Weekly Music Chart 2008 - December week 1

1. (+1) Big Bang – 붉은 노을 (Sunset Glow) *** 1 WEEK NO. 1 ***
Score: 957
Genre: R&B / Dance

Music: G-Dragon, Teddy, Lee Young Hoon / Lyrics: G-Dragon, Lee Young Hoon
Album: Big Bang Vol. 2 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Big Bang capped off their amazing year with another No. 1 song "Sunset Glow".  This is their 3rd No. 1 song in 2008.  Earlier this year, they topped this chart with "Last Greeting" and "Day By Day".  They become the only artistes with three No. 1 songs this year.  Over the last 2 years, they have accumulated five chart-topping hits, the latest one being the remake of this Lee Moon Sae classic.

2. (-1) Kim Jong Kook – 어제보다 오늘 더 (Today More Than Yesterday)
Score: 924
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Kim Do Hoon, Lee Sang Ho / Lyrics: Yoon Sa Ra
Album: Kim Jong Kook Vol. 5 Track 4 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This R&B number, which has a warm melody, is the representative track of Kim Jong-kook’s 5th album, "Here I Am." It’s the song with which he has made his return to K-pop from the military. Kim Jong-kook sampled the song "Grand Father’s Clock," by U.S. children’s songwriter, H.C. Work. The lyrics are about loving someone more today than he did yesterday. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

3. (–) Brown Eyed Girls – My Style  
Score: 775
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Lee Min Soo / Lyrics: Kim Yi Na
Album: Brown Eyed Girls digital single "My Style (Hidden Track)" Track 1
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title track of Brown-Eyed Girls’ single album "My Style". It’s an electronic dance song featuring a trendy melody and cheerful beat. The lyrics contain many cute and interesting expressions to convey the feelings of love toward the man of a woman’s dreams. The music video draws attention with images that are switched cut by cut. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

4. (+9) Baek Ji Young – 총 맞은 것처럼 (Like You Got Shot By A Gun)  
Score: 737
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music + Lyrics: Bang Shi Hyuk
Album: Baek Ji Young Vol. 7 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: After sweeping all the internet charts in Korea, the latest hit by Baek Ji Young is moving up very quickly to No. 4.  Coming back from vocal cord surgery, Baek Ji Young traded her signature husky voice for a pure crystal tone and released her 7th album "Sensibility".  Since switching from Latin dance to ballads two albums ago, Baek Ji Young has enjoyed great success.  "Like You Got Shot Bu A Gun" is a sentimental ballad written by "Hitmen" Bang Shi Hyuk.  

5. (+1) Wonder Girls – Nobody  
Score: 654
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: This track took a 60s and 70s Motown girl-group sound and infused it with a contemporary sensibility. It melds soul music with a trendy hip-hop beat. The song repeats "If not you, I don’t want anyone else" and is about a love that does not welcome separation. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

6. (-2) Wheesung – 별이 지다.. (Star Is Setting..)
Score: 651
Genre: R&B Ballad

Music: Park Geun Tae, Jun Goon / Lyrics: Wheesung
Album: Wheesung mini-album "With My Heart And Soul" Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: One of the best male
vocalists in Korea, Wheesung is known for his golden voice and is in full display again with this new R&B song from his latest mini-album "With My Heart And Soul". Singer Lee Hyori is featured in the MV. Lately we haven’t heard a lot of pure R&B songs, but this is one. Check it out if you like this style of music.

7. (-2) Shinee – 아.미.고 (Amigo)
Score: 630
Genre: R&B / Dance

Music: JV, Gabe, Lopez / Lyrics: Yoo Young Jin

Album: Shinee Vol. 1 (repackaged) Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Featured in SHINee’s first official repackage album, the title of this memorable dance song is an abbreviation of a Korean sentence that means "loving a beautiful girl hurts" and is also Spanish for "friend". An intense beat and a fresh melody create a fun and exciting vibe. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

8. (New) DBSG – Wrong Number *** HOT SHOT DEBUT ***  
Score: 578
Genre: Pop / Dance

Album: DBSG Vol. 4 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Follow-up song on DBSG’s 4th album "Mirotic".  It is our highest debut this week at No. 8.  This song has a new groove to it and has a slower beat than "Mirotic", which was No. 1 for 3 weeks.  Let’s see how this song does compared to "Mirotic".  (credits to ~S2~)

9. (-2) Bi – Rainism
Score: 559
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Bi, Bae Jin Ryul / Lyrics: Bi
Album: Bi Vol. 5 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Featured in Rain’s 5th album "Rainism", this synth-pop style dance track is led by an intense, repetitive beat. Rain wrote the music and lyrics for the song. The music video shows a performance by Rain that has a mysterious and surreal vibe. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

10. (+13) Lee Soo Young – 이런 여자 (This Kind Of Woman)  
Score: 452
Genre: Pop Ballad

Album: Lee Soo Young mini-album "Once" Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Ballad queen Lee Soo Young is coming back with her first mini-album "Once".  The title song "This Kind Of Women" adds to her large collection of top-10 hits.  After experimenting new styles of music during her last 2 albums with mixed success, Lee Soo Young is returning to her roots in this song, which is an emotional ballad that fans are familiar with from her.  Let’s see if this song can take her career to another level.

