Weekly Music Chart 2009 - May week 4

1. (–) 2PM – Again & Again *** 2 WEEKS NO. 1 ***   
Score: 967
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music + Lyrics: Park Jin Young
Album: 2PM single album “2:00PM Time For Change” Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: 2PM remain No. 1 for the 2nd straight week with “Again & Again”, still gaining in scores despite the gap between them and SG Wannabe’s 2nd place narrowing. This song has already topped MNet’s M!Countdown chart (3 weeks) and also won the Inky Gayo Mutizen award twice, so it is no surprise to see this song being No. 1 here.  2PM’s electrifying dance moves and strong vocals have won the heart of many fans.  They are the latest sensation produced by Park Jin Young (JYP).  Congratulations.

 

 

 

 

2. (–) SG Wannabe (feat. Yurisangja Baek Seung Hwa) – 사랑해 (I Love You)   
Score: 916
Genre: Folk Ballad

Music: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Ahn Young Min
Album: SG Wannabe Vol. 6 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Staying at No. 2 but with scores getting closer to the top is SG Wannabe’s “I Love You”.  This song is a folk pop song reminiscent of Simon & Garfunkel’s style, which is the group’s inspiration (SG).  It also features Yurisangja’s Baek Seung Hwa.  Korea’s top composer Cho Young Soo, who has written many big hits for SG Wannabe, is again the mastermind behind this song.

 

 

 

 

3. (–) Younha – 원투쓰리 (1,2,3)   
Score: 751
Genre: Piano Rock

Music: F. Hult, S. Kosug / Lyrics: NANA
Album: Younha Vol. 3 Part A Track 4 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Staying strong at No. 3 is Younha”s “1,2,3”.  This song has her trademark unique piano rock with pop sounds, along with brass and percussion accompaniment.  It still has the potential to move up again next week.

 

 

 

 

4. (–) K.Will – 눈물이 뚝뚝 (Dropping The Tears)
Score: 676
Genre: R&B Ballad

Music: Kim Do Hoon / Lyrics: Park Chan Hyun
Album: K.Will mini-album “Dropping The Tears” Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track for K.Will’s first mini album. The song starts with a simple piano melody and combines magnificent orchestra tunes and drum beats. K.Will’s more mature and moving voice sings about a heartbreaking separation. Yuri of Girls’ Generation stars in the music video as a mature woman who sheds tears. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

 

 

 

 

5. (–) Son Dam Bi – 토요일밤에 (Saturday Night)   
Score: 647
Genre: Pop / Dance 

Music + Lyrics: Brave Brothers
Album: Son Dam Bi Vol. 1 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title track of Son Dam-bi’s 1st album “Type B”. It is a pop dance song featuring retro sounds of the 1980s and it was written by Yonggamhan Hyeongje, who also wrote “Crazy”. They created the mood of the 1980s retro futurism by using electronic synthesizer sounds and drum source. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

 

 

 

 

6. (+8) Park Ji Yoon – 바래진 기억에 (In A Faded Memory)
Score: 629
Genre: Jazz Ballad

Album: Park Ji Yoon Vol. 7 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Returning to the top 10 for the first time in 6 years is the comeback hit by Park Ji Yoon, titled “In A Faded Memory”.  No longer a bubbly teenage girl, Park Ji Yoon made a 180-degree change to her music style, singing acoustic and jazz ballads now.  Back in the days she never had a chance to showcase her vocal talent.  Many doubted whether she could make it through this transformation.  After a few live performances and also solid album sales, she has silenced all her critics.

 

 

 

 

7. (-1) Davichi – My Man   
Score: 609
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Park Hae Woon, Park Hae Moon / Lyrics: Lee Sang Baek, DK4RG
Album: Davichi mini-album “Davichi In Wonderland” Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This song is included in Davichi’s first mini-album “Davichi In Wonderland”. It is a cheerful dance song about the feelings of a woman who has just fallen in love. The music video shows Kwang-soo of Cho Shin Sung, who shows off his masculine charm. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

 

 

 

 

8. (+4) After School – Diva
Score: 561
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music + Lyrics: Brave Brothers
Album: After School digital single “Diva” Track 1
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Already lurking below the top 10 for a few weeks, After School finally score their 2nd top-10 hit this week with their first digital single “Diva”.  A 6th member, UEE, joins the 5 girls for this new song. The song is produced by the Brave Brothers.  It has hip-hop feel mixed with electronica.

