Tencent Music, Billboard China, and Billboard Korea have officially named the winners of their inaugural cross-market K-pop fan voting initiative, a collaboration designed to bridge music consumption trends between the two regions. The winners include SEVENTEEN for Boy Group, (G)I-DLE for Girl Group, THE8 for Male Solo, and NINGNING for Female Solo, based on combined data from both markets.
How the Winners Were Selected
The selection process relied on a hybrid model that balanced objective chart performance with subjective fan engagement. According to the official announcement, nominees were initially identified through their performance on the Tencent Music Korean Chart, supplemented by editorial selections from the Billboard Korea team.
The final results were determined by a fan-voting period that took place across both the Chinese and Korean markets. While the initiative produced a unified list of winners, the voting data revealed distinct regional preferences. In the Korea-based voting channel, BTS’s track “Body to Body” and BLACKPINK’s “JUMP” secured the top positions for their respective group categories. Conversely, the combined results favored SEVENTEEN’s “THUNDER” and (G)I-DLE’s “Fate.”
Regional Voting Trends and Market Alignment
The initiative highlights both the shared and divergent tastes of K-pop listeners in China and Korea. While the Male Solo and Female Solo categories saw consistent results across both voting channels—with THE8 and NINGNING taking top honors in both regions—the group categories showed more variability.
According to the organizers, the project serves as a snapshot of how specific tracks resonate across borders. By combining chart data with direct fan participation, the initiative aims to provide a more comprehensive view of K-pop’s footprint in Asia.
Why This Collaboration Matters
This project marks the first major cross-market collaboration between Billboard China, Billboard Korea, and Tencent Music. It represents a broader industry trend of integrating editorial curation with digital fan-voting mechanisms to foster deeper connections between artists and their international fanbases.
For the participating platforms, the initiative acts as a bridge for data sharing and audience engagement. By utilizing the Tencent Music infrastructure alongside Billboard’s global network, the organizers have created a framework that measures success beyond simple streaming numbers, incorporating the active advocacy of fan communities.
Summary of Winners
- Boy Group: SEVENTEEN – “THUNDER”
- Girl Group: (G)I-DLE – “Fate”
- Male Solo: THE8 – “Cold Love”
- Female Solo: NINGNING – “Ketchup And Lemonade”
Looking ahead, this cross-market model is expected to influence how streaming platforms and music publications evaluate the impact of K-pop artists on a global scale. The integration of regional voting data provides a template for future initiatives aiming to quantify the reach of K-pop outside of traditional domestic charts.
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