No. 1 song: Big Bang's "마지막인사" (Last Greeting) is No. 1 again this week, finishing off a wonderful year for the group in which they scored three No. 1 songs and also broke our chart record for the most consecutive weeks at the top when "Lie" spent seven straight weeks there. Big Bang's current run is one of the strongest by any gasoo in recent memory. Congratulations to Big Bang for a successful year.
Biggest Mover of the week: Underrated R&B singer Lisa is the biggest mover this week. Her song "그려봅니다" (I'm drawing) moves up 18 spots to No. 20 this week, becoming her first ever top 20 song. Lisa has received good reviews on her albums and songs ever since she debuted in 2004. Perhaps this is finally her breakthrough song.
Hot shot debut: This year we already have Yang Pa and Park Jin Young who came back after a long six-years hiatus and became very successful again. We have a 3rd one this week. Project group Toy's (led by musician Yoo Hee Yeol) first release since 2001 has been surprisingly successful - Toy's 6th album "Thank You" has topped the album sales chart for almost 3 weeks now. The title song "뜨거운안녕" (A Passionate Goodbye) made an impressive debut at No. 5 this week. It was the summer of 2001 when we last heard of Toy. They had a big hit "좋은 사람" (One Good Person) back then, which was sung by Kim Hyung Joong, who later debuted as a solo singer. This time, "Hot Farewell" features the vocal of Lee Ji Hyung.
New songs: The last chart of this year still have a lot of new songs. We have 10 brand new songs this week.
Songs to watch out:
3. SG Wannabe - 첫눈 (First Snow) - Their songs are always around the top, including this latest hit which moves up 7 spots to No. 3. It is a perfect winter ballad. This song may become our first No. 1 song in 2008.
9. F.T Island - 너올때까지 (Until you come) - Making a last push for the new artiste award, F.T Island released a special album titled "Refreshment" in early December. This is the title song and it's our 2nd highest debut this week at No. 9. F.T Island teamed up with Vibe's Ryu Jae Hyun again on this song. Ryu wrote their No. 1 song "사랑앓이" (Love Sick) earlier this year.
15. Voice One - 니가내린다 (You are bringing it down) - Jang Hye Jin's project group has its first top 20 hit. She teamed up with her students Monday Kiz and Ilak to produce this song. Last year, Voice One also released a single "Love Actually" that did not get a lot of coverage. This time it is different as the group actually performed on gayo shows. That always helps the popularity of the song and as a result, it is a top 20 hit.
17. Lee Seung Ki - 아직 못다한 이야기 (Unfinished story) - Releasing a repackaged version of an album has become a new trend in k-pop now. This song comes from Lee Seung Ki's 3rd album repackaged version. This new version doesn't have a lot of exposure but that has not affected the popularity of this song. Kim Do Hoon wrote this song for Lee Seung Ki, as they teamed up again for the second time. Last year, Lee Seung Ki's "하기힘든말" (Words hard to tell) was also written by Kim Do Hoon.
23. ERU - 겨울나기 (Feeling Winter) - ERU's 2nd hit on his last album was "흰눈" (White Snow) which was tailor-made for winter. The 2nd hit of his current album also has the same feel. His previous hit "둘이라서" (Because it's the two of us) fell far short of expectations. Let's see if this song can do better.
24. Wonder Girls - 이 바보 (This Fool) - "Tell Me" is finally off the chart after a long stay. Their newest song is again a cute dance hit. Like F.T Island, Wonder Girls aew also making a final push for the year end award. Having another hit certain helps their case.
30. Min Kyung Hoon - 슬픈 바보 (Sad Fool) - Former lead vocalist of Buzz has his first solo hit. The style is very close to Buzz's songs. Min Kyung Hoon already had a lot of fans in his days with Buzz. His 1st album is doing well on the sales chart and this song has a very good chance to become our biggest mover on the next chart issue in two weeks.
