Dynamic Duo's 'AEAO' has continued its reverse-chart run for a third year, setting a new record for longest K-hip-hop resurgence.
Dynamic Duo (Gaeko, Choiza)'s 2014 release 'AEAO' rode the 2023 challenge craze to make a comeback on global charts, and more recently has sparked another challenge boom across short-form platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, putting it back at the center of attention.
ENHYPEN's Sunghoon·Jeongwon, Hearts2Hearts' Carmen·Eina·IAAN·Jueun, Cortis' Geonho·Juhun, NCT DREAM's Renjun·Haechan·Chenle, ZEROBASEONE's Seok Matthew·Park Geon-uk, BOYNEXTDOOR's Lee Han, LE SSERAFIM, TREASURE's Yoon Jae-hyuk·Haruto, RIIZE's Wonbin·Sohee, EXO's Chen·Xiumin, NCT WISH's Sakuya·Ryo, &TEAM's Nicholas·Harua, TWS' Shin Yoo, IZNA's Bang Ji-min·Coco, NMIXX's Lily·Bae·Jiu, KiiiKiii's Jiyu·Ha-eum, QWER's Chodan·Magenta·Siyeon and numerous other K-pop artists have joined the 'AEAO' challenge, reigniting its buzz.
As of Dec. 1, 'AEAO' challenge videos have surpassed 130 million combined views across Instagram Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. The song's catchy chorus and beat have been used as memes, aiding organic spread and giving further momentum to its global chart resurgence. Domestic and international fans have also voluntarily produced related content such as choreography, lip-syncs and parodies, driving renewed consumption of the song.
'AEAO', which has been steadily rediscovered across generations and platforms, has recently shown a clear upward trend again on various global music charts such as Shazam, Apple Music, iTunes and TikTok, continuing a three-year run of resurgence—the first in K-hip-hop history. It was also included as an original soundtrack in this year's NBA video game 'NBA 2K26', and on Spotify it surpassed 110 million cumulative streams for a single song, cementing its status as a definitive K-hip-hop anthem.
On Dec. 1, Choiza wrote on his social media, "Like a comet that appears every two to three years, 'AEAO' is being observed again on the charts. It really feels like an unbelievable miracle. I am overwhelmed. I want to repeatedly thank DJ Premier hyung for creating such a great beat worthy of repeated resurgence, and those who made fun Reels by playing the song fast or slow." Gaeko also commemorated the meaningful moment by sharing related articles and various chart records on his social media.
Not only 'AEAO' but also 'Singsung Saengsung (SsSs)', which Dynamic Duo released in 2014 with R&B diva Jung Hyun Park, has continued to be loved across a 10-year gap. This song, notable for its warm year-end sentiment, topped major music charts at the time of its release such as Ollehmusic, GENIE MUSIC and Mnet Music, becoming a hit, and since then it has been reissued every winter as a seasonal and challenge song.
Recently, dance challenges for 'Singsung Saengsung (SsSs)' have again flourished on various online communities and short-form platforms such as TikTok and Reels, proving the lasting value of this timeless song. Meanwhile, as of Dec. 1 it reentered Melon daily rap/hip-hop chart, Apple Music Korea K-Pop popular songs chart and Shazam Korea top 200 chart, demonstrating its continuing presence.
Meanwhile, Dynamic Duo will hold solo concerts titled 'Let's stay long sometimes' on Dec. 20 and 21 at Busan Exhibition & Convention Center (BEXCO) auditorium, Dec. 24 at Daegu EXCO East Hall 4, Dec. 27 at Kimdaejung Convention Center multipurpose hall in Gwangju, and on Jan. 23, 24 and 25, 2025 at Jangchung Arena in Seoul.
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