Weekly Music Chart 2008 - July week 2

1. (+16) Brown Eyes – 가지마 가지마 (Don’t Leave Don’t Leave) *** 1 WEEK NO. 1 + BIGGEST MOVER OF THE WEEK ***
Score: 892
Genre: R&B Ballad

Music: Yoon Gun / Lyrics: Gary of Lee Ssang
Album: Brown Eyes Vol. 3 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV
Comment: Wow! Talk about an album saving the sagging k-pop industry. Brown Eyes did just that. The title song "Don’t Leave, Don’t Leave" took only two weeks to reach the top, overtaking many strong challengers this week, and in the meantime, becoming our biggest mover of the week. Once again, the duo hit the top spot without any promotional activities, just like when they took k-pop by storm 7 years ago with songs like "Already One Year", "With Coffee", "Gradually" etc. For the younger generation of k-pop fans, this may be the first time you have ever heard of Brown Eyes. If that’s the case, I recommend all of you to check out their past hits as well. You won’t be disappointed.

2. (–) Tae Yang – 나만 바라봐 (Watching Only You)
Score: 885
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: This is the title track of TAEYANG’s 1st mini-album, "HOT." 1TYM’s Teddy and Stony Skunk’s S-kush co-composed this song for BIGBANG member TAEYANG’s solo debut. The song’s groovy R&B feel is accentuated by the electronic sounds of synthesizers mixed with trendy beats. The members of BIGBANG made cameo appearances in the music video. (credits to ArirangTV – Pops in Seoul)

3. (-2) Wonder Girls – So Hot
Score: 789
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: Featured as the title song of Wonder Girls’ 3rd project album, "So Hot," this funky dance track is enhanced by sophisticated rock ‘n’ roll rhythms. Embracing the concept "21st century’s self-obsessed beauties," the lyrics amusingly tell of the agony of being too pretty. The Wonder Girls transformed into sexy vixens in the music video, all decked out in leopard prints. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

4. (–) Shinee – 누난 너무 예뻐 (Noona’s Pretty (Replay))
Score: 730
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: This is the title track of Shinee’s 1st single, "Noona’s Pretty (Replay)," which is the debut album for the 5-member teenage contemporary band. The dance track offers a nice balance of sophisticated rhythms and addictive melodies. The lyrics earnestly express the feelings of a teenage boy who has fallen in love with an older woman. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

5. (–) Alex – 그대라면 (If It’s You)
Score: 700
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Lee Jae Hak / Lyrics: Lee Jae Hak, Choo Hun Kon
Album: Alex Vol. 1 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title song from Clazziquai’s Alex’s 1st solo album. Already very popular among female fans, along with a leap in popularity stakes due to his appearance in the TV Show "We Got Married", Alex recently took up another job as the MC of MNet’s M!Countdown with Chae Yeon. This song is a more conventional ballad as compared to Clazziquai’s music. It will sure capture the hearts of many female fans.

6. (-3) V.O.S – Beautiful Life
Score: 691
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)

7. (+3) Ok Ju Hyun – Honey
Score: 689
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: This is the representative track of Ok Joo-hyun’s 3rd album, "Remind." A song that mixed electronica and lounge music, its medium-slow tempo backed with simple piano arrangements brings a sophisticated feel to the piece. The lyrics sing about the pure heart of loving someone even when he has left her side. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

8. (+3) Sung Shi Kyung – 안녕 나의 사랑 (Goodbye My Love)
Score: 688
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Yoo Hee Yeol, Sung Shi Kyung / Lyrics: Yoo Hee Yeol
Album: Sung Shi Kyung Vol. 6 Track 4 Purchase this album
Watch: Live Performance
Comment: Title song from Sung Shi Kyung’s 6th album "Here In My Heart". Ever since his debut, Sung Shi Kyung has been labeled as the ballad prince. This song "Goodbye My Love" is one of the more up-tempo songs you’ll hear from Sung Shi Kyung. It is a farewell song that was composed together by Sung Shi Kyung and Yoo Hee Yeol. Although the lyrics are sad, the song itself is quite cheerful and can be seen as another type of love song. This song also sends out a message to his fans as Sung Shi Kyung is expected to be enlisted in the army, so this will be his last full studio album for a while.

