In 2021, 26 singles ranked number one on the chart and 23 music acts received first-place trophies. "Hwaa" by (G)I-dle, "Hot Sauce" by NCT Dream and "Sticker" by NCT 127 are the only songs to achieve a triple crown. No release earned a perfect score, but "Don't Call Me" by Shinee acquired the highest point total of the year on the March 4 broadcast with a score of 10,990.
Scoring system
Songs are judged based on a combination of Digital Sales (45%; Melon, Genie, FLO), Album Sales (15%), Social Media (15%; YouTube MV views), Global Fan Vote (15%), Mnet Broadcast (10%; Mnet TV, MCD Stage, M2 Contents), Live Vote (10%; for first place nominees only).[1][2]
Chart history
Rain (left) and J.Y. Park (right) won M Countdown for "Switch to Me," marking Rain's first win on the program since 2014, and Park's first M Countdown trophy and first music show award since 2007.
Kim Wooseok of Up10tion (left) won his first ever music show trophy as a soloist for "Sugar", while Rosé of Blackpink (right) won her first M Countdown trophy as a soloist for "On the Ground".
^Bae, Hyo-joo (January 7, 2021). ‘엠카운트다운’ 오늘(7일) 2주 연속 결방 ['M Countdown' Today (7th) 2 weeks in a row]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee, Dong-gun (January 7, 2021). '엠카운트다운' 오늘(7일) 결방…한 주 쉬어간다 ['M Countdown' Today (7th) Gyeolbang... Take a week off]. Media Pen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
^Park, Soo-in (January 14, 2021). ‘엠카’ 출연없이 1위 비 “다 팬들 덕분, 감사합니다” 소감 [No. 1 Rain without appearing in 'M-Countdown' “Thanks to all fans, thank you.”]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kim, Mihwa (January 21, 2021). '엠카' (여자)아이들, 트레져 꺾고 1위..AB6IX·원어스 컴백 [종합] ['M-Countdown' (G)I-dle, beat Treasure and placed 1st... AB6IX·Oneus Comeback [General]]. StarNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2021 – via Naver.
^Noh, Surin (January 28, 2021). (여자)아이들, 영광의 1위...현아·바비·골든차일드·드림캐쳐 컴백 (엠카)[종합] [(G)I-dle, No. 1 in Glory...Hyuna, Barbie, Golden Child, Dreamcatcher comeback (M Countdown) [General]]. StarNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via Naver.
^Park, Soo-in (February 4, 2021). ‘엠카운트다운’ (여자)아이들, 골든차일드 꺾고 출연없이 1위 ['M Countdown' (G)I-dle beats Golden Child and won 1st place without appearance]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee, Dong-gun (February 11, 2021). '엠카운트다운' 오늘(11일) 결방…한 주 쉬어간다 [M Countdown' Today (11th) cancelled... Take a week off]. Media pen (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
^Jinju-hee (February 18, 2021). '엠카운트다운' 김우석, 솔로 데뷔 후 첫 1위 ['M Countdown' Kim Woo-seok, 1st place after solo debut]. MK Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021 – via Naver.
^Jinju-hee (February 18, 2021). '엠카운트다운' 강다니엘, 청하 제치고 1위 "다니티 고마워" ['M Countdown' Kang Daniel, surpassing Chungha and winning 1st place "Thank Daniti"]. MK Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (March 4, 2021). ‘엠카’ 샤이니, 감동의 1위 소감 “故종현 너무 그립고 사랑해”(종합) ['M Countdown' SHINee, #1 impression “I miss the late Jonghyun so much and I love you” (Total)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 24, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021 – via Naver.
^Jeong, Han-byul (March 11, 2021). '엠카운트다운' 샤이니, '돈트 콜 미'로 출연 없이 1위 ['M Countdown' SHINee, "Don't Call Me" ranked first]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 24, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021 – via Naver.
^Park, Seo-hyun (March 25, 2021). '엠카' 블랙핑크 로제 1위 "테디 아니었으면 솔로 나오지 못했을 것"(종합) ["M Countdown" Blackpink Rosé No. 1 "If It wasn't for Teddy, I wouldn't have debut solo" (Comprehensive)]. Herald POP (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 25, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2021 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (April 1, 2021). ‘엠카’ 아이유, 로제 꺾고 1위…강승윤·김세정 화려한 컴백(종합) ['M Countdown' IU beats 'Rose' and ranks first...Kang Seung-yoon and Kim Se-jung's brilliant comeback (comprehensive)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021 – via Naver.
^Jang, Woo-young (April 8, 2021). '엠카' 로제, 방송 출연 없이 1위…아스트로김재환이진혁 컴백 [종합] ['M Countdown' Rosé, No. 1 without appearing on the broadcast... Astro‧Jaehwan Kim‧Jinhyuk Lee comeback [Comprehensive]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kim, Ji-hye (April 15, 2021). 아스트로, 데뷔 후 첫 '엠카' 1위..웬디·강다니엘·김희재 컴백[종합] [Astro, 1st place in'M-Countdown' for the first time after debut.. Wendy, Kang Daniel, Kim Hee-jae comeback [Comprehensive]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2021 – via Naver.
