[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyun-ah] As the retro craze spreads across the music market, #KT Genie Music’s music distribution business is reaping the benefits. Recently, I.O.I’s new song “Suddenly,” which KT Genie Music distributes, along with Choi Ye-na’s “Catch Catch” and the soundtrack for the movie “Wild Thing,” have been garnering attention on music charts and social media, raising expectations for second-quarter earnings.

The most notable achievement is I.O.I’s new song “Suddenly.” Released on May 19, the track reached No. 1 on the Genie daily chart just seven days after its release and has continued to maintain its popularity by staying in the top ranks for an extended period.

"Suddenly" is a retro-style dance track that captures the lingering emotions after a breakup, characterized by an addictive chorus and a familiar tempo. In particular, the chorus line "I lay down to sleep, but suddenly" spread among baseball fans as the meme "I lay down to sleep, but Yang Eui-ji," boosting its online buzz. Additionally, the fact that I.O.I made a comeback as a full group for the first time in 10 years drew significant attention, contributing to the song’s resurgence.

Choi Ye-na’s “Catch Catch” is also cited as a successful example of a song making a comeback. Since its release last March, it has steadily gained popularity, peaking at No. 3 on the Genie Daily Chart in late May and maintaining its position in the top ranks throughout June.

Characterized by a retro-style kitsch concept, an addictive melody, and easy-to-follow choreography, the song has garnered attention in overseas markets such as China and Japan, attracting the interest of a global fanbase.

Success is also continuing in the movie OST sector. The OST for the recently released film "Wild Thing" is gaining a positive response from audiences with its Y2K aesthetic.

"Wild Thing," the new film by director Son Jae-gon, is a retro comedy in which Gang Dong-won, Um Tae-goo, and Park Ji-hyun appear as members of the mixed-gender idol group "Triangle." The OST music video, released prior to the film’s premiere, generated significant buzz online and heightened anticipation.

KT Genie Music went beyond a simple digital release and produced this OST as a "fandom-style album." Designed to offer the experience of becoming a fan of the movie’s characters, the physical album includes tracks featuring Kang Dong-won, Um Tae-goo, and Park Ji-hyun, as well as a solo track by Oh Jung-se.

In particular, the package—which features a CD player design reflecting Y2K aesthetics, a booklet with character photos, photo cards, and cheering balloons—offers a collection comparable to actual idol merchandise, enhancing its collectible value.

A KT Genie Music representative stated, “In line with the retro trend, the music and OSTs we’ve distributed are receiving a positive response in the charts and content market,” adding, “We plan to continuously expand our music distribution business by strengthening our distribution capabilities and broadening our partnerships.”