The third week of May 2026 marks a significant shake-up on the Melon Top 100, as the long-standing dominance of sibling duo AKMU has finally been challenged. A powerful surge from the indie scene sees CORTIS claim the top spot, signaling a potential shift in listener preferences. The charts continue to showcase a dynamic mix of established titans, rising rookies, and indie darlings, reflecting the vibrant and diverse state of the Korean music industry.
📊 This Week’s Top 10
| Rank | Song Title | Artist |
| 1 | REDRED | CORTIS (코르티스) |
| 2 | 소문의 낙원 (Rumored Paradise) | AKMU (악뮤) |
| 3 | It′s Me | ILLIT (아일릿) |
| 4 | 기쁨, 슬픔, 아름다운 마음 (Joy, Sorrow, Beautiful Mind) | AKMU (악뮤) |
| 5 | RUDE! | Hearts2Hearts (하츠투하츠) |
| 6 | 캐치 캐치 (Catch Catch) | YENA (최예나) |
| 7 | 사랑하게 될 거야 (I Will Love You) | 한로로 (Hanroro) |
| 8 | Drowning | WOODZ |
| 9 | BANG BANG | IVE (아이브) |
| 10 | 404 (New Era) | KiiiKiii (키키) |
🔄 Top 3 Analysis & Continuity
This week’s chart narrative is defined by a thrilling ascent to the top. CORTIS‘s “REDRED” has completed its impressive three-week climb, moving from #9 two weeks ago, to #3 last week, and finally seizing the #1 position. The track’s raw energy and powerful rock sound have clearly captured the public’s imagination, proving that viral momentum built on musical quality can triumph even over the most established chart-toppers.
After ‘Joy, Sorrow, and a Beautiful Heart’ first reached the No. 1 spot on the weekly chart on April 13th, followed by ‘Paradise of Rumors’ consecutively hitting No. 1, AKMU held the top position for six weeks before yielding it to REDRED. While it has relinquished the top spot, its continued presence in the top tier alongside their other track “기쁨, 슬픔, 아름다운 마음 (Joy, Sorrow, Beautiful Mind)” at #4 demonstrates the duo’s unwavering public appeal and musical authority. AKMU’s unique storytelling remains a powerful force on the charts.
Meanwhile, rookie sensation ILLIT solidifies their arrival with “It′s Me” jumping to #3. The track has shown remarkable growth, rocketing up from #20 two weeks ago and #4 last week. This swift entry into the Top 3 highlights the group’s successful debut, blending an infectious melody with a fresh, youthful charm that has proven irresistible to listeners.
💡 Closing
Looking ahead, the chart is poised for a dynamic battle. The key question is whether CORTIS can sustain its momentum and hold onto the #1 spot, or if AKMU will rally to reclaim their throne. With ILLIT’s “It’s Me” still showing strong upward potential and other tracks in the Top 10 holding steady, next week promises another exciting chapter in the ever-evolving story of the Korean music charts.
📉 Extended Chart (11-100)
| Rank | Song Title | Artist |
| 11 | 0+0 | 한로로 (Hanroro) |
| 12 | Good Goodbye | 화사 (HWASA) |
| 13 | Heavy Serenade | NMIXX |
| 14 | 타임캡슐 (Time Capsule) | Davichi (다비치) |
| 15 | Popcorn | 도경수(D.O.) |
| 16 | 너에게 닿기를 (To Reach You) | 10CM |
| 17 | 멸종위기사랑 (Endangered Love) | 이찬혁 (LEE CHANHYUK) |
| 18 | Blue Valentine | NMIXX |
| 19 | 어떻게 이별까지 사랑하겠어, 널 사랑하는 거지 (How can I love the heartbreak, you’re the one I love) | AKMU (악뮤) |
| 20 | SWIM | BTS (방탄소년단) |
| 21 | 어제보다 슬픈 오늘 (A Day Sadder Than Yesterday) | 우디 (Woody) |
| 22 | 그대 작은 나의 세상이 되어 (You Become My Small World) | 카더가든 (Car, the garden) |
| 23 | 뛰어(JUMP) | BLACKPINK |
| 24 | Golden | HUNTR/X |
| 25 | 너의 모든 순간 (Every moment of you) | 성시경 (Sung Si Kyung) |
| 26 | 모르시나요(PROD.로코베리) (Don’t you know (PROD.Rocoberry)) | 조째즈 (Jozz) |
| 27 | 내게 사랑이 뭐냐고 물어본다면 (If you ask me what love is) | 로이킴 (Roy Kim) |
| 28 | toxic till the end | ROSÉ (로제) |
| 29 | 소나기 (Sudden Shower) | ECLIPSE (이클립스) |
| 30 | Whiplash | aespa |
