Weekly Music Chart 2008 - May week 2

1. (+9) Epik High (feat. Ji Sun) – One *** 1 WEEK NO. 1 ***
Score: 885
Genre: Hip-hop
Music: Tablo / Lyrics: Tablo, Mithra Jin
Album: Epik High Vol. 5 Track 4 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: In just 3 weeks, the title song from Epik High’s 5th album "Pieces Part I" moved up to the top spot. It further cements Epik High’s status as one of the top groups in Korea. "One" features the vocal of ex-Loveholic lead singer Ji Sun. It is a pun on the word “Savior” (said as Gu-won in Korean). The song is about wanting to help save people and how anyone can be a savior to another.

2. (+13) MC Mong – 서커스 (Circus)
Score: 866
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: Title song from MC Mong’s 4th album "Circus" moves up 13 big spots to No. 2 this week. This song is No. 1 on M!Countdown, Music Bank K-Chart and various internet charts. As with all his other albums, MC Mong’s first single is a fun-filled track with an interesting song title. In the next few weeks, we can expect this song and Epik High’s "One" to duel for the top spot.

3. (-2) Nell – 기억을 걷는 시간 (Time Of Collecting My Memories)
Score: 838
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)

4. (-2) Lee Seung Ki – 다줄거야 (I’ll Give You All)
Score: 716
Genre: Pop Ballad
Music + Lyircs: Cho Gyu Man
Album: Lee Seung Ki 2nd remake album Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track for Lee Seung-ki’s remake album, "When a Man Loves a Woman Vol.2." A remake of Jo Kyu-man’s "I’ll Give You Everything," this ballad showcases Lee Seung-ki’s uniquely innocent and natural sensibilities. A moving melody is accompanied by lyrics that resolve to forget a past, difficult love and love anew. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

5. (-2) Gummy (feat. TOP) – 미안해요 (I am sorry)
Score: 777
Genre: R&B Ballad
Music + Lyrics: Kim Byung Hoon
Album: Gummy Vol. 4 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:This is the representative track for Gummy’s 4th official album, "Comfort." Gummy’s more relaxed vocals and a repetitive refrain that goes "I’m sorry" shine in this impressive electronica/Euro-dance song. BIGBANG’s TOP, who is featured in the track, and Sandara Park star and share a kiss in the music video. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

6. (-1) Monday Kiz (feat. Rhymer) – 가슴으로 외쳐 (Shout to the heart)
Score: 623
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: Title track from R&B duo Monday Kiz’ 3rd album "Inside Story". Last week, member Kim Min Soo died from a motorcycle accident. The whole k-pop world is still mourning for the loss of this young talent. It is especially sad because Monday Kiz have just started their 3rd album promotional activities and they are enjoying their most successful album and single.

7. (+24) SG Wannabe – 라라라 (LaLaLa) *** BIGGEST MOVER OF THE WEEK ***
Score: 622
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: Title song from SG Wannabe’s 5th album "My Friend". The popular group has undergone a change of members as Chae Dong Ha left to pursue a solo career and has been replaced by Lee Suk Hoon. Cho Young Soo is again the mastermind behind this hit. The melody is a familiar SG Wannabe-style song. What makes this song special is the arrangement sounds like American country style music, which is very refreshing. We’ve not heard of this kind of arrangement in k-pop before.

8. (-2) Davichi – 슬픈다짐 (Sad Promise)
Score: 610
Genre: Pop / Dance
Music: Park Hae Woon / Lyrics: Lee Sung Ho
Album: Davichi Vol. 1 Track 4 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live performance
Comment: Featured in Davich’s 1st album, "Amaranth," this track has a lively rhythm and a chorus that leaves an impression. Made as a sequel to the song "Don’t Like You But Love You," Lee Mi-yeon and Lee Hyo-lee travel the country pursuing wanted criminals and eventually arrest them. They grow closer during the process. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

9. (-5) Mighty Mouth (feat. Yoon Eun Hye) – 사랑해 (I Love You)
Score: 608
Genre: Hip-Hop
Music + Lyrics: Lee Hyun Do
Album: Mighty Mouth digital single "I Love You"
Watch: MV Live performance (feat. JJ)
Comment: This is the title track of Mighty Mouth’s single album, ‘I Love You.’ The debut song of new hip-hop duo Mighty Mouth, it has attracted extra attention for the fact that Joosuc, Lee Hyun-do and Yoon Eun-hye participated in it. Witty rapping by the youthful rappers 237 and Shorry J combines well with Yoon Eun-hye’s vocals for a positively spring-like song. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

10. (+13) ISU – 삐에로 (Pierrot)
Score: 547
Genre: Pop Ballad
Music: Kim Do Hoon, PJ / Lyrics: Choi Kap Won
Album: ISU Vol. 1 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: ISU (Lee Soo), lead vocalist of MC The Max, releases his first solo album with the title song "Pierrot". Like all MC The Max title songs, it has become a top-10 hit. Unlike ballad songs from MC The Max which is more rock in style, this song is a purely pop ballad with a beautiful piano arrangement. Lee Soo worked with the hit-making team of Kim Do Hoon, PJ, and Choi Kap Won for the first time.

