In a remarkable and rare phenomenon, a B-side track released over a year ago is experiencing an explosive resurgence on the charts. YG Entertainment’s rookie girl group, BABYMONSTER, is seeing their 2024 song “Really Like You” climb major domestic and international charts, a testament to the power of viral social media trends and a dedicated fanbase. The group was recently spotted departing for Tokyo amidst this renewed wave of popularity.

The Viral Challenge That Started It All

The catalyst for this unexpected chart comeback was a viral challenge that took over short-form video platforms like TikTok. According to a report from YG Life, the trend began after a performance video from BABYMONSTER’s Japan fan concert in December 2025 started circulating online. A specific point choreography, featuring cute hand gestures that form an “O” shape to the lyrics, captured the hearts of fans and quickly evolved into a widespread challenge. The trend’s popularity was so immense that it topped TikTok Korea’s ‘Music Viral 50’ chart for five consecutive days in January and has since amassed over 100,000 video posts.

A Stunning Chart Reversal

This organic, fan-driven promotion has translated into tangible results on music charts. “Really Like You,” a track from the group’s first full-length album ‘DRIP’, has re-entered and climbed multiple significant rankings. It appeared at No. 77 on YouTube Korea’s Weekly Popular Songs Chart and has seen impressive jumps on Spotify’s Weekly Top Songs Korea chart, leaping 47 spots. As reported by The Chosun Daily, the song is also gaining traction on the Circle Chart, Apple Music, Melon, and VIBE, setting new personal bests daily more than a year after its initial release.

From Sleeper Hit to Renewed Spotlight

The success of “Really Like You” is a powerful example of a ‘sleeper hit’ in the K-Pop industry, where a non-title track gains significant popularity long after its release. This chart reversal drew huge crowds of fans and media to Gimpo International Airport to see the group depart for overseas schedules in Tokyo on February 21st, as covered by Chosunbiz. The phenomenon showcases the enduring quality of the music and the growing influence of fan-led social media campaigns in shaping music trends.

What’s Next for the ‘Next-Generation YouTube Queens’

This viral moment adds to BABYMONSTER’s already impressive resume. Having already been dubbed the “next-generation YouTube queens” for becoming the fastest K-pop girl group to surpass 11 million subscribers, this organic chart success further solidifies their position as a formidable force in the industry. With the new year bringing this unexpected viral hit, all eyes are on what BABYMONSTER will achieve next in 2026.

References

• The Chosun Daily: BABYMONSTER Departs for Tokyo After Chart Comeback
• Chosunbiz: BABYMONSTER draws airport crowds as retro hit reverses chart in Korea
• YG Life: BABYMONSTER’s “Really Like You” Climbs Music Charts Amid Viral Challenge Craze