The April 2026 CIRCLE CHART was dominated by major acts including AKMU, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, BTS, and NCT WISH.
KPIA (formerly KMCA), the publisher of CIRCLE CHART, announced, "In the monthly CIRCLE CHART for April 2026, AKMU swept a total of six charts while TOMORROW X TOGETHER topped two charts. Additionally, BTS took the lead on the Global K-pop Chart and NCT WISH dominated the Retail Album Chart."
AKMU crushed a total of six charts as "Joy, Sorrow, A Beautiful Heart", the lead single of their fourth studio album FLOWERING, topped the Digital Chart (with a CIRCLE Score of 67,567,986) as well as the BGM, V Coloring, Bell, and Ring charts, while the album's pre-release track "Paradise of Rumors" topped the Streaming Chart. The two songs, which leave a deep lingering impression with the group's unique sensibility, have captured audiences immediately upon release.
TOMORROW X TOGETHER topped two charts as 7TH YEAR: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns soared to No. 1 on the Album Chart (1,668,464 total copies sold) and its lead single "Stick With You" dominated the Download Chart. 7TH YEAR: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns is the group's eighth mini-album and focuses on the five members' frank emotions. Counting albums of all formats (CD+Weverse+SMC) in the Album Chart TOP 100, it sold a combined total of 1,934,435 copies.
BTS dominated two charts as "SWIM", the lead single from their fifth studio album ARIRANG, replaced the top spot on the Global K-pop Chart for the first time in nine months while BTS stayed at No. 1 on the Social Chart 3.0 for the second month in a row. "SWIM" is a song about the resolve to keep on swimming forward through the tides of life.
NCT WISH topped the Retail Album Chart as Ode to Love - The 1st Album, a release that showcases the group's increasingly distinctive musical style, sold a total of 306,527 copies at retailers. Counting albums of all formats (CD+SMC) in the Retail Album Chart TOP 50, the title sold a combined total of 447,400 copies.
On the Social Chart 3.0, which provides an intuitive look at the global popularity of K-pop, the artist who moved up the most during April was 'NCT WISH'.
In Week 18 (April 26-May 2, 2026) CIRCLE CHART of 2026 which was released the same day, AKMU swept a total of six charts as "Paradise of Rumors" topped the Digital, Streaming, V Coloring, Bell, and Ring charts, while "Joy, Sorrow, A Beautiful Heart" led the BGM Chart. BTS continued their reign on the Global K-pop Chart with "SWIM" while TWS topped the Album Chart with 5th Mini Album `NO TRAGEDY` and NEXZ hit No. 1 on the Retail Album Chart with Mmchk.
Meanwhile, CIRCLE Certifications in the Album category will be announced today for the following releases: ▲4 Million : BTS ARIRANG ▲1 Platinum : P1Harmony UNIQUE, BTS ARIRANG (Weverse). Certifications in the Streaming category will be announced today for the following releases: ▲1 Platinum : DK "Heart(心)", HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI, and KPop Demon Hunters Cast "Golden".
