On MelOn's Top 100 chart, EXO proved their unrelenting impact even without a new release by becoming the 2nd boy group to achieve THIS after SEVENTEEN.

Shockingly, the group climbed the chart with a 10-year-old song!

EXO Ranks #1 at MelOn Top 100 Chart With 'First Snow'

On December 19, the third-gen K-pop icon EXO impressed the K-pop industry after it achieved another record in the music scene despite the group's inactivity since their last release in July with "EXIST." 

On this day, the nonet rose and clinched the No. 1 spot on of MelOn Top 100, considerably one of the hardest domestic charts to enter for K-pop idols.

ALSO READ: 'Ah, here we go again!': EXO's 'First Snow' Ranks #1 on Trends, Re-Enters Charts 

In order the claim the top spot of the rankings, one should have a decent popularity combined with a great song choice in order to amass unique listeners continuously in the past 24 hours.

Often, girl groups like NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, IVE, and aespa dominate this chart with their hit tracks. This time, EXO, a boy group, was able to defeat all of them — proving their unmatched influence.

What was shocking was that the nonet DID THAT without a new song, but with "First Snow," a track they released 10 years ago!

Sit down and relax as you will be surprised even more. The song isn't even a title track of one of their regular or studio albums, but a b-sidetrack for their winter special album, "Miracles in December," unveiled on December 9, 2013!

With this achievement, EXO stood as the second boy group to ever sit atop the MelOn top 100 for this year 2023, joining SEVENTEEN and their song, "God of Music," from their 11th mini-album, "SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN," released in October.

Congratulations, EXO!

Reason Behind EXO's 'First Snow' Popularity After 10 Years

For those who are wondering why this song is so popular even after a decade has passed, a music critic and author discussed this in a related article.

The song was released 10 years ago, but its popularity wasn't sudden. In the past years, "First Snow" has always been a popular "K-Christmas Carol" among Koreans and K-pop fans that always comes back on the charts whenever the season approaches.

However, it hit its peak after the song accidentally became a viral TikTok dance challenge among K-teens due to the song's warm vibe that goes well with the current cold atmosphere.

Wearing a padded jacket and scarf with the snow as the background, the song provides a sentimental and cozy song that reminds people of memories in winter.

Its popularity rose even higher when idols also joined the trend, including aespa, IVE, NCT, ZEROBASEONE, ENHYPEN, and even EXO members themselves (excluding Kai and D.O.).

Since then, the "First Snow" craze continued even outside Korea, global fans were able to feel the holiday vibes through the song.

READ MORE: K-pop Idols Join EXO's 'First Snow' Trend — What Is THIS Dance Challenge About?

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Written by Eunice Dawson.