37. PK Heman (feat. Lee Ji Hye) - 못잊어 (Can't Forget) - PK Heman is perhaps the first hip-hop singer who is focusing on hip-hop ballads. He already teamed up with Lee Ji Hye on his digital single "Evergreen" earlier this year. This song is from his first full album "Lover". It samples Mendelssohn's "Spring Song". Lee Ji Hye's crystal clear vocal adds to the song's poignancy. The music video stars Kim Ji Hoon and Ko Na Eun star as lovers who can't forget each other.
39. The Name - 그녀를 찾아주세요 (Please Find Her) - A highly recommended song which draws comparison to ERU's "Black Glasses" by having a female vocal near the end of the song. This is a sad ballad which fits The Name's husky voice. Vibe's Yoon Min Soo wrote this song for The Name, who had a top 10 hit "I Love You" last year and is looking for another hit with this song.
Announcements:
This is the last chart of 2007 and we have completed the 3rd year of this weekly music chart. We won't have a chart for next week as we are bringing you the results of the 2007 soompi gayo award show. We'll count down the year-end top-20 songs and announce all the award winners. You can even watch the show thru a video podcasting. BTW, if you haven't vote for your favorite singers, please do so here. The deadline for voting will be December 26 11:59 EST.
In 2008, this chart posting will be moved to soompi's main site. However, I'll still provide a url link to the main site's chart posting for members to discuss. Also, some of the chart scoring criteria will change. We are hoping to get a more accurate ranking system which timely reflects the popularity of the most current k-pop songs. I will explain in more detail on the first chart release of 2008 in two weeks.
I also like to take this opportunity to thank the following members who have helped me in the past year to make this chart posting possible:
purpletiger86, motoway065 - new album previews plus translations
~S2~, La'MISS:fairy, jess1tym4life - artiste of the week
Aziraphale, saharial - editing
elavndrc - chart count down on Big B Radio during this summer, it was quite an experience!
Last but not least, thanks to all our readers of this weekly post. I appreciate your support, and wish you all a Merry Christmas.
Click on the youtube links to watch the top 20 songs' live performance or MV. You can also listen to the 1 minute sample - follow the links to melon.com and install the melon player to your computer. After that, click on the song title to listen.
To purchase the album, click on the album cover and it will automatically link you to our sponsor YesAsia.com.
1. (--) Big Bang - 마지막인사 (Last Greeting) *** 2 WEEKS NO. 1 ***
Genre: Hip-hop / Dance
Watch the performance
Album: Big Bang 2nd mini-album "Hot Issue" Track 6 - Listen here for 1 minute sample
QUOTE
Arirang TV: This is the representative track for the 2007 BIGBANG 2nd Mini-Album, "Hot Issue." With music and lyrics by BIGBANG's leader G.Dragon, the song melds a strong beat, a trance-hip-hop rhythm, powerful rapping by G.Dragon and T.O.P. and vocals by Tae-yang, Dae-sung and Seung-ri.
Music + Lyrics: G-DragonScore: 953
2. (--) SNSD - 소녀시대 (Girls Generation)
Genre: Pop / Dance
Watch the performance
Album: SNSD Vol. 1 Track 1 - Listen here for 1 minute sample
QUOTE
Arirang TV: This is the title track of Girls' Generation's 1st album. A remake of a Lee Seung-chul hit, the song was arranged and made anew with Girls' Generation's uniquely bright vibe, which contrasts significantly with the original's masculine style.
Music: Song Tae Joon / Lyrics: Lee Seung ChulScore: 835
3. (+7) SG Wannabe - 첫눈 (First Snow)
Genre: R&B Ballad
Watch the performance
Album: SG Wannabe - Story in New York 2008 Track 1 - Listen here for 1 minute sample
QUOTE
Arirang TV: This is the representative song for SG Wannabe's special album, "Story in New York." The soothing ballad melds music-box sounds from the intro and a softened vocal style in general. It's about missing an ex-lover on the day of the first snow and telling her "let's not break up the next time we meet."
