Inkigayo (1998)
South Korea's iconic Sunday K-pop music show on SBS, where fan votes crown the most popular song of the week.
Inkigayo - Series Information
- Original Title: SBS 인기가요
- First Air Year: 1998
- Last Air Year: 2025
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Reality, Family
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (70 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 1547
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- First Air Date: February 1, 1998 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: SBS
- Alternative Titles: SBS Inki Gayo (US), Popular Song (KR)
- Production Companies: Seoul Broadcasting System, Prism Studios
- Production Countries: South Korea
Inkigayo - Plot
The program is a weekly music show that features and introduces viewers to the most popular artists in Korea. Every week, they ask viewers to vote and select the most popular song of the week.
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Inkigayo - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Seo Beom-jun
- Yeonjun
- Roh Jeong-eui
- Jung Sung-chan
- An Yujin
- Park Ji-hoon
- Kim Chaewon
- Kazuha
- Huh Yunjin
- Sakura
Inkigayo - FAQs
What is Inkigayo and how does it work?
Inkigayo is a weekly K-pop music show broadcast on SBS in South Korea. Each episode features performances from the country's hottest artists, and viewers vote to determine the most popular song of the week. The winner receives a coveted trophy, making every Sunday broadcast a must-watch event for K-pop fans.
Where can you stream Inkigayo online?
Inkigayo is available to stream on OnDemandKorea (with subscription and ad-supported options) and Kocowa, including through the Kocowa Amazon Channel. These platforms offer access to recent and archived episodes for international viewers who want to follow the weekly K-pop action.
How does the Inkigayo winner trophy get decided?
The Inkigayo trophy is awarded based on a combined scoring system that factors in digital sales, physical album sales, broadcast points, and viewer votes. Winning the Inkigayo trophy — known as a 'one pick' — is considered a major milestone for any K-pop artist or group, often sparking massive fan celebrations online.
When did Inkigayo first air on SBS?
Inkigayo premiered on February 1, 1998, on SBS in South Korea. Over more than two decades on air, it has grown into one of the most iconic and long-running K-pop music programs in the country, consistently drawing large audiences every Sunday.
Who are the current MCs hosting Inkigayo?
Inkigayo has featured a rotating lineup of K-pop idols and actors as MCs over the years. Current and recent hosts include Seo Beom-jun, Yeonjun, Roh Jeong-eui, Jung Sung-chan, An Yujin, Park Ji-hoon, Kim Chaewon, Kazuha, Huh Yunjin, and Sakura — a star-studded roster that itself draws fans to tune in each week.
How many episodes does Inkigayo have in total?
Inkigayo has aired an impressive 1,547 episodes across its run, spanning 2 seasons plus a collection of special episodes. With new episodes broadcast every Sunday on SBS, the show continues to add to its remarkable episode count as one of Korean television's most enduring music programs.
What makes Inkigayo different from other K-pop music shows?
Unlike purely chart-driven programs, Inkigayo blends live fan voting with sales data to crown each week's winner, giving audiences a direct stake in the outcome. Its MC lineup of active K-pop idols, combined with high-energy live stages and special collaborations, gives the show a uniquely festive, fan-first atmosphere every Sunday.
What are shows similar to Inkigayo for K-pop fans?
Fans of Inkigayo will enjoy other Korean music competition and idol programs such as Mystery Music Show: King of Mask Singer, Boys Planet, Produce 101, and Idol's Physical Race. For a broader K-pop experience, Girls' Generation's Hello Baby and NCT 24hr RELAY CAM also offer entertaining idol-focused content.
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