Weekly K-pop Music Chart 2009 - October Week 4

1. (–) Kim Tae Woo – 사랑비 (Love Rain) *** 4 WEEKS NO. 1 ***
Score: 934
Genre: Pop
Music: Lee Hyun Seung / Lyrics: Kim Tae Woo
Album: Kim Tae Woo mini-album “T-Virus” Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
Last week, Kim Tae Woo have to sweat it out holding on to the top spot by
the tiniest margin. This week “Love Rain” is pulling away from the
competition again, becoming No. 1 for the 4th straight week. Since
returning from his military duties, Kim Tae Woo has released a digital
single “Memory and Remembrance” and is finally releasing a brand
new mini-album “T-Virus”. Unlike his previous ballads, “Love Rain” is a
more up-tempo song. Produced by Kim Tae Woo and Lee Hyun Seung, it took
them 5 months to complete this song. The song will penetrate one’s ears
and heart with its combination of catchy melody, harmonic vocals, and
skillful arrangement. With the timing of this hit and its long run at
the top this late in the year, “Love Rain” will be a major contender
for our “Song Of The Year” award.

2. (–) Park Hyo Shin – 사랑한 후에 (After Love)
Score: 855
Genre: Pop Ballad
Music: Kim Do Hoon, Hwang Se Jun / Lyrics: Kang Eun Kyung, Choi Kap Won
Album: Park Hyo Shin Vol. 6 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
Coming so close to No. 1, Park Hyo Shin is somewhat unlucky as his song
“After Love” fell short of the top spot by merely one point last week.
This week, “After Love” started dropping in points and looks like it will
settle for being No. 2 again. Park finally returns with his sixth album after
a 2.5 year break. Ever since his debut album in 1999 to this fifth and
remake works, Park has showcased his soulful voice. It’s been ten years
since Park Hyo Shin’s debut and for this special date, he is to release
a special gift to his fans. This album is the first of two parts of the
sixth album which includes 6 songs and 2 instrumentals. The title track
of the album is “After Love” which has a ballad with beautiful piano
and orchestra melody. “After Love” has a blockbuster like movie MV
starring Park Si Yeon and Park Yong Ha filmed in Switzerland.

3. (+2) T-Ara & Cho Shin Sung – TTL/TTL 2 (Time To Love / Time To Love: Listen 2)
Score: 730
Genre: Pop / Dance
Music: Kim Do Hoon / Lyrics: Hwang Sung Jin, Rhymer, Joo Suk
Album: T-Ara & Cho Shin Sung digital single TTL Track 1
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
, T-Ara’s collaboration Cho Shin Sung has made a big hit for both
groups. There are not too many male and female group collaborations in
the past. The song, “TTL” is sung by T-ara members, So Yeun, Eun Jung,
Hyo Min, Ji Yeun and Cho Shin Sung members, Ji Hyuk, Kwang Soo, and Gun
Il. The song is of the house hip-hop genre with electronica sounds
along with a Korean melody. One of the better up-tempo songs I’ve heard
recently. For our charting purpose, we have combined the scores of TTL
and TTL 2 into one song since it has the same melody. This week it
moves up another 2 spots into the top 3.

4. (-1) Lee Seung Ki – 우리 헤어지자 (Let’s Break Up)
Score: 702
Genre: Pop Ballad
Music: Kim Do Hoon, Lee Hyun Seung / Lyrics: Kim Do Hoon, Hwang Sung Jin
Album: Lee Seung Ki Vol. 4 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
After starring in the highest rated drama “Brilliant Legacy” this year,
Lee Seung Ki released a digital single “Will You Marry Me” earlier. Now
he is finally coming back with his 4th full album “Shadow”. The title
song “Let’s Break Up” is at No. 4 this week. “Let’s Break Up” was
composed by top composers Kim Do Hoon and Lee Hyun Seung. This sad
ballad showcases Lee Seung Ki’s vocal skills.

5. (+1) Epik High – 따라해 (Wannabe)
Score: 664
Genre: Hip-hop

Album: Epik High Vol. 6 CD 2 Track 4 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
Epik High is back and they releases their first album (sixth overall)
under their own independent label which can be a revolutionary change
in the Korean music industry. The trio goes back to the roots of
hip-hop by exploring and integrating different genres, including old
school, electronica, classical, trance, drum and bass, bossa nova, and
even trot in this new release. The title song “Wannabe” is moving up a
spot to No. 5 again. Because of DJ Tukutz’s army enlistment, Epik High
will stop promotion on this album and perhaps that explains why this
song is not ranked higher.

