K-POP Guru Masayuki Furuya Predicts BTS Comeback and BIGBANG’s 20th Anniversary as 2026’s Hottest Topics on ‘POP-K TOP10 Friday’

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K-POP’s Vision for 2026: Major Comebacks and Anniversaries

Masayuki Furuya highlighted two pivotal events expected to shape the K-POP landscape in 2026. The first, and perhaps most anticipated, is the full-group comeback of global sensation BTS. The second significant milestone is the 20th debut anniversary of legendary group BIGBANG.

Regarding BIGBANG, Furuya-san noted the impressive solo activities of its members in the previous year (2025). “G-DRAGON showcased his regal presence with solo endeavors, SOL’s fan meeting tour in Japan was a massive success, and D-LITE captivated audiences with an arena tour. Each member truly enthralled their fans,” he remarked. This fervent individual activity naturally fuels immense anticipation for group promotions in their 20th anniversary year. Furuya-san also alluded to G-DRAGON’s hint of “something happening around April,” further stoking fan excitement.

Beyond these established giants, Furuya-san singled out a new girl group, “Baby DONT Cry,” as a “major focus” for 2026. This group has already garnered significant attention for being produced by (G)I-DLE’s Soyeon and boasts two Japanese members. He introduced their debut track, “F Girl,” praising Soyeon’s innovative production as an active idol and the groundbreaking choice of this particular song for their debut.

Masayuki Furuya and Yuto Adachi in the studio

Special Fan Poll Crowns SUPER JUNIOR’s ‘U’

The episode also unveiled the results of a special ‘IDOL CHAMP’ poll titled “Divine Songs that Colored the Golden Age of K-POP’s 2nd Generation (2005-2010).” Securing the coveted first place was SUPER JUNIOR’s “U,” a testament to its enduring popularity. Notably, another SUPER JUNIOR hit, “BONAMANA,” also ranked 9th, demonstrating the group’s continued ability to electrify fans in live performances. BIGBANG’s iconic 2006 track “HARU HARU,” penned by G-DRAGON, claimed second place, reminiscing its legendary status with over 4.2 million concert attendees. SHINee’s “Ring Ding Dong,” a 2008 debut, secured third, its irresistibly catchy chorus continuing to captivate many since its release.

K-STAR CHART presents POP-K TOP10 Friday promotional image with Yuto Adachi

Evolving the Chart: New Ranking System for ‘K-STAR CHART’

Starting in 2026, the ranking methodology for ‘K-STAR CHART’ will undergo significant changes to empower more passionate fan support. The revised rules are as follows:

  • Weekly Chart and ‘Hall of Fame’ System

    • Hall of Fame: Songs that achieve 1st place on the weekly chart a total of 10 times will be inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ and subsequently excluded from future weekly lineups.

    • Abolition of Point System: The traditional point system based on vote counts will be discontinued.

  • Monthly MVP Determination

    • With the abolition of the point system, the song that receives the most votes within a given month will be crowned Monthly MVP.

  • Season and Annual Chart Determination

    • These charts will be decided through ‘decisive votes’ held four times a year, targeting top-voted songs from each season.

      • 1st Season: Top-voted songs from January to March.

      • 2nd Season: Top-voted songs from January to June.

      • 3rd Season: Top-voted songs from January to September.

      • Annual (4th Season): Top-voted songs from January to December.

  • Awards

    • Monthly, Season, and Annual MVPs will be announced on the radio program, and the artists will be presented with trophies.

K-STAR CHART 2026 ranking system details

About ‘K-STAR CHART presents POP-K TOP10 Friday’

This music program, broadcast every Friday evening, delivers an original K-POP idol chart determined by listener votes in a countdown format. It operates in conjunction with the ‘IDOL CHAMP’ K-POP idol support app. The show is hosted by Yuto Adachi, also known as Yuto from PENTAGON, and features the latest information on trending K-POP artists.

How to Vote on the ‘IDOL CHAMP’ App

Voting is simple, just follow these three steps:

  1. Tap ‘Vote’ at the bottom of the home screen.
  2. Tap the ‘K-STAR CHART presents POP-K TOP10 Friday’ vote banner.
  3. Tap the heart mark to vote for your favorite song.

IDOL CHAMP voting instructions

What is ‘IDOL CHAMP’?

‘IDOL CHAMP’ is a smartphone app service linked to the Korean MBC PLUS music program “SHOW CHAMPION” (broadcast every Wednesday from 18:00-19:00 JST). The app allows users to pre-vote for the program, with results influencing the weekly rankings and the champion artist’s song being featured on the show. Beyond program voting, ‘IDOL CHAMP’ hosts various topic-based polls. Artists who rank first in these polls receive support through outdoor billboard advertisements, station advertisements, or charitable donations made in their name. The app also collaborates with prominent magazines like ‘Forbes (Korean Edition)’ and major music awards, generating significant engagement annually.

IDOL CHAMP integrations with Forbes and awards

App Information and Official Links

Operating Environment:

  • Genre: K-POP Idol Fandom Service App

  • Price: Basic free (with in-app purchases)

  • Supported OS: iOS 15.0 or later, Android 7.0 or higher

Official SNS:

IDOL CHAMP logo

K-STAR CHART logo

App Download:

IDOL logo

The Future of Fan-Driven K-POP

The insights from Masayuki Furuya and the evolving ‘K-STAR CHART’ ranking system underscore a vibrant and dynamic future for K-POP. The emphasis on fan participation through ‘IDOL CHAMP’ ensures that listener voices continue to directly shape the industry, from chart rankings to artist recognition and even charitable contributions. As K-POP continues its global expansion, these fan-driven initiatives, particularly within the Japanese market, will surely play a crucial role in fostering deeper connections and celebrating the genre’s diverse talent. The coming year, with its promise of major comebacks and the rise of new stars, is poised to be another exhilarating chapter in the K-POP story, propelled by the collective passion of its worldwide fandom.

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