Hey K-pop stans! If you’ve been tracking the charts this week, you know the competition is at a boiling point. The Circle Chart (formerly Gaon) has officially released the data for the week of May 17 to May 23, 2026, and it’s a massive victory lap for JYP’s powerhouse NMIXX and the digital legends AKMU. Both acts have secured “Double Crowns,” proving that whether it’s physical sales or digital streams, they are the ones to beat!
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NMIXX and AKMU Circle Chart Weekly Winners: The May 2026 Snapshot
This week’s rankings show a perfect balance between 4th-gen physical power and long-standing digital dominance. Here is the quick breakdown of who topped which chart:
| Category | Artist | Winning Work |
|---|---|---|
| Album Chart | NMIXX | Heavy Serenade |
| Retail Album Chart | NMIXX | Heavy Serenade |
| Digital Chart | AKMU | Latest Single |
| Streaming Chart | AKMU | Latest Single |
| Global K-pop Chart | BTS | SWIM |
| Social Chart 2.0 | AKMU | N/A |
Breaking Down the Double Crown Success
1. NMIXX: The Physical Powerhouse Securing the top spot on both the weekly Album Chart and the Retail Album Chart, NMIXX has officially entered their most successful era yet. Following their double music show win for “Heavy Serenade”, these numbers confirm that NSWERs are showing up in droves to support the girls’ physical releases. This success also translates globally, as seen in the latest.
2. AKMU: The Digital Monsters Lee Chan-hyuk and Lee Su-hyun continue to prove they are the darlings of the Korean general public. By topping both the Digital Chart and the Streaming Chart, AKMU has shown incredible longevity. Their music doesn’t just peak for a day; it stays on repeat in cafes and playlists across the country, which is the hallmark of a true “digital monster.”
3. BTS: The Global Standard While the domestic charts are a battleground, the Global K-pop Chart remains a “Purple Zone.” BTS has maintained the #1 spot with “SWIM” for several weeks now. This aligns perfectly with the group’s record-breaking run, including the ARIRANG album’s 9th week on Billboard.
4. Social Dominance AKMU also claimed the top spot on the Social Chart 2.0, which tracks the global popularity of artists through social media interactions. Their quirky and relatable content continues to engage fans worldwide, further solidifying their double-crown status this week.
For a deeper look into the history of the music association and how these rankings are compiled, visit the official Circle Chart Wikipedia page.
With the summer season fast approaching, the battle for the next “Triple Crown” is already heating up. Who are you rooting for in next week’s update?
FAQs
What does it mean to win a “Double Crown” on the Circle Chart?
A Double Crown is achieved when an artist or group simultaneously tops two different weekly charts, such as the Digital and Streaming charts or the Album and Retail Album charts.
Which NMIXX album is currently topping the charts?
As of May 28, 2026, NMIXX’s latest mini-album Heavy Serenade is the #1 album on both the weekly physical and retail sales charts.
