[E-Daily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] The group RESCENE continues to ride its highest wave of success since debut. Following “LOVE ATTACK,” which achieved a chart-topping comeback, their remake “Pretty Girl” has also topped the music charts, marking a successful “double hit.” Even the controversy surrounding member Won-i’s political leanings does not seem to be dampening public support.

According to the music industry on the 9th, RESCENE’s “LOVE ATTACK” reached No. 1 on Melon’s Top 100 on the 8th. The song, released in August 2024, claimed the top spot after a comeback surge nearly two years later. Furthermore, their remake of KARA’s “Pretty Girl,” released at 6 p.m. on the same day, also shot straight to No. 1 on Melon’s Hot 100 (100-day chart) immediately upon release, and as of the morning of the 10th, it maintained the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100 (30-day chart), continuing to garner a strong response.
This success wasn’t limited to Melon. “Love Attack” and “Pretty Girl” also ranked at the very top on major music platforms such as Genie Music, FLO, and Bugs, proving Lisenne’s status as a rising star. Previously released tracks such as “Pinball,” “Deja Vu,” and “Runaway” are also receiving renewed attention, creating a buzz that is spreading to the group’s entire discography.
The starting point for this upward trend was member Won-i’s solo content. The “gyaru” makeup and dialect-themed videos Won-i showcased on her YouTube channel sparked explosive buzz, particularly on social media and short-form video platforms, and even gave rise to the so-called “Geoje Yaho” meme, which channeled public interest toward Lisenne’s music. “Love Attack,” which gained traction through word of mouth, steadily climbed the charts in a reverse run and eventually reached the top of South Korea’s largest music streaming platform.
The buzz surrounding their new song “Pretty Girl” is no less intense. Lisenne unveiled their first performance of the song on Mnet’s “M Countdown” on the 9th, with Kara’s Nicole—the original singer of the track—joining them on stage to lend her support. Fans have praised the collaboration as a bridge between generations, and interest in the new song continues to grow.

◇ The “Museopno” Controversy Fades into the Background… Proving Their True Strength Through Music
Even amid their rising popularity, Lisenne recently found themselves embroiled in an unexpected controversy over political overtones. Some raised concerns, claiming that the phrase “Museopno”—used by Won-i in her content—was an expression commonly used on the far-right online community “Ilbe.”
However, the controversy did not last long. Attorney Jo Su-jin, a board member of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation who had previously claimed that “Museopno” was an “Ilbe-style expression,” reversed her position and issued a public apology to Lisenne’s Won Yi. YouTuber Yoon Lucas and Dongyang University Professor Jin Joong-kwon also criticized the controversy as having been blown out of proportion, and the furor appears to be quickly subsiding.
In fact, the public’s reaction has focused more on the music than on the controversy. Even as the controversy continued, “Love Attack” and “Pretty Girl” consecutively topped the Melon charts, showing that the controversy had little impact on her music sales. On the contrary, with her previous hits resurging and her new songs performing well, she is said to be experiencing her hottest period since her debut.
A music industry insider stated, “Through this promotional run, Lisenne has shown that their music is stronger than the controversy,” adding, “Ultimately, the public responded to good music rather than the controversy, and that resulted in a resurgence in popularity and chart-topping hits.”