Weekly Music Chart 2009 - August week 1

1. (+4) 2NE1 – I Don’t Care *** 1 WEEK NO. 1 ***   
Score: 968
Genre: Hip-hop / R&B 

Music + Lyrics: Teddy + Kush
Album: 2NE1 1st mini-album Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Fast rising YG female rookie group 2NE1 scored their first No. 1 song on our chart with the title song “I Don’t Care” from their first mini-album. It just took them 3 weeks to reach the top. This song is also No. 1 on M!Countdown, Mutizen song with Inky Gayo, champion of Music Bank K-Chart, and also topped the album sales chart.  They deserve to take the top spot here.  “I Don’t Care” was composed and penned by Teddy and Kush of Stonyskunk. The song is more of a soft “reggae melody” R&B Pop track compared to their previous faster beats and stronger hip-hop melodies. Fans are able to see another side of 2NE1 through this song.

2. (-1) SNSD – 소원을 말해 봐 (Genie)
Score: 938
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music + Lyrics: Yoo Young Jin
Album: SNSD mini-album Vol. 2 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Last week’s top song, SNSD’s “Tell Me Your Wish (Genie)” dropped back one spot to No. 2 this week.  This song was composed by hit composer Yoo Young Jin, Yoo Han Jin, as well as ‘Dsign Music’ a European composing team. It is a trendy dance number with a bright message. The song is perfect to listen to when you are feeling down or are busy with life as SNSD will be your genie, giving you energy and vitality.  This song still has a chance to get back on top.  It will be a battle for the two hottest girl groups in the next few weeks.

3. (–) Outsider – 외톨이 (Loner)
Score: 756
Genre: Hip-hop

Music: Big Boy, MC Sniper / Lyrics: Outsider
Album: Outsider Vol. 2 Track 5 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative song for Outsider’s second album, “Maestro.” A hip-hop track, it blends fast beats with a sentimental melody and is about people struggling in a tough world. Rapid-fire rapping and a delicate, sensual vibe create a unique style. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

4. (–) 4minute – Hot Issue
Score: 747
Genre: Pop / Dance

Album: 4minute digital single “Hot Issue” Track 1
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Holding steady at No. 4 is 4minute’s debut hit single “Hot Issue”. This group features ex-Wonder Girl Kim Hyun Ah as rapper, along with Nam Ji Hyun, Heo Ga Yoon, Jeon Ji Yoon, and Kwon So Hyun. They all aged between 14 to 18. 4minute brings unique fashion on stage and hip-hop genre with upbeat dance moves. We already have debutants After School and 2NE1 doing amazingly well this year, now 4minute is adding into the mix, plus another promising group T-Ara who is debuting this month. The competition of the best new female group this year is tighter than ever!

5. (+1) 8Eight – 잘가요 내 사랑 (Goodbye My Love)
Score: 620
Genre: R&B Ballad

Music: Bang Shi Hyuk / Lyrics: Bang Shi Hyuk, Baek Chan
Album: 8Eight Vol. 3 Repackaged Version Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: 8Eight’s “Goodbye My Love” moves up one spot to No. 5 this week. “Goodbye My Love” is written by Hitman Bang Shi Hyuk, who is the mastermind behind all of the group’s hit songs. The song is a hybrid of grungy guitar and an ambiance of hip hop rhythm. Not many albums these days can spin back to back top 5 hits, so this is a major accomplishment for 8Eight. Check out the remixed piano arranged version of this song the trio performed on Music Core, it sounds even better.

6. (+1) SHINee – 줄리엣 (Juliette)   
Score: 604
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Remee, Jay, Sean / Lyrics: Kim Jong Hyun
Album: SHINee 2nd mini-album “Romeo” Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title track of SHINee’s second mini-album “Romeo.” It is a trendy urban dance song whose lyrics were written by the SHINee member Jong-hyun. It features a sophisticated rhythm and acoustic-style drum sounds, which harmonize with SHINee’s vocals. It is a remake of the song “Deal With It,” which was released in the United Sates in 2007 by Corbin Bleu. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

7. (+1) Wax – 결국 너야 (In The End, It’s You)
Score: 580
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Kim Do Hoon, PJ / Lyrics: Kim Do Hoon, Choi Gap Won
Album: Wax Vol. 8 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: After hitting the top 10 with her ballad “Not Even A Phone Call” earlier this year, Wax returns to her dancing mood perfect for the season. Her latest hit “In The End, It’s You” which is the title song of her 8th album, is at No. 7 this week. Wax has not used an up-tempo song as her album title song since her 2nd album.  “In the End, It’s You” is a dance track that has a ballad melody with strong house beats. The song is catchy with easy lyrics, thus a very possible summer hit.

8. (-6) 2PM – 네가 밉다 (I Hate You)  
Score: 561
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music + Lyrics: Kim Chang Dae
Album: 2PM single album “2:00PM Time For Change” Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Having finished their promotional activities on this mini-album, 2PM’s “I Hate You” dropped to No. 8 this week. Already 3 weeks No. 1 at MNet’s M!Countdown, this R&B and electronic track goes well with 2PM’s powerful dance moves. This song has a medium tempo melody which picks up in the chorus part.

