Weekly Music Chart 2008 - June week 2

1. (–) SG Wannabe – 라라라 (LaLaLa) *** 3 WEEKS NO. 1 ***
Score: 922
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: SG Wannabe remain at the top with "LaLaLa for the 3rd straight week. The top 3 songs have been moving around for the past few weeks and now it looks like this song has the most staying power, its score still in the 900s. There will be big competition coming up soon and we’ll know soon if this song is still strong enough to stay on top next week.

2. (+1) MC Mong – 서커스 (Circus)
Score: 858
Genre: Hip-hop
Music: Kim Gun Woo, MC Mong / Lyrics: MC Mong
Album: MC Mong Vol. 4 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This
is the title track of MC Mong’s 4th album, “Show’s Just Begun.” Featured artistes Lim Yu-kyung and $howgun’s unique musical style ring out in this upbeat hip hop track. The lyrics, which were written by MC Mong himself, describe him as the circus clown. The artiste’s close friend No Hong-chul added more fun to the music video with his appearance. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

3. (-1) Epik High (feat. Ji Sun) – One
Score: 803
Genre: Hip-hop
Music: Tablo / Lyrics: Tablo, Mithra Jin
Album: Epik High Vol. 5 Track 4 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track of Epik High’s 5th album, “Pieces, Part One.” The fusion of futuristic electronic sounds with hip-hop rhythms blends in well with former Loveholic’s vocalist Jisun’s voice. The song carries a message of hope to those who have been emotionally damaged. Jung Ryeo-won stars in the music video as a woman who has given up on her life. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

4. (+1) Jewelry – 모두 다 쉿! (Everybody Shhh!)
Score: 749
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)

5. (+1) V.O.S – Beautiful Life
Score: 726
Genre: R&B mid-tempo ballad

Album: V.O.S Vol. 3 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Title song from R&B trio V.O.S’ third album "Wonderful Things" continues to make big moves this week, up another 11 spots to No. 6. V.O.S are a fast-rising group, with a big hit "Everyday Everyday" last year. Member Park Ji Hun has already scored a No. 1 solo hit earlier this year with "During The Days I Want To See You". This song is more up-tempo than their previous hits, perhaps more fitting for the coming summer.

6. (+19) Wonder Girls – So Hot *** BIGGEST MOVER OF THE WEEK ***
Score: 668
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: Title song from Wonder Girl’s 2008 mini-album "So Hot". Wonder Girls had a big hit "Tell Me" last year, spending six weeks on top of our chart and also winning the best new artiste award in 2007. This year, they are coming back with a new look, fashion, and dance moves. The song, which was produced by Park Jin Young (JYP), has fun lyrics about how it’s tiring to be pretty. With playful rock & roll rhythms and bokgo analog instrumentals, the song is definitely a Wonder Girls’ style dance track.

7. (-3) Kim Jong Wook – 그대만이 (My Only)
Score: 645
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Ahn Young Min
Album: Kim Jong Wook Vol. 1 CD 2 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is a track from Kim Jong-wook’s 1st album, "For A Long Time," a ballad that showcases a nice blend of warm accessible melodies and Kim’s mellow vocals. The lyrics, simple and straightforward, are about a guy’s strong feelings towards his loved one. Chae Dong-ha and Jo Yeo-jung show off their melodramatic acting as a couple in the music video. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

8. (+8) Shinee – 누난 너무 예뻐 (Noona’s Pretty (Replay))
Score: 550
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: SM entertainment’s latest sensation Shinee continue to move forward on the chart, their song "Noona’s Pretty (Replay)" is up 8 more spots to No. 8 this week. Shinee are made up of five teenagers from the ages of 14 to 18. The members are Jonghyun, Minho, Taemin, Onyoo, and Key. Unlike DBSG and Super Junior, Shinee’s music is more contemporary. Their debut song is mid-tempo R&B style that can showcase both their dance skills and their vocals. Already with a strong fan base, Shinee are definitely one of the new artistes in 2008 that we should all watch out for.

9. (+15) Tae Yang – 나만 바라봐 (Watching Only You)
Score: 517
Genre: R&B / Dance

Album: Tae Yang mini-album "Hot" Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the first solo hit song for Big Bang member Tae Yang. It is our 2nd biggest mover of the week. "Watching Only You" is co-produced by Teddy of 1TYM and KUSH of Stony Skunk. Teddy is also featured in the song as the rapper. Big Bang won the DaeSang of our soompi gayo award last year. We expect Tae Yang’s song to do well on the chart as well.

10. (-3) SS501 – 널 부르는 노래 (A Song Calling For You)
Score: 498
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music + Lyrics: Han Sang Won
Album: SS501 3rd single album Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Follow-up song from SS501’s 3rd single album "Deja Vu". The title song "Deja Vu" reached the top 10. This song has great rhythm and it showcases SS501’s cute choreography. It is another hit song written by rising songwriter Han Sang Won. SS501 have just wrapped up their promotional activities on this successful single album in which they scored two top-10 hits.

