The middle of October saw a break in idol domination on network music show charts in Korea.

After idol groups dominated the September Korean weekly music shows, October's winners show a sudden shift away from idols to solo singers. Pop groups like Girls' Generation sub-unit TaeTiSeo, Sistar, Super Junior, Teen Top, and WINNER all took home trophies in September, but October has seen wins by solo singers Ailee, IU, Roy Kim, and Kim Dong Ryul.

TaeTiSeo is the only idol group to have achieved number one in October with their win on Mnet's M! Countdown and MBC's Show! Music Core earlier this month. SBS's Inkigayo, KBS's Music Bank, and MBC Music's Show Champion haven't seen idol groups win first place during the same period.

The weekend of October 18 resulted in wins by Roy Kim with "Home" on M! Countdown, IU with Seo Taiji-produced "Sogyeokdong" on Inkigayo, Kim Dong Ryul with "How I Am" on Music Bank, and rounded up with Ailee's win for "Don't Touch Me" on Show Champion. Roy Kim also won on Show! Music Core.

Roy Kim celebrated his M! Countdown win by removing his makeup during filming.

While IU and Ailee idol singers, both female solo artists are known for their powerful vocals and have their own unique singing styles. Roy Kim and Kim Dong Ryul are both solo singer-songwriters.

Outside of the music programs, October's Korean music scene has largely been dominated by solo artists, with releases by singers including not only the recent winners but also Younha, Zia, Huh Gak, Seo Taiji, Secret's Song Jieun, Bernard Park, and more.

The month saw the debut of MADTOWN early on, but prior to October 10 not a single well-established idol group released a song.

Since October 10, Beast, Epik High, VIXX, Boyfriend, Red Velvet, and other groups have made comebacks, which may lead to October seeing some group wins by the end of the month. Super Junior and project group S also have planned comebacks, which are likely to lead to a shift back towards idol groups taking first on music shows.