| 31 | 천상연 (A Thousand Year Love) | 이창섭 (LEE CHANGSUB) |
| 32 | WDA (Whole Different Animal) (Feat. G-DRAGON) | aespa |
| 33 | 청춘만화 (Cartoon Romance) | 이무진 (Lee Mujin) |
| 34 | HAPPY | DAY6 (데이식스) |
| 35 | Body to Body | BTS (방탄소년단) |
| 36 | HOME SWEET HOME (feat. 태양, 대성) | G-DRAGON |
| 37 | 한 페이지가 될 수 있게 (Time of Our Life) | DAY6 (데이식스) |
| 38 | 그대만 있다면 (여름날 우리 X 너드커넥션 (Nerd Connection)) (If Only You (Our Summer Days X Nerd Connection)) | Nerd Connection (너드커넥션) |
| 39 | like JENNIE | JENNIE (제니) |
| 40 | TICK TOCK (Feat. ZICO) (Prod. by ZICO, Crush) | 김하온 (HAON) |
| 41 | BLACKHOLE | IVE (아이브) |
| 42 | 주저하는 연인들을 위해 (For Lovers Who Hesitate) | JANNABI (잔나비) |
| 43 | 사랑인가 봐 (Love, Maybe) | MeloMance (멜로망스) |
| 44 | 모든 날, 모든 순간 (Every day, Every Moment) | 폴킴 (Paul Kim) |
| 45 | 나는 반딧불 (I am a firefly) | 황가람 (Hwang Ga-ram) |
| 46 | 예뻤어 (You Were Beautiful) | DAY6 (데이식스) |
| 47 | 사랑은 봄비처럼…이별은 겨울비처럼… (Love is like a spring rain… Parting is like a winter rain…) | 임현정 (Lim Hyunjeong) |
| 48 | 갑자기 (Suddenly) | I.O.I (아이오아이) |
| 49 | Love Love Love (Feat. Yoong Jin Of Casker) | EPIK HIGH (에픽하이) |
| 50 | 청혼하지 않을 이유를 못 찾았어 (Found no reason not to propose) | 이무진 (Lee Mujin) |
| 51 | SPAGHETTI (feat. j-hope of BTS) | LE SSERAFIM (르세라핌) |
| 52 | FAMOUS | ALLDAY PROJECT |
| 53 | 첫 만남은 계획대로 되지 않아 (plot twist) | TWS (투어스) |
| 54 | 눈을 감아도(2026) (Even if I close my eyes(2026)) | 순순희(지환) (SoonSoonHee(Jihwan)) |
| 55 | Welcome to the Show | DAY6 (데이식스) |
| 56 | 오늘만 I LOVE YOU (ILY) | BOYNEXTDOOR |
| 57 | APT. | ROSÉ (로제) |
| 58 | Flower | 오반(OVAN) |
| 59 | 달리 표현할 수 없어요 (Can’t express it any other way) | 로이킴 (Roy Kim) |
| 60 | 시작의 아이 ❍ (The child of the beginning ❍) | 박다혜 (Park Dahye) |
| 61 | KISS KISS KISS (Feat. 선우 (THE BOYZ)) (Prod. by Hukky Shibaseki) | NOWIMYOUNG (나우아임영) |
| 62 | STYLE | Hearts2Hearts (하츠투하츠) |
| 63 | Seven (feat. Latto) – Clean Ver. | Jung Kook (정국) |
| 64 | 다정히 내 이름을 부르면 (affectionately, call my name) | 경서예지 (KyoungSeoYeji) |
| 65 | REBEL HEART | IVE (아이브) |
| 66 | ONE MORE TIME | ALLDAY PROJECT |
| 67 | Love wins all | IU (아이유) |
| 68 | 헤어지자 말해요 (Let’s Say Goodbye) | 박재정 (Parc Jae Jung) |
| 69 | 봄날 (Spring Day) | BTS (방탄소년단) |
| 70 | OVERDRIVE | TWS (투어스) |
| 71 | 2.0 | BTS (방탄소년단) |
| 72 | Die With A Smile | Lady Gaga |
| 73 | Magnetic | ILLIT (아일릿) |
| 74 | 봄 내음보다 너를 (You, more than the scent of spring) | 김나영 (Kim Na Young) |
| 75 | FOCUS | Hearts2Hearts (하츠투하츠) |
| 76 | Hooligan | BTS (방탄소년단) |
| 77 | 사랑은 늘 도망가 (Love always runs away) | 임영웅 (Lim Young Woong) |
| 78 | Never Ending Story | IU (아이유) |
| 79 | 에피소드 (Episode) | 이무진 (Lee Mujin) |
| 80 | Soda Pop | KPop Demon Hunters Cast |
| 81 | NOT CUTE ANYMORE | ILLIT (아일릿) |
| 82 | I AM | IVE (아이브) |
| 83 | Flashback | N.Flying (엔플라잉) |
| 84 | 시작의 아이 (The Child of Start) | MAKTUB (마크툽) |
| 85 | Hype Boy | NewJeans |
| 86 | Ode to Love | NCT WISH |
| 87 | Dynamite | BTS (방탄소년단) |
| 88 | 이 밤을 빌려 말해요 (Borrow this night) | PLAVE |
| 89 | 하루에 하루만 더 (Stick With You) | TOMORROW X TOGETHER (투모로우바이투게더) |
| 90 | FYA | BTS (방탄소년단) |
| 91 | 인사 (Farewell) | 범진 (Bumjin) |
| 92 | Aliens | BTS (방탄소년단) |
| 93 | Like Animals | BTS (방탄소년단) |
| 94 | 떠나가요, 떠나지마요 : 시대를 초월한 마음 (Leave, don’t leave : A heart that transcends time) | 순순희(기태) (SoonSoonHee(Gitae)) |
| 95 | 눈사람 (SNOWMAN) | 정승환 (Jung Seung Hwan) |
| 96 | TOO BAD (feat. Anderson .Paak) | G-DRAGON |
| 97 | XOXZ | IVE (아이브) |
| 98 | Merry Go Round | BTS (방탄소년단) |
| 99 | One More Night | BTS (방탄소년단) |
| 100 | Supernova | aespa |
*Source : https://www.melon.com/chart/week/index.htm
The KCulture Editorial Team is dedicated to providing deep insights and accurate information about the vibrant world of Korean culture.
