Do you watch Korean music shows? For K-pop fans, these programs are more than just a chance to see idols make their comebacks; they're also a celebration of the combined efforts of idols and their fans. But what standards do these music programs use? Why do some idols with high album sales but low streaming figures still win first place, while others can only achieve first place with high streaming figures and low sales?

Let's examine the latest criteria for Korean music programs in 2024, so we can better understand the benchmarks these shows use when we're following our favorite stars.

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The Show(더쇼)

• Channel: SBS
• Broadcast Time: Every Tuesday 18:00 (KST)
• Note: Must attend broadcast to enter as a candidate
• Limits: Song will not be eligible for candidacy after achieving first places 3 times
• Score: Maximum score of 10,000 points
• Artist candidate songs limited to 1

SBS's "The Show" is often the first program where many idols win awards since their debut. Many fans likely remember that shining moment.

However, some people also point out that "The Show," being limited to performances, allows only one nominee per slot, which may not set as high a standard. But regardless, winning a position is a milestone worth celebrating.

Show Champion (쇼 챔피언)

• Channel: MBC
• Broadcast Time: Wednesdays at 18:00 (KST)
• Notes: Absence may still earn a spot
• Limits: Song cannot enter the candidates if it gets 3 wins
• Score: Maximum 10,000 points
• Artist's song limited to 1

MBC's "Show Champion" has faced controversy, with some questioning the credibility of its winners. Critics argue that the scoring lacks transparency and often appears to favor popular idols to generate buzz.

Additionally, the broadcast scores have been a major point of contention, notably with past controversies over audio scores. For more detailed information on these issues, you can look up relevant news articles.

M!COUNTDOWN

• Channel: Mnet
• Broadcast Time: Every Thursday 18:00 (KST)
• Notes: It is possible to get a first place even if you do not attend
• Limits: A song cannot enter the candidate list if it gets first place 3 times
• Score: Maximum score of 11,000 points
• Artist candidate songs limited to 1

"M!Countdown" has a rule that only songs released within the past month are eligible to be considered for candidacy on the show.

Additionally, "M!Countdown" places significant emphasis on music scores, so songs that achieve first place are typically the result of intense competition among popular groups, making such wins highly valued.

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Music Bank (뮤직뱅크)

• Channel: KBS
• Broadcast Time: Every Friday 17:00 (KST)
• Notes: You can still get a spot even if you don't attend
• Limits: Songs can receive an unlimited number of spots
• Score: Maximum of 200,000 points
• Artists can have up to 2 candidate songs

K-pop fans might be familiar with "Music Bank," often referred to as the "Sales Bank" or "Album Bank." The reason for these nicknames lies in its scoring system.

Although the audio source score constitutes 60% of the total, the high scoring cap (200,000 points) means that exceptional album sales (with a full score of 10,000 points) can significantly influence the outcome. As a result, even if a song earns zero points from audio sources, it can still achieve first place on the program. Under the current scoring system, the highest recorded score is only 16,281 points.

Show! Music Core (쇼!음악중심)

• Channel: MBC
• Broadcast Time: Every Saturday 15:15 (KST)
• Notes: You can still get a spot even if you don't attend
• Limitations: A song cannot enter the candidate list if it gets first place 3 times
• Score: Maximum of 10,000 points
• Artists can only submit 1 song

MBC's "Show! Music Core" has a primary rule that only songs released within the past two months are eligible for candidacy. Consequently, it's common for many artists to secure a win on "Show! Music Core" even after their promotional activities have ended.

Additionally, "Show! Music Core" is generally regarded for its high quality, but it frequently experiences interruptions, and there are no replacement broadcasts during these times.

Inkigayo（인기가요）

• Channel: SBS
• Broadcast Time: Every Sunday 15:50 (KST)
• Note: You may still get a spot even if you don't attend
• Limitations: Songs that achieve 3 first place rankings cannot enter the competition again
• Score: Maximum score of 11,500 points
• Artists can perform up to 2 songs

"Inkigayo" is highly regarded, largely reflecting trends in the Korean market. Music sources make up 55% of the scoring, while YouTube's social media score contributes 30%, emphasizing the importance of music video views.

Additionally, it's possible for a popular group to have two songs nominated at the same time. For example, in February 2024, (G)I-DLE was simultaneously nominated for both "Super Lady" and "Wife."

Above is the latest schedule for Korean music program broadcasts in 2024. If you notice any errors or updates, please leave a comment to inform other fans. Do you now have a clearer understanding of what these scoring criteria represent? Thanks for tuning in, and see you next time, folks.

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