Melon () is a South Korean

online music A digital music store is a business that sells digital audio files of music recordings over the Internet. Customers gain ownership of a license to use the files, in contrast to a music streaming service, where they listen to recordings without ...

store and

music streaming service A music streaming service is a type of streaming media service that focuses primarily on music, and sometimes other forms of digital audio content such as podcasts. These services are usually subscription-based services allowing users to stream d ...

introduced in November 2004, and developed by

SK Telecom SK Telecom Co., Ltd. ( or ) is a South Korean wireless telecommunications operator and former film distributor and is part of the SK Group, one of the country's largest chaebols. It leads the local market with 50.5 percent share as of 2008. ...

. LOEN Entertainment (became Kakao M and then Kakao Entertainment) became the company-in-charge of the service in 2009. In 2017, Kakao merged Kakao Music into Melon to have one, unified music streaming service. Melon is South Korea's largest music subscription service, with over 28 million users. Melon is the most popular music streaming service in

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...

. In fact, a survey of users of smartphones found that they were the most used applications by Koreans. Melon users can stream and download music and music videos and create custom ringtones. Melon is currently available on

iOS iOS (formerly iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its hardware. It is the operating system that powers many of the company's mobile devices, including the iPhone; the term also include ...

and Android. The name ''Melon'' is an acronym of the phrase ''melody on''.

History

Melon was established under SK Telecom, South Korea's largest wireless carrier, in 2004. In 2013, it was sold to a Hong Kong-based private equity firm. Later in 2016 it was acquired by Kakao as part of

Kakao M Kakao M (; formerly Seoul Records, YBM Seoul Records and LOEN Entertainment) was a South Korean entertainment company established by Min Yeong-bin in 1978. It is currently one of the largest co-publisher companies in South Korea. The company op ...

. In 2018, Kakao M spun-off from Kakao, but Melon stayed. In 2021, Melon merged with Kakao Entertainment and rebranded itself as "Melon M". This joint venue aimed to secure their leadership in the showbiz industry. Lee Jae-wook will lead the joint. At that time, the streaming platform boasted 33 million users and around 5 million paying users.

International operations

In 2010, Melon was launched by SK Telecom in

Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...

, in partnership with

Telkom Indonesia PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, also simply known as Telkom, is an Indonesian multinational telecommunications conglomerate. Telkom is listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange and has a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange. T ...

. In 2016, Telkom Indonesia bought all the stake formerly owned by SK Telecom following the SK Telecom's divestment from all Melon businesses, thus making Melon Indonesia an Indonesian company.

Promotions

Music programs on TV

Melon is the main sponsor of the following music-related shows: * ''

Inkigayo ''Inkigayo'' ( ko, 인기가요; English title: ''The Music Trend'', previously ''Popular Song'') is a South Korean music program broadcast by SBS. It airs live every Sunday. The show features some of the latest and most popular artists who p ...

'' ( SBS, October 2010 – December 2016, re-sponsored since February 2017. Previously known as ''Popular Song'' and ''The Music Trend''.) * '' Show! Music Core'' ( MBC, August 2014 – March 2018) * ''

Show Champion ''Show Champion'' (Korean: 쇼 챔피언) is a South Korean music television program broadcast live by MBC M every Wednesday at Bitmaru Broadcasting Center in Ilsan. Hosts * Shindong (February 14, 2012 – December 25, 2012) * Hahm Eun-jung ...

'' (

MBC Music MBC M (formerly MBC Music) () is a South Korean specialty television channel owned by MBC Plus Media. The cable channel primarily broadcasts programming related to music. The channel opened on February 1, 2012, with a new music program '' Sho ...

, January 2013 – May 2018) * ''

You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook ''You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook'' () is a South Korean talk show and live music television program airing from April 24 2009 until July 22nd 2022. It was hosted by You Hee-yeol, also known as his one-man band, Toy. The program has aired since April ...

'' ( KBS

2TV ''2TV'' was an Irish music programme broadcast on Sunday mornings on both Network 2 television and RTÉ 2fm radio from 1995 until at least 2001, even during the summer months. It was presented by Dave Fanning, with Bianca Luykx, although Ray ...

) * '' Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend'' ( KBS

) * ''

K-pop Star ''Survival Audition K-pop Star'' ( ko, 서바이벌 오디션 K팝 스타) is a South Korean reality TV competition series where three entertainment/talent agencies in South Korea hold worldwide auditions to find the next potential K-Pop stars. ...

