[New Word Dictionary] Milboard Chart - The Reverse Trend Culture Changed by Gunsim (Military Morale)

The Milboard Chart is a compound word of Military and Billboard Chart, referring to a chart of idol songs popular among soldiers. Illustration by artist Oh Seong-su

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The songs of an American singer who disappeared into obscurity after releasing two albums suddenly echoed in South Africa one day. His albums, which failed to gain attention on the Billboard charts and were shelved, accidentally made their way to South Africa and sparked an unexpected response. His rebellious and provocative lyrics instantly captured the hearts of South Africans oppressed by the regime. Young people dreaming of freedom and revolution began humming his songs one by one, and the albums that failed in the U.S. became legendary by selling over 500,000 copies in South Africa. The film Searching for Sugar Man explores how the unknown singer Rodriguez’s songs became the national anthem of South Africa, and it also depicts the dramatic journey of Rodriguez, who was living an ordinary life unaware of this fact, as he visits South Africa. When news spread that he, thought to be dead, was living as a construction worker in the U.S., South African fans went wild. The failed unknown American singer was thus summoned to the South African stage after more than 30 years and was revered as a hero by the audience filling the seats.

The Milboard chart is a portmanteau of “military” and “Billboard chart,” referring to a chart of idol songs popular among soldiers. It is a newly coined term that has recently surged in popularity alongside the resurgence of Brave Girls’ “Rollin’” through military base support performance videos. Amid the flood of girl groups, Brave Girls, who had not received much attention in the music industry since their debut, frequently appeared as regular guests on the military TV program Support Train, earning the nickname of the longest-reigning “military president” within military bases. “Rollin’,” which was so popular among soldiers that seniors handed it down to juniors, topped music charts centered on YouTube, reversing the previous trend where civilian music charts influenced the military; instead, the Milboard chart changed civilian music chart rankings. Brave Girls, who consecutively took first place on six music shows, expressed their gratitude, saying, “We were able to achieve number one on music charts and broadcasts thanks to all the soldiers of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. Without your support, we could never have reached number one. We are very thankful to our fans, soldiers, veterans, and civil defense members,” conveying their appreciation for the Milboard chart and the soldiers who were behind their resurgence.

Example

A: Looking at Brave Girls’ resurgence, it seems that persistence really pays off and shines eventually.
B: That’s easier said than done. Actually, many people said “Rollin’” was a great song that deserved more recognition.
A: It definitely showed that capturing the military’s hearts can turn the tide with high firepower.
B: These days, there’s also Laboum’s “Journey to Atlantis.” Back in the day, there was Siloam, which was CCM, and EXID’s “Up & Down” was almost a military-civilian anthem too.
A: To think the Milboard chart is now changing the music charts. It really makes you feel how times have changed!

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.