11. (+7) Kim Jong Wook – 그대만이 (My Only)
Score: 542
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: Surprisingly one of the most popular songs in Korea these days. This is another featured on the popular TV show "We Got Married" and became well known. The first song was Kim Dong Ryul’s "Like A Child". Korea’s top songwriting team, Cho Young Soo and Ahn Young Min again wrote this song for Kim Jong Wook. The melody reminds us of songs from KCM. Former SG Wannabe member Chae Dong Ha stars in this song’s MV, and different actresses perform as a bride on stage for Kim Jong Wook’s live performances on gayo shows. This week it’s Lee Young Eun.

12. (-5) Jewelry – One More Time
Score: 443
Genre: Pop / Dance

Original Song: Ingrid’s "One More Time" / Lyrics: M
Album: Jewelry Vol. 5 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track of Jewelry’s 5th album, "Kitchi Island." The group has reorganized itself to include Park Jung-ah, Seo In-young, Kim Eun-jung and rapper Ha Joo-yeon. The song is a remake of a dance track with an electronica sound. Shinhwa’s Lee Min-woo wrote the lyrics while hitmaker Park Geun-tae wrote the music. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

13. (+3) Maya – 그 흔한 반지도 (Even The Common Ring)
Score: 389
Genre: Rock Ballad

Music + Lyrics: Pyo Gun Soo
Album: Maya Vol. 4 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: Live Performance
Comment: Title song from Maya’s 4th album "Maya4". The female rocker comes back with a soft modern rock song. The lyrics are about never losing hope. Fans are able to see a softer side of Maya this time. Maya is also due to return to acting this summer. Her last TV series was "Bodyguard".

14. (+5) Flower Go Yoo Jin – 너 하나만 (My Only)
Score: 382
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Park Keun Tae / Lyrics: Kang Eun Kyung
Album: Flower Go Yoo Jin digital single "My Only"
Watch: MV
Comment: Go Yoo Jin, ex-lead singer of the rock ballad group Flower, returns to the top 20 with this tender ballad "My Only". It’s been 4 years since Go Yoo Jin’s last top-20 hit, "Slow Walking Child" from his solo debut album. Hit-makers Park Geun Tae and Kang Eun Kyung wrote this song for Go Yoo Jin. The MV of this song features footage from the movie "U-Turn". It is the kind of song that grows on you the more you listen.

15. (-3) Kim Dong Ryul – 출발 (Departure)
Score: 380
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music + Lyrics: Kim Dong Ryul
Album: Kim Dong Ryul Vol. 5 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV
Comment: Featured in Kim Dong-ryul’s 5th album "Monologue," this is a sweet ballad song that has Kim’s smooth vocals laced with modern acoustic sounds. The music video shows Kim Dong-ryul on his unforgettable trekking experience in the high mountains of Tibet. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in eoul)

16. (-7) SNSD – Baby Baby
Score: 278
Genre: Pop Dance

Music + Lyrics: Hwang Sung Je
Album: SNSD Vol. 1 repackaged version Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Featured in Girls’ Generations’ 1st album, Girls’ Generation, this dance track has a cheerful rhythm and expresses the feelings of a girl in love. The melody boasts a fresh and lively girlish style. The music video shows visuals of the girls being active with their 1st album. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

17. (+12) Wax – Lucky
Score: 275
Genre: Pop / Dance

Lyircs: Hong Ji Yoo
Album: Wax Digital Single "Lucky"
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: It’s been a long time since we heard Wax promoting an upbeat song as she was focusing on ballads the last few years. Long time k-pop fans should remember that Wax started her career singing dance beat songs. Like her earlier hits "Money" and "Oppa", this song is also a remake. Originally it was sung by Swedish dance pop duo Lucky Twice, but Wax has put her own mark to it. While this song is not as up-tempo as her previous dance hits, the tune is very catchy.

