I.O.I secured their debut Music Core trophy on the June 13 broadcast. The 10th-anniversary track Suddenly edged out ILLIT and aespa with 7,815 points. The win marks the group's first-ever first-place finish on the MBC program.
According to a source close to the agency, the members were completely shook when the winner announcement dropped. Suddenly pulled ahead of ILLIT’s It’s Me and aespa’s LEMONADE in the final tally, giving I.O.I their long-awaited Music Core moment a decade after debut.
The June 13 episode also featured stages from BOYNEXTDOOR, BABYMONSTER, TREASURE and several other acts. Fans immediately flooded timelines with stan tweets celebrating the historic milestone.
No further details on additional awards or upcoming schedules were shared in the immediate aftermath.