11. (+6) Gavy NJ – Lie
Score: 419
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: Of all the female R&B groups that have debuted for the last few years, Gavy NJ seem to be the best kept secret in the business. That may be due to the fact that they rarely came out to perform during their first two albums. Despite not performing much, their songs were still very popular. Until the emergence of See Ya, Gavy NJ were labeled as the female version of SG Wannabe. Now that See Ya have shifted to a more pop-oriented approach, Gavy NJ can re-claim that title. With a new record company, a more polished image, and frequent appearances on gayo shows, their music still remains unchanged. Lie is a great R&B ballad. Now that they are performing frequently, it will definitely help this song and perhaps it will become their biggest hit so far. Taiwanese actress Vivian Hsu starred in this song’s MV.

12. (-3) Lee Seung Ki – 추억속의 그대 (You are in my memories)
Score: 412
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music + Lyircs: Yoon Sang
Album: Lee Seung Ki 2nd remake album Track 6 Purchase this album
Watch: Live Performance
Comment: Coming from Lee Seung Ki’s 2nd remake album, this song is the follow up song to "I’ll Give You All". "I"ll Give You All" was from Cho Kyu Man, this song was also originally from another singer-songwriter, Yoon Sang. It is a more rock-styled ballad as compared to "I’ll Give You All".

13. (+5) Buga Kingz – 싸이렌 (Siren)
Score: 374
Genre: Hip-hop

Album: Buga Kingz Vol. 3 Track 7 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Buga Kingz are an underrated hip-hop/R&B group. This is not the first time they have hit the top 20, and their album is selling quite well. Recently, the trio started to appear on more music shows and it has helped this song tremendously. After staying in the 30-40s for the past few weeks, this week "Siren" finally makes a big jump to No. 13. Buga Kingz’s music is half hip-hop and half R&B, rapping does not dominate the song as there are many vocal parts as well. Even though they are not targeted for mainstream, their music should be listener-friendly enough to appeal to pop fans.

14. (–) Kim Jang Hoon – 소나기 (Shower)
Score: 363
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music + Lyrics: Psy
Album: Kim Jang Hoon digital single "Shower"
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This poignant ballad is the title track of Kim Jang-hoon’s Maestro Project single album of the same name. The lyrics, which were written by Psy, reveal the hope for a better future by comparing life’s obstacles to a rain shower. Actor Cha Seung-won starred in the music video, which deals with child abduction. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

15. (-7) Nell – 기억을 걷는 시간 (Time Of Collecting My Memories)
Score: 341
Genre: Rock Ballad
Music + Lyrics: Kim Jong Wan
Album: Nell Vol. 4 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track for Nell’s 4th album, "Separation Anxiety." A gentle and modern rock ballad with a simple sound and keyboard at its center, it showcases vocalist Kim Jong-wan’s sob-resembling vocal style and sensual melody. Together they give off a surreal vibe. The poignant lyrics are about missing an ex. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

16. (-6) Monday Kiz (feat. Rhymer) – 가슴으로 외쳐 (Shout to the heart)
Score: 335
Genre: Mid-tempo R&B
Music: Kim Do Hoon + Hwang Sung Jin / Lyrics: Kim Do Hoon
Album: Monday Kiz Vol. 3 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track for Monday Kiz’s 3rd album, "Inside Story." Rhymer made and performed the rap for this up-tempo R&B song, which is seasoned with some hip-hop touches. A simple melody melds with a full chorus to add to the depth of the song. The music video tells of a love story between Seo Young-hee and Jin Gu, who play a doctor and cancer patient. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

17. (-2) Alex – 화분 (Flower Pot)
Score: 331
Genre: Pop/Jazz Ballad

Music + Lyrics: Kang Hyun Min
Album: Alex Vol. 1 Track 15 Purchase this album
Watch: MV
Comment: The fourth song coming from the hit TV show "We Got Married". Like Andy, Clazziquai’s Alex also stars in this show, coupling with Shin Ae. Alex was also involved in the first hit song of this series, featuring in Kim Dong Ryul’s "Like A Child". It is already the third version of this song. The song first appeared in the "Coffee Prince No. 1 Shop" soundtrack, then Loveholic remade it earlier this year. Now it has finally become a hit on its third try, proving that the power of TV shows can do a song wonders. Loveholic’s Kang Hyun Min wrote this song. This song is also featured on Alex’s 1st solo album, just released this week.

18. (-6) Andy – 프로포즈 (Propose)
Score: 317
Genre: Pop Ballad

Album: Andy Vol. 1 repackaged version Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance feat. Solbi (with English sub)
Comment: This is a track from Andy’s 1st repackaged album “Andy The First Propose.” Sweet melodies are tastefully ornamented in this lively medium tempo song which sings about confessing one’s true feelings to one’s lover. In the music video, Andy comes out as a barista who prepares a special proposal event for his loved one. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

19. (-8) Fly To The Sky (feat. AND) – 취중진담 (Saying The Truth When Drunk)
Score: 301
Genre: R&B Ballad

Music + Lyrics: Kim Dong Ryul
Album: Fly To The Sky Remake Album "Recollection" Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Fly To The Sky are the third singers to release a remake album this year (first is Park Hye Kyung, second is Lee Seung Ki). Brian and Hwanhee chose hit songs from the 90s and remade them to their own style. "Saying The Truth When Drunk" was originally a hit by Kim Dong Ryul. FTTS’ version is an a cappella track featuring R&B singer AND. With the accompaniment of the guitar and drums in the middle of the track, fans will definitely fall for their voices.