Music: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Ahn Young MinScore: 787
4. (-1) Park Jin Young - 니가사는그집 (The House You Lived In)
Genre: R&B / Dance
Watch the performance
Album: Park Jin Young Seventh album Track 2 - Listen here for 1 minute sample
QUOTE
edward1849: Title song from JYP’s 7th album “Back to stage”. This is a funky up-tempo song that showcases JYP’s dance moves. Younger generations may know JYP as a producer but not be aware that he is also an excellent singer and dancer.
Music + Lyrics: Park Jin YoungScore: 736
5. (New) Toy - 뜨거운안녕 (A Passionate Goodbye) *** HOT SHOT DEBUT ***
Genre: Pop Ballad
Watch the performance
Album: Toy Vol. 6 Track 5 - Listen here for 1 minute sample
QUOTE
edward1849: Musician Yoo Hee Yeol's project group Toy are back after six years with their latest album "Thank You". In this album's title song, Yoo teamed up with singer songwriter Lee Ji Hyung on a mid-tempo with a blend of retro and modern sounds inspired by the eighties' new wave music.
Music: Yoo Hee Yeol, Kim Tae Hoon / Lyrics: Yoo Hee YeolScore: 630
6. (+5) Zia - 바이올린 (Violin)
Genre: Pop Ballad
Watch the MV
Album: Music Story Album Track 1 - Listen here for 1 minute sample
QUOTE
Arirang TV: This is the representative track for the compilation album, "The Violin - Music Story Album." The medium-tempo ballad showcases the string instruments of a 30-member orchestra and a moving melody. It's about telling a former lover that she was happy while they were together and about hoping he'll find someone better.
Music: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Ahn Young MinScore: 628
7. (-3) Youn Ha - 혜성 (Comet)
Genre: Pop / Rock
Watch the performance
Album: Youn Ha Vol. 1.5 Track 1 - Listen here for 1 minute sample
QUOTE
Arirang TV: This is the title track of Younha's 1.5th album, "Comet." The album is the Korean version of the "Go! Younha" album released in Japan. The track was used as the ending theme song for the animation "Bleach" and gained widespread popularity in Japan. The new Korean version is a fresh take on the piece.
Music: Nao Tanaka / Lyrics: Kim Yi JinScore: 594
8. (-2) Eun Ji Won (feat. Mr. Tyfoon) - Adios
Genre: Hip-hop
Watch the performance
Album: Eun Ji Won single album Track 2 - Listen here for 1 minute sample
QUOTE
Arirang TV: Featured on Eun Ji-won's single album, "Love, Death, Thought," this song, by musician Keeproots, fuses Latin and hip-hop styles for an innovative type of melody. The lyrics, about a man who has been betrayed by love, go well with a fun beat. Mr. Tyfoon, who is featured in the song, wrote the lyrics.
Music: Keeproots / Lyrics: Mr. TyfoonScore: 559
9. (New) F.T Island - 너올때까지 (Until you come)
Genre: Rock Ballad
Watch the performance
Album: F.T. Island Special album "Refreshment" Track 1 - Listen here for 1 minute sample
QUOTE
Arirang TV: This is the representative song for F.T. Island's special album, "The Refreshment." A moving melody goes well with Hong-ki's charming voice and the lyrics are about waiting for an ex-lover until she returns. The music video features a school setting and stars Hong-ki and Won Bin as brothers.
Music + Lyrics: Ryu Jae HyunScore: 555
10. (-2) Super Junior - Marry U
Genre: Pop
Watch the performance
Album: Super Junior Album 2 Track 6- Listen here for 1 minute sample
QUOTE
Arirang TV: Featured in Super Junior's 2nd album, "Don't Don," this sweet proposal song has a soft melody. Girls' Generation's Yoon-a makes a special appearance in the music video, which is about someone holding a concert for a former lover, confessing love and a couple re-committing themselves to each other.
Score: 549
Music + Lyrics: Kim Do Hoon
Posted 23 December 2007 - 03:41 PM