18. (-5) Jang Nara – 흉터 (Scar)
Score: 273
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Hwang Sung Je / Lyrics: Jang Nara
Album: Jang Nara Vol. 6 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track for Jang Nara’s 6th album, which is an integrated Asia work, titled "Dream of Asia." The ballad showcases Jang Nara’s trademark emotional voice and a sad melody. The lyrics are about struggling to recover from the scars left by a former love. Jang Nara’s introspective performance, through which she expressed the sadness of love, was praised. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

19. (+19) Paran – Don’t Cry
Score: 272
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music + Lyrics: Sung Woo Suk
Album: Paran Vol. 3 Track 4 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Paran may not be the most well-known k-pop boy bands in Korea, but they have had more success overseas, especially in Thailand. The 5-member group are back for their 3rd album. This time, they have chosen a ballad instead of a dance hit as their title song, showing their maturity in vocal. "Don’t Cry" is about how one can’t call a loved one love. This pop ballad has great organization and melody so that listeners would not get bored. Rhythmical guitar instrumentals liven up the song and Paran’s vocals.

20. (-6) See Ya – 바보 (Fool)
Score: 270
Genre: Pop

Music: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Ahn Young Min
Album: Cho Young Soo All Star Vol. 2 Track 5 / See Ya digital single "Fool" Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Featured in Cho Young-su’s project album, "All Star 2nd Album," this house dance track was sung by See Ya, composer Cho Young-su’s representative trainees. The memorable lyrics are about the foolishness of a woman who sees a guy who resembles her ex and wishes he would return. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

21. (-10) Evan (feat. Sol Flower) – 울어도 괜찮아 (It’s okay if you cry) : 267
22. (-1) Moon Hee Jun – Obsession : 255
23. (+20) Cho Shin Sung – Super Star : 244
24. (+6) Park Myung Soo – 바보에게…바보가 (To fool…from fool) : 240
25. (-5) Shinhwa – Run : 236
26. (-18) Hwa Yobi – 남자는 모른다 (Men don’t know) : 229
27. (-2) Tae Yeon – 만약에 (If: KBS Drama "Hong Gil Dong" OST) : 205
28. (-2) Brown Eyed Girls – L.O.V.E : 197
29. (-2) Choi Jin Yi – 눈부신 날 (One Shiny Day) : 192
30. (+11) Yoo Seung Chan – 그대를 사랑합니다 (I Love You: KBS Drama "Mom Has Grown Horns" OST) : 184
31. (-7) Namolla Family (feat. Tae In) – 너만 볼래 (Only want to see you) : 181
32. (-15) SS501 – 데자뷰 (déjà vu) : 171
33. (New) Andy – 프로포즈 (Propose) : 170 *** HOT SHOT DEBUT ***
34. (New) Fly To The Sky (feat. AND) – 취중진담 (Saying the truth when drunk) : 168
35. (-13) Choo Sung Hoon – 하나의 사랑 (One love) : 167
36. (–) Ibadi – 끝나지 않은 이야기 (Endless Story) : 165
37. (New) Baek Ji Young – 집시의 눈물 (Gypsy Tears) : 140
38. (New) Lee Seung Hwan – 슈퍼히어로 (Super Hero) : 138
39. (-4) F.T Island – 한가지 말 (One word: SBS Drama "On Air" OST) : 121
40. (New) Tony An – 지갑 (Wallet) : 120
41. (-1) Moon Ji Eun – 여우가 (The fox) : 115
42. (-8) Lexy – Ma People : 109
43. (-10) Sweet Sorrow – 멀어져 (Farther Away) : 103
44. (Re) Yurisangja – 허니문 (Honeymoon) : 96
45. (-1) Wheesung (feat. Humming Urban Strero) : Love Seat : 88
46. (New) Yang Pa & Miho – 비밀은 어디에 있나요 (Where’s the secret) : 79
47. (-2) Park Hyun Bin – 샤방 샤방 (Happy Happy) : 70
48. (New) Jun Jin (feat. Joo Hee) – Wa : 60
49. (-21) Park Hye Kyung – 사랑과 우정사이 (Between Love and Friendship) : 49
50. (-4) The Nuts – 쩜쩜쩜 (Dot Dot Dot) : 46

Blue: Songs to watch out
Green: Editor’s recommendations

BONUS TRACK:

Mario – Goodbye
Genre: R&B ballad

Album: Mario 1st digital single track 1
Watch: MV
Comment: If you like Americanized R&B k-pop songs, this is a song for you. Mario’s voice and image is already very R&B/hip-hop. This mid-tempo tune is half singing, half rapping, but it has a very catchy tune. This Mario is not the one singing on the soundtrack of the drama "My Girl". He has already had a few performances on gayo shows. Hopefully that will carry this song into the chart. "Goodbye" is written by Lee Sang Ho, who has written hit songs in the past for See Ya and M to M.

Sources of the chart

ChartKorea – 15%
Air Monitor Chart – 15%
MNet M!Countdown + Voting + Cable Airplay – 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 (SBS Inky Gayo, KBS Music Bank, KBS Yoon Do Hyun Love Letter, SBS Kim Jung Eun’s Chocolate, Pops In Seoul) – 5%