South Korea’s music icon Seo Tai-ji ranked first in album sales so far this year.

According to Hanteo Chart, an online site measuring local music record sales, Friday, Seo sold 198,215 copies between Jan. 1 and Sept. 17 this year to stand atop other pop idols.

Seo, 37, released two single albums, one regular album and Seo Tai-ji and Boys vol. 1-4 since making his comeback in July last year.

Seo, a famous rock singer, musician and songwriter, emerged on the Korean music scene in the 1990s and was often called the “Culture President of Korea.”

Girls’ Generation, one of South Korea’s leading girl bands, took second place by selling 190,475 copies thanks to the success of “Gee” and “Genie.”

Given album sales of girl groups usually remain weak compared with those of boy bands, Girls’ Generation’s result is noteworthy, music experts said.

Big Bang, the five-member boy band, and Super Junior, the 13-member boy group, placed third and fourth with 161,460 and 131,480 album sales, respectively. G-Dragon, Big Bang’s leader, ranked fifth with 113,100 copies sold.

Source: The Korea Times