2016 was undeniably a good year for K-pop releases, with numerous famous groups making their debut then.
Want to know which K-pop groups that debuted in 2016 are considered best-sellers now? Then keep on reading!
Please note that all data comes from Gaon Music Charts.
NCT 127 is the Best-Selling K-Pop Group That Debuted in 2016
Surprisingly, NCT 127 is the best-selling K-pop group that debuted in 2016. During a year that gave us BLACKPINK and EXO-CBX, NCT 127 rose above the ranks.
According to Gaon Music Charts, NCT 127 has sold 3,044,042 cumulative online and offline album sales.
The boys have seen massive success on the Gaon Charts. Their debut self-titled extended play, which was released on Jul. 10, 2016, debuted at number two on the Gaon Album Chart and reached the top spot during the third week of its release.
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In 2017, NCT 127 released their second extended play, "Limitless." The album was another commercial success, peaking at the top of the Gaon Album Chart.
That same year, they released "Cherry Bomb" on Jun. 14. The single became their first single to enter the Gaon Digital Chart, peaking at number 47.
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NCT's first full-length album, "Regular-Irregular," which was released in Oct. 2017, became NCT 127's third Gaon Album Chart-topper, remaining at the top spot for two weeks.
BLACKPINK is the Best-Selling Female K-Pop Group That Debuted in 2016
BLACKPINK took the second-place spot in this list. According to Gaon Music Charts, BLACKPINK has sold 2,519,254 online and offline cumulative album sales. They ranked the highest among girl groups that debuted in 2016.
Like NCT 127, BLACKPINK has also seen massive success on the Gaon Charts.
Their debut song "Whistle" topped the Gaon Digital Charts upon its release. It also topped Gaon's download, streaming, and mobile charts. By the end of 2016, BLACKPINK had scored numerous rookie awards, with one of them from the Gaon Chart Music Awards.
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Their 2018 release, "Square Up," debuted at the top of the Gaon Albums Charts. The mini-album's title track, "DDU-DU DDU-DU," peaked at number one on Gaon's digital, download, streaming, and mobile charts. "Forever Young," a B-side from "Square Up," peaked at number two.
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BLACKPINK's Jun. 2020 single, "How You Like That," debuted at number twelve on the Gaon Digital Chart with just one day of tracking. The following week, it skyrocketed to number one on Gaon's digital, download, and streaming charts.
These are the Top 10 Best-Selling K-Pop Groups that Debuted in 2016 on Gaon
*Note: Cumulative album sales seen next to idol group's name
1. NCT 127 - 3,044,042
2. BLACKPINK - 2,519,254
3. NCT Dream - 1,723,766
4. ASTRO - 1,126,255
5. EXO-CBX - 678,068
6. WJSN - 655,935
7. SF9 - 602,972
8. PENTAGON - 560,558
9. VICTON - 483,005
10. I.O.I - 272,000
ALSO READ: SEVENTEEN, TWICE, and More: These are the Best-Selling K-Pop Groups That Debuted in 2015 on Gaon
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Written by Alexa Lewis
