Summary (TL;DR)
There’s growing concern MelOn counts streams from international fans. Customer service representatives have given conflicting answers whenever they’re asked about the subject, which just adds to the confusion. It would be better for international fans to consider using global platforms like YouTube and Spotify.
If you’re an international K-pop fan who has been streaming on Melon, Naver, or Genie, your streams might not actually be counted towards the charts.
International BTS fans began to question whether their streams on Korean music sites counted towards the charts. On January 17, 2017, Korean ARMYs (BTS’s official fandom name) revealed they contacted MelOn’s customer service hotline. They were informed that streams or downloads from outside of South Korea do not contribute to the charts due to IP blocking.
Just a few days later, on January 22nd, EXID fans contacted MelOn through their 1:1 Q&A system. They were informed that international streaming does count towards the charts, but only if overseas fans encounter no issues while downloading or streaming. However, MelOn has yet to release an official statement on the matter, and customer service representatives have provided conflicting information to fans’ inquiries.
This has been frustrating for overseas fans who spend money on Korean streaming services like MelOn, Naver Music, and Genie. Many artists, like Seventeen and GOT7, are more popular internationally than domestically. This makes international fans want to support these artists within Korea itself by boosting their ranking on Korean music charts, like Gaon.
But this situation creates a paradox. MelOn, Naver Music, and Genie are Korean platforms and their charts are designed to reflect trends within Korea. How can we accurately gauge true domestic popularity for K-pop idols with international influence on these services?
Focus on Global Platforms
While Korean charts might not always reflect international love for K-pop, international fans can still make a huge impact. Streaming on global platforms like Spotify and YouTube, track streams and views globally. These services give a strong indicator of an artist’s international popularity.
Explore Local Charts
Research how music charts work in your own country. Many countries have established music charts that track streams and downloads. By supporting your favorite K-pop artists on these platforms, you can help them gain recognition in your region.
Support Through Album Purchases
Don’t underestimate the power of buying physical and digital albums! Purchasing albums on platforms like iTunes or Amazon directly contributes to album sales, and can even help an artist rank on the Billboard 200 album chart.
Sites like KpopTown, Kpop USA, and YesAsia report their sales to Hanteo — a Korean chart system that counts all K-pop album sales to create an overview of an artist’s popularity. Buying albums and getting K-pop artists to rank on local music charts is another way for fans to support their favorite artists, regardless of where they live.
The Future of K-pop is Global
While fans wait for clarification on whether MelOn counts streams from overseas, there are plenty of ways to support your favorite artists.
It may not feel like it at times, but international fans still play a vital role in K-pop’s success. By shifting our focus and supporting artists on various platforms, international fans can ensure the genre’s global influence continues to grow.
