Lee Seung Ki remains number one for the 3rd straight week with “제발” (Please), but the gap between him and Koyote is shortened now, as “I Love Rock & Roll” is only 26 points behind at number two. These two songs are still far ahead of others. Son Ho Young moves up a spot to number three with “운다” (Crying), but is only at 730 points.
The next four spots are songs that were going down last week, and moving back up this week. The indie rock band Nell has the biggest mover this week with “마음을잃다” (Losing One’s Mind), up 11 spots to number eight. Nell’s album sales are usually their strength, but this time they also produce a top 10 hit.
Three new songs this week, led by a top 10 debut YG’s new darling Big Bang. The title song “La La La” from their 2nd single album "Big Bang is VIP" debuted at No. 10 this week. Big Bang’s old song “눈물뿐인 바보” (Tears of a Fool) just dropped off the top 20 this week. It doesn’t take them long to produce another hit song.
Coming in at No. 14 is the title song “소리쳐” (Screaming) from Lee Seung Chul’s 8th album. Lee Seung Chul had a very successful 7th album 2 years ago. Last year, he released his 20th anniversary album with the hit song “열을 세어 보아요” (Counting from Ten to Three). Earlier this year, he also participated in the project single album “Over The Rainbow Vol. 1” with a beautiful ballad “떠나지마” (Don’t Leave). It seems that he’s always around our top 20. Let see if his new song is able to succeed as his past songs and albums.
The last new song of the week is probably the song that many fans are waiting for. DBSG’s “오-정반합” (O-Union). This is the title song from their long awaited 3rd album. Even though it is the lowest debut of the 3 songs this week, it is expected to move up the chart fast.
To listen to the 1 minute sample, you need to follow the links to melon.com and install the melon player to your computer. After that, click on the song title to listen.
1. (–) Lee Seung Ki – 제발 (Please) *** 3 WEEKS No. 1 ***
Genre: Pop Ballad
Album: Lee Seung Ki Remake Album – When A Man Loves A Woman Track 1 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featured on Lee Seung-ki’s special album titled "When a Man Loves a Woman," this special album holds ten female singers’ sad love songs with Lee Seung-ki’s vocals. The title song "Please" is a remake of song by Lee So-ra, where the women’s sad emotions have been reinterpreted to express that of a man’s love.
Music: Kim Hyun Chul / Lyrics: Lee Sora
Score: 894
2. (–) Koyote – I Love Rock & Roll
Genre: Pop / Dance
Album: Koyote Vol. 9 Track 1 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featured on Koyote’s ninth album titled "London Koyote," this song blends a rock & roll melody that is familiar to Korean listeners with a particularly heavy blues rhythm. Joo Young-hoon wrote the song while Shinji wrote the lyrics. Kim Jong-min’s fascinating low-toned voice is in perfect harmony with Shinji’s playful vocals.
Music: Joo Young Hoon / Lyrics: Shin Ji
Score: 868
3. (+1) Son Ho Young – 운다 (Crying)
Genre: Pop Ballad
Album: Son Ho Young Vol. 1 Track 5 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featured on Son Ho Young’s first solo album titled "YES," this ballad song nicely displays a Korean sentiment with its simple and lyrical melody. Son Ho Young covers a range of three octaves in this song. The music video, which was made from clips of the movie "Old Garden" starring Yeom Jung-ah and Ji Jin-hee, is in wonderful harmony with the song’s beautiful string-instrumental melody.
Music: Park Sun Joo / Lyrics: Joo Young Hwa
Score: 730
4. (+1) Brown Eyed Girls & See Ya – The Day
Genre: R&B Ballad
Album: Brown Eyed Girls & See Ya – To My Love (Single) Track 1 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featured on See Ya & Brown Eyed Girls’ single project album titled "To My Lover," this song is sung by lead vocalists of the rival female groups, See Ya’s Yeon-ji and Brown Eyed Girls’ Je-a. The lyric talks about a woman unable to forget her past lover.
Music + Lyrics: Min Myung Ki
Score: 682
5. (+2) Bae Chi Gi – 마이동풍 (My Way)
Genre: Hip Hop
Album: Bae Chi Gi Vol. 2 Track 2 –Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featured on Baechigi’s second album titled "My Way," this song mixes veteran singer Baek Seol-hee’s song with a hip-hop rhythm that is full of Korean emotions. It expresses the group’s persistent passion for singing music and their determination to pursue their own path despite what others say.
