Weekly Music Chart 2008 - July week 1

1. (–) Wonder Girls – So Hot *** 2 WEEKS NO. 1 ***
Score: 951
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music + Lyrics: Park Jin Young
Album: Wonder Girl mini-album "So Hot" track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Wonder Girls’ "So Hot" continues to be our No. 1 song. No doubt this is the most popular song in the summer so far, and these girls are more and more popular each day. There are strong challengers coming up in the next few weeks. Let’s see how long this song can stay on top.

2. (–) Tae Yang – 나만 바라봐 (Watching Only You)
Score: 915
Genre: R&B / Dance

Music: Teddy, S-Kush / Lyrics: Teddy
Album: Tae Yang mini-album "Hot" Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title track of TAEYANG’s 1st mini-album, "HOT." 1TYM’s Teddy and Stony Skunk’s S-kush co-composed this song for BIGBANG member TAEYANG’s solo debut. The song’s groovy R&B feel is accentuated by the electronic sounds of synthesizers mixed with trendy beats. The members of BIGBANG made cameo appearances in the music video. (credits to ArirangTV – Pops in Seoul)

3. (+1) V.O.S – Beautiful Life
Score: 769
Genre: R&B mid-tempo ballad

Music: ROZ / Lyrics: M
Album: V.O.S Vol. 3 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This song represents the 3rd album of V.O.S., "Wonderful Things." With a bright beat, this is an enchanting pop dance. The clear vocals and expressive chorus add to the song’s allure. The sentimental lyrics sing about the feeling of a love so strong that it changes your life. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

4. (-1) Shinee – 누난 너무 예뻐 (Noona’s Pretty (Replay))
Score: 766
Genre: R&B/Dance

Music: Jason Pennock, Tchaka Diallo, Jack Kugell / Lyrics: Kim Young Hu Album: Shinee 1st mini-album Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title track of Shinee’s 1st single, "Noona’s Pretty(Replay)," which is the debut album for the 5-member teenage contemporary band. The dance track offers a nice balance of sophisticated rhythms and addictive melodies. The lyrics earnestly express the feelings of a teenage boy who has fallen in love with an older woman. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

5. (+16) Alex – 그대라면 (If It’s You)
Score: 755
Genre: Pop Ballad

Album: Alex Vol. 1 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title song from Clazziquai’s Alex’s 1st solo album, making a big move to No. 5 this week. Already very popular among female fans, along with a leap in pppularity stakes due to his appearance in the TV Show "We Got Married", Alex recently took up another job as the MC of MNet’s M!Countdown with Chae Yeon. This song is a more conventional ballad as compared to Clazziquai’s music. It will sure capture the hearts of many female fans.

6. (+4) Super Junior Happy – 요리왕 (Cooking? Cooking!)
Score: 692
Genre: Pop / Dance

Album: Super Junior Happy 1st mini-album Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Super Junior Happy is yet another spin off sub-group from the 13-member band. This time 6 of the members formed Super Junior Happy to release a mini-album. Their fun-loving title song "Cooking? Cooking!" is about a funny episode when a guy eats a meal made by his girlfriend. This fun track is bound to be a hit song this summer. Super Junior Happy are also our featured artiste this week. Check them out.

7. (-1) Gavy NJ – Lie
Score: 560
Genre: R&B Ballad

Music + Lyrics: Min Myung Ki / Kim Do Hoon
Album: Gavy NJ Vol. 3 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: As the main track of Gavy NJ’s 3rd album “The Beginning,” the ballad’s sentimental music mixed with a fast beat heightens the singers’ sorrow. The heartbreaking lyrics that compare love with lies, dreams, and pain, enhance the sadness of the song. Taiwanese actress Vivian Hsu stars in the music video as a woman who was betrayed by love.(credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

8. (+28) Bae Chi Gi (feat. Sol Flower) – No. 3 *** BIGGEST MOVER OF THE WEEK ***
Score: 533
Genre: Hip-hop

Music + Lyrics: Bae Chi Gi
Album: Bae Chi Gi Vol. 3 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Our biggest mover this week is the title song from hip-hop duo Bae Chi Gi’s "No. 3". Bae Chi Gi are an underrated hip-hop group who have had mainstream success ever since their debut. Despite strong competition, their new album has been ranked No. 1 on the sales chart. Unlike many mainstream hip-hop acts, Bae Chi Gi’s music is a lot more hardcore hip-hop. "No. 3" features R&B singer Sol Flower, who was also featured in Evan’s hit "It’s okay if you cry" earlier this year.

9. (+6) Jaurim – Carnival Amour
Score: 529
Genre: Rock

Album: Jaurim Vol. 7 Track 7 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Jaurim is probably the first successful co-ed Korean rock band with a female lead singer. After many years we’ve seen many other female-fronted K-rock bands come and go, but Jaurim are still standing strong. They have just released their 7th album. Title song "Carnival Amour" took only 3 weeks to enter the top 10. This is a very unique style song that will show a different side of Jaurim and the vocal of Kim Yoon Ah. A highly recommended song.

10. (+4) Ok Ju Hyun – Honey
Score: 521
Genre: Pop / Electronica

Music: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Ahn Young Min
Album: Ok Ju Hyun Vol. 3 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Ok Ju Hyun returns to the top 10 this week with "Honey". Known for her vocals, Ok has focused primarily on ballads in the first 2 albums. This time, she is working with Korea’s top songwriter Cho Young Soo in creating this pop electronica tune. This is a first for both the singer and the songwriter. The music video is made by Jo Soo Hyun, who has also made videos for MC Mong’s Circus and Jewelry’s One More Time Shh. The video was recorded with a 35mm film camera.

11. (+18) Sung Shi Kyung – 안녕 나의 사랑 (Goodbye My Love)
Score: 511
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Yoo Hee Yeol, Sung Shi Kyung / Lyrics: Yoo Hee Yeol
Album: Sung Shi Kyung Vol. 6 Track 4 Purchase this album
Watch: Live Performance
Comment: Title song from Sung Shi Kyung’s 6th album "Here In My Heart". Ever since his debut, Sung Shi Kyung has been labeled as the ballad prince. The title song from his last album, "On The Road", spent 6 weeks on top of our chart. This song "Goodbye My Love" is one of the more up-tempo songs you’ll hear from Sung Shi Kyung. It is a farewell song that was composed together by Sung Shi Kyung and Yoo
Hee Yeol. Although the lyrics are sad, the song itself is quite cheerful and can be seen as another type of love song. This song also sends out a message to his fans as Sung Shi Kyung is expected to be enlisted in the army, so this will be his last full studio album for a while.

12. (-5) Jewelry – 모두 다 쉿! (Everybody Shhh!)
Score: 482
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Chae Gyu, Shin Sha Dong Ho Raeng/ Lyrics: Choi Kap Won
Album: Jewelry Vol. 5 Track 7 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Featured in Jewelry’s 5th album, “Kitchi Island,” this dance track delivers sensual lyrics over an uplifting house beat. The catchy refrain, reminiscent of a cheer, is powerful, yet memorable. Crown J and Popin Hyun-jun made special appearances in the music video in which the Jewelry members transformed into cheerleaders. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

13. (-8) SG Wannabe – 라라라 (LaLaLa)
Score: 436
Genre: R&B/Country Style Ballad
Music: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Ahn Young Min
Album: SG Wannabe Vol. 5 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: As the title track of SG Wannabe’s 5th album, "My Friend," this country-style number conveys the love and thanks to one’s lover. It’s the group’s first music video with new member Lee Seok-hun and follows SG Wannabe in their life as a group and also shows them singing freestyle. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

14. (+9) J-Walk (feat. Eun Ji Won) – My Love
Score: 422
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music + Lyrics: Kim Seh Jin
Album: J-Walk Vol. 3 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Despite being down to one member due to the unexpected timing of Kim Jae Duk’s military duty, J-Walk still hit the top 20 this week with the title song of their 3rd album "My Love". Jang Soo Won is currently performing alone for this song, but he got help from Eun Ji Won, also a former member of Sechies Kies, on the rapping of this song.

15. (+5) Mighty Mouth (feat. Sun Ye) – 에너지 (Energy)
Score: 415
Genre: Hip-hop

Album: Mighty Mouth Vol. 1 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Mighty Mouth scored a top-3 hit with their debut digital single "I Love You" earlier this year. Now the hip-hop duo finally releases their 1st full studio album. The title song "Energy" is a fun-loving dance song destined for the summer. Wonder Girls’ leader Sun Ye is the featured vocalist in this song. With two hits in their first two songs, Mighty Mouth have established themselves as a force in Korea’s mainstream hip-hop scene.

16. (-5) Color Pink – Blue Moon
Score: 390
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Kim Do Hoon / Lyrics: Choi Kap Won
Album: Color Pink digital single "Blue Moon"
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track of See Ya, Davichi and Black Pearl’s project album, "Color Pink." With minor melodies floating over a fast tempo, this song produces a sensationally fresh sound, enhanced by the fantastic harmony of the female vocals. The lyrics are about one’s foolish wait for an ex-lover to return. Lee Chun-hui and Kim Ga-eun come out as a cute couple in the music video. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

17. (New) Brown Eyes – 가지마 가지마 (Don’t Leave Don’t Leave) *** HOT SHOT DEBUT ***
Score: 387
Genre: R&B Ballad

Music: Yoon Gun / Lyrics: Gary of Lee Ssang
Album: Brown Eyes Vol. 3 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV
Comment: The legend returns! Despite only releasing 2 albums before their breakup, Brown Eyes (NaUl and Yoon Gun) have to be considered a legendary group in k-pop as they revolutionized today’s Korean R&B mid-tempo type of ballads. Without any TV appearances, both of their albums sold over 500,000 copies, so it is no surprise that this new album was sold out in just a few days of release – a major injection to the wilting Korean music industry. "Don’t Leave Don’t Leave" is a three beat up tempo ballad and we can hear the duo’s great harmonization and charm. The song is about the emotions one feels after a breakup. Since NaUl is in the army right now, there will be no promotional activities for this album, just like all their albums before.

18. (New) MC Mong (feat. Park Jung Hyun) – 죽도록사랑해 (Love You To Death)
Score: 379
Genre: Hip-hop ballad

Music: Kim Hee Won / Lyrics: MC Mong
Album: MC Mong Vol. 4 Track 5 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: From MC Mong’s 4th album "Circus", this ballad features R&B queen Park Jung Hyun. It has a very interesting intro as many people are saying the words "I Love You" in Korean. MC Mong has been very successful in every album with the 2nd hit being a hip-hop ballad. Let’s see how this song will do.

19. (New) Epik High – Breakdown
Score: 374
Genre: Hip-hop

Album: Epik High Vol. 5 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Follow-up song from Epik High’s 5th album "Pieces, Part I". Title song "One" reached No. 1 several weeks ago. This song is more up-tempo than "One" and it is their vintage, unique genre of hip-hop electronica, and funky type of music. Should be another chart-topping hit song for this trio.

20. (-7) Crown J (feat. Seo In Young) – Too Much
Score: 371
Genre: Hip-hop

Music: Crown J, JK Beat / Lyrics: Crown J
Album: Crown J digital single "Too Much"
Watch: MV Performance (cut from "We Got Married)
Comment: Yet another song from the popular TV show "We Got Married". This time it is from the couple Crown J and Seo In Young, one rapping and the other singing in this hip-hop ballad. Both of them are already established artistes in k-pop. The song is of the hip-hop and electronica genres and Seo’s medium-tempo parts are easy to sing along to. With the show’s popularity, this song is ranked among the top songs on most internet charts in Korea.

21. (-12) Kim Jong Wook – 그대만이 (Just You) : 330
22. (+4) Kim Hyun Jung – 살짝쿵 (Slight Bang) : 327
23. (-7) Buga Kingz – 싸이렌 (Siren) : 307
24. (-2) ISU – 사랑해요 (I Love You) : 295
25. (-6) Kim Jin Pyo (feat. Bobby Kim) – 그림자 놀이 (Shadow Play) : 286
26. (+2) Lee Jung – 그대만 보여 (When I See Only You) : 285
27. (-15) Nell – 멀어지다 (Drifting Apart) : 265
28. (+9) Battle – Step by Step : 201
29. (-2) One Two (feat. Seo In Young) – 뭇된 여자 (Bad Woman) : 194
30. (–) Park Hye Kyung – Lemon Tree : 186
31. (+11) Ha Dong Kyun – 비가 오나 눈이 오나 (Rain or Snow) : 139
32. (New) Lee Seung Ki – 여행을 떠나요 (Let’s Go On Vacation) : 130
33. (New) The Name – 사랑하다 (I Love You) : 125
34. (New) Dae Sung – 날 봐 귀순 (Look at me, Gwi Soon) : 124
35. (+4) Park Myung Soo – 바보에게…바보가 (To fool…from fool) : 118
36. (-4) Son Dam Bi – Bad Boy : 110
37. (New) Shin So Hee – 그랬단 말이야 (That’s What Happened) : 106
38. (New) Shin Ji – 이별이 안부를 묻다 (Breakup Asks For A Tiding) – 100
39. (-8) Kim Jang Hoon – 소나기 (Shower) : 96
40. (-16) Kim Dong Wan – 비밀 (Secret) : 95
41. (-6) Brown Eyed Girls – Ready to L.o.v.e : 86
42. (+4) Lee Ji Hoon – 가슴아 미안하다 (My Heart is sorry) : 82
43. (-5) Kim Dong Ryul – 출발 (Departure) : 80
44. (–) Jun Jin (feat. Joo Hee) – Wa : 73
45. (-11) Ran (feat. Cindy) – I Love You : 66
46. (+2) Flower Go Yoo Jin – Hi-Five : 63
47. (+3) Gummy (feat. Red Roc) – 거울을 보다가 (While looking into the mirror) : 62
48. (-15) Choon Ja – Booming : 61
49. (-9) Andy – 프로포즈 (Propose) : 60
50. (New) H7 – B Love : 54

Blue: Songs to watch out under top 20
Green: Editor’s recommendations under top 20

BONUS TRACK:

Paran – 양복 한 벌 (One Pair Of Suit)
Genre: Pop/Rock Ballad

Album: Paran Vol. 3 Track 7 Purchase this album
Watch: Live Performance
Comment: Paran have only released 3 albums so far, but they have already given us many different types of hit songs, from the cheesy pop songs on their debut album and the powerful dance tracks on their sophomore release, to the rock ballad type of songs on this album. Whether they are proving that they are a versatile group or still searching for their identity remains unknown. Speaking of their ballads, I really like the song "Habit" from their debut album. Now this song is another good one that is worth recommending. Compared to "Habit", this song shows that Paran are a lot more matured now and they harmonized very well in the song.

Sources of the chart

ChartKorea – 15%
Air Monitor Chart – 15%
MNet M!Countdown – 15%
Various Internet charts (Melon, Jukeon, Dosirak, MNet, Muz, Bugs, Ohdio, Soribada) – 15%
Hanteo and KMDIA Weekly Album Sales (2 weeks lag) – 10%
SBS – Inky Gayo Take 7 + Internet Chart + MP3 Download Chart + Music Video Chart – 10%
Hanteo Gayo Chart – 10% (1 week lag)
KBS Music Bank K-Chart – 5%
Gasoo appearance on gayo shows (MBC Show! Music Core, SBS Inky Gayo, KBS Music Bank, MNet M!Countdown, KBS Yoon Do Hyun Love Letter, SBS Kim Jung Eun Chocolate, MTV Non-stop, Pops In Seoul) – 5%