9. (-3) Super Junior Happy – 요리왕 (Cooking? Cooking!)
Score: 634
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music + Lyrics: ROZ
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 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.

10. (+5) Mighty Mouth (feat. Sun Ye) – 에너지 (Energy)
Score: 599
Genre: Hip-hop

Music: Shin Sa Dong Ho Raeng E / Lyrics: Lee Sang Chul, So Joon Sup
Album: Mighty Mouth Vol. 1 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Steadily moving up another 5 spots, Mighty Mouth score their second top 10 hit with "Energy", the title song from their 1st full studio album. "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.

11. (-2) Jaurim – Carnival Amour
Score: 503
Genre: Rock

Album: Jaurim Vol. 7 Track 7 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This title track for Jaurim’s 7th full-length album, “Ruby Sapphire Diamond” is an upbeat rock song full of lush sounds. Kim Yoon-a shows off her amazing vocal capabilities in the song, producing a sweet childish voice to a deep mannish voice. In the music video, the Jaurim members narrate the life-changing moments of an innocent girl. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

12. (-5) Gavy NJ – Lie
Score: 500
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)

13. (-5) Bae Chi Gi (feat. Sol Flower) – No. 3
Score: 494
Genre: Hip-hop

Music: Kim Min Goo / Lyrics: Bae Chi Gi
Album: Bae Chi Gi Vol. 3 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title track of Baechigi’s 3rd album, “Out Of Control.” Written by Baechigi and featuring Sol Flower, this song contains words of hope for the seemingly insignificant people in this world. The comical music video projects the song’s bright, lively vibe. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

14. (-2) Jewelry – 모두 다 쉿! (Everybody Shhh!)
Score: 432
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)

15. (+1) Color Pink – Blue Moon
Score: 429
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Kim Do Hoon / Lyrics: Choi Kap Won
Album: Color Pink digital single "Blue Moon"
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track of See Ya, Davichi and Black Pearl’s project album, "Color Pink." With minor melodies floating over a fast tempo, this song produces a sensationally fresh sound, enhanced by the fantastic harmony of the female vocals. The lyrics are about one’s foolish wait for an ex-lover to return. Lee Chun-hui and Kim Ga-eun come out as a cute couple in the music video. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

16. (New) SG Wannabe – 멋지게 이별 (A Neat Breakup) *** HOT SHOT DEBUT ***
Score: 417
Genre: mid-tempo R&B
Music: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Ahn Young Min
Album: SG Wannabe Vol. 5 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Follow-up song from SG Wannabe’s 5th album "My Friend". It is our highest debut this week. This is a more up-tempo song than their country style ballad "LaLaLa", which hit No. 1. The great rhythm of the song is perfect for summer. Looks like it will be another top-10 song for these hit-makers.

17. (-3) J-Walk (feat. Eun Ji Won) – My Love
Score: 386
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music + Lyrics: Kim Seh Jin
Album: J-Walk Vol. 3 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This dance song is the title track of J-Walk’s 3rd album, "My Love," which reflects J-Walk’s sentiments really well. It is a new arrangement of a powerful house track. The poignant lyrics are a spinning contradiction, as they ask the ex to move on, then ask her to come back. The music video features J-Walk members as well as Eun Ji-won, who lent his voice to the song. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

18. (–) MC Mong (feat. Park Jung Hyun) – 죽도록사랑해 (Love You To Death)
Score: 337
Genre: Hip-hop ballad

Music: Kim Hee Won / Lyrics: MC Mong
Album: MC Mong Vol. 4 Track 5 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: From MC Mong’s 4th album "Circus", this ballad features R&B queen Park Jung Hyun. It has a very interesting intro as many people are saying the words "I Love You" in Korean. MC Mong has been very successful in every album with the 2nd hit being a hip-hop ballad. This may just be another successful hit.