6. (+1) Lee Seung Chul – 사랑 참 어렵다 (Love Is So Difficult)
Score: 654
Genre: Pop Ballad
Music + Lyrics: Hong Jin Young
Album: Lee Seung Chul Vol. 10 Repackaged Version Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
This is the title track of Lee Seung-chul’s 10th studio album
“Repackage.” Like gems gain more value as time goes by, so does
Lee Seung-chul’s beautiful voice, which harmonizes with the gentle and
luxurious melody of this ballad. The music video shows Kim Jung-eun and
Yoon Sang-hyun acting out as former lovers who continue to love each
other after the breakup. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

7. (-3) 4minute – MUZIK
Score: 652
Genre: Pop / Dance
Music + Lyrics: Shin Sa Dong Tiger, Lee Sang Ho
Album: 4minute 1st mini-album “For Muzik” Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
After winning their first Mutizen award in SBS Inky Gayo and also top
spot in M!Countdown, rookie female group 4minute dropped 3 spots to No.
7 on our chart this week with their 2nd hit “MUZIK”. This song is a
euro beat street sound dance track that makes use of analog,
side-chain, and tape sound. A new genre that is getting more and more
popular these days.

8. (+3) Gavy NJ – 핼쑥해졌대 (In A Pallid State)
Score: 602
Genre: R&B Ballad
Music + Lyrics: Min Myung Ki
Album: Gavy NJ Vol. 4 Side A Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
With a member change (Misty replacing Jung Hye Min), Gavy NJ released
Side A of their 4th album, titled “Heartbreak Hotel”. Title song “In A
Pallid State” is a listener friendly ballad once again written by Min
Myung Ki, who is responsible for all their hits. It is a medium tempo
ballad which is perfect for the female listeners who just went through
breakup. This week it becomes the trio’s latest top 10 hit, up 3 spots
to No. 8.

9. (+13) Lee Ssang (feat. Jung In) – 헤어지지 못하는 여자, 떠나가지 못하는 남자 (Girl That Can’t Break Up, Guy that Can’t Leave)
Score: 552
Genre: Hip-hop

Album: Lee Ssang Vol. 6 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
With their unique laid back style, hip-hop duo Lee Ssang is back with
their 6th album “Hexagonal”. The duo firmly established themselves in
the mainstream with their 4th album in 2007, with the No. 1 song
“Ballerino”. However, they went very quiet with their 5th album last
year, which they did not actively perform and promote. This 6th album
they switched label to Jungle Entertainment for a fresh start. Having
one of the longest song titles ever is their principal track “Girl That Can’t
Break Up, Guy that Can’t Leave” which features the beautiful vocals of
R&B singer Jung In, who regularly collaborate with Lee Ssang. This
song cleans up on every major internet chart sources in Korea, enabling
a big move this week straight into the top 10 at No. 9.

10. (-1) Lee Hyun (feat. Lim Jung Hee) – 30분전 (30 Minutes Ago)
Score: 503
Genre: R&B Ballad
Music + Lyrics: Bang Shi Hyuk
Album: Lee Hyun mini-album “30 Minutes Ago” Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
8Eight members Baek Chan and Joo Hee has released their solo singles
and being featured in other artists works respectively already. It is
finally Lee Hyun’s turn for his solo effort. His husky voice fits
perfectly to this emotional ballad which is written by Hitman Bang Shi
Hyuk, who wrote all 8Eight’s hit songs. After Baek Ji Young’s “Like
Being Hit By A Bullet” and 8eight’s “Without A Heart”, it’s the third
song in Bang’s trilogy revolving around lovers breaking up. There are 2
versions of this song, the version being promoted now featured the
female vocal of Lim Jung Hee. This week “30 Minutes Ago” dropped one
spot to No. 10.

11. (-3) f(x) – 라차타 (La Cha Ta)
Score: 491
Genre: Pop / Dance
Music + Lyrics: Kenzie
Album: f(x) digital single La Cha Ta
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
This is the title song of f(x)’s debut digital single album. It is a
pop dance song that combines hip-hop grooves and electronica sounds.
The title – “LA chA TA” – is an exclamation. The witty lyrics about
enjoying life harmonize well with the cheerful melody. (credits to
Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

12. (+22) Wheesung – 주르륵 (Rain Falling) *** BIGGEST MOVER OF THE WEEK ***
Score: 461
Genre: R&B Ballad
Music + Lyrics: Wheesung
Album: Wheesung Vol. 6 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
Wheesung is releasing one more album before he gets set for his
American debut. His 6th studio album titled “Vocalate” was produced by
the singer himself and the title is a play on the words vocal and
chocolate. The title track is “Rain Falling” which was composed and
penned by Wheesung himself. It is about a man who leaves his lover and
holds his tears, but to have raindrops fall on his face, making it look
like he is tearing up. This song shows why Wheesung is the top male
vocalist in Korea. With its complex melody and arrangement, not too
many singers can pull it off but Wheesung does it flawlessly. This week
“Rain Falling” is our biggest mover, up 22 spots to No. 12.

