[E-Daily Starin Reporter KIM HYUNSIK ] As we enter the fall season, solo artists are making a strong presence on the music charts. New songs by solo artists with diverse musical styles and fan bases—including IU and Lim Young-woong, as well as SOYEON of IDOL and D.O. of EXO—are consecutively climbing to the top of the charts.

◇IU and Im Young-woong Showcase Their Music Power Side by Side
The most notable artists to make a comeback recently are IU and Lim Young-woong. IU is showcasing her music power with the double title tracks “From This Star” and “Dear My Crazy Soulmate” from her new single, released on the 10th.
As of the 16th, the two tracks are ranked first and second, respectively, on YouTube Music’s “Trending” chart. On Melon’s main Top 100 chart (as of 10 a.m.), “From This Star” and “Dear My Crazy Soulmate” are ranked fourth and seventh, respectively, placing them side by side at the very top of the charts.
IU also made a huge splash on the music charts last September with her new song “Bye, Summer.” She has achieved strong results with new songs released at the start of fall for two consecutive years. This single is a pre-release track from her upcoming sixth studio album. It has also drawn attention as the first new song released after she postponed the album’s release schedule due to a worsening of her Eustachian tube dysfunction.
Lim Young-woong’s momentum is also fierce. Having steadily expanded his musical horizons since winning a trot competition program, Lim Young-woong released the special digital album “IM HERO 10” on the 8th. Since then, all 10 tracks on the album—including the title track “Tto Tto”—have secured spots in the top ranks of major music charts.
“IM HERO 10” is an album that combines new songs with remastered versions of previously released tracks. As of 7 a.m. that day, all 10 tracks swept the top 10 spots on Melon’s Hot 100 New Songs chart, creating what is known as a “lineup.”
Solo tracks by idol group members are also performing strongly. IDOLS’ Soyeon is gaining popularity with the title track “I’m Quitting,” from her full-length album *An Amazing Life*, which has climbed to No. 2 on Melon’s Top 100 chart. Do Kyung-soo is receiving a positive response for the title track “Guitarist” from his mini-album *DOPAMINE*, released on the 8th. This song is currently ranked No. 6 on YouTube Music’s “Trending” chart.

◇ A Rush of Solo Comebacks as Fall Arrives
News of solo artists’ comebacks has been pouring in since the start of this month. While summer charts are dominated by refreshing “summer songs,” as the crisp air of fall begins to set in, solo artists—who primarily showcase songs centered on vocals and emotion—are becoming increasingly active.
Roy Kim will release his new single “Cry Out Loud” on the 6th of next month. Following 2024’s “If You Ask Me What Love Is” and last year’s “I Can’t Express It Any Other Way,” this marks his third consecutive year releasing a new song in October as he sets out to conquer the fall season.
Super Junior’s Yesung will also release his second full-length album, “Where We Are,” on the same day. The album holds special significance as it was produced to mark the 10th anniversary of his solo debut. Kim Jae-hwan will join the ranks of solo comebacks by releasing his new single, “Love, From Here,” on the 7th of next month.
Ahead of them, BTOB’s Lee Chang-sub released his third mini-album, “Lee;Make Fragmenta Amoris,” the day before. The album features a total of five tracks, including “Four Seasons, and You.”
The strategies of these artists, who are linking their fall promotional activities to year-end concerts, are also drawing attention. In particular, Roy Kim is garnering attention as he is set to hold his first solo concert since his debut at the KSPO DOME in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on November 21–22. After selling out all of his year-end solo concerts over the past four years, he has expanded his stage this year to one of the largest indoor venues in the country.
Park Byeong-chang, CEO of Major Seven Company, said, “Fall is a season when interest in emotional music rises, and since it coincides with the year-end concert season, it’s an ideal time for solo artists to promote new songs.” He added, “If they achieve good results on the music charts, it can boost interest not only among their fanbase but also among the general public, which can have a positive impact on year-end concert ticket sales.”