11. (+17) Tei – 기적 같은 이야기 (Miracle-Like Story)  
Score: 449
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Lee Hyun Seung / Lyrics: Tei

Album: Tei Vol. 5 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Despite hitting the No. 1 spot on the title song of his first 3 albums and also No. 2  for "Same Pillow" on his last album, Tei is still very much underrated.  This could be due to the timing of his album releases, which are usually early or very late in the year after most big-name artistes have finished performing their title songs, so he is sort of flying under the radar of many fans.  Tei recently released his 5th album "The Note".  The title song "Miracle-Like Story" is again a very good ballad that fits Tei’s soulful voice.  Tei also wrote the lyrics of this song.

12. (-3) Son Dam Bi – 미쳤어 (Become Crazy)  
Score: 423
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Brave Brothers / Lyrics: Eric

Album: Son Dam Bi Mini Album Vol. 2 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: The title track of Son Dam-bi’s second mini-album, this dance song is a combination of retro and modern sounds that create a dreamlike mood. Eric’s rap adds charm to the song. The music video of "Crazy" shows the sexy Son Dam-bi performing a unique dance. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

13. (-3) Baek Chan (duet Lee Soo Young) – 무슨 사랑이 그래요 (What Kind Of Love Is This)   
Score: 401
Genre: Pop Ballad

Album: Baek Chan single "What Kind Of Love Is This" Track 1
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: I thought this song would make it to my weekly bonus track one day.  It’s already doing much better than expected. This oldie-style song is a duet between 8Eight’s Baek Chan and ballad queen Lee Soo Young.  Baek Chan is the rapper of 8Eight, and we are all surprised by his vocal skills in this song.  His voice also fits very well with Lee Soo Young’s.  One of the best duets I’ve heard this year.

14. (-2) Untouchable (feat. Hwa Yobi) – It’s Okay  
Score: 400
Genre: Hip-hop / R&B Ballad

Album: Untouchable digital single "It’s Okay" Track 1
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title track of the male hip-hop duo Untouchable’s first single album, "It’s Okay". The addictive song melds a piano and hip-hop sounds. Hwayobi, who is featured, adds to the song’s appeal with her alluring vocals. They sing sensually of the joy of love. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

15. (-7) Epik High – 1분 1초 (One Minute One Second)   
Score: 388
Genre: Hip Hop

Music: Tablo / Lyrics: Tablo, Mithra Jin
Album: Epik High mini-album "Lovescream" Track 6 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track for Epik High’s small "LOVESCREAM" album. With a soft melody and sensual pop style, the song also features a gentle piano sound that ups the emotional vibe. It’s about being unable to not miss a former love for even a minute or a second. The music video uses a rewind technique and presents some powerful scenes. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

16. (+1) Tae Yeon – 들리나요 (Can You Hear Me: MBC Drama Beethoven Virus OST)
Score: 346
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Lee Sang Joon / Lyrics: Im Bo Kyung
Album: MBC Drama "Beethoven Virus" OST Track 7 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: The O.S.T. of the TV drama "Beethoven Virus". Tae-yeon’s heart-moving vocals harmonize perfectly with the sad melody. The song’s lyrics depict the sadness of love, while its music video of the song shows scenes from the drama. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

17. (-3) W & Whale – RPG Shine
Score: 320
Genre: Alternative Rock

Music: Bae Young Joon, Han Jae Won / Lyrics: Bae Young Joon, Whale
Album: W & Whale Vol. 1 Track 6 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track for W&Whale’s "Hardboiled". The band W incorporated female vocalist Whale and released this album. The song features a light rock beat and electronic sounds. A captivating voice and dreamy melody make for a fantasy-like combination. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

18. (+27) SS501 – U R Man *** BIGGEST MOVER OF THE WEEK ***  
Score: 295
Genre: Pop / Dance

Album: SS501 special album U R Man Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: With Kim Hyun Joong busy shooting the Korean adaptation of Hana Yori Dango and Park Jung Min starring in the musical Grease, the other 3 members of SS501 – Kim Kyu Jong, Heo Yong Saeng and Kim Hyung Jun – have formed the special unit Triple-S to carry on the music, and they’re now releasing the special six-track mini-album U R Man. Triple-S, which is also the name of SS501’s fan club, represents a new challenge for the three members as they push for a more mature sound and look, and even unveil their songwriting skills. Produced by the same team that created SS501 hits like 4 Chance, the album’s title track U R Man is just about a guaranteed hit with its catchy mid-tempo melody and urban house sound. (credits to ~S2~)