Music: MC Sniper / Lyrics: Bae Chi Gi
Score: 637
6. (+2) Jang Ri In – Timeless
Genre: R&B Ballad
Album: Jang Ri In – Timeless Track 1 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featured on Chinese singer Zhang Liyin’s debut single album titled "Timeless," this elegant song brings out an oriental melody with an R&B groove. It’s a traditional ballad by Zhang Liyin and TVXQ!’s Xiah. The song dwells on a love that’s both everlasting and sorrowful.
Music: Foreign Song / Lyrics: Kenzie
Score: 619
7. (+4) Park Jung Ah – Yeah
Genre: Pop/Rock
Album: Park Jung Ah Vol. 1 Track 3 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featuring on Park Jung-ah’s first solo album titled "Yeah," this pop-rock style song differs somewhat from Jewelry’s previous music. Its hopeful and encouraging message is expressed in a rock melody. The song’s exciting rhythm in the chorus nicely blends with Park Jung-ah’s refreshing vocals, delivering a sense of freedom.
Music: Mark Jackson / Lyrics: Cho Eun Hee
Score: 609
8. (+11) Nell – 마음을잃다 (Losing one’s mind) *** BIGGEST MOVER OF THE WEEK ***
Genre: Rock
Album: Nell Vol. 3 Track 8 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV:Featured on NELL’s third album titled "Healing Process," this modern rock-band discovered by Seo Taiji holds emotional melody and unique vocals. Vocalist Kim Jong-wan’s poignant vocals and orchestral play provide a magnificent sound. The lyrics express the difficulty of forgetting a past lover due to many wonderful memories together.
Music + Lyrics: Kim Jong Wan
Score: 588
9. (-3) Ha Dong Kyun – 그녀를사랑해줘요 (Please Love Her)
Genre: R&B Ballad
Album: Ha Dong Kyun Vol. 1 Track 3 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featured on Ha Dong-kyun’s first album titled "Stand Alone," this ballad song’s poignant lyrics and sweet melody are in perfect harmony with Ha Dong-kyun’s powerful vocals. Its simple and refined arrangement nicely blends with Ha Dong-kyun’s unique vocals. His powerful musicality and husky vocals hidden behind his delicate look is quite amazing.
Music: Park Soo Jong / Lyrics: Choi Kap Won
Score: 573
10. (New) Big Bang – La La La *** HOT SHOT DEBUT ***
Genre: R&B / Dance
Album: Big Bang 2nd single album "Big Bang is VIP" Track 1 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featured on BIGBANG’s second single album titled "Bigbang is V.I.P," YG’s main producer PERRY and G-dragon have written the song, which carries a cheerful tempo rhythm and a refined melody. All the members have taken part in writing the lyrics that aims to have fun.
Music: Perry + G-Dragon / Lyrics: Big Bang
Score: 562
11. (+3) Kan Mi Youn – 옛날여자 (Woman in the Past)
Genre: Pop Ballad
Album: Kan Mi Youn Vol. 1 Track 2 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featured on Kan Mi Youn’s first solo album titled "Refreshing," this is the debut song from the former member of female vocal group Baby V.O.X. The song uses the melody from Irish folk music "O, Waly Waly," and blends it with the sound of a pan-flute in the introduction. Its sad lyrics and Kan Mi Youn’s emotional vocals nicely express innocence and pure love.
Music: Bang Shi Hyuk / Lyrics: Yoon SaRa
Score: 544
12. (–) Cherry Filter – Happy Day
Genre: Rock
Album: Cherry Filter Vol. 4 Track 3 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featured on Cherry Filter’s fourth album titled "Peace N’ Rock N’ Roll," this is very much like the typical Cherry Filter style song. Its acoustic piano sound is in great harmony with the cheerful and refreshing modern-rock feel of the music. The song’s unique and colorful lyrics represent Cherry Filter. The group has secured an identity as a modern rock-band, while displaying more mature and refined sounds.
Music + Lyrics: Jung Woo Jin
Score: 528
13. (–) Oh Jong Hyuk – 죽을만큼… (Deadly)
Genre: R&B Ballad
Album: Oh Jong Hyuk Vol. 1 Track 9 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
edward1849: Featured on former Click B member Oh Jong Hyuk’s first solo album titled "Issue". This R&B ballad showcased Oh Jong Hyuk’s vocal, which we don’t hear enough on his Click B days.
Music: Choi Min Suk / Lyrics: Kim Soo Hyun
Score: 497
14. (New) Lee Seung Chul – 소리쳐 (Screaming)
Album: Lee Seung Chul Vol. 8 Track 2 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featured on Lee Seung-chul’s eighth album titled "Reflection of Sound," this medium tempo ballad song nicely blends a poignant melody with Lee Seung-chul’s unique vocals. Its simple lyrics and melody delivers the true meaning of love with which we can all empathize.