13. (New) MC Mong – 호러쇼 (Horror Show) *** HOT SHOT DEBUT ***
Score: 442
Genre: Hip-hop
Music + Lyrics: MC Mong
Album: MC Mong Vol. 5 Repackaged Version Track 3 Purchase this album
MV Live Performance
Comment:
This past summer, MC Mong released his 5th album “Humanimal” with great
success. Now the repackaged version of this album with 3 new songs is
released. Halloween is near us and it is only fitting that the title
song of this repackaged version is called “Horror Show”. The song was
composed and penned by the artist himself and features comedian Kang Ho
Dong and electronica band W and Whale. The song has hip-hop beats with
strong melodies.

14. (-4) Kara – 미스터 (Mister)
Score: 398
Genre: Pop / Dance
Music: Han Jae Ho, Kim Seung Soo / Lyrics: Song Soo Yoon
Album: Kara Vol. 2 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
With all the hypes of many new girl groups, Kara is quietly having a
very solid year and has established themselves as one of the top female
groups this year. “Mister” is already their 4th top 10 songs in 2009
(the most by any artist). It is a Euro-pop dance track that has a powerful
electronic sound. This week it moves down 4 spots to No. 14.

15. (-1) Boo Hwal – 생각이나 (Thinking)
Score: 351
Genre: Rock Ballad
Music + Lyrics: Kim Tae Won
Album: Boo Hwal Vol. 12 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
This is the representative track for Boowhal’s 12th regular album,
“25th Anniversary – Retrospect.” Another poetic ballad from the group,
it features quiet beats with a bass drum in the intro, and communicates
the excitement of meeting someone again. The plain and clear
instrumental performance goes well with the powerful vocals. (credits
to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

16. (+1) Baek Ji Young (feat. 2PM Taec Yeon) – 내 귀에 캔디 (Candy On My Ear)
Score: 329
Genre: Pop / Dance
Music + Lyrics: Bang Shi Hyuk
Album: Baek Ji Young mini-album “Ego” Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
This is the representative song for Baek Ji-young’s mini album, “Ego.”
A European-style pop track, it’s all the rage in clubs these days and
features tribal-style beats with luxurious sounds sure to make
listeners dance. Baek Ji-young’s charismatic voice goes well with
powerful rapping by Oak Taek-yeon of 2PM. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops
In Seoul)

17. (-1) Yoon Do Hyun – 너라면 좋겠어 (I Wish It Was You)
Score: 311
Genre: Rock Ballad

Album: Yoon Do Hyun mini-album “Harmony” Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV
Comment:
Yoon Do Hyun hasn’t had a solo hit song since “Seems To
Fall In Love” in 2005. Now the same team (with songwriter Jun Hae Sung)
is back four years later to produce this excellent rock ballad “I Wish
It Was You”. It is a neo classic ballad that uses a synth orchestra. It
brings out the sadness of the song and fans can hear a whole new
different side of Yoon Do Hyun’s vocals.

18. (-6) Tei – 독설 (Venomous)
Score: 296
Genre: Pop Ballad

Album: Tei Vol. 5.5 “The Shine 2009” Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
Tei is coming back with a new mini-album. The title track is “Venomous”
which was penned by Park Kyung Jin who’s known for works such as
Gummy’s Just Forget Me and Kim Chang Rak who is famous for the music he
composed on Bae Yong Jun’s homepage. One can hear Tei’s strong vocals
through this track. This week it dropped six spots down to No. 18.

19. (-6) Jewelry – Vari2ty
Score: 272
Genre: Pop / Dance
Music: Park Keun Tae / Lyrics: Jung Byung Ki
Album: Jewelry Vol. 6 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
This is the title song of Jewelry’s 6th studio album “Sophisticated.”
It has an appealing yet sensible melody. The lyrics are about the
constantly changing charm of women, and it is performed with the
members’ unique voices. The music video underscores the charm of each
of the four members. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

20. (-2) Sandara Park (feat. CL) – Kiss
Score: 270
Genre: R&B / Dance

Album: Sandara Park digital single “Kiss” Track 1
Watch: MV
Comment:
2NE1 member Sandara Park’s first solo digital single is “Kiss”. This track is the theme for Cass Beer commercial with actor Lee
Min Ho. Produced by Teddy who also made tracks “Lollipop”, “Fire” and
“I Don’t Care.” “Kiss” has danceable rhythm and features CL of 2NE1’s
rap. The song is about a girl’s wish for the guy to come and kiss her.

