Not Only Mariah Carey, IU Too... The 'Carol Pension' Making a Chart Comeback

‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ Earns 70 Billion Won
Steady Seller Carol Song Climbs Charts Again, IU’s ‘Miri Merry Christmas’ Also Popular

Singer IU is gaining attention as the star of the new Christmas 'Caroling Pension'.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Music that is consistently loved throughout the seasons excites fans every year. Songs that gain popularity as "Cherry Blossom Annuities" in spring and "Carol Annuities" in winter are representative examples. While Busker Busker's "Cherry Blossom Ending" and Loco and Yuju's "By Chance in Spring" re-enter the music charts every spring and are called "Cherry Blossom Annuities," in winter, there is a "Carol Annuity" representing the season.

According to industry sources on the 24th, winter season songs are asserting their presence along with the colder weather. As Christmas approaches, movements on domestic and international music charts are also notable. Steady-selling carols are making a comeback on the charts, receiving great love as if sensing the carol spirit resonating throughout the streets.

The popularity of Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You," the epitome of Christmas carols, continues this year as well. According to Billboard's "Hot 100" chart dated the 24th, announced on the 20th (local time), "All I Want for Christmas Is You" held the number one spot for two consecutive weeks. Since reaching number one on the "Hot 100" in 2019, it has maintained the top position for four years in a row through 2020, 2021, and 2022, demonstrating enduring popularity.

Released in 1994, this song is consistently summoned every Christmas even after 28 years. "All I Want for Christmas Is You," which was also featured in the 2003 movie "Love Actually" OST, became a symbol of Christmas carols with its lively rhythm, familiar melody and lyrics, and Mariah Carey's high notes harmonizing together.

Curry Carrie Carole album image.

Mariah Carey's carol album boasts enormous economic profits, to the extent it is called a "Christmas Annuity." According to the British weekly magazine The Economist, the royalty revenue from "All I Want for Christmas Is You" reached $60 million (approximately 65.7 billion KRW) by 2017. Since it continues to receive steady love, it is predicted that Mariah Carey has earned astronomical profits from this single song.

Among domestic singers' songs, IU's "Miri Merry Christmas (Feat. Cheondung Of MBLAQ)" stands out. Released in 2010, "Miri Merry Christmas" is IU's representative winter season song and is one of Korea's iconic carols that re-enters various music charts every December.

"Miri Merry Christmas" has been loved as a song that soothes the cold winter with IU's clear voice and warm arrangement. As of the 24th, "Miri Merry Christmas" ranks 22nd on Melon's TOP100, the largest domestic music site.

Carol songs gaining hot popularity are also a constant focus for investors. According to Musicow, a platform sharing music IP royalty income, this song achieved a 388% participation rate in the "auction" where the music is first released on Musicow. This reveals users' strong desire to own songs targeted for the season.

According to the domestic music chart statistics site Gysum, the number of users searching for "Miri Merry Christmas" on Melon surged in December. Consequently, users' actions to own the song have also intensified. Owning the copyright royalty participation claim rights for the song allows one to receive royalties generated in the future.

Musicow stated that compared to July, the purchase volume of "Miri Merry Christmas" increased by 59% in November. As Christmas approaches, buyers' interest in "Miri Merry Christmas" has skyrocketed.

A company official explained, "Contrary to the expectation that copyrights would decline over time, the royalties for 'Miri Merry Christmas' have shown a stable trend without significant fluctuations over the past five years."