Weekly Music Chart 2008 - May week 3

1. (+1) MC Mong – 서커스 (Circus) *** 1 WEEK NO. 1 ***
Score: 962
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: MC Mong scores another No. 1 song with the title song from his 4th album "Circus". This song is also No. 1 on M!Countdown, Music Bank K-Chart and various internet charts, and his album has also risen to No. 1 on the sales chart. As with all his other albums, MC Mong’s first single is a fun-filled track with an interesting song title. This song, along with Epik High’s "One" and SG Wannabe’s "LaLaLa" are neck to neck in all charts.

2. (-1) Epik High (feat. Ji Sun) – One
Score: 953
Genre: Hip-hop
Music: Tablo / Lyrics: Tablo, Mithra Jin
Album: Epik High Vol. 5 Track 4 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Despite scoring nearly 70 points more than last week, Epik High’s "One" falls back one spot to No. 2 due to strong competition. This is the title song from Epik High’s 5th album "Pieces Part I". "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. This song still has a chance to go back to No. 1 again.

3. (+4) SG Wannabe – 라라라 (LaLaLa)
Score: 894
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: Rounding out the strong top 3 is the 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 The popular group has undergone a change of members as Chae Dong Ha left to pursue a solo career and has been replaced by Lee Suk Hoon.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.

4. (+7) Kim Jong Wook – 그대만이 (My Only)
Score: 701
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 new singer’s dream as one of the songs from his debut album was used on a popular TV show. Many more people know Kim Jong Wook now as his song "Only You" was featured on the popular MBC TV show "We Got Married". It also helps to have Korea’s top songwriting team, Cho Young Soo and Ahn Young Min, writing this song. This week "Only You" jumps 7 more spots to No. 4. Former SG Wannabe member Chae Dong Ha stars in this song’s MV.

5. (+1) Monday Kiz (feat. Rhymer) – 가슴으로 외쳐 (Shout to the heart)
Score: 697
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)

6. (-3) Nell – 기억을 걷는 시간 (Time Of Collecting My Memories)
Score: 682
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)

7. (+3) ISU – 삐에로 (Pierrot)
Score: 579
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: This is the title track of Lee Su’s 1st solo album, "I am." Tasteful piano accompaniment and Lee Su’s emotional voice shine through in this ballad as he sings about the duality of love and pain, which is compared to a clown’s sad smile. The exquisite images produced by high-speed filming and Lee Su’s own performance in this music video leave a lasting impression. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

8. (-3) Gummy (feat. TOP) – 미안해요 (I am sorry)
Score: 560
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)

9. (-1) Davichi – 슬픈다짐 (Sad Promise)
Score: 548
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 Davichi’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)

10. (+24) Fly To The Sky (feat. AND) – 취중진담 (Saying The Truth When Drunk) *** BIGGEST MOVER OF THE WEEK ***
Score: 463
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 for Kim Dong Ryul (who also happens to have a song in our top 20 this week). FTTS’ version is an accapella 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.

11. (-2) Mighty Mouth (feat. Yoon Eun Hye) – 사랑해 (I Love You)
Score: 406
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)

12. (–) Jewelry – One More Time
Score: 398
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. (–) Maya – 그 흔한 반지도 (Even The Common Ring)
Score: 393
Genre: Rock Ballad

Music + Lyrics: Pyo Gun Soo
Album: Maya Vol. 4 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: Live Performance
Comment: Being the title track of Maya’s 4th album "MAYA Four," this modern rock number spills out words of wisdom challenging listeners to focus on hope for tomorrow in a much more subdued tone than before. The black-and-white music video is made up of footage from Maya’s live concerts.

14. (+1) Kim Dong Ryul – 출발 (Departure)
Score: 385
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 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 Seoul)

15. (-11) Lee Seung Ki – 다줄거야 (I’ll Give You All)
Score: 372
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)

16. (+1) Wax – Lucky
Score: 345
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.

17. (+21) Lee Seung Hwan (feat. Super Kidd) – 슈퍼히어로 (Superhero)
Score: 324
Genre: Rock

Album: Lee Seung Hwan Mini Album "Dim" Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Lee Seung Hwan (Chae Rim’s ex-husband) is generally known for his ballads, but most people forget that he also has many good rock songs. "Superhero" is the title song from the veteran singer’s latest mini album. For the first time in many years, he is promoting an upbeat song. Rock band Super Kidd is featured in this song, making it even more "super". The MV includes a variety of different superheroes.

