Weekly Music Chart 2008 - October week 1

1. (+1) Lee Hyori – Hey, Mr. Big *** 1 WEEK NO. 1 ***  
Score: 854
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Park Keun Tae / Lyrics: Wheesung
Album: Lee Hyori Vol. 3 Track 10 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Lee Hyori became the first artiste in 2008 with two No. 1 songs from the same album, as "Hey Mr. Big" rose a notch to the top spot this week.  Earlier she hit No. 1 with "U-Go-Girl".  Even for the big k-pop stars it is not common to have two No. 1 songs from the same album these days.  This song is written by hitmaker Park Geun Tae and lyrics are by Wheesung. Wheesung’s lyrics include the words of advice: "be a real man, show heart of courage".  

2. (-1) Shinee – 산소 같은 너 (Love Like Oxygen)
Score: 848
Genre: R&B / Dance

Music: Sigvardt, Mikkel / Lyrics: Kwon Yoon Jung, Young Hu

Album: Shinee Vol. 1 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track of SHINee’s official first album, "The SHINee World." The punky dance track with a rhythmic groove is a remake of Danish artist Martin’s "Show the World". The impressive lyrics compare love to oxygen. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

3. (–) FT Island – 사랑후애 (Lying Love)
Score: 791
Genre: Rock Ballad

Music + Lyrics: Han Sung Ho
Album: FT Island Vol. 2 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title track of F.T.Island’s 2nd album "Colorful Sensibility". It’s a rock ballad number that tells of heartbreak after love is gone. The song is enhanced by the magnificent accompaniment of a 60-member orchestra. The music video features crystal clear, transparent visuals. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

4. (+5) 2PM – 10점 만점에 10점 (10 Out Of 10)
Score: 771
Genre: R&B Ballad

Music + Lyrics: Park Jin Young
Album: 2PM single Vol. 1 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track for 2PM’s debut single, "Hottest Time of the Day." 2PM is a new-concept performance group comprising Jun-su, Jae-beom, Nik-koon, Taek-yeon, Woo-young, Jun-ho and Chan-sung. The dance song’s fun lyrics are about giving a lovely woman 10 out of 10 points. The music video features 2PM’s surprising multitude of skills, which include singing, B-boying and acrobatic dancing. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

5. (-1) Younha – 텔레파시 (Telepathy)
Score: 761
Genre: Pop / Piano Rock

Music: Hwang Chan Hee / Lyrics: Kim Yi Jin, Nana
Album: Younha Vol. 2 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: All of last year’s strong rookie singers are showing no signs of a sophomore slump. Wonder Girls, SNSD, and FT Island have all had their top hits in 2008, it is about time for Younha to come back.  With her unique trademark of piano rock, this multi-talented singer is back with her 2nd album "Someday", and the title song "Telepathy" did not disappoint her fans, reaching top 5 in the chart.

6. (-1) Big Bang – 하루하루 (Day By Day)
Score: 671
Genre: Pop / R&B Dance

Music + Lyrics: G-Dragon
Album: Big Bang 3rd mini-album "Stand Up" Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Title track for Big Bang’s third mini-album "Stand Up". A dance number combining sensitive chords with a powerful beat, co-written by G-dragon and master of Japanese house, Daishi Dance. The music video stars G-dragon, T.O.P. and the actress Park Min-young in a tragic love triangle surrounding a lover whose days are numbered. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

7. (–) Kim Bum Soo – (Sad Inflection) 
Score: 631
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Hwang Chan Whee / Lyrics: Yoon Sa Ra
Album: Kim Bum Soo Vol. 6 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Title track for Kim Bum-soo’s 6th album. This is a classic ballad sung by one of the most persuasive voices in K-pop. The lyrics express the feelings of days spent longing for a lover now gone. Actor Jisung, a fast friend Kim Bum-soo made in the army, features in the music video to great acclaim. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

8. (+2) Dynamic Duo (feat. Alex) – Solo
Score: 549
Genre: Hip-hop

Album: Dynamic Duo Vol. 4 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track for Dynamic Duo’s 4th album, "Last Days." With a hip-hop style that melds a powerful beat with electric sounds, the song is laced with lyrics praising the solo life in an effort to forget the pain of a separation. Alex is featured and Jun Jin makes a cameo appearance in the music video. (credits to Arirang TV- Pops In Seoul)

9. (-3) 2AM – 이 노래 (This Song)
Score: 545
Genre: R&B Ballad

Music + Lyrics: Park Jin Young
Album: 2AM single Vol. 1 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Title track for 2AM’s like-named first single "This Song". This is the debut title of 2AM, a male quartet produced by Park Jin-young. The lyrics about the sorrow of only having a song to offer one’s love are set to a sorrowful melody. The music video includes candid footage of 2AM training before their debut. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

10. (-2) Shin Hye Sung – 그대라서 (Because It Is You)
Score: 510
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Vink / Lyrics: Yoon Sa Ra
Album: Shin Hye Sung Vol. 3 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title track for Shin Hye Sung’s 3rd album "Live and Let Live". It is a beautiful ballad written by Vink (from the rock band NEXT), and lyrics are by Yoon Sa Ra, who has written hit songs for Hye Sung before.  It’s been a busy year for Hye Sung, who began this year by releasing a project album "He Said, She Said" with Lyn, then in the summer released Shinhwa’s 9th album, and now in the fall, his solo album.