'' ( SBS, all six seasons from 2011 – 2017) * ''

Tribe of Hip Hop ''Tribe of Hip Hop'' () is a 2016 South Korean music show presented by Shin Dong-yup and San E. It airs on JTBC on Fridays at 21:40 (KST). Format It is a show where all 50 contestants must not be professional or underground rappers, or act as ...

'' (

JTBC JTBC (shortened from ''Joongang Tongyang Broadcasting Company'' (; stylized as jtbc) is a South Korean nationwide pay television network. Its primary shareholder is JoongAng Holdings, with a 25% stake. It was launched on 1 December 2011. JTBC ...

) * ''

King of Mask Singer ''The King of Mask Singer'' () is a South Korean singing competition program presented by Kim Sung-joo, with introductions by voice actor . It airs on MBC on Sunday, starting from April 5, 2015 as a part of MBC's '' Sunday Night'' programming ...

'' ( MBC, since June 2017) * '' MIXNINE'' (

) (2017 – 2018) * ''

Music Bank Music Bank may refer to: * ''Music Bank'' (TV program), a South Korean music program by KBS **''Music Bank World Tour The ''Music Bank'' World Tour is a worldwide live concert tour of South Korean music show '' Music Bank'' by the Korean Broa ...

'' ( KBS

, since January 2020)

Melon Music Awards

In 2009, LOEN Entertainment launched the Melon Music Awards (MMA), an award-giving body dedicated to calculating digital sales and online votes to judge the winners.

Achievements

Songs with the most weeks at number one

11 weeks *

BTS BTS (), also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a South Korean boy band formed in 2010 and debuting in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment. The septet—consisting of members Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—co-writes and co-pr ...

– "

Dynamite Dynamite is an explosive made of nitroglycerin, sorbents (such as powdered shells or clay), and Stabilizer (chemistry), stabilizers. It was invented by the Swedish people, Swedish chemist and engineer Alfred Nobel in Geesthacht, Northern Germa ...

" (2020) 8 weeks * YB – "It Must Have Been Love" (2005) * Big Bang – " Last Farewell" (2007) * Girls' Generation – " Gee" (2009) * Zico – "

Any Song "Any Song" (Korean: 아무노래; RR: ''Amu norae''; stylized in sentence case) is a song recorded by South Korean rapper Zico for his third extended play, ''Random Box'' (2020). The song was written and produced by Zico, with additional prod ...

" (2020) * Mirani, Munchman, Khundi Panda,

Mushvenom Lee Tae-min (; born June 20, 1994), known professionally as Mushvenom (; stylized in all caps), is a South Korean rapper and songwriter. He is known for his humorous lyrics and using the Chungcheong dialect in his rap. Mushvenom first garnered ...

feat.

Justhis Heo Seung (Hangul: 허승, born May 7, 1991), better known by his stage name Justhis (Hangul The Korean alphabet, known as Hangul, . Hangul may also be written as following South Korea's standard Romanization. ( ) in South Korea and Ch ...

– " VVS" (2020) *

Brave Girls Brave Girls (; also known as B. Girls or BG) is a South Korean girl group formed by producer Brave Brothers in 2011 and managed by Brave Entertainment. After making their debut with the single album ''The Difference'' on April 7, 2011, the gro ...

– " Rollin'" (2017) 7 weeks *

Wonder Girls Wonder Girls () was a South Korean girl group formed by JYP Entertainment. The group debuted in February 2007 with the single "Irony" and 5 members: Yeeun, Sunye, Sunmi, Hyuna and Sohee. After Hyuna's departure in July, Yubin was added into th ...

– " Tell Me" (2007) * Big Bang – "

Haru Haru "Haru Haru" (Korean: ; Day by Day) is a song by South Korean boy group Big Bang. Released through YG Entertainment on August 8, 2008, as the lead single for their third extended play ''Stand Up'', it became one of their most popular singles and ...

" (2008) *

Soyou Kang Ji-hyun (born February 12, 1992), known professionally as Soyou, is a South Korean singer. She is best known as a former member of the South Korean girl group Sistar. Life and career 1992–2010: Early life and career beginnings Soyou ...

Junggigo Go Jung-gi (born September 5, 1980), better known by his stage name Junggigo, is a South Korean singer. Discography Studio albums Tribute albums Extended plays Singles as lead artist Collaborative singles Soundtrack appearanc ...

– "

Some Some may refer to: *''some'', an English word used as a determiner and pronoun; see use of ''some'' *The term associated with the existential quantifier *"Some", a song by Built to Spill from their 1994 album ''There's Nothing Wrong with Love'' *S ...