 

 

 

 

9. (+7) IU – Boo   
Score: 541
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Han Sang Won / Lyrics: Han Sang Won, Choi Kap Won
Album: IU Vol. 1 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Scoring her first top-10 hit is teenage sensation IU.  With a powerful voice, listeners were very surprised to find out that IU is only 15 years old.  Now she releases her 1st full studio album.  The title song “Boo” this time is a cutesy dance song which is probably more reflective of IU’s age.  Many fans seem to be disappointed by this switch to dance music after the impressive “Mia”.  But we have to realise that this is the trend of many debuting female k-pop singers or groups in the past 2 years.  They started out with a ballad that proved the artiste can sing, and then gradually switch to more pop, dance trendy type of songs.  This formula has proved to be successful for many singers, and here is another example.

 

 

 

 

10. (+1) Jo Sung Mo – 행복했었다 (I Was Happy)   
Score: 537
Genre: Pop Ballad

Album: Jo Sung Mo Vol. 7 Track 7 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: The latest superstar coming back from his military duties, Jo Sung Mo finally returns after four long years with his seventh album. The concept of this new album is “things that touch people” and like the album title suggests, Jo Sung Mo shows another side of him, turning a bit away from solely ballads. However, the title track “I Was Happy” is the familiar Jo Sung Mo-style ballad that fans have been missing for many years.

 

 

 

 

11. (-2) 2AM – 친구의 고백 (Friend’s Confession)   
Score: 535
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music + Lyrics: Park Jin Young
Album: 2AM second single album Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track for 2AM’s second single album, “Time For Confession”. The R&B song features a sweet melody with 2AM’s unique harmonies. The song and lyrics were both written by Park Jin-young. The lyrics, which go well with 2AM’s masculine and strong voices, are about a man who confesses to an old friend. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

 

 

 

 

12. (-4) Zi-A – 터질 것 같아 (Feel Like Exploding)
Score: 508
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Park Jung Wook / Lyrics: Kim Hye Sun
Album: Zi-A mini album “Orchestra” Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track for ZiA’s first mini-album, “Orchestra”. It’s a sad song that’s sure to move anyone who has known heartbreaking love. The song showcases ZiA’s uniquely attractive voice while the music video stars Lee Hyun-jin and Kim Min-ji in a unique story. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

 

 

 

 

13. (-6) Super Junior – Sorry Sorry   
Score: 506
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music + Lyrics: Yoo Young Jin
Album: Super Junior Vol. 3 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title track of Super Junior’s same-titled third album. It’s a dance song of the urban minimal funky genre created by songwriter Yoo Young-jin. It features an exciting beat and the highly addictive chorus saying “Shawty”. This trendy song stands apart from Super Junior’s previous songs. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

 

 

 

 

14. (-4) 8Eight – 심장이 없어 (Don’t Have A Heart)   
Score: 418
Genre: R&B Ballad

Music: Bang Shi Hyuk / Lyrics: Bang Shi Hyuk, Baek Chan
Album: 8Eight Vol. 3 Track 4 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title track of 8eight’s third album “The Golden Age”. It features a unique and exciting beat and portrays the sadness of a breakup. It was produced by hit-maker Bang Shi-hyuk, who also wrote “Like I’ve Been Shot” for Baek Ji-young. The music video is a story about forbidden love between a vampire, portrayed by So-hee of the Wonder Girls, and a human being. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

 

 

 

 

15. (New) 2NE1 – Fire *** HOT SHOT DEBUT ***   
Score: 413
Genre: Hip-hop / R&B / Dance

Music + Lyrics: Teddy
Album: 2NE1 digital single “Fire” Track 1
Watch: MV (Space Version) MV (Street Version) Live Performance
Comment: Easily the most anticipated debuting female group of this year, 2NE1 (To Anyone) are the first girl group from YG Entertainment.  They have been trained for years.  All 4 members (CL, Park Bom, Sandara Park, and Gong Min Ji) are well known even before their debut.  2NE1 are known as the female version of Big Bang.  Last month, they have a collaboration with Big Bang “Lollipop” and used the song to introduce the new group.  Their first hit single “Fire” immediately made it to the top 20 as our hot shot debut this week.  Many girl groups are work-in-progress when they debut, but this group is definitely a finished product.  Thanks to their prolonged training they are already performing like veterans on their debut stage. 2NE1 will definitely make a major impact on k-pop for years to come.

