I.O.I Claims First Music Core Trophy on 10th-Anniversary Single "Suddenly"
On Saturday, June 13, the South Korean music program Music Core, broadcast by MBC, awarded its first‑place trophy to the girl group I.O.I for their single “Suddenly.” The group earned 7,815 points, the highest score of the week, and became the first act to win the show since its debut ten years earlier.
Music Core, which airs live every Saturday at 15:30 KST from MBC’s Dream Center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, awards a weekly chart based on sales, streaming, and broadcast performance. In the June 13 episode, the top three contenders were I.O.I’s “Suddenly,” ILLIT’s “It’s Me,” and aespa’s “LEMONADE.” I.O.I’s score surpassed the other two, securing the trophy.
I.O.I originally formed in 2016 through the reality show Produce 101, with eleven members chosen from a pool of 101 trainees. The group debuted on May 4, 2016, with the EP Chrysalis and the single “Dream Girls.” They released several successful singles, including “Whatta Man” and “Very Very Very,” and received awards such as Rookie Artist of the Year at the Golden Disc Awards. The group disbanded in January 2017 after a year of promotions.
In May 2026, I.O.I reunited to celebrate the tenth anniversary of their debut. They released a new EP, I.O.I: Loop, and the lead single “Suddenly.” According to the Circle Digital Chart, the track became the group’s second number‑one hit. The reunion marked a significant moment for fans and the K‑pop industry.
The Music Core episode also featured performances from a range of artists. BOYNEXTDOOR performed “VIRAL,” BABYMONSTER sang “SUGAR HONEY ICE TEA,” and TREASURE delivered “IF I.” Other acts included izna with “R.I.P.” and “METRONOME,” MEOVV’s “DDI RO RI,” tripleS’s “Baby Flower,” FIFTY FIFTY’s “Like a Bubble,” AND2BLE’s “Aura,” EPEX’s “ECHO,” Mighty Mouth’s “Tok Tok” (featuring Soya), Samuel’s “ZIGI‑ZIGI‑ZIGI,” IDID’s “FLY!,” HEART OF WOMAN’s “Lost in Proof,” Queenz Eye’s “LBD,” CrazAngel’s “Picasso,” XODIAC’s “Phantom Fire,” and EJel’s “Summer Equation.”
MBC TV, the broadcaster of Music Core, is a national terrestrial channel operated by the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation. The network, which carries the channel number 11, is headquartered in Digital Media City, Seoul, and operates the Dream Center studio used for the show.
The win is notable not only for I.O.I’s comeback but also for the broader K‑pop landscape. The group’s ability to secure a top spot on a major music program after a decade of inactivity demonstrates the lasting impact of the Produce 101 franchise and the loyalty of its fan base.
As of now, I.O.I’s victory on Music Core is the latest milestone in their reunion activities. The group has not announced further releases or performances, but the win is expected to boost interest in their new material and increase streaming of “Suddenly.”
The episode’s results were confirmed by the official Music Core broadcast and the show’s chart system. No additional commentary or future plans have been released by the group or their agency.
In summary, I.O.I’s 7,815‑point win on Music Core marks a historic moment for the group’s 10th‑anniversary celebration and underscores the enduring appeal of their music in the competitive K‑pop market.
