Weekly Music Chart 2008 - December week 3

This is the last music chart of 2008.  As a tradition, we are taking the last week of the year off.  However, we’ll bring you two special programs during this holiday season.  Next weekend, we’ll reveal the Staff-recommended top 20 songs of 2008, and also recommended albums of 2008.  On Dec 31, we’ll bring you the 2008 Soompi Gayo Award Show.  You can hear the results live this year as Big B Radio will broadcast this event.  The weekly music chart will resume in the first weekend of January 2009.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the readers of this weekly music chart post, and our team of music staffs: motoway065, adikkeluangman, Aziraphale, ~S2~, and purpletiger86.  They helped me on doing research, translations, and editing.  Without their help, it wouldn’t have been possible for me to write all these week after week.  I wish all of you Happy Holidays!  The 2009 music chart will be even better as we plan to add more features.  Stay tuned.

1. (+1) Baek Ji Young – 총 맞은 것처럼 (Like You Got Shot By A Gun) *** 1 WEEK NO. 1 *** 
Score: 953
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music + Lyrics: Bang Shi Hyuk
Album: Baek Ji Young Vol. 7 Track 4 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: The last No. 1 song of 2008 belongs to Baek Ji Young, as she moves up to the top this week with "Like You Got Shot By A Gun".  This song is already No. 1 on all major internet charts in Korea, and deserves to be ranked No. 1 here.  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.  

2. (-1) Big Bang – 붉은 노을 (Sunset Glow)
Score: 941
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: This is the representative track of Big Bang’s 2nd official album, "Remember." The remake combines the refrain of Lee Moon-sae’s "Red Sunset" with rapping done in Big Bang’s distinct style. It’s filled with fun beats and groove. The music video presents a message of hope to people struggling in society or economically. It was shot on Korea’s west coast, a place that recovered and found hope even after a major oil spill. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

3. (–) Kim Jong Kook – 어제보다 오늘 더 (Today More Than Yesterday)
Score: 800
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)

4. (+9) SS501 – U R Man  
Score: 776
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~)

5. (–) Brown Eyed Girls – My Style  
Score: 753
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 a woman’s feelings of love toward the man of her dreams. The music video draws attention with images that are switched cut by cut. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

6. (–) Tei – 기적 같은 이야기 (Miracle-Like Story)  
Score: 720
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Lee Hyun Seung / Lyrics: Tei

Album: Tei Vol. 5 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title track of Tei’s fifth album "The Note." This sentimental ballad features Tei’s ample vocals. It drew attention for its lyrics, which are about the singer’s personal experience. It is a story of a man who compares his past love with a miracle. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

7. (-3) DBSG – Wrong Number  
Score: 720
Genre: Pop / Dance

Album: DBSG Vol. 4 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Featured in DBSG’s 4th album, "Mirotic," this song has a melody with a dark and
depressing vibe and showcases DBSG’s unique charisma. It’s about dealing with phone calls from an over-managing lover. In the music video, the members of DBSG play guys who are exhausted by obsessive girlfriends, as the lyrics suggest. (credts to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

8. (+6) Mighty Mouth (feat. Son Dam Bi) – 패밀리 (Family)   
Score: 600
Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: Mighty Mouth Vol.1 Special Edition Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title track of Mighty Mouth’s same-titled single album. This hip-hop song features a cheerful rhythm and melody. Mighty Mouth’s unique rap and Son Dam-bi’s vocals create a sophisticated harmony. The lyrics are about living happily like one big family. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

9. (-2) Wheesung – 별이 지다.. (Star Is Setting..)
Score: 546
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: This R&B number is the representative song of Wheesung’s 6th album, "With All My Heart and Soul." With a sweet and soft melody, the song is about a breakup with a lover who is a celebrity. Wheesung wrote the lyrics, inspired by the movie "Notting Hill". The music video created extra buzz for starring Lee Hyori. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

