The Gaon Music Chart girl group rankings for 2015 have been released, and if you kept your eye on the chart throughout the year, the results might come as no surprise.
Gaon released three separate charts: song sales, album sales, and combined sales. Each chart compiles data based on the total sales volume from Jan. 1 until the end of the first week of December.
Sales from sub-groups and soloists are added to the total of the group the member is in. However, sales from TV and movie soundtrack songs and collaborations with members from other groups are not incuded.
The combined graph puts the weight of album and song sales at an even 50:50 ratio. A group is granted 50 points if they are ranked No. 1 on the song or album sales charts.
Since Girls' Generation came in first place on both the song and album sales charts, they receive a total of 100 points on the combined chart, putting them in 1st place. The group's "Lion Heart" and "Party" singles, as well as member Kim Taeyeon's hit "I" have sold over 398,000 copies since they were released.
The No. 2 position went to Apink with 42.6 points. This score was calculated based on their No. 2 and No. 5 positions on the song and album charts, respectively. This is an improvement from 2014, when they were ranked No. 3 on the combined chart.
Following up in 3rd place are Girls' Generation label mates Red Velvet, who are showing an impressively dedicated fandom, despite the fact that the group only debuted 18 months ago.
The full ranking list of girl groups for the combined chart is below:
1. Girls' Generation
2. A Pink
3. Red Velvet
4. EXID
5. AOA
6. SISTAR
7. f(x)
8. Girl's Day
9. Gfriend
10. Mamamoo
11. miss A
12. 4minute
13. Lovelyz
14. Wonder Girls
15. TWICE
16. 9MUSES
17. KARA
18. Brown Eyed Girls
19. T-ara
20. Secret
