Weekly Music Chart 2008 - June week 4

1. (+2) Wonder Girls – So Hot *** 1 WEEK NO. 1 ***
Score: 976
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: As expected, Wonder Girls’ "So Hot" is our new No. 1 song after their album sales score kicked in this week and their total score of 976 is one of the highest single-week score on the chart this year. "So Hot" is No. 1 on all airplay charts and internet charts by a wide margin, and is still rising on other charts. Other songs will have to do exceptionally well to overtake it.

2. (-1) Tae Yang – 나만 바라봐 (Watching Only You)
Score: 938
Genre: R&B / Dance

Music: Teddy, S-Kush / Lyrics: Teddy
Album: Tae Yang mini-album "Hot" Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Despite gaining in scores and remaining No. 1 on M!Countdown, Tae Yang has to take a step back this week with "Watching Over You". He is well ahead of the No. 3 song, but the top song "So Hot" is just too strong. So, nothing to be ashamed of with this No. 2 spot.

3. (+3) Shinee – 누난 너무 예뻐 (Noona’s Pretty (Replay))
Score: 796
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: Shinee are the 3rd rookie singers this year to hit the top 3 (Davichi and Mighty Mouth are the other 2), with their song "Noona’s Pretty (Replay) moving up 3 more spots this week to No. 3. SM Entertainment has created yet another successful boy band and they have already exceeded all expectations so far. It will take another giant step to move up further. But with their fast-rising popularity, this is not impossible.

4. (-2) V.O.S – Beautiful Life
Score: 779
Genre: R&B mid-tempo ballad

Music: ROZ / Lyrics: M
Album: V.O.S Vol. 3 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This song represents the 3rd album of V.O.S., "Wonderful Things." With a bright beat, this is an enchanting pop dance. The clear vocals and expressive chorus add to the song’s allure. The sentimental lyrics sing about the feeling of a love so strong that it changes your life. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

5. (–) SG Wannabe – 라라라 (LaLaLa)
Score: 704
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: As the title track of SG Wannabe’s 5th album, "My Friend," this country-style number conveys the love and thanks to one’s lover. It’s the group’s first music video with new member Lee Seok-hun and follows SG Wannabe in their life as a group and also shows them singing freestyle. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

6. (+2) Gavy NJ – Lie
Score: 622
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: As the main track of Gavy NJ’s 3rd album “The Beginning,” the ballad’s sentimental music mixed with a fast beat heightens the singers’ sorrow. The heartbreaking lyrics that compare love with lies, dreams, and pain enhance the sadness of the song. Taiwanese actress Vivian Hsu stars in the music video as a woman who was betrayed by love.(credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

7. (–) Jewelry – 모두 다 쉿! (Everybody Shhh!)
Score: 560
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)

8. (-4) MC Mong – 서커스 (Circus)
Score: 534
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)

9. (–) Kim Jong Wook – 그대만이 (My Only)
Score: 530
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)

10. (+22) Super Junior Happy – 요리왕 (Cooking? Cooking!) *** BIGGEST MOVER OF THE WEEK ***
Score: 493
Genre: Pop / Dance

Album: Super Junior Happy 1st mini-album Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Super Junior Happy is yet another spin off sub-group from the 13-member band. This time 6 of the members formed Super Junior Happy to release a mini-album. Their fun-loving title song "Cooking? Cooking!" is our biggest mover this week, moving all the way from No. 32 to the top 10. "Cooking? Cooking!" is about a funny episode when a guy eats a meal made by his girlfriend. This fun track is bound to be a hit song this summer.

11. (-1) Color Pink – Blue Moon
Score: 415
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Kim Do Hoon / Lyrics: Choi Kap Won
Album: Color Pink digital single "Blue Moon"
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Color Pink is an all-star project group formed by members of MNet Media’s top 3 female groups: See Ya, Davichi, and Black Pearl. This 6-member group includes See Ya’s Kim Yeon Ji and Lee Bo Ram, Davichi’s Kang Min Kyung and Lee Hye Ri, and Black Pearl’s Nami and Hwi Eun. All three groups are R&B ballad groups, but they come together this time for a pop dance hit that fits well for the summer.