18. (+22) Tony An – 지갑 (Wallet)
Score: 285
Genre: Pop Ballad

Album: Tony An Special Album "Look Blank" Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV
Comment: Ex-H.O.T members are having a good year so far, as we have seen hits from Kang Ta and Moon Hee Jun on the top 20 previously. Now Tony An comes in with this song from his special album, "Look Blank". Unlike last year’s dance hit "Melody", this song is a moving ballad. Melodious piano arrangement and Tony’s sad vocals define the song well.

19. (+2) Evan (feat. Sol Flower) – 울어도 괜찮아 (It’s okay if you cry)
Score: 274
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Nicols Brinck / Lyrics: Park Chun Hyo
Album: Evan Vol. 2 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track for Evan’s 2nd album, "Pain Reliever." A poetic guitar accompaniment and Evan’s calm and collected voice shine through in this ballad, which features Sol Flower. The lyrics and music video, which are about consoling a friend struggling after a breakup, leave a lasting impression. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

20. (-1) Paran – Don’t Cry
Score: 262
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.

21. (+5) Hwa Yobi – 남자는 모른다 (Men don’t know) : 260
22. (+7) Choi Jin Yi – 눈부신 날 (One Shiny Day) : 251
23. (–) Cho Shin Sung – Super Star : 246
24. (+7) Namolla Family (feat. Tae In) – 너만 볼래 (Only want to see you) : 242
25. (-7) Jang Nara – 흉터 (Scar) : 225
26. (-2) Park Myung Soo – 바보에게…바보가 (To fool…from fool) : 224
27. (New) SS501 – 널 부르는 노래 (A song calling for you) : 209 *** HOT SHOT DEBUT ***
28. (New) Sung Shi Kyung – 사랑하는 일 (Loving what you do) : 199
29. (-15) Flower Go Yoo Jin – 너 하나만 (My only) : 195
30. (New) Son Dam Bi – Bad Boy : 194
31. (+4) Choo Sung Hoon – 하나의 사랑 (One love) : 188
32. (+1) Andy – 프로포즈 (Propose) : 180
33. (+6) F.T Island – 한가지 말 (One word: SBS Drama "On Air" OST) : 176
34. (-4) Yoo Seung Chan – 그대를 사랑합니다 (I Love You: KBS Drama "Mom Has Grown Horns" OST) : 174
35. (+6) Moon Ji Eun (feat. Eun Ji Won) – 여우가 (The fox) : 158
36. (-9) Tae Yeon – 만약에 (If: KBS Drama "Hong Gil Dong" OST) : 150
37. (New) Ran (feat. Cindy) – I Love You : 149
38. (-13) Shinhwa – Run : 148
39. (New) SNSD (Jessica, Tiffany, Seo Hyun) – 오빠 나빠 (Bad Oppa) : 140
40. (-4) Ibadi – 끝나지 않은 이야기 (Endless Story) : 139
41. (+7) Jun Jin (feat. Joo Hee) – Wa : 138
42. (New) Buga Kingz – 싸이렌 (Siren) : 131
43. (-21) Moon Hee Jun – Obsession : 122
44. (-7) Baek Ji Young – 집시의 눈물 (Gypsy Tears) : 108
45. (New) Kim Jang Hoon – 소나기 (Shower) : 106
46. (New) Sweet Sorrow – 사랑해 (I Love You) : 100
47. (–) Park Hyun Bin – 샤방 샤방 (Happy Happy) : 79
48. (New) Jadu – 커피 한 잔 (A cup of coffee) : 73
49. (New) Lisa (feat. Eun Ji Won) – 내가 만날 사람 (The person I’m going to meet) : 72
50. (-5) Wheesung (feat. Humming Urban Stereo) – Love Seat : 66

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

BONUS TRACK:

Rubystar – 다시올까봐 (Might She Come Back)
Genre: Modern Rock

Album: Rubystar 1st single
Watch: MV
Comment: The title track of Rubystar’s first single, "Might She Come Back." This is the debut song of a new band called Rubystar consisting vocalist and songwriter Jeong-won, guitarist Park Jin-chul, bassist Boat and drummer Kim In-su. This modern rock ballad carries a beautiful melody that accentuates Jeong-won’s powerful vocals. The lyrics are about the hopeless despair of past love. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

Sources of the chart

ChartKorea – 15%
Air Monitor Chart – 15%
MNet M!Countdown – 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, MNet M!Countdown, MTV Top Choice, Pops In Seoul) – 5%