19. (–) Epik High – Breakdown
Score: 326
Genre: Hip-hop

Album: Epik High Vol. 5 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Follow-up song from Epik High’s 5th album "Pieces, Part I". Title song "One" reached No. 1 several weeks ago. This song is more up-tempo than "One" and it is their vintage, unique genre of hip-hop electronica, and funky type of music. Should be another chart-topping hit song for this trio.

20. (–) Crown J (feat. Seo In Young) – Too Much
Score: 318
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.

21. (+3) ISU – 사랑해요 (I Love You) : 306
22. (+4) Lee Jung – 그대만 보여 (When I see only you) : 288
23. (-1) Kim Hyun Jung – 살짝쿵 (Slight Bang) : 275
24. (New) Davichi – 사랑과 전쟁 (Love and War) : 267
25. (New) Uhm Jung Hwa (feat. T.O.P) – D.I.S.C.O : 244
26. (-3) Buga Kingz – 싸이렌 (Siren) : 203
27. (New) Byul – 6년 동안 (For 6 Years) : 202
28. (New) Park Hyo Shin – 화신 (Incarnation: SBS Drama Gourmet OST) : 201
29. (–) One Two (feat. Seo In Young) – 뭇된 여자 (Bad Woman) : 187
30. (+2) Lee Seung Ki – 여행을 떠나요 (Let’s Go On Vacation) : 183
31. (-3) Battle – Step by Step : 173
32. (+2) Dae Sung – 날 봐 귀순 (Look at me, Gwi Soon) : 172
33. (-12) Kim Jong Wook – 그대만이 (Just You) : 171
34. (-9) Kim Jin Pyo (feat. Bobby Kim) – 그림자 놀이 (Shadow Play) : 148
35. (New) Solbi – Cute Love : 147
36. (+2) Shin Ji – 이별이 안부를 묻다 (Breakup asks for a tiding) : 139
37. (-10) Nell – 멀어지다 (Drifting Apart) : 127
38. (New) Mario – Goodbye : 107
39. (-9) Park Hye Kyung – Lemon Tree : 105
40. (New) Hong Kyung Min (feat. Mighty Mouth) – 돌아와 돌아와 (Come Back Come Back) : 98
41. (-6) Park Myung Soo – 바보에게…바보가 (To fool…from fool) : 89
42. (+6) Choon Ja – Booming : 85
43. (New) Ajoo (feat. Youn Ha) – 파파라치 (Paparazzi) : 84
44. (New) 8Eight (feat. SNSD Jessica) – I Love You : 83
45. (-12) The Name – 사랑하다 (I Love You) : 82
46. (-10) Son Dam Bi – Bad Boy : 74
47. (New) Lug – 삭제 (Elimination) : 73
48. (-11) Shin So Hee – 그랬단 말이야 (That’s what happened) : 61
49. (-3) Flower Go Yoo Jin – Hi-Five : 60
50. (New) Kim Dong Wan – 남자의 사랑 (A Man’s Love) : 56

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

BONUS TRACK:

Suh Young Eun (feat. Han Kyung Il) – Goodbye
Genre: Pop Ballad
Music: Yoon Min Soo / Lyrics: Yoon Min Soo, Min Yeon Jae
Album: Suh Young Eun mini-album "Walk In The Desert" track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV
Comment: Perhaps I am a little biased in recommending this song, as Suh Young Eun is one of my favorite female singers in Korea. This song is a duet with Han Kyung Il. Both of them are so underrated and they have such good voices. They brings out the best of this powerful ballad, which is written by Vibe’s Yoon Min Soo, who also wrote The Name’s hit "Please Find Her" earlier this year. Most of Suh Young Eun’s hit songs in the last few albums are happier ballads, but this is a sad song. The beginning is quite plain, but when it gets to the chorus part the melody really picks up, and the pinao arrangement perhaps increase the sadness of the song.

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%