Music: Hong Jin Young / Lyrics: Hyun Jin Young
Score: 492
15. (New) DBSG – 오-정반합 (O-Union)
Album: DBSG Vol. 3 Track 1 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featured on TVXQ!’s third album titled "O-Union," it is a crossover song that combines various musical genres including hip-hop and electric music. This song is based on a Korean-style melody carrying a speedy guitar tune, strong electric music, and a colorful beat. The group displays a dazzling performance through its magnificence and message to the world.
Music + Lyrics: Ahn Eun Jin
Score: 485
16. (-1) YB – 오늘은 (Today)
Genre: Rock
Album: Yoon Do Hyun Band Vol. 7 Track 1 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featured on YB’s seventh album titled "Why be?" this song is a sentimental rhythm rock music. The lyrics and melody deliver a hopeful message and instill energy to all listeners. The music video which stars all the members of YB adds to the listening enjoyment.
Music + Lyrics: Yoon Do Hyun
Score: 458
17. (-14) Turtles – 비행기 (Aeroplanes)
Genre: Pop
Album: Turtles Vol. 4 Track 3 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featured on Turtles’ 4th album titled "Buy Turtles!", it’s a refreshing Turtles-style dance track blending the cute melody with the exotic sound of Hawaiian baby guitars. This song brings back the childhood memories to people who are tired of their everyday lives. Its addictive rhythm adds an exquisite fascination to the music.
Music + Lyrics: Lim Sung Hoon (Turtleman)
Score: 439
18. (-8) Psy – 연예인 (Performer)
Genre: Pop / Hip-Hop
Album: Psy Vol. 4 Track 3 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featured on Psy’s 4th album titled "Ssajip," its lyrics are very much like the one from Psy’s hit song "Utopia" with exciting and refreshing rhythm. In this song, he sings about being an entertainer to a woman he loves. Psy plays a double role of a genuine man and a comical angel through this music video.
Music: Psy / Lyrics: Yoon Gun Hyung
Score: 345
19. (-1) Im Jae Bum – 가로수그늘아래서면 (Standing Under The Tree)
Genre: Pop Ballad
Album: The Story of Musicians – 엣사랑 Track 1 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featured on composer Lee Young-hoon’s project album titled "Past Romance – The Story of Musicians," this is a remake of Lee Moon-sae’s hit song, "Standing Under the Tree," released in 1991. Actor Cho Jae-hyun directed and starred in the music video which was shot at an island near Tongyeong in southern Korea.
Music + Lyrics: Lee Young Hoon
Score: 339
20. (-11) Paran – 다섯걸음 (Five Steps)
Genre: Pop / Dance
Album: Paran Vol. 2 Track 2 – Listen here for 1 minute sample
Arirang TV: Featured on Paran’s second album titled "Beyond The Blue Sky," this medium tempo song combines a strong beat with charismatic vocals. A member from Usher’s production team participated in the making of this eight-beat dance song. The group displays dazzling dance skills in the music video which was shot in Thailand.
Music: Garry Haas / Lyrics: Park Ki Hyun
Score: 335
Dropped out from last week: 
16. MC The Max – 사랑을찾아서 (Searching For Love)
17. Seo Young Eun – 좋아좋아 (I Like It)
20. Big Bang – 눈물뿐인 바보 (Tears of a Fool)
Sources of the top 20
The sources of this top 20 chart are pretty much the same, but the weight assigned to each source may be different each week because some charts do not update weekly (e.g. MNet M!Countdown) and I assign fewer percentage when it happens. From now on, I’ll list my chart sources each week. For October week 3:
ChartKorea – 20%
Hanteo Weekly Album Sales (2 weeks lag) – 20%
MNet M!Countdown – 20%
SBS Inky Gayo Take 7 Chart (1 week lag) – 15%
Various Internet charts (Melon, Jukeon, Dosirak, MaxMP3, Muz, Bugs, Hanteo Gayo Chart, Ohdio) – 15%
MTV Korea – Artist & Music Charts – 5%
Gasoo appearance on gayo shows (MBC Music Core, SBS Inky Gayo, KBS Music Bank, MBC Kim Dong Ryul For You, KBS Yoon Do Hyun Love Letter, MNet M!Countdown, MTV Top Choices, MTV Breakfast Club, Show! Music Tank, Pops In Seoul) – 5%
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