10. (-2) Lee Soo Young – 이런 여자 (This Kind Of Woman)  
Score: 543
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. (-2) Wonder Girls – Nobody  
Score: 490
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)

12. (+10) Lee Seung Chul – 듣고 있나요 (Are You Listening?: MBC Drama "East of Eden" OST2)  
Score: 464
Genre: Pop Ballad

Album: East Of Eden OST Vol. 2 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV
Comment: From the 2nd OST of the megacast MBC Drama "East Of Eden", veteran Lee Seung Chul contributes with this ballad.  The 1st OST of the drama has already produced a hit with SG Wannabe and Kim Jong Wook’s "Opposed By Fate".  This 2nd OST is even stronger with 3 songs on the chart this week: this song, Black Pearl’s "Hateful Love", and Song Seung Hun’s "When Time Leaves".  The music video for the song "Are You Listening?" is a compilation of the best scenes from the drama.

13. (-3) Son Dam Bi – 미쳤어 (Become Crazy)  
Score: 455
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)

14. (+4) Rumble Fish – 비와 당신 (You And The Rain)
Score: 407
Genre: Rock Ballad

Album: Rumble Fish remake album "Memory For You" Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV
Comment: Last year Rumble Fish increased their popularity with their third album "Open The Safe" that featured the online hit "You and Me Again". Now the Korean rock band, led by vocalist Choi Jin Lee, return with their latest release "Memory For You". The title track, "The Rain and You", becomes their latest top-20 song.  It was originally sung by Park Joong Hoon in the film Radio Star, which also starred veteran actor Ahn Sung Ki. (credits to ~S2~)

15. (+9) Nell – Part 2
Score: 395
Genre: Rock

Album: Nell EP "The Trace" Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This year Nell released their 4th album "Separation Anxiety", which enjoyed great success and further cemented their status as the top rock group in Korea.  Nell have returned with an EP and thr title song "Part 2" becomes another top-20 hit for the group.  Even though Nell are still considered underground by many, they keep crossing over to the pop scene with song after song.   

16. (–) Untouchable (feat. Hwa Yobi) – It’s Okay  
Score: 384
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)

17. (-5) Shinee – 아.미.고 (Amigo)
Score: 347
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)

18. (-7) Bi – Love Story
Score: 317
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Kim Tae Sung, Choi Young Joon / Lyrics: Bi
Album: Bi Vol. 5 Track 4 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Latest hit by Bi (Rain), "Love Story" is the first time he’s promoting a ballad song despite its melody being quite upbeat.  Composed and arranged by Choi Hyung Joon of V.O.S, Love Story is a pop R&B number that talks about the ugly side of love, surprisingly coming from the singer’s own experience. In the song’s music video which features actress Ha Ji Won, Rain extends his talent net by orchestrating the full storyline. (credits to ~S2~)

19. (+13) Kara – Pretty Girl
Score: 314
Genre: Pop / Dance

Album: Kara 2nd mini-album "Pretty Girl" Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Kara have had a good year in 2008, with their popularity on the rise. They are coming back with their 2nd mini-album "Pretty Girl".  The title song of the same name gives them another top-20 song. This song has a cute dance beat which is similar to their previous hit "Rock U". 

20. (+11) Park Ji Heon & Kang Min Kyung – 해피투게더 (Happy Together)
Score: 285
Genre: Christmas Ballad

Album: Park Ji Heon & Kang Min Kyung digital single "Happy Together" Track 1
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is a hit for the Christmas season – a collobaration between V.O.S’ Park Ji Heon and Davichi’s Kang Min Kyung. Top songwriter Cho Young Soo composed this song which we can feel the joy of celebrating Christmas.

