labeled them as “fall behind” within the Gen 4 women’s group race.
In February 2026, IVE returned with their second album REVIVE+. The pre-release single BANG BANG was released on February 9th and later became one of the double-titled tracks alongside Blackhole when the album officially launched on February 23rd. The 12-track album includes solo songs previously performed during the tour stages.
Musically, BANG BANG marks a stylistic shift. The track blends modern EDM production with a Western Swing-inspired intro, signaling a darker and more mysterious concept than their previous sweet, adolescent aesthetic. Jang Wonyoung participated in writing the lyrics, with additional contributions from WJSN’s Exy. The music video has maintained a high ranking on YouTube’s global trending chart for multiple days in a row.
Jang Wonyoung continues to maintain outstanding individual recognition. Having publicly debuted in 2018 through Produce 48 before debuting with IVE again, she is now entering her eighth year in the industry. Often referred to as the “Princess of K-pop”, Wonyoung consistently ranks #1 in individual girl group brand reputation rankings and remains a dominant presence in advertising campaigns. Terms like “Wonyoung style” AND “Lucky Vicky” have become viral descriptors linked to his refined image and brand of positive mindset.
From digital performance metrics and millions of albums sold to individual brand power, current data confirms that IVE remains positioned among the top-tier girl groups in the Korean market. Reach the first one Kill everything perfect of 2026 with BANG BANG isn’t simply another trophy: It functions as measurable evidence of sustained national dominance in an increasingly saturated K-pop landscape.
Rather than signaling a decline, the numbers suggest a strategic recalibration. And for a group once labeled as “flawless,” the latest milestone serves as the definitive answer to questions about their staying power.
Sources: kenh14
