A recent announcement detailing the top nine most-streamed K-Pop songs of 2025 has led to polarized reactions among fans and listeners. The list features a range of popular artists, but it is the number one song, “Don’t Say You Love Me” by Jin, that has generated the most debate.
The ranking, which highlights the current landscape of K-Pop streaming, includes a variety of tracks that reflect both emerging and established talents. The complete list is as follows:
1. “Don’t Say You Love Me” — Jin
2. “Like Jennie” — Jennie
3. “Jump” — BLACKPINK
4. “Born Again” — Lisa
5. “ExtraL” — Jennie
6. “TAKEDOWN” — TWICE’s Jihyo, Jeongyeon, and Chaeyoung
7. “Killin’ It Girl” — J-Hope
8. “Mona Lisa” — J-Hope
9. “Love Hangover” — Jennie
While Jin’s track takes the top spot, many users on social media expressed surprise and confusion over its popularity. Comments suggest that several listeners were unfamiliar with the song prior to its ranking, questioning how it managed to reach number one.
“A song I’ve never even heard of is in first place,” one netizen remarked, highlighting a sentiment echoed by others who stated, “Isn’t this embarrassing? lol” Some fans expressed disbelief, noting they had only heard of a few tracks on the list, specifically “Like Jennie” and “Jump.”
Despite the skepticism, others defended Jin’s achievement, emphasizing his prior success and strong concert attendance. “Isn’t this an artist who’s already proven themselves through a tour? I thought they filled their concerts pretty well,” a supporter noted.
The mixed responses illustrate the vibrant and often contentious nature of K-Pop fandom, where rankings can spark extensive discussions about music quality and audience preferences. As streaming platforms continue to play a crucial role in shaping the music industry, the dynamics of how songs gain popularity will likely remain a topic of interest.
As the year progresses, it will be intriguing to see how these rankings evolve and what new tracks might emerge in the competitive K-Pop landscape.