^Bae, Hyo-joo (January 7, 2021). 엠넷, '케이콘택트3' 오늘 4시간 특집방송…엠카 결방 [Mnet,'K Contact 3'special broadcast for 4 hours today... Emka Gyeolbang]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021 – via Naver.
^Bae, Hyo-joo (April 29, 2021). ‘엠카운트다운’ 뉴이스트, 컴백과 동시에 1위 트로피 ['M Countdown' NU'EST, the 1st place trophy at the same time as their comeback]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021 – via Naver.
^Park, Seo-hyun (May 6, 2021). [종합]'엠카' 있지, 컴백과 동시에 1위 "좋은 곡 주신 박진영PD 감사" [[Comprehensive]'M-Countdown' You know, 1st place with comeback "Thanks to PD Park Jin-young for good songs]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kang, Hyun-jin (May 13, 2021). '엠카' ITZY, 하이라이트 제치고 1위… 오마이걸·NCT DREAM 컴백 [종합] ['M Countdown' ITZY, beat Highlight and ranked first... Oh My Girl·NCT DREAM Comeback [Comprehensive]]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kang, Hyun-jin (May 20, 2021). '엠카' NCT DREAM, '맛'으로 음악방송 첫 1위.."시즈니 고마워"[종합] ['M-Countdown' NCT DREAM, first place in music broadcasting with 'Hot Sauce'.."Thank you NCTzen" [General]]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kang, Min-kyung (May 27, 2021). '엠카' NCT DREAM, 2주 연속 1위+6관왕 "시즈니 감사" [종합] ['M Countdown' NCT Dream, 2 weeks in a row, 6 crowns "Thank you NCTzen" [General]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 27, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021 – via Naver.
^Jeong, Hye-yeon (June 3, 2021). '엠카' NCT DREAM, '맛' 트리플크라운 달성..마마무→투바투 컴백[종합] ['M Countdown' NCT Dream, 'Hot Sauce' triple crown achieved.. Mamamoo comeback [General]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021 – via Naver.
^Park, Seo-yeon (June 10, 2021). '엠카' 투모로우바이투게더 1위, 음방 3관왕..트와이스-하성운-위아이 컴백[종합] ['M Countdown' TXT 1st place, 3 music show wins.. Twice-Ha Sungwoon-WEi comeback [Comprehensive]]. K-Pop Herald (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2021 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Soo-yeon (June 17, 2021). '엠카' 트와이스, 투바투 꺾고 1위…브레이브걸스·뱀뱀·유겸 컴백 [종합] ['M Countdown' Twice, beats TXT and takes 1st place... Brave Girls·Bam Bam·Yugyeom comeback [General]]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021 – via Naver.
^Park, Soo-in (June 24, 2021). ‘엠카운트다운’ 트와이스, 브레이브걸스 제치고 1위 “팬들 덕분” [‘M Countdown’ Twice beats Brave Girls to take 1st place "Thanks to the fans"]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021 – via Naver.
^Ahn, Yoon-ji (July 1, 2021). 세븐틴, '엠카' 컴백→1위 등극..'부상' 에스쿱스 언급 "승철아"[★밤TView] [Seventeen, ‘M Countdown’ comeback→1st place... 'Injured' S.Coups mentioned "Seungcheol-ah" [★Night TView]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (July 8, 2021). ‘엠카’ NCT드림, 브브걸 꺾고 1위…규현·태연·DAY6·소연·SF9컴백(종합) [‘M Countdown’ NCT Dream, beat Brave Girls to 1st place... Kyuhyun·Taeyeon·Day6·Soyeon·SF9 comeback [Comprehensive]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 8, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Soo-yeon (July 15, 2021). '엠카' NCT드림, 소속사 선배 태연 꺾고 1위…핫펠트·공민지 컴백 [종합] [‘M Countdown’ NCT Dream, defeat senior label-mate Taeyeon to 1st place... Ha:tfelt·Gong Minji comeback [General]]. X Sport News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021 – via Naver.
^Ha, Ji-won (July 22, 2021). '엠카', 오늘(22일) 결방 …'케이콘택트 포 유' 편성 [‘M Countdown’, Canceled today (22nd)... Formation of 'K Contact for You']. X Sport News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Soo-yeon (July 29, 2021). '엠카' 전소연, 1위…17주년 스페셜·'걸스플래닛999' 첫 공개 [종합] [‘M Countdown’ Jeon So-yeon, 1st place... 17th Anniversary Special 'Girls Planet 999' First Release [General]]. X Sport News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 29, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee, Dong-gun (August 5, 2021). '엠카운트다운' 오늘(5일) 결방…한 주 쉬어간다 [‘M Countdown’ canceled today (5th)... take a week off]. Media Pen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
^Im, Mi-ji (August 12, 2021). '엠카' 전소미, '덤덤'으로 컴백 동시 1위 "1년만인데 많은 사랑 감사해"(종합) [‘M Countdown’ Jeon So-mi, comeback with 'Dumb Dumb' wins 1st place at the same time 'It's been 1 year but thank you for all the love and support' [Comprehensive]]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee, Jae-hoon (August 19, 2021). '엠카' 제작진, 코로나 확진…19일 하이라이트 방송 ['M Countdown' production crew, confirmed to have Corona... Highlight broadcast on the 19th instead]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021 – via Naver.