19. (+14) Mighty Mouth (feat. Son Dam Bi) – 패밀리 (Family)   
Score: 258
Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: Mighty Mouth Vol.1 Special Edition Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Probably the most successful rookie hip-hop act in years, Mighty Mouth continue their strong showing with yet another new hit "Family", from the repackaged special edition of their first album. "Family" has the affirmative message that your family is always there to support and help you in times of hardship and discontent. Mighty Mouth perform it with an up-tempo melody featuring harmonic bass and drum passages enveloped by the duo’s rap. The song also features guest singer Son Dam Bi. (credits to ~S2~)

20. (+1) Miss $ (feat. Nam Gyu Ri) – 바람 피지마 (Don’t Have An Affair)   
Score: 228
Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: Miss $ single "Miss $ Diary" Track 1
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Miss $ is a new female hip-hop duo formed by Oh Yumi and Tae Hye Young.  Their debut song "Don’t Have An Affair", featuring See Ya’s Nam GyuRi, has received good response from fans.  It only took 2 weeks for them to be ranked in the top 20.  All female hip-hop groups are very rare in Korea.  The girls have good rapping skills.  It is definitely a new female group to look out for in 2009.

21. (+11) – Dynamic Duo – Gone : 222
22. (–) Eun Ji Won – Dangerous : 219
23. (-8) Son Ho Young – I Know : 212
24. (+10) Clazziquai – Flea : 193
25. (New) Yoon Jong Shin – 즉흥여행 (Impromptu Trip) : 187
26. (-8) See Ya – 그 사람 (구두3) (Shoe III) : 181
27. (-7) Can – 날보러와요 (Come See Me) : 180
28. (-9) SG Wannabe & Kim Jong Wook – 운명을 거슬러 (Opposed by fate: MBC Drama "East Of Eden" OST) : 171
29. (-4) Davichi (Min Kyung) – 병원에 가다 (Going to the hospital) : 153
30. (+10) Typhoon – 널 사랑하지 않았어 (I Didn’t Love You) : 149
31. (New) Rumble Fish – 비와 당신 (You and The Rain) : 143
32. (-8) Goofy – 사랑은 없다 (No Love) : 139
33. (-2) Haihm – 어쩌면 우린 (Possibly Us) : 138
34. (+8) Younha – Gossip Boy : 133
35. (–) FT Island – 너를 사랑해 (Love is…) : 130
36. (-10) 2PM – 10점 만점에 10점 (10 Out of 10) : 124
37. (+11) Shin Seung Hoon – 라디오를 켜봐요 (Turn On The Radio) : 121
38. (New) Koyote – 너만이 (Only You) : 117
39. (-23) Kim Dong Wan (duet Younha) – 약속 (Promise) : 110
40. (New) Lee Seung Chul – 듣고 있나요 (Are You Listening?: MBC Drama "East Of Eden" OST Vol. 2) : 108
41. (-4) MC The Max – 나를 보낸다 (Send Me Off) : 103
42. (-6) Kara – 굿데이 시즌 2 (Goodday 2) : 95
43. (-13) Park Jung Hyun (feat. Crown J) – No Break : 88
44. (+6) Black Pearl – 미운 사랑 (Hateful Love: MBC Drama "East Of Eden" OST Vol. 2) : 83
45. (New) Nell – Part 2 : 82
46. (-17) Park Ki Young – 그대 나를 보나요 (Look At Me) : 78
47. (New) Alex – 나쁜짓 (Bad Behavior) : 73
48. (New) J – Toast : 66
49. (-8) Jung Yup – You Are My Lady : 55
50. (-3) Jo Sung Mo – 바람의 화원 (Wind’s Flower Garden: SBS Drama "Wind’s Flower Garden" OST) : 54

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

BONUS TRACK:
Kho Uvi – 사랑한다 말하면 (If I Say That I Love You)
Genre: Pop Ballad

Album: Kho Uvi digital single "If I Say That I Love You" track 1
Listen to: Full Song
Comment: Emotional vocalist Kho Uvi has returned with a ballad number, If I Say That I Love You. Kho Uvi has worked with members of rock group Buhwal (drummer Cheh Jae Min and bassist Suh Jae Hyuk), one of Korea’s best guitarist, Tommy Kim, and pianist Min Sung Jin to create this song. He hopes that through this song, more people will get to know more about his existence. (credits to motoway065)

Sources of the chart

ChartKorea – 15%
Air Monitor Chart – 15%
MNet M!Countdown  + Cable Airplays – 15%
Various Internet charts (Melon, Jukeon, Dosirak, MNet, Muz, Bugs, Ohdio, Soribada) – 15%
Hanteo 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 Lee Hana Peppermint, SBS Kim Jung Eun Chocolate, YTN Live Power Music, MTV Non-stop, Pops In Seoul) – 5%