11. (+15) Brown Eyed Girls – 어쩌다 (How)
Score: 480
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Brave Brothers / Lyrics: Kim Yi Na
Album: Brown Eyed Girls mini-album Vol. 2 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Having enjoyed huge success with their dance hit "L.O.V.E" earlier this year, Brown Eyed Girls are coming back with a retro style dance hit "How".  Composed by Brave Brothers who also wrote Big Bang’s "Last Farewell", "How" will charm listeners with its strong melodies and the girls’ great vocal skills.  Brown Eyed Girls consider themselves a R&B ballad group.  But stangely all their biggest hits so far are dance beat songs.  This will be another one.

12. (New) DBSG – 주문 (Mirotic) *** HOT SHOT DEBUT *** 
Score: 446
Genre: Pop / Dance

Album: DBSG Vol. 4 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Perhaps the most anticipated comeback of the year, DBSG are finally returning to the k-pop scene with their 4th album and its title song "Mirotic".  Just released a week ago, this song is already our highest debut of the week at No. 12.  Mirotic comes from the Korean word "miro" (which means "maze") and the English suffix "-tic"; together, the title is intended to mean being warped into the depths of a labyrinth. Mirotic (Track 1) is a reverse-beat dance number for which DBSG collaborated with renowned Scandinavian songwriters Remee and Thomas Troelsen (the producing team behind BoA’s American debut song "Eat You Up") and famous dance choreographer Kenny Wormald, who previously worked with big names like Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, and Christina Aguilera. (credits to ~S2~, YesAsia)

13. (–) Kara – Rock U
Score: 395
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Han Jae Ho, Kim Seung Soo / Lyrics: Song Soo Yoon
Album: Kara 1st mini-album Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the main track of KARA’s 1st mini album. KARA, which recently became a 5-member female group, sing this pop latin dance number that has sweet lyrics and a lively rhythm. The music video features KARA’s cute and playful dance. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

14. (–) Seo In Young – 신데렐라 (Cinderella) 
Score: 394
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Yoo Gun Hyung, Psy / Lyrics: Psy
Album: Seo In Young Mini Album "Elly Is Cinderella" track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: The title song for Seo In-young’s single "Elly Is Cinderella," this dance number combines the sexy diva’s sassy vocals with the assertive lyrics "Haven’t you heard I’m the hit now". Seo In-young transforms into an attractive 21-st century Cinderella in the music video with colorful costumes and romantic hairstyles. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

15. (+15) E Bul – 01(영원..) (01(Forever..)) 
Score: 374
Genre: Pop Ballad

Album: E Bul first single Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is considered a surprise entry to the top 20 this week given the fact that so many top-notch stars are coming out with new songs.  New male singer E Bul stood his ground and still jumped 15 spots to No. 15 with "01 (Forever…)".  E Bul just started performing on gayo shows last week, but the success of this song should be coming from the MV that features many famous celebrities such as Dongwan, Park Jung Ah, Sunye, Taeyeon, GaIn and ShinDong. The song was produced by Yun Myung Sun, who also produced Eru’s "Black Glasses" and DongWan’s "Handkerchief". (credits to ~S2~)

16. (-5) Kim Gun Mo – Kiss 
Score: 367
Genre: Pop / Dance

Album: Kim Gun Mo Vol. 12 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title track for Kim Gun-mo’s 12th album "Soul Groove", a funky dance number with an outstanding big band sound. The album brings producer Kim Chang-hwan, who first made Kim Gun-mo a top star, back with the singer for the first time in 13 years. The music video caused a sensation for the kissing scene between Kim Gun-mo and a top model. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

17. (-2) SG Wannabe & Kim Jong Wook – 운명을 거슬러 (Opposed By Fate: MBC Drama "East Of Eden" OST)
Score: 356
Genre: R&B Ballad

Music: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Ahn Young Min

Album: MBC Drama "East Of Eden" OST Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: One of the most anticipated dramas in 2008, "East Of Eden" stars Song Seung Hun, Lee Da Hae, Yeon Jung Hoon, Lee Yeon Hee, and Han Ji Hye.  The megacast extends to the drama OST as well, and the title song "Opposed By Fate" is a duet between SG Wannabe and rising star Kim Jong Wook.  Top songwriter Cho Young Soo, who has written hit songs for both SG Wannabe and Kim Jong Wook this year, is in charge of this R&B ballad. 