 

 

 

 

16. (+12) See Ya, Davichi, and Ji-Yeon (T-Ara) – 여성시대 (Women’s Generation)
Score: 371
Genre: Pop / Dance

Album: See Ya, Davichi & T-ara digital single “Women’s Generation” Track 1
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Members from three of MNet Entertainment’s girl groups joined force for a project single.  “Women’s Generation” is a pop/dance song with a slight trot style.  New group T-Ara’s member Ji-Yeon joined See Ya and Davichi in this collaboration, which reminded us of Color Pink last year. 

 

 

 

 

17. (+6) Evan – 머리와 심장이 싸우다 (My Head and Heart Are Fighting)   
Score: 359
Genre: Urban Jazz Ballad

Music: Anders Bergstrom, Jesper Jakobsson / Lyrics: Evan
Album: Evan mini-album “Sense & Sensibility” Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Evan has become a very unique k-pop singer with his urban jazz style songs.  His latest hit “My Head and Heart Are Fighting” is a bold ballad number. It was composed by Anders Bergstrom / Jesper Jakobsson and it was penned by Evan himself. The song starts off with beautiful piano melodies followed by Evan’s vocals.

 

 

 

 

18. (-5) Lim Chang Jung – 오랜만이야 (It’s Been A Long Time)
Score: 352
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Lee Dong Won / Lyrics: Bae Eun Jung
Album: Lim Chang Jung Vol. 11 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: At No. 18 is Lim Chang Jung’s comeback hit “It’s Been A Long Time”.  This well-made ballad number is about a man who has reunited with his lover, but sadly has trouble approaching her.  Fans can once again hear Lim Chang Jung’s trademark emotional vocal.  The younger generation of k-pop fans who have not heard of Lim’s songs should definitely check out “the king of ballads”.

 

 

 

 

19. (-4) MC Mong (feat. Navi) – Simple Love   
Score: 329
Genre: Hip-hop

Album: Blue Brand – 12 Doors Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV
Comment: The latest hit by MC Mong is not coming from his new album.  Instead, it is coming from a much anticipated compilation album “Brand Brand – 12 Doors” featuring 12 different well known hip-hop artistes.  “Simple Love” is the title song of this album.  Navi, who also has her own hit song on the chart, lends her vocal alongside MC Mong’s rap.

 

 

 

 

20. (+1) Ok Ju Hyun – 사랑한단 말 못해 (Can’t Say I Love You: MBC Drama “Cinderella Man” OST)   
Score: 247
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Cho Young Soo, Oh Sung Hoon / Lyrics: Kang Eun Kyung
Album: MBC Drama “Cinderella Man” OST Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is featured in the original soundtrack for the TV drama “Cinderella Man” and is its credit song as well. The drama stars Kwon Sang-woo and Girls’ Generation’s Yoon-a. With strong beats and Oak Joo-hyun’s rich voice, the track blends seamlessly with scenes from the show, making them more poignant. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

 

 

 

 