" (2014) 6 weeks *

SG Wannabe SG Wannabe () is a South Korean vocal group consisting of members Kim Yong-jun, Kim Jin-ho and Lee Seok-hoon. The group debuted in January 2004 with the single, "Timeless", from the album ''SG Wanna Be+'', and won Best New Artist at the Golden ...

– "Crime and Punishment" (2005) *

Kim Jong-kook Kim Jong-kook (; born April 25, 1976) is a South Korean singer, entertainer, and actor. Kim debuted as a member of South Korean duo Turbo in 1995. The duo was considered to be one of the most popular idols in that time and sold out millions of ...

– "Standstill" (2005) * Buzz – "Love From a Real Heart" (2005) * Gavy NJ Project Group – "Love All" (2006) *

Yangpa Lee Eun-jin (; born March 17, 1979), better known by her stage name Yangpa (, lit. ''Onion''), is a South Korean singer. She debuted in 1996 with the hit single "Novice's Love." History 1990s Yangpa debuted in 1996 with the album ''Novice's Lo ...

– "Love... What Is It?" (2007) *

F.T. Island F.T. Island ( ko, 에프티 아일랜드, or FT아일랜드, short for Five Treasure Island), is a South Korean rock band formed by FNC Entertainment in 2007. The band currently consists of main vocalist Lee Hong-gi, bassist Lee Jae-jin, and ...

– "Love Sick" (2007) * Big Bang – " Lies" (2007) *

– "

So Hot "So Hot" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Wonder Girls. It was initially released on May 22, 2008, for digital download. Afterwards, the maxi-single titled "So Hot (The 3rd Project)" was released on June 3, 2008. The single became ...

" (2008) *

Baek Ji-young Baek Ji-young (; born March 25, 1976), also known as Baek Z Young, is a South Korean singer. She made her debut in 1999, with the release of her album ''Sorrow''. Over her career she has released eight studio albums and won awards for Best Fem ...

– "Like Being Hit By a Bullet" (2008) * IU – " You & I" (2011) *

Psy Park Jae-sang (, ; born December 31, 1977), known professionally as Psy (stylized in all caps as PSY) (; ; ), is a South Korean singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Psy is known domestically for his humorous videos and stage per ...

– "

Gangnam Style "Gangnam Style" ( ko, 강남스타일, ) is a K-pop song by South Korean rapper Psy, released on July 15, 2012, by YG Entertainment as the lead single of his sixth studio album, ''Psy 6 (Six Rules), Part 1'' (''Ssai Yukgap Part 1''). The term ...

" (2012) *

Ailee Amy Lee (born May 30, 1989), known professionally as Ailee, is an American singer and songwriter based in South Korea. Amassing digital sales success in South Korea, she has released four studio albums, six extended plays, and twenty one singles ...

– "

I Will Go to You Like the First Snow "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow" () is a song recorded by Korean American singer-songwriter Ailee, serving as an original soundtrack (OST) for the 2016 hit television drama '' Guardian: The Lonely and Great God''. The song was written by Mi ...

" (2017) *

iKon iKon (), stylized as iKON, is a South Korean boy band formed in 2015 by YG Entertainment, consisting of six members: Jay, Song, Bobby, DK, Ju-ne and Chan. Originally a seven-piece band, leader B.I departed from the group in June 2019. Ini ...

– "

Love Scenario "Love Scenario" () is a song recorded by South Korean boy group iKon. It was released as the lead single of their second studio album, ''Return''. The song won "Song of the Year" at the 2018 Melon Music Awards and 33rd Golden Disc Awards. It is r ...

" (2018) * IU – "

Celebrity Celebrity is a condition of fame and broad public recognition of a person or group as a result of the attention given to them by mass media. An individual may attain a celebrity status from having great wealth, their participation in sports ...

" (2021) * M.O.M – "Foolish Love" (2021) *

The Kid Laroi Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard (born 17 August 2003), known professionally as the Kid Laroi (stylised as the Kid LAROI), is an Australian rapper, singer and songwriter. He originally gained recognition from his association and friendship with A ...

Justin Bieber Justin Drew Bieber ( ; born March 1, 1994) is a Canadian singer. Bieber is recognized for his genre-melding musicianship and has played an influential role in modern-day popular music. He was discovered by American record executive Scooter ...

– "

Stay Stay may refer to: Places * Stay, Kentucky, an unincorporated community in the US Law * Stay of execution, a ruling to temporarily suspend the enforcement of a court judgment * Stay of proceedings, a ruling halting further legal process in a tri ...