18. (New) Wonder Girls – Nobody
Score: 346
Genre: Retro Pop / Dance

Music + Lyrics: Park Jin Young
Album: Wonder Girls: The Wonder Years: Trilogy Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Wonder Girls are back with part 3 of their 80’s style hit "Nobody".  The first two songs "Tell Me" and "So Hot" found their way to the top, and this song should be no exception. "Nobody" reminds fans of Motwon oldies, in which producer Park Jin Young (JYP) once said that was the kind of music he grew up listening to and inspired him a lot.  JYP is proud to have 3 songs in the top 20 this week.  Besides this song, 2AM and 2PM’s songs are also written and produced by JYP.

19. (+8) Solbi – Do It Do It
Score: 328
Genre: R&B / Dance

Album: Solbi mini-album "Do It" Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Being the new darling of Korea’s TV variety shows, many people might have forgotten that Solbi debuted as a singer first, from the group Typhoon.  While this is not the first time Solbi has released solo songs (she released several digital singles before), this song "Do It Do It" is an R&B dance track which is different from Typhoon’s pop dance hits and her previous solo ballads.  Uptown’s Jung Young Joon is in charge of this song.

20. (-3) Monday Kiz – Never Say Goodbye  
Score: 315
Genre: R&B Ballad

Music: PJ / Lyrics: Choi Gap Won
Album: Monday Kiz best hits album "Recollection" Track 4 Purchase this album
Watch: MV
Comment: This poignant ballad with heart-wrenching melodies is featured in Monday Kiz’s posthumous album "Recollection", made in commemoration of the late member Kim Min-su. Maybee made a guest appearance in the music video, playing the part of a DJ who tells stories of people who cannot meet despite their longings. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

21. (-3) Davichi – 사랑과 전쟁 (Love and War) : 286
22. (-10) Cool – 사랑을 원해 (I Want Love) : 270
23. (-4) Lee Hyun Ji – Kiss Me Kiss Me : 238
24. (-8) Namolla Family (feat. Tae In) – 사랑이 그렇게 쉬워 (Love Is That Easy) : 237
25. (-3) The One – 죽도록 (To The Death) : 235
26. (+19) U-Kiss – 어리지 않아 (Not Young) : 232 *** BIGGEST MOVER OF THE WEEK ***
27. (+11) Son Dam Bi – 미쳤어 (Become Crazy) : 217
28. (+7) Kim Dong Ryul – Melody : 190
29. (-9) Banana Girl – 미쳐미쳐미쳐 (Crazy Crazy Crazy) : 187
30. (-7) Brown Eyes – 너 때문에 (Because Of You) : 177
31. (New) M (feat. Bigtone) – 남자를 믿지마 (Don’t Trust Men) : 156
32. (-4) Nam Gyu Ri – 남자 (Man) : 155
33. (New) Noblesse (feat. Daylight) – 상심증후군 (Broken Heart Syndrome) : 154
34. (-5) Yoon Eun Hye – 샐러드기념일 (Salad Anniversary) : 140
35. (+6) Alex – 사랑하오 (I Love You) : 136
36. (–) BGH4 – 흔적 (Marks) : 107
37. (-5) Taw (feat. Joo) – 우리들의 행복한 시간 (Our Happy Times) : 93
38. (New) PDP – 가질 수 없는 너 (Can’t Have You) : 91
39. (+9) Jun Jin – Together 4ever : 90
40. (-16) Shinji (feat. Mighty Mouth) – 해뜰날 (The Day The Sun Rises) : 89
41. (-2) Zi-A – 난 행복해 (I’m Happy) : 83
42. (-9) Mighty Mouth (feat. Sun Ye) – 에너지 (Energy) : 79
43. (New) See Ya – Hot Girl : 78
44. (New) Mr. Tyfoon (feat. Eun Ji Won) – 불타는 태양 (Blazing Sun) : 76
45. (-11) Jang Yoon Jung – 장윤정트위스트 (Jang Yoon Jeong Twist) : 75
46. (+3) Show How (feat. Brian) – New Day : 70
47. (-5) Mario (feat. Park Hye Kyung) – 난 너에게 (To You) : 67
48. (New) V.O.S – 반쪽 (Half) : 60
49. (-2) Seo Jin Young – 눈물이 글썽 (Tears In One’s Eye) : 54
50. (-4) MC The Max – 가시 물고기 (Bony Fish) : 52

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

BONUS TRACK:

Taw (feat. Joo) – 우리들의 행복한 시간 (Our Happy Times)
Genre: Hip-hop ballad
Music + Lyrics: Taw
Album: Taw digital single Track 1
Watch: MV Live performance
Comment: These days k-pop is filled with many hip-hop style ballads. This song here is one of the best of this genre I’ve heard this year, kind of reminds me of PK Heman’s "Evergreen" (feat. Lee Ji Hye) last year.  Ahn Hye Kyung’s narration in the beginning, then Taw’s soft rap throughout the song, plus Joo’s crystal clear vocals, make this a very addictive song to listen to.

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%