20. (-7) Kim Dong Wan – 비밀 (Secret)
Score: 284
Genre: Mid-tempo Pop Ballad

Album: Kim Dong Wan Vol. 2 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track of Kim Dong-wan’s 2nd album, "The Secret." The electronica-influenced dance track flaunts a lively beat and addictive refrains. Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany participated in the song as a narrator, while actress Kim Min-sun showed off her sexy dance moves in the music video. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

21. (-2) Cho Shin Sung – Super Star : 251
22. (–) Chunja – Booming : 240
23. (New) Gummy (feat. Red Roc) – 거울을 보다가 (While looking into the mirror) : 237 *** HOT SHOT DEBUT ***
24. (-1) Park Hye Kyung – Lemon Tree : 234
25. (+3) Maya – 그 흔한 반지도 – Even the common ring : 223
26. (+10) Crown J (feat. Seo In Young) – Too Much : 220
27. (-7) Kim Dong Ryul – 출발 (Departure) : 194
28. (+1) OneTwo (feat. Seo In Young) – 뭇된 여자 (Bad Woman) : 193
29. (+1) Ran (feat. Cindy) – I Love You : 188
30. (New) Color Pink – Blue Moon : 176
31. (+6) Brown Eyed Girls (Je-A + Miryo) – Ready to L.o.v.e : 173
32. (+12) SNSD (Jessica, Tiffany, Seo Hyun) – 오빠 나빠 (Bad Oppa) : 167
33. (+9) Lee Jung – 그대만 보여 (When I see only you) : 166
34. (-1) Park Myung Soo – 바보에게…바보가 (To fool…from fool) : 162
35. (–) Suh Young Eun (feat. Han Kyung Il) – Goodbye : 153
36. (+13) A’ST 1 – 1,2,3,4 Back : 147
37. (Re) Moon Ji Eun (feat. Eun Ji Won) – 여우가 (The fox) : 146
38. (+3) As One – Kiss Me : 142
39. (-18) Ibadi – 끝나지 않은 이야기 (Endless Story) : 140
40. (+6) Lee Ji Hoon – 가슴아 미안하다 (My Heart is sorry) : 139
41. (New) Kim Jin Pyo (feat. Bobby Kim) – 그림자 놀이 (Shadow Play) : 137
42. (New) Wheesung with D.O – 우린 미치지 않았어 (We haven’t gone crazy) : 134
43. (-12) Son Dam Bi – Bad Boy : 133
44. (+1) Jun Jin (feat. Joo Hee) – Wa : 131
45. (-6) Sung Shi Kyung – 사랑하는 일 (Loving what you do) : 130
46. (Re) Meilin – 오늘 밤 어때 (What about tonight) : 122
47. (-14) ISU – 삐에로 (Pierrot) : 119
48. (-21) Choi Jin Yi – 눈부신 날 (One Shiny Day) : 118
49. (Re) Hwa Yobi – 남자는 모른다 (Men don’t know) : 109
50. (-7) Wax – Lucky : 93

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

BONUS TRACK

H-Eugene (feat. Shin Ji) – 남이라고 (He’s A Stranger)
Genre: Hip-hop Ballad

Music: Oh Sung Hoon / Lyrics: H-Eugene
Album: H-Eugene Vol. 2 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: Live Performance (feat. Soon Shim)
Comment: Usually the bonus track is a song that is not getting enough exposure, especially on TV music shows. This song is the opposite as I caught it on gayo shows. It is from H-Eugene’s 2nd album "H-Eugene The Family". H-Eugene’s music is quite mainstream hip-hop, and the first single "Kiss Me" is a cute dance song featuring Bae Seul Gi. This 2nd single "He’s A Stranger" is a beautiful ballad featuring Koyote’s Shin Ji. However, like many featured artistes, Shin Ji is not performing with H-Eugene on stage. So the record company found Soon Shim – leader of the group "The Cats" – to perform with H-Eugene on stage. I am very surprised that Soon Shim’s voice is very similar to Shin Ji ‘sand she’s quite good a singer. This rap ballad is vocal-heavy so there’s plenty to showcase the singer’s talent. Of course, the rapper himself has a lot of credit as well.

Sources of the chart

ChartKorea – 15%
Air Monitor Chart – 15%
MNet M!Countdown + Voting + Cable Airplays – 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, KBS Yoon Do Hyun Love Letter, SBS Kim Jung Eun Chocolate, MTV Non-stop, Pops In Seoul) – 5%