It’s officially halfway through 2026, and Circle Chart just dropped the numbers we’ve all been waiting for! The midyear album and digital charts for the first half of 2026 are here, revealing which K-pop artists and songs dominated the first six months of the year.
From record-breaking album sales to viral chart-toppers, this year’s midyear rankings prove just how strong K-pop’s global momentum is right now.
Midyear Circle Chart Highlights (First Half of 2026)
Before we dive into the rankings, here’s a quick rundown of what these charts cover:
| Chart Type | Tracking Period | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Midyear Album Chart | January 1 – June 30, 2026 | Total physical album sales (including retail, kits, and versions) |
| Midyear Digital Chart | January 1 – June 30, 2026 | Combined digital points from streaming, downloads, and background music |
| Data Source | Circle Chart (formerly Gaon Chart) | South Korea’s official music chart |
Top 5 Albums of 2026 (First Half)
These are the albums that sold like crazy and had fans rushing to buy every version this year.
| Rank | Album Title | Artist | Total Sales (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DO IT | Stray Kids | 5,820,000 |
| 2 | No Genre | SEVENTEEN | 4,950,000 |
| 3 | Ruby | BLACKPINK’s Jennie | 4,410,000 |
| 4 | AMORTAGE | TXT | 3,870,000 |
| 5 | HOLIDAY | TWICE | 3,550,000 |
Stray Kids are absolutely dominating 2026 so far, securing the #1 spot with a massive sales haul. Meanwhile, Jennie’s solo success is continuing to soar, and SEVENTEEN once again proved their legendary selling power!
Top 5 Digital Songs of 2026 (First Half)
It wasn’t just albums doing the heavy lifting—these tracks were everywhere this year. From TikTok trends to replay-worthy choruses, these songs ruled Korean streaming platforms.
| Rank | Song Title | Artist | Digital Points (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | “like JENNIE” | JENNIE | 1,850,000 |
| 2 | “Ceremony” | Stray Kids | 1,720,000 |
| 3 | “Deja Vu” | TXT | 1,610,000 |
| 4 | “HAPPY” | DAY6 | 1,480,000 |
| 5 | “Thunder” | aespa | 1,415,000 |
It’s no surprise to see Jennie at #1 here too! “like JENNIE” has been an unstoppable force all year long. TXT’s “Deja Vu” also continues its impressive run, proving its staying power well into 2026.
Key Takeaways From the Midyear Charts
So what do these rankings tell us about the first half of 2026?
- Fourth-gen dominance: Stray Kids, TXT, aespa, and SEVENTEEN are consistently leading both charts, showing just how strong their fanbases are.
- Solo power: Jennie’s solo era is a massive success, topping both the album and digital rankings—a rare and impressive feat.
- Longevity matters: Songs like “Deja Vu” and “HAPPY” are sticking around, not just debuting high but maintaining impressive numbers over months.
- Balanced success: It’s not just one group carrying K-pop—multiple acts are thriving across different sounds and concepts.
The first half of 2026 has truly shown how diverse and globally popular K-pop has become, and Circle Chart’s official numbers back it up.
What Is Circle Chart?
For those unfamiliar, the Circle Chart (formerly Gaon Chart) is South Korea’s official music chart. It tracks album sales, digital streams, downloads, background music, and more to provide an accurate picture of what’s popular in the country. It’s the go-to source for K-pop achievements, so these midyear rankings carry some serious weight!
Want to stay on top of all the latest K-pop milestones? Be sure to check out our K-pop entertainment coverage and explore more chart updates right here on TechnoSports.
