On June 18, RESCENE appeared on the special stage of Mnet’s music program M Countdown, performing “LOVE ATTACK,” the title track from their first mini-album SCENEDROME, originally released in August 2024.
The song’s return to a music broadcast nearly two years after its release was largely driven by the power of the group’s own content. Recently, member Woni’s personal YouTube channel, Hello, I’m Woni, Nice to Meet You, uploaded a video featuring Woni, who is from Geoje in South Gyeongsang Province, and Japanese member Minami visiting the city together.
In the video, the two members tried experiencing the lifestyle of a “gyaru,” a Japanese fashion subculture known for its bold makeup and flashy style. Following Minami’s recommendation, Woni transformed into a full gyaru look, complete with makeup and outfit. Concerned by the dramatic makeover, Woni jokingly asked whether it might be “too much,” leading to playful banter between the pair.
During their conversation, an unexpected comedic moment occurred. Woni jokingly told Minami, “If you go to Geoje looking like that, the citizens of Geoje are going to scold you.” Laughing, Minami suddenly shouted, “Geoje Yaho!”
The random and cheerful phrase instantly resonated with Gen Z audiences. It was quickly edited into short-form content and spread across social media, becoming a new meme. The clip rapidly gained traction online and has surpassed 2.84 million cumulative views, proving its explosive popularity.
The viral attention naturally led people to discover RESCENE. As interest in the group grew, listeners began revisiting “LOVE ATTACK,” which steadily gained momentum through word of mouth. The song eventually climbed to No. 5 on Melon’s TOP100 chart, one of South Korea’s most competitive music rankings.
For a group from a smaller agency competing against major entertainment companies, the achievement has been widely praised as a rare success story driven purely by content and public interest rather than large-scale promotional campaigns.
The impact of “Geoje Yaho!” did not stop with the music charts. Riding the wave of the meme’s popularity, RESCENE was also appointed as promotional ambassadors for Geoje City. What started as a lighthearted viral moment has evolved into a remarkable chain reaction, leading to chart success, renewed public recognition, and even an official ambassador role.
With a single meme creating such significant momentum, RESCENE has become a standout example of how creativity and organic online buzz can help smaller groups challenge industry expectations and achieve mainstream attention.
Sources: Daum