12. (+2) Nell – 멀어지다 (Drifting Apart)
Score: 389
Genre: Rock ballad

Music + Lyrics: Kim Jong Wan
Album: Nell Vol. 4 Track 4 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Version 1 MV Version 2 Live Performance
Comment: Follow-up hit from Nell’s 4th album"Separation Anxiety". Title song "Time Of Collecting My Memories" already went to No. 1. This song is similar in nature. It is a rock ballad with a nice piano intro. The song even has 2 MV versions. Click the links above to check both out.

13. (–) Crown J (feat. Seo In Young) – Too Much
Score: 385
Genre: Hip-hop

Music: Crown J, JK Beat / Lyrics: Crown J
Album: Crown J digital single "Too Much"
Watch: MV Performance (cut from "We Got Married)
Comment: Yet another song from the popular TV show "We Got Married". This time it is from the couple Crown J and Seo In Young, one rapping and the other singing in this hip-hop ballad. Both of them are already established artistes in k-pop. The song is of the hip-hop and electronica genres and Seo’s medium-tempo parts are easy to sing along to. With the show’s popularity, this song is ranked among the top songs on most internet charts in Korea.

14. (+20) Ok Ju Hyun – Honey
Score: 367
Genre: Pop / Electronica

Music: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Ahn Young Min
Album: Ok Ju Hyun Vol. 3 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: It’s been almost 4 years since Ok Ju Hyun released her last solo album. During her extended absence, fellow FINKL members Lee Hyori and Sung Yuri have been very active in music and dramas respectively. Ok has some catching up to do, but she has already established herself as a solo artiste so there should be no problem regaining her popularity. Known for her vocals, Ok has focused primarily on ballads in the first 2 albums. This time, she is working with Korea’s top songwriter Cho Young Soo in creating this pop electronica tune. This is a first for both the singer and the songwriter. The music video is made by Jo Soo Hyun, who has also made videos for MC Mong’s Circus and Jewelry’s One More Time Shh. The video was recorded with a 35mm film camera.

15. (+10) Jaurim – Carnival Amour
Score: 354
Genre: Rock

Album: Jaurim Vol. 7 Track 7 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Jaurim is probably the first successful co-ed Korean rock band with a female lead singer. After many years we’ve seen many other female-fronted K-rock bands come and go, but Jaurim are still standing strong. They have just released their 7th album. Title song "Carnival Amour" took only 2 weeks to enter the top 20. This is a very unique style song that will show a different side of Jaurim and the vocal of Kim Yoon Ah. A highly recommended song.

16. (+2) Buga Kingz – 싸이렌 (Siren)
Score: 336
Genre: Hip-hop

Album: Buga Kingz Vol. 3 Track 7 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track of Buga Kingz’s 3rd album, "The Menu." The lively hip-hop track kicks off with a siren sound, giving the song a unique touch. Member GanD’s girlfriend’s participation in the song as a narrator created a buzz. The lyrics take the form of a telephone conversation between a couple squabbling over trifles. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

17. (-5) Lee Seung Ki – 추억속의 그대 (You are in my memories)
Score: 335
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".

18. (-7) Epik High (feat. Ji Sun) – One
Score: 326
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)

19. (-4) Kim Jin Pyo (feat. Bobby Kim) – 그림자 놀이 (Shadow Play)
Score: 306
Genre: Hip-hop / R&B

Album: Kim Jin Pyo Vol. 5 Track 7 Purchase this album
Watch: MV
Comment: It’s been 5 years since Kim Jin Pyo released his last full studio album. During this time, he released several digital singles and also re-united with Lee Juck to release Panic’s 4th album. In this song, he collaborates with Bobby Kim, who fits JP’s slow but fluent rapping so well with his laidback vocals. This song is a vintage Kim Jin Pyo song.