9. (–) Lee Seung Ki (feat. Bizniz) – 결혼해줄래 (Will You Marry Me)
Score: 521
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Kim Do Hoon, Lee Sang Ho / Lyrics: Kim Do Hoon, Hwang Sung Jin
Album: Lee Seung Ki digital single “Will You Marry Me” Track 1
Watch: MV
Comment: Lee Seung Ki remains at No. 9 this week with his digital single “Will You Marry Me”. This mellow ballad was composed by Kim Do Hoon, with lyrics about wanting to live happily ever after with a loved one and even a child. The MV of this song features footage of his drama “Brilliant Legacy.”

10. (+2) One Two – 별이 빛나는 밤에 (Starry Night)
Score: 504
Genre: Hip-hop

Music + Lyrics: Brave Brothers
Album: One Two digital single “Starry Night” Track 1
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: One Two scored their first ever top 10 hit with “Starry Night”. The duo had a hit “Bad Woman” last year but fell short of the top 10. Park Ga Hee from the popular rookie group After School is being featured on the song. It is a perfect hit for dance and club music. If you like mainstream style hip-hop songs, you should enjoy this song.

11. (+23) FT Island – 바래 (I Hope) *** BIGGEST MOVER OF THE WEEK ***
Score: 478
Genre: Rock

Music: Kim Do Hoon, Kim Se Jin / Lyrics: Kim Do Hoon, Han Sung Ho
Album: FT Island Vol. 3 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: FT Island finally returned with their third album, Cross and Change. Just like their title name states, FT Island has come with a transformation as well as a crossover. If their previous albums mainly consisted of rock ballads, this new one would have more summery bright and cheerful songs. The title track is I Hope which is of the electronic rock crossover genre that has a strong melody as well as rapping. It is our biggest mover this week.

12. (-2) MC The Max – 뒤차가 경적을 (The Following Car Is Honking)  
Score: 420
Genre: Rock Ballad

Music + Lyrics: Jun Hae Sung
Album: MC The Max special album “Rewind & Remind” Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative song for MC the Max’s special album, “REWIND & REMIND.” This trendy pop ballad with an exotic intro was produced by Jun Hye-sung, who also composed Lee Seung-chul’s ‘Long Day’ and YB’s ‘Must Have Been Love’. The sound of a car horn was the motive for the lyrics, and actor Kim Ji-hoon starred in the music video. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

13. (+5) Jewelry (feat. Nassun) – Rally
Score: 349
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music + Lyrics: E-Tribe
Album: Jewelry digital single “Super Star” Track 1 
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Jewelry moves up 5 spots to No. 13 this week with their new single “Rally”, which is the theme song for the Mnet Audition show, Superstar K. The show can be compared to American Idol. This powerful and lively song was composed by E-Tribe, who also wrote other hits such as Lee Hyori’s “U-Go-Girl,” SNSD’s “Gee,” and Super Junior’s “It’s You.” The MV shows Jewelry’s live M.Net performance and scenes from the show.

14. (–) Seo Tai Ji – 아침의 눈 (Morning Snow)   
Score: 336
Genre: Rock 

Album: Seo Tai Ji Vol. 8 Track 8 Purchase this album
Watch: MV
Comment: Seo Taiji’s 8th album, Atomos has finally been released. During the last 12 months, Seo had been releasing many singles included in this album, a strategy not common in Korean music. The album also includes brand new mixings of the past released singles, which will be of much enjoyment to fans. There are two new tracks, Replica and Morning Snow to add to the collection. “Morning Snow” is still at No. 14 this week. This song has a more mellow pop sound than a typical Seo Tai Ji hit that should definitely please mainstream fans.

15. (+2) Drunken Tiger – Monster
Score: 327
Genre: Hip-hop

Album: Drunken Tiger Vol. 8 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV
Comment: One of Korean’s top hip-hop act is back! Tiger JK is back with Drunken Tiger’s highly anticipated eighth album! Arriving two years after the last Drunken Tiger release, “feel ghood muzik: the 8th wonder” comes with double the music for Korean hip-hop fans.  Not surprising that this album immediately becomes a top seller upon release. Tiger JK drops a whopping 27 new tracks on this two-disc release. Disc 1, titled “Feel Good Side”, offers a more mainstream hip-hop sound while Disc 2, titled “Feel Hood Side”, packs hardcore rhymes from the hip-hop guru. The title song “Monster” is from the “Feel Good Side” CD and is moving up 2 spots this week to No. 15.

16. (-5) V.O.S – 큰일이다 (Big Trouble)
Score: 320
Genre: R&B Ballad

Music: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Kang Eun Kyung
Album: V.O.S Vol. 3.5 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative song for V.O.S’ 3.5th album, “Routine Free.” An emotional ballad, it features soothing melodies and powerful vocals. It was produced by hit-maker Cho Young-soo, who has also produced songs for Davichi, Yangpa and Ivy. The lyrics are about a man’s emotions for an unrequited love, and his heartbreaking inability to propose. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

17. (+9) Clazziquai –  Love Again
Score: 305
Genre: Electronica

Album: Clazziquai Vol. 4 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: After two years hitaus with members Alex and Horan concentrated on their solo and project group activities respectively, Clazziquai finally comes back their fourth album Mucho Punk. Always at the forefront of music, Clazziquai continue to expand their sound and experiment with different musical genres and styles. This time, they’ve combined New Wave and punk with their trademark house, pop, and electronic. This album was produced by DJ Clazzi and was influenced much by the movie, Nacho Libre. The songs are much more punkish, thus how the album got its name. The title song “Love Again” made it to the top 20 and is at No. 17 this week despite not appearing often in music shows. With many big acts returning this summer, Clazziquai offers us a different sound and will stand out between pop songs.

18. (+7) Kim Yong Joon & Hwang Jung Eum – 커플 (Couple)
Score: 304
Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Ahn Young Min / Lyrics: Kim Yong Joon
Album: Kim Yong Joon digital single Track 1
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative song for the special album of the program, “We Got Married”  It features Kim Yong-joon and Hwang Jung-eum, who now appear in the variety show, “We Got Married” as a virtual married couple. This proposal song was composed by Ahn Young-min, with lyrics by Kim Yong-joon that are about his sweet and touching love confession. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

19. (+3) Flower Go Yoo Jin – 바보라서…(고질병) (Because I Am A Fool (Inveterate Disease))
Score: 302
Genre: Pop Ballad

Album: Flower Go Yoo Jin digital single “Because I Am A Fool” Track 1 
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Rock based song released by Flower member Go Yoo Jin after 10 years of debut. This is his self produced song along with Park Geun Tae. The song expresses love as a Sunflower. (credits to ~S2~)

20. (-4) Chae Yeon – 흔들려 (Shake)
Score: 288
Genre: Pop / Dance

Music + Lyrics: Kim Chang Hwan
Album: Chae Yeon mini-album “Shake” Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Sexy diva Chae Yeon is at No. 20 this week with “Shake”. DJ Koo of Clon also offered 2 re-mixed versions of this song. While Chae Yeon was on hiatus from music between her last album and now, many female singles with similar styles to hers have emerged. Now Chae Yeon is out to re-capture her fans once again. The timing of this release is good as we are getting into summer and dance hits always do well in this season.

21 . (-2) K.Will – 1초에 한 방울 ( One Droplet In A Second ) : 286
22. (New) Park Myung Soo/Jessica (SNSD) – 냉면 (Cold Noodles) : 281 *** HOT SHOT DEBUT ***
23 . (-8) Koyote – 넌센스 ( Nonsense ) : 253
24 . (-11) Yangpa – 령혼 ( Soul ) : 214
25 . (-1) Namolla Family – 낚였어 ( Lure ) : 209
26 . (+16) Cool – 보고 보고 ( To Look To Look ) : 202
27 . (+4) Cho Won Sun – 아무도 아무것도 ( Anyone, Anything ) : 200
28 . (-5) Beige – 지지리 ( Awfully ) : 199
29 . (New) MC Mong (feat. Jang Geun Ee, B.I) – 인디언 보이 ( Indian Boy ) : 197
30 . (New) Brown Eyed Girls – Abracadabra : 185
31 . (-10) Lee Seung Chul – 손톱이 빠져서 ( My Nails Came Off ) : 173
32 . (-2) Ilac (feat. Brand New Day Chae Rin) – 편한 사람이 생겼어 ( I’ve Found a Comfortable Person ) : 169
33 . (+10) SS501 Jung Min (feat. Ji Sun) – 하면은 안 돼 ( Can’t Do It ) : 165
34 . (New) Supreme Team – 슈퍼매직 ( Super Magic ) : 152
35 . (New) IU – 있잖아 ( You Know ) : 150
36 . (+3) Norazo – 고등어 ( Mackerel ) : 139
37 . (New) BMK – Everyday : 130
38 . (-11) Untouchable – Oh : 125
39 . (New) Roo’ra – 고잉고잉 ( Going Going ) : 124
40 . (+5) Sori – Boy Boy : 121
41 . (+6) Winter Play – Gypsy Girl : 115
42 . (-7) Gyu Hyun (Super Junior) – 7년간의 사랑 ( 7 Years Of Love ) : 112
43 . (-14) Park Jung Hyun – 눈물이 주룩주룩 ( Tears Flowing ) : 95
44 . (-6) Brand New Day – 마스카라 ( Mascara ) : 92
45 . (-12) Hong Jin Young – 사랑의 배터리 ( Love’s Battery ) : 89
46 . (New) Crown J – I’m Good : 79
47 . (-7) T-Max (Kim Jun solo) – 준비 O.K ( Jun Be O.K ) : 67
48 . (-2) Rumble Fish – 앙코로 ( Encore ) : 65
49