21 . (-3) Lee Jun Ki – J Style : 240
22 . (-3) Yoo Seung Chan – 니가 그립다 ( I Miss You ) : 233
23 . (+4) Bobby Kim – 사랑..그 놈 ( Love…This Person ) : 228
24 . (-2) Lee Eun Mi – 헤어지는 중입니다 ( In the Middle Of Breaking Up ) : 225
25. (+20) Chae Yeon – 흔들려 (Shake) : 215 *** BIGGEST MOVER OF THE WEEK ***
26 . (New) Lee Seung Chul – 손톱이 빠져서 ( My Nails Came Off ) : 209
27 . (-7) Tiffany (SNSD) – 나 혼자서 ( Be Myself ) : 206
28 . (+5) Navi (feat. Crown J) – 마음이 다쳐서 ( My Heart Is Hurt ) : 204
29 . (-3) Cho Won Sun – 도레미파솔라시도 ( Do Re Mi Fa So La Si Do ) : 196
30 . (New) Jun Jin (feat. Son Dam Bi) – Hey Ya! : 153
31 . (-6) Kim Jong Kook – 따줘 ( To Pick ) : 144
32 . (-2) W & Whale – High School Sensation : 142
33 . (+11) Oh Jong Hyuk – Cry : 122
34 . (-10) YB – 아직도 널 ( Still You ) : 121
35 . (New) Haptic Mission – Mission No. 4 : 120
36 . (-2) Kim Jin Pyo (feat. Jandi) – 쿨하게 헤어지는 방법 ( Breaking Up Coolly ) : 116
37 . (-1) Kim Hyung Joong – 오늘의 운세 ( Today’s Luck ) : 103
38 . (+1) T-Ara – 좋은 사람 ( Good Person: MBC Drama “Cinderella Man” OST ) : 101
39 . (New) In Soon Yi – Fantasia : 93
40 . (-3) Lee Min Ho – Extreme : 85
41 . (New) Yoon Sang Hyun – Never Ending Story : 78
42 . (New) Kim Hyung Joon (SS501) – 화성남자 금성여자 ( Men from Mars, Women from Venus ) : 76
43 . (-2) Epik High – Map The Soul : 75
44 . (-6) The D.A.Y – 그대라는 ( You Are… ) : 71
45 . (+4) Solbi – 벌 받을 거야 ( Receiving Your Punishment ) : 70
46 . (+3) Jang Ki Ha & Faces – 싸구려 커피 ( Cheap Coffee ) : 65
47 . (New) Han Kyung Il – 앓아요 ( I Know ) : 64
48 . (New) Hye Ryoung – 나 왜 헤어져 ( Why Did I Break Up ) : 59
49 . (-18) AJ – Dancing Shoes : 49
50 . (-8) H-Eugene (feat. Lyn) – 사랑인가봐 ( It Must Be Love ) : 46

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

BONUS TRACK:
M.Spot – Goodbye
Genre: Pop Ballad

Album: M.Spot digital single “戀 – 그리움에 대처하는 우리의 자세” Track 2
Listen to: Full Song (thanks to Mardi09 for uploading)
Comment: Project group M.Spot release their first single with the theme of yearning. Member Jun Won composed and penned all four songs in the album and Ko Byung Shik, who composed Jo Kwan Woo’s “Bad Love”, produced the album. The title track is Goodbye, which is a medium-tempo number which harmonizes all the members’ vocals. The group expresses the sad lyrics well. (credits to motoway065)

 

 

 

 

 

YESTERDAY ONCE MORE:
S.E.S – I’m Your Girl
Genre: Pop / Dance

Album: S.E.S Vol. 1 (1997) Track 1
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Three-member girl group S.E.S debuted in 1997, and the group’s name has the first letter of each member’s name: Sea (Bada), Eugene and Shoo. S.E.S could be viewed as the first successful girl group in K-pop and also were known as the female H.O.T as they both came from SM Entertainment. Their debut song “I’m your girl” is a cute fun song and was very popular at the time. As a bonus, Eric and Andy of Shinhwa rap in the beginning – this was before their debut.  After their breakup, all 3 members have gone on to successful solo careers.

 

 

 

 

Air Monitor Chart – 15%
MNet M!Countdown – 15%
Various Internet charts (Dosirak, MNet, Melon, Muz, Bugs, Cyworld, Soribada) – 15%
ChartKorea – 10%
Hanteo Weekly Album Sales (2 weeks lag) – 10%
SBS Inky Gayo Take 7 + Internet Chart + MP3 Download Chart + Music Video Chart – 10%
Hanteo Gayo Chart (1 week lag) – 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, SBS Kim Jung Eun Chocolate, KBS Yoo Hee Yeol Sketchbook , YTN Live Power Music, MTV Non-stop, Pops In Seoul) – 5%