21. (+6) Namolla Family (feat. Baek Ji Young) – 붙잡아도 (Even If I Hold On) : 284
22. (+1) Yoon Jong Shin – 즉흥여행 (Impromptu Trip) : 277
23. (+3) Goeun – 사랑해 사랑해 사랑해 (I Love You) : 271
24. (-9) Epik High – 1분 1초 (One Minute One Second) : 254
25. (-8) W & Whale – RPG Shine : 247
26. (-7) Eun Ji Won – Dangerous : 246
27. (New) M To M – One Day : 227 *** HOT SHOT DEBUT ***
28. (+22) Black Pearl – 미운 사랑 (Hateful Love: MBC Drama "East of Eden" OST 2) : 222 *** BIGGEST MOVER OF THE WEEK ***
29. (-9) Tae Yeon – 들리나요 (Can You Hear Me: MBC Drama "Beethoven Virus" OST) : 219
30. (-5) Miss $ (feat. Nam Gyu Ri) – 바람 피지마 (Don’t Have An Affair) : 207
31. (-10) Baek Chan (feat. Lee Soo Young) – 무슨 사랑이 그래요 (What Kind Of Love Is This) : 179
32. (New) K.Will (feat. MC Mong) – 러브119 (Love 119) : 178
33. (+7) Alex – 나쁜짓 (Bad Behavior) : 156
34. (New) Norajo – 슈퍼맨 (Superman) : 132
35. (-5) Son Ho Young – I Know : 111
36. (-8) Typhoon – 널 사랑하지 않았어 (I Didn’t Love You) : 105
37. (New) Youme – 여자라서 하지 못한 말 (What I Couldn’t Say Because I’m a Woman) : 97
38. (New) Vodka Rain – 100 퍼센트 (100%) : 95
39. (New) Song Seung Hun – 세월이 가면 (When Time Leaves: MBC Drama "East of Eden" OST 2) : 89
40. (-5) Davichi – 병원에 가다 (Going to the hospital) : 88
41. (-5) Kim Dong Wan (duet Younha) – 약속 (Promise) : 86
42. (-9) Koyote – 너만이 (Only You) : 82
43. (-2) FT Island – 너를 사랑해 (Love is…) : 79
44. (-5) Jo Sung Mo – 바람의 화원 (Wind’s Flower Garden: SBS Drama "Wind’s Flower Garden" OST) : 78
45. (New) MC The Max – Goodbye To Romance : 72
46. (-9) Park Hyo Shin & Hwang Project – The Castle of Zoltar : 67
47. (-9) 2PM – Only You : 66
48. (New) Tony An – 같은 마음 (Similar Heart) : 59
49. (New) Cult Two – 사랑한다사랑해 (I Love You I Love You) : 50
50. (-6) See Ya – 그 사람 (Shoe (III)) : 48

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

BONUS TRACK:
Shin Gun (With Kim Hyun Jung) – 사랑에 지치다 (Sick of Love)
Genre: Hip-hop ballad

Album: Shin Gun digital single "Love & Hate Part 2" Track 2
Listen to: full song
Comment: Our last bonus track of 2008 is one of my favorite songs recently.  There are a lot of hip-hop artistes who specialize in rapping slower tempo songs in k-pop these days.  Shin Gun is one of them.  After a sweet love song with As One, Shin Gun releases a second hot single of the Love and Hate Project. The title track, Sick of Love, which features Kim Hyun Jung, is about a sad story between a couple who has just broken up. This song was composed by Park Jung Wook, who has also done songs for T (Even If You Cry Without Notice) and Zia (Sorry, Mom). Shin Gun took part in penning the lyrics as well as designing the concept. We rarely hear ballads from Kim Hyun Jung, but she has proved that she is equally good in singing this kind of songs here.

Sources of the chart

ChartKorea – 15%
Air Monitor Chart – 15%
MNet M!Countdown  + Cable Airplays – 15%
Various Internet charts (Melon, 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 (SBS Inky Gayo, KBS Music Bank, KBS Lee Hana Peppermint, SBS Kim Jung Eun Chocolate, YTN Live Power Music, MTV Non-stop, Pops In Seoul) – 5%