20. (New) Mighty Mouth (feat. Sun Ye) – 에너지 (Energy) *** HOT SHOT DEBUT ***
Score: 300
Genre: Hip-hop

Album: Mighty Mouth Vol. 1 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Mighty Mouth scored a top-3 hit with their debut digital single "I Love You" earlier this year. Now the hip-hop duo finally releases their 1st full studio album. The title song "Energy" took just one week to debut into the top 20. "Energy" is a fun-loving dance song destined for the summer. Wonder Girls’ leader Sun Ye is the featured vocalist in this song. With two hits in their first two songs, Mighty Mouth have established themselves as a force in Korea’s mainstream hip-hop scene.

21. (New) Alex – 그대라면 (If It’s You) : 294
22. (New) ISU – 사랑해요 (I Love You) : 269
23. (+18) J-Walk – My Love : 260
24. (-2) Kim Dong Wan – 비밀 (Secret) : 248
25. (-8) SS501 – 널 부르는 노래 (A song calling for you) : 241
26. (+4) Kim Hyun Jung – 살짝쿵 (Slight Bang) : 233
27. (-8) One Two (feat. Seo In Young) – 뭇된 여자 (Bad Woman) : 231
28. (-5) Lee Jung – 그대만 보여 (When I see only you) : 211
29. (New) Sung Shi Kyung – 안녕 나의 사랑 (Goodbye My Love) : 207
30. (-6) Park Hye Kyung – Lemon Tree : 189
31. (-11) Kim Jang Hoon – 소나기 (Shower) : 188
32. (+5) Son Dam Bi – Bad Boy : 183
33. (-12) Choonja – Booming : 171
34. (+2) Ran (feat. Cindy) – I Love You : 142
35. (-2) Brown Eyed Girls (Je-A + Mi Ryo) – Ready to L.o.v.e : 134
36. (+2) Bae Chi Gi (feat. Sol Flower) : No. 3 : 133
37. (New) Battle – Step by Step : 132
38. (-9) Kim Dong Ryul – 출발 (Departure) : 131
39. (-4) Park Myung Soo – 바보에게…바보가 (To fool…from fool) : 130
40. (-1) Andy – 프로포즈 (Propose) : 120
41. (-14) Wheesung with D.O – 우린 미치지 않았어 (We haven’t gone crazy) : 119
42. (New) Ha Dong Kyun – 비가 오나 눈이 오나 (Rain or Snow) : 118
43. (+4) Moon Ji Eun (feat. Eun Ji Won) – 여우가 (The fox) : 113
44. (+4) Jun Jin (feat. Joo Hee) – Wa : 100
45. (-14) Maya – 그 흔한 반지도 (Even the common ring) : 96
46. (-3) Lee Ji Hoon – 가슴아 미안하다 (My Heart is sorry) : 95
47. (-19) Cho Shin Sung – Super Star : 88
48. (-6) Flower Go Yoo Jin – Hi-Five : 87
49. (-3) T – Baby Bye Bye : 79
50. (-1) Gummy (feat. Red Roc) – 거울을 보다가 (While looking into the mirror) : 73

BONUS TRACK
Xeno – 내게 다시 (To Me Again)
Genre: Pop

Album: Xeno digital single "To Me Again 2008" track 1
Watch: Live Performance
Comment: Xeno debuted last year at the tender age of 17. Earlier this year, she released a dance hit "Who Are You? Sexy My Boy". This song is a 180 degrees change in both her image and her music. "To Me Again" is a remake of The The Band’s famous hit 10 years ago when Park Hye Kyung was still their lead singer. You can kind of relate to the melody of this song to Park Hye Kyung’s style. Xeno’s version is filled with pop sounds. With her new schoolgirl image (she even wears glasses during her live performances) and the melody of the song, it reminds me of theme songs from Japanese cartoons. The laidback style is a perfect fit for summer.

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, MNet M!Countdown, KBS Yoon Do Hyun Love Letter, SBS Kim Jung Eun Chocolate, MTV Non-stop, Pops In Seoul) – 5%