" (2021) * Kim Min-seok – Drunken Confession (2022) *

Younha Go Youn-ha (Hangul: 고윤하, Hanja: 高潤荷; born April 29, 1988), known mononymously as Younha, is a South Korean singer-songwriter and record producer. She began her career in 2004 in Japan, where she was nicknamed the "Oricon Comet" for h ...

– "Event Horizon" (2022)

Artists with most number one songs

Artists with most weeks at number one

Artists with most months at number one

Longest charting songs on weekly chart

Most liked songs of all time

All-time records

* Most streamed artist:

* Most streamed song: BTS ㅡ " Spring Day" (880.6M streams) * Artist with most total unique listeners: IU * Song with most unique listeners:

Busker Busker Busker Busker () is a South Korean indie band who rose to fame through their runner-up performance in the South Korean music audition television program ''Superstar K3'' on Mnet. The band consists of guitarist and vocalist Jang Beom-june, ba ...

ㅡ "

Cherry Blossom Ending "Cherry Blossom Ending" () is a song by South Korean indie band Busker Busker, from their debut studio album '' Busker Busker 1st Album''. The song was written by band member and was released on March 29, 2012 by CJ E&M Music. The song is well ...

" (8M ULs) * Longest-running No 1 song on hourly chart: BTS ㅡ "

" (1815 hours) * Longest-running No 1 song on daily chart: BTS ㅡ "Dynamite" (75 days) * Longest-running No 1 song on weekly chart: BTS ㅡ "Dynamite" (11 weeks) * Longest-running No 1 song on monthly chart: BTS ㅡ "Dynamite",

ㅡ " Rollin'" (3 months) * Longest-running Top 5 song on weekly chart: BTS ㅡ "Dynamite" (30 weeks) * Longest-running Top 10 song on weekly chart: BTS ㅡ "Dynamite" (36 weeks) * Longest-running Top 10 song on yearly chart: Paul Kim ㅡ "Every Day, Every Moment", BTS (feat. Halsey) ㅡ "

Boy with Luv "Boy with Luv" ( Korean: 작은 것들을 위한 시; RR: ''Jag-eun geosdeul-eul wihan si'', "A Poem for Small Things") is a song recorded by South Korean boy band BTS, featuring American singer Halsey, as the lead single for their sixth exte ...

" (2 years) * Longest-running Top 100 song on daily chart: BTS ㅡ "Spring Day" (~2,100 days) * Longest-running Top 100 song on weekly chart: BTS ㅡ "Spring Day" (305 weeks) * Longest-running Top 100 song on yearly chart: BTS ㅡ "Spring Day" (5 years) * Shortest time to reach No 1 for a song on hourly chart (24Hits System): IU ㅡ "Celebrity" (3 hours) * Most roof-hit song (pre-2017 System):

Im Chang-jung Im Chang-jung (; born November 30, 1973) is a South Korean singer-songwriter and actor. He is often referred by Koreans as "the original multi-entertainer" for being active in all three fields: music, film and entertainment. He made his acting ...

ㅡ "The Love I Committed" (194 roof-hits) * Most roof-hit song (post-2017 System): Zico ㅡ "

" (51 roof-hits) * Most unique listeners for a song in 1st 24 hours: IU ㅡ "

Bbibbi "Bbibbi" () is a song recorded by South Korean singer-songwriter IU, released digitally on October 10, 2018, through Kakao M. The self-written song was produced by Son Myung-gab. It subsequently debuted at number one on the Gaon Digital Chart. T ...

" (1,462,625 ULs)

Accolades

Melon became one of "Korea's Best 25 Apps" in the 2011 App Awards Korea. Melon was recognized at the 2012 Trusted Brand Awards. Melon won the "Grand Prize for Digital Contents" in the 2012 Korean Digital Management Innovation Awards. Melon was recognized in the 2012 Korea Brand Power Index. ''

Ilgan Sports ''Ilgan Sports'' ( ko, 일간스포츠; ''The Daily Sports'' or ''1S'' for short) is a South Korean daily sports and entertainment newspaper founded in 1969. Formerly under ''Hankook Ilbo'', it is now owned by the ''JoongAng Ilbo, JoongAng Media ...

'' ranked Melon as the 3rd most influential entity in the

K-pop K-pop (), short for Korean popular music, is a form of popular music originating in South Korea as part of South Korean culture. It includes styles and genres from around the world, such as pop, hip hop, R&B, experimental, rock, jazz, gos ...

industry in a November 2013 poll in celebration of its 44th anniversary.

Notes

References

External links

* {{Music digital distribution platforms Kakao M Music streaming services IOS software Android (operating system) software Online music stores of South Korea Internet properties established in 2004