^Park, Seo-hyun (August 19, 2021). '엠카' 더보이즈 1위‥3관왕 질주 "더비 덕분, 더 좋은 모습으로 보답할 것" ['M Countdown' The Boyz win 1st place... 3 crown run "Thanks to The B, we will repay you with a better image"]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kang, Min-kyung (August 26, 2021). '엠카' 레드벨벳, 컴백 후 첫 1위 "소중한 러비들, 사랑하고 감사" [종합] ['M Countdown' Red Velvet, 1st place after comeback "Precious ReVeluv, I love you and thank you" [General]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kang, Min-kyung (September 2, 2021). '엠카' 스트레이 키즈, 1위 2관왕 "스테이의 가을, 행복하게 해줄 것" [종합] ['M Countdown' Stray Kids, 1st place and 2nd win overall "Stay's Autumn will make you happy" [General]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kim, Bo-ra (September 9, 2021). '엠카' 스트레이키즈 1위 "감사해"…현아♥︎던·이하이·영케이 컴백[종합] ['M Countdown' Stray Kids 1st place "Thank you"... Hyuna♥︎Dawn·Lee Hi·Young K comeback [General]]. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021 – via Naver.
^Park, Ye-jin (September 16, 2021). '엠카' 스테이씨, 스트레이키즈 제치고 1위…에이티즈·김장훈 컴백 [종합] ['M Countdown' STAYC, beat Stray Kids to take 1st place... Ateez·Kim Jang-hoon comeback [General]]. X Sport News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021 – via Naver.
^Cho, Eun-mi (September 23, 2021). '엠카' NCT127, 'Sticker'로 첫 1위..다음주 키→양요섭→NCT127·ITZY 컴백 예고[종합] ['M Countdown' NCT 127, first 1st place with 'Sticker'... Next week Key→Yang Yo-seob→NCT 127·ITZY comeback notice [General]]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kang, Min-kyung (September 30, 2021). NCT 127, '엠카' 2주 연속 1위+음악방송 6관왕 "시즈니 응원 덕" [★밤TView] [NCT 127, 1st place two weeks in a row on 'M Countdown' + 6 music show trophies "Thanks to NCTzens support" [★밤TView]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Soo-yeon (October 7, 2021). '엠카' NCT127, ITZY 꺾고 3주 연속 1위…엔플라잉·에이티즈 컴백 [종합] ['M Countdown' NCT 127, beats ITZY to take 1st place 3 weeks in a row... N.Flying·Ateez comeback [General]]. X Sport News (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021 – via Naver.
^Park, Seo-yeon (October 14, 2021). "믿지 너무 사랑해요" '엠카' ITZY, 에이티즈 꺾고 1위..에스파-엔하이픈 컴백[종합] ["Midzy I love you so much" 'M Countdown' ITZY, beats Ateez to take 1st place... Aespa-Enhypen comeback [General]]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 14, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee, Soo-jin (October 21, 2021). '케이콘택트 하이파이브', 오늘 4시간 특집 편성…'엠카' 결방 ['K Contact High Five', 4 hour special today... 'M Countdown' canceled]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021 – via Naver.
^Seo, Ji-hyun (October 28, 2021). '엠카운트다운' 세븐틴, 에스파 꺾고 1위 "준-디에잇에 영광 돌린다" [‘M Countdown’ Seventeen, beat Aespa to take 1st place "I want to give this honour to Jun-The8"]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021 – via Naver.
^Yoon, Seung-yeol (November 4, 2021). '엠카' NCT 127 '페이보릿' 첫 1위..2am· 슈주-D&E 컴백 [★밤TView] [‘M Countdown’ NCT 127 'Favourite' first 1st place...2am· Super Junior D&E comeback [★Night TView]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved November 6, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kim, Bo-ra (November 11, 2021). '엠카' NCT 127, 더보이즈 넘고 1위…"올해 마지막 생방송"[종합] [‘M Countdown’ NCT 127, surpasses The Boyz to take 1st place... "Last live broadcast of the year" [General]]. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kyung, Ji-min (November 11, 2021). [단독] '엠카', 수능 당일 결방 확정..25일은 'MAMA' 후보작 하이라이트 [[Exclusive] 'M Countdown' to be canceled on the day of the entrance exam... 25th is the highlight of 'MAMA' nominations]. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee, Dong-gun (December 9, 2021). '엠카운트다운' 오늘(18일) 결방…'2021 MAMA' 준비 여파 ['M Countdown' canceled today (18th)... Aftermath of preparations for '2021 MAMA']. Media Pen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 30, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
^Lee, Sang-jin (December 16, 2021). '엠카운트다운', 16일 결방 ['M Countdown', cancelled on the 16th]. Asia News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
^Lee, Sang-jin (December 23, 2021). '엠카운트다운', 23일 결방 ['M Countdown', cancelled on the 23rd]. Asia News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2021.