21 . (New) SNSD – Chocolate Love : 264
22 . (New) Dynamic Duo – 죽일 놈 ( Guilty ) : 261
23 . (-3) Tae Yeon & Sunny (SNSD) – 사랑인걸요 ( It Is Love ) : 250
24 . (+2) Yoo Seung Chan – 로맨틱 코메디 ( Romantic Comedy ) : 242
25 . (New) Maya – 위풍당당 ( Majestic ) : 228
26 . (-1) Bae Chi Gi – 가인 ( Beautiful Woman ) : 214
27 . (-3) Davichi – Hot Stuff : 198
28 . (-13) Outsider/MC Sniper (feat. Horan) – 심장병 ( Heart Attack ) : 183
29 . (-8) HAM – 티티댄스 ( TT Dance ) : 179
30 . (New) G-Dragon – Breathe : 170
31 . (+8) Jun Jack – Love Jam : 168
32 . (+1) Uee, Jun Jin, Suk Hee – 그 남자 그 여자의 사정 ( That Man, That Woman’s Circumstance ) : 155
33 . (-3) Loveholics (Play Jung Eun Ah) – 아픔 ( Hurt ) : 149
34 . (New) SHINee – Ring Dong Dong : 144
35 . (New) MBLAQ – Oh Yeah : 136
36 . (New) Ari – 365일 ( 365 Days ) : 133
37 . (-1) Navi – 눈물도 아까워 ( Even The Tears Are Wasteful ) : 121
38 . (-6) PK Heman – 슬프지 않아요 ( I’m Not Sad ) : 115
39 . (-10) Cherry Filter – 피아니시모 ( Pianissimo ) : 113
40 . (New) Lee Soo Young – 내 이름 부르지 마 ( Don’t Call My Name ) : 99
41 . (-1) Rumble Fish – 내 사랑 내 곁에 ( My Love By My Side ) : 96
42 . (New) B2ST – Bad Girl : 93
43 . (-15) Tae Goon – 속았다 ( Tricked ) : 85
44 . (-1) Yeo Hoon Min – 버스 ( Bus ) : 80
45 . (-8) K.Will – 사랑한단 말을 못해서 ( They Can’t Love ) : 73
46 . (-2) IU – 아라로 ( Do: MBC Drama “Queen Sun Duk” OST ) : 72
47 . (-16) Miss $ – 사랑이 뭐길래 ( What Is Love ) : 71
48 . (New) Brown Eyed Girls – Candy Man : 56
49 . (-8) Supreme Team – 슈퍼매직 ( Super Magic ) : 55
50 . (New) JQT – 반했어 ( Fall In Love ) : 50

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

BONUS TRACK:
Nature – Forever With You
Genre: Pop Ballad

Album: Nature Vol. 1 Track 5
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
Three member male ballad group, Nature has releases their debut album “The
Blissful Song.” The title track “Forever With You” is a beautiful
ballad that none other than Nature can master. The group had already gained
interest among music lovers even before their debut, and this
album is expected to be a great hit this year. This song also featured a sad MV.
(credits to motoway065 for translations)

YESTERDAY ONCE MORE:
Wheesung – 안되나요 (Is it not possible?)
Genre: R&B Ballad

Album: Wheesung Vol. 1 (2002) Track 2
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:
Whee Sung (Choi Whee-Sung) was born in 1982 and is a famous R&B
singer. He debuted in a boy band A4 but left after the first album. He
joined M Boat which is sister company to YG. The first album in 2002
was “Like A Movie” and received much praise from many well-known artists,
including Seo Taiji and Shin Seung Hun. In 2003, his second album “It’s
Real” was one of the best K-Pop albums this decade, won him the best
selling artist of 2003 in Korea. “Is It Not Possible” is a sad ballad
from his first album. This song hit No. 1 on the chart, a rare feat for
a debuting artist. At the time of his solo debut, K-Pop scene was heavy
on dance music. Wheesung raised the bar a lot higher with his powerful
voice. Now he is widely regarded as the top male vocalist in Korea and
will make his American debut next year. Good luck to him. (credits to ~S2~)

Sources of the chart

Air Monitor Chart – 15%
MNet M!Countdown – 15%
Various Internet charts (Dosirak, MNet, Melon, Muz, Bugs, Cyworld, Soribada) – 15%
ChartKorea – 10%
Hottracks Weekly Album Sales (2 weeks lag) – 10%
SBS Inky Gayo Take 7 + Internet Chart + Music Video Chart – 10%
MBC Inky Top 100 Chart – 10%
KBS Music Bank K-Chart – 5%
MTV Chart – 5%
Gasoo appearance on gayo shows
(MBC Music Core, SBS Inky Gayo, KBS Music Bank, MNet M!Countdown, MBC
Music Travel LaLaLa, SBS Kim Jung Eun Chocolate, KBS Yoo Hee Yeol
Sketchbook , YTN Live Power Music, MTV Non-stop, Pops In Seoul) – 5%