In 2018, 35 singles ranked number one on the chart and 21 music acts were awarded first-place trophies. Two songs collected trophies for three weeks and achieved a triple crown: "Love Scenario" by iKon, and "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" by Blackpink. Of all releases for the year, only two songs earned a perfect score of 11,000 points: "Fake Love" by BTS and "I Want You" by Shinee.
Scoring system
11 June 2015 – 12 April 2018
Scoring System: Digital Music Sales (50%), Album Sales (15%), Social Media Score (YouTube official music video views + SNS buzz) (15%), Popularity Score (global fan votes + age range preference) (10%), Mnet Broadcast Score (10%) + SMS Voting Score (10%).
26 April 2018 – 21 May 2020
Scoring System: Digital Music Sales (45%), Album Sales (15%), Social Media Score (YouTube official music video views + SNS buzz) (20%), Global Fan Votes (10%), Mnet Broadcast Score (10%), SMS Live Vote 10%.
Chart history
iKon(top), Twice(center), and Wanna One(bottom) each ranked three singles at number one with iKon garnering a combined six wins, the most of any act in 2018.
(G)I-dle (top) and Monsta X (bottom) received their first ever M Countdown trophies on episodes 571 and 594 with "Latata" and "Shoot Out" respectively.
^Lee, Eun-hye (January 4, 2018). '엠카운트다운' 또 결방… 생방송 대신 스페셜 방송 진행 ['M Countdown' Another Gyeolbang... Special broadcast instead of live broadcast]. Sports Q (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
^Jang, Su-min (January 11, 2018). '엠카운트다운' 모모랜드 '뿜뿜'으로 데뷔 첫 1위 '오열' ['M Countdown' Momoland's first win since debut with 'Bboom Bboom']. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2020 – via Naver.
^Choi, Jeongmin (January 18, 2018). “사랑과 응원 덕분”… 인피니트, ‘엠카’ 1위 트로피 인증 [“Thanks to love and support”… Infinite, 'M Countdown' 1st place trophy certification]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kim, Joo-yoon (January 25, 2018). 선미 '엠카운트다운' 1위 등극…맨발의 앙코르 무대 [Sunmi ranked first in 'M Countdown'... Barefoot Encore Stage]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Son, Yeji (February 1, 2018). '엠카운트다운' 아이콘, 선미 꺾고 1위… 보아·수지·레드벨벳, '걸크러시' 컴백 (종합) ['M Countdown' iKON wins first place after defeating Sunmi... BoA·Suji·Red Velvet, 'Girl Crush' comeback (Comprehensive)]. TenAsia (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Lee, Seungrok (February 8, 2018). '엠카' 레드벨벳, '배드보이' 또 1위 '2관왕'…아이콘 2위 (종합) ['M Countdown' Red Velvet, 'Bad Boy' again topped '2 crowns'... iKon 2nd place (Total)]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kim, Joo-yoon (February 15, 2018). 설날 특집 '엠카운트다운' 레드벨벳 2주 연속 1위 등극 [Special New Year 'M Countdown' Red Velvet second consecutive week No. 1 crowned]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2020-12-20. Retrieved 2020-12-19 – via Naver.
^Kim, Eunae (February 22, 2018). '엠카' 모모랜드, 눈물의 1위 '4관왕'..보아·양요섭·NCT U 컴백[종합] [M Countdown 'Momoland, tears No. 1' 4 gold medals .. Boa, Yoseob · NCT U comeback [General]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Lee, Jung-ho (March 1, 2018). '엠카' 아이콘, 모모랜드 꺾고 1위 '5관왕'..성규 컴백 ['M-Countdown' iKON beats Momoland and placed 1st '5 crowns'... Sungkyu comeback]. StarNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Lee, So-dam (March 8, 2018). '엠카' 아이콘, 1위 10관왕..마마무·정일훈·NCT드림 컴백 [종합] ['M-Countdown' iKON, 1st place 10 crowns... Mamamoo, Jung Il-hoon, NCT Dream comeback [General]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Jeon, Aram (March 15, 2018). [종합] '엠카' 마마무 1위 '3관왕'…NCT 127·갓세븐·업텐션 컴백 [[General] 'M Countdown' Mamamoo 1st place '3 crowns'... NCT 127·GOT7·UP10TION comeback]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kim, Joo-yoon (March 22, 2018). '엠카운트다운' 마마무 2주 연속 1위…앵콜 무대 막춤 퍼포먼스 ['M Countdown' Mamamoo 2 weeks in a row... Encore stage performance]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kim, Joo-yoon (March 29, 2018). '엠카운트다운' 워너원 1위 '기쁨의 눈물'…동방신기 화려한 컴백(종합) ['M Countdown' Wanna One 1st place 'Tears of Joy'... TVXQ's splendid comeback (total)]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kim, Mihwa (April 5, 2018). 워너원 '부메랑'으로 '엠카' 2주 연속 정상..7관왕 [Wanna One's 'Boomerang' tops 'M-Countdown' for 2 consecutive weeks..7 crowns]. StarNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Park, So-Hyun (April 12, 2018). [종합] '엠카' 위너, EXID 꺾고 1위…첸백시·트와이스·슈주 컴백 [[General] 'M-Countdown' Winner, beat EXID and placed first... Chenbaekxi, Twice, Suju comeback]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Ko, Jeong-Hyun (April 19, 2018). '엠카' 이번주 1위 What Is Love?..28팀의 화려한 무대 in JAPAN(종합) ['M-Countdown' This Week's No. 1 What Is Love?..28 Team's Gorgeous Stage in JAPAN (Comprehensive)]. Herald POP (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kim, Myung-mi (April 26, 2018). ‘엠카’ 트와이스, 위너 꺾고 2주연속 1위 “믿어줘 감사해”(종합) ['M-Countdown' Twice beat Winner and placed 1st for 2 weeks in a row "Thank you for trust" (Total)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
^Kim, Joo-yoon (May 3, 2018). '엠카운트다운' 위너 1위 등극…여자친구 '밤' 컴백 무대 ['M Countdown' Winner 1st Place... GFRIEND's 'Night' comeback stage]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020 – via Naver.
^Lee, Eun-ho (May 10, 2018). 여자친구, 위너 꺾고 ‘엠카운트다운’ 1위 [GFRIEND beats WINNER and placed 1st in 'M Countdown']. TenAsia (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Jeong, Ji-won (May 17, 2018). '엠카운트다운' 오늘(17일) 결방, 스페셜 방송 대체편성 ['M Countdown' Today (17th) Gyeolbang, special broadcast alternative]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2020 – via Naver.
^Yoon, Seong-yeol (May 24, 2018). [★밤TView](여자)아이들, 데뷔 4주만에 '엠카' 1위 등극..큰절 인사 [[★Night TView] (G)I-dle, ranked 1st in 'M-Countdown' after 4 weeks of debut]. StarNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kim, Joo-yoon (May 31, 2018). '엠카운트다운' 방탄소년단, 컴백과 동시에 1위…"팬은 우리 날개" ['M Countdown' BTS, No. 1 at the same time as comeback… 'Fans are our wings']. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kim, Joo-yoon (June 7, 2018). '엠카운트다운' 방탄소년단, 2주 연속1위…앙코르무대서 기쁨의 세리머니 ['M Countdown' BTS, ranked 1st for 2 consecutive weeks... Celebration of joy in the encore stage]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Yoo, Ji-hye (June 14, 2018). '엠카', 워너원 1위 3관왕...샤이니 컴백·'프듀48' 무대 공개 [종합] ['M-Countdown', Wanna One 1st place 3 crowns... SHINee's comeback, 'Produce 48' stage released [General]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kim, Joo-yoon (June 21, 2018). '엠카운트다운' 샤이니, 유빈 꺾고 1위…"10년 전 생각 난다" 소감 ['M Countdown' SHINee, beat Yubin and ranked first... “I remember 10 years ago” impressions]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Choi, Hyun-kyung (June 28, 2018). [★밤TView]블랙핑크 '엠카' 1위..뉴이스트W·러블리즈 컴백 [[★Bam TView] Blackpink 'M Countdown' 1st place.. NU'EST W Lovelyz comeback]. StarNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Lee, Ye-eun (July 5, 2018). '엠카 KCON' 블랙핑크 1위…워너원→레드벨벳, 'K-POP 열기' 입증 [종합] ['M Countdown KCON' Black Pink 1st place... Wanna One → Red Velvet proved 'K-POP open' [General]]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Lee, Min-ji (July 12, 2018). ‘엠카운트다운’ 블랙핑크, 에이핑크와 맞대결 속 3주 연속 1위(종합) ['M Countdown' Blackpink and ranked 1st for 3 weeks in a row (Total)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
^Myung, Hee-suk (July 19, 2018). 트와이스 '엠카' 1위, 마마무·여자친구·세븐틴 컴백 [종합] [Twice's 'M Countdown' 1st place, Mamamoo, GFriend, Seventeen comeback [General]]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Park, So-hyun (July 26, 2018). [종합] '엠카운트다운' 세븐틴 1위…FT아일랜드·정세운·KARD 컴백 [[General] 'M Countdown' Seventeen 1st place... FT Island, Jeong Sewoon, KARD comeback]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Jeong, Hee-yeon (August 2, 2018). [DA:리뷰] ‘엠카운트다운’ 마마무, 세븐틴 꺾고 1위…레오-SF9 컴백(종합) [[DA:Review] 'M Countdown' Mamamoo beats Seventeen and placed first... Leo-SF9 Comeback (Comprehensive)]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Jang, Su-min (August 9, 2018). '엠카운트다운' 아이콘 '죽겠다'로 1위 '압도적 음원 성적' ['M Countdown' iKon 'Killing Me' ranked 1st 'Overwhelming sound source performance']. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^ ab'엠카운트다운' 16일 생방송 결방…23일 정상 방송-24일 'KCON 2018 LA' 특집 ['M Countdown' live broadcast on the 16th... 23rd normal broadcast-24th 'KCON 2018 LA' special feature]. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). August 16, 2018. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kim, Seon-woo (August 16, 2018). '엠카운트다운', 오늘(16일) 결방…스페셜 방송 대체 ['M Countdown', today (16th) Gyeolbang... Special broadcast replacement]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2020 – via Naver.
^Lee, Min-ji (August 23, 2018). ‘엠카’ 레드벨벳, 방송 출연 없이 1위…‘프듀48’ 스페셜 무대(종합) ['M Countdown' Red Velvet, No. 1 without appearing on TV... 'Produce 48' Special Stage (Comprehensive)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
^Yoo, Eunyoung (August 30, 2018). [종합] '엠카운트다운' 레드벨벳, 마지막 주 1위...신화·BTS 컴백 [[Comprehensive] 'M Countdown' Red Velvet, ranked first in the last week...Shinhwa·BTS comeback]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Jung, Ji Won (September 6, 2018). '엠카' (여자)아이들, 1위 2관왕…선미·더보이즈·남우현·박지민 컴백 [종합] ['M-Countdown' (G)I-dle, 1st place 2 crowns... Sunmi·The Boyz·Nam Woohyun·Park Jimin Comeback [General]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Jeon, Aram (September 13, 2018). [종합] '엠카' 선미 1위…효민·펜타곤·오마이걸 컴백 [[General] 'M Countdown' Sunmi 1st place... Hyomin, Pentagon, Oh My Girl comeback]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Jang, Su-min (September 20, 2018). '엠카운트다운' 선미 '사이렌'으로 2주 연속 1위 '공약도 지켜' ['M Countdown' Sunmi 'Siren' ranked 1st for 2 weeks in a row]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Jung, Jiwon (September 27, 2018). '엠카' 갓세븐, 컴백 후 첫 1위…본격 트로피 사냥 시작 [종합] ['M-Countdown' GOT7, first place after comeback... Start trophy hunting in earnest [All]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Myung, Hee-suk (October 4, 2018). 갓세븐, 2주 연속 '엠카' 1위…소유·더 로즈 컴백(종합) [GOT7, #1 in 'M-Countdown' for 2 consecutive weeks... Soyou·The Rose Comeback (General)]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Yoo, Eunyoung (October 11, 2018). [종합] '엠카' 갓세븐·워너원·선미, 태국 홀린 'KCON'...아이콘 둘째 주 1위 [[General] 'M-Countdown' GOT7, Wanna One, Sunmi, Thailand possessed 'KCON'...iKon 2nd week 1st place]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Lee, Min-ji (October 18, 2018). ‘엠카’ 아이콘 2주 연속 1위, 이홍기-에이프릴 컴백(종합) ['M-Countdown' iKon 2 weeks in a row, 1st place, Lee Hong-ki-April comeback (total)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Jeon, Aram (October 25, 2018). [종합] '엠카' NCT 127 1위 3관왕…몬스타엑스·골든차일드·스트레이키즈 컴백 [[General] 'M-Countdown' NCT 127 1st place 3 crowns... MONSTA X, Golden Child, Stray Kids comeback]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Naver.
^Lee, Deok-haeng (November 1, 2018). [종합] 몬스타엑스, '슛 아웃'으로 1위…아이즈원 무대 최초 공개 [[General] MONSTA X, ranked 1st with 'Shoot out'... First release of Iz*One stage]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kim, Na-hee (November 8, 2018). 아이즈원, '엠카' 1위로 데뷔 첫 트로피..트와이스·케이윌 컴백 [종합] [Iz*One, debuts first trophy with 'M-Countdown' 1st place.. TWICE and K-Will comeback]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020 – via Naver.
^Yoo, Eunyoung (November 15, 2018). [종합] '엠카운트다운' 트와이스, 엑소 누르고 1위...비투비 컴백 [[Overall] 'M Countdown' Twice, beat EXO and ranked 1st...B2B comeback]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020 – via Naver.
^워너원 컴백쇼, '봄바람'·'12번째 별' 최초 공개…'엠카운트다운' 22일 결방 [Wanna One Comeback Show, 'Spring Wind' and '12th Star' for the first time released... Gyeolbang on the 22nd of 'M Countdown']. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). November 22, 2018. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2020 – via Naver.
^Jang, Jin-ri (November 29, 2018). '엠카운트다운' 워너원, '봄바람'으로 1위 '음악방송 정상 행진' ['M Countdown' Wanna One, ranked 1st with 'Spring Wind' 'Music Broadcasting Summit']. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kang, Min-kyung (December 6, 2018). '엠카운트다운' 송민호, 제니 제치고 '아낙네'로 첫 1위 ['M Countdown' Song Min-ho wins first place with 'Fiance' over Jennie]. StarNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020 – via Naver.
^Myung, Hee-suk (December 13, 2018). '엠카' 오늘(13일) 결방…'2018 마마 일본' 편성 ['M Countdown' Today (13th) Gyeolbang Formation of '2018 Mama Japan']. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 26, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020 – via Naver.
^Lee, Dong-gun (December 20, 2018). '엠카운트다운' 오늘(20일) 결방…'인싸채널 체리블렛'·'2018 MAMA' 편성 ['M Countdown' Today (20th) Gyeolbang... Organized 'Insa Channel Cherry Bullet' and '2018 MAMA']. Media Pen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 26, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
^Jeon, Aram (December 27, 2018). 위너, '밀리언즈'로 '엠카' 1위…컴백 후 첫 트로피 [Winner, 'Millions' ranked 1st in 'M-Countdown'... First trophy after comeback]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020 – via Naver.