Rankdown @ MBS, formerly known as The Music Rank and MBS Rankdown, is a South Korean music program on MBS from the MBS Broadcasting Studio in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Originally launched in 1996, the show airs every Saturday at 16:30 KST beginning July 2013. The show features a set of 8-10 artists who will perform their new releases or cover songs live on stage. Companies and artists may apply for a slot on the show, which are then handpicked by the show's producers and executives. The program is committed to bringing in both popular singers that will boost domestic ratings, and rising artists with potential that are worthy of recognition due to their high-quality or unique talent and music [1]. The show is currently hosted by Bae Yeju, Insujo (R3THR0), and Brynlee (Cherry Atlantic).
The Music Rank was a South Korean music program broadcast by MBS, airing live every Saturday since January 1996. The show features a lineup of various South Korean artists, "from history-making veteran artists to new rookies with deadly charms", who perform their new releases on stage [2]. It was broadcast from the MBS Studio Center in Digital Media City, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea, and broadcast in more than a hundred countries through the MBS World cable network and YouTube channel. From 2016 to the first half of 2024, the show was branded as MBS Rankdown.
HOSTS[]
Current MCs[]
The current Rankdown @ MBS trio is named the BaeBrainz, consisting of:
At the end of every episode, the first place single of the week is announced and determined by five different criteria. (Sep 7, 2024 episode)
Similar to other cable music shows, Rankdown @ MBS has implemented a top ten countdown chart that tallies the most popular songs of the week, based on multiple metrics including chart performance, album sales, music video views, radio/television broadcast frequency, and K-pop international fan voting on the Realmu mobile app.
From 2010 to mid-2024, the show featured a top 3 nomination system, and was reduced to 2 nominees until the May 3, 2025 episode of the show. Rankdown's K-Chart system was traditionally notable for being difficult to win, as its points criteria heavily leans towards chart positions which the South Korean general public largely contributes to [1]. Conditions for eligibility as of the May 3, 2025 episode include:
The artist must have performed the song on Rankdown @ MBS or another MBS program at least once.
The single must be officially released by a record label or distributor in South Korea.
The single must have charted on the weekly top 100 of streaming platform BE.LIV.
The single must be appropriate and adhere to the broadcasting rules of MBS.
The single must not be older than 6 weeks, unless it is attached to an eligible album.
The single must not be an advertisement or film/television soundtrack.
The single is the currently promoted title track of the artist. (e.g. on the March 2, 2025 episode, Bae Yeju's "Cherry Sky" was nominated as it was the song that she was currently promoting, despite the fact that "Obsession ft. Moon Yujin" had a higher digital score.)
The single has not ranked first place three times, in which in that case they will be recognized as a Triple Crown and removed from the chart.
In the Philippines, a weekly music countdown show based off Rankdown @ MBS titled Rankdown Pilipinas began airing in 2026 on [Placeholder channel].
Gallery[]
2023 poster
Archived logo
References[]
↑ 1.01.1Ahn, Dee (2023). "The guide to supporting your idols through K-pop music programs". Essence Magazine. Archived March 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
↑How to apply for K-pop music programs (n.d.) Korea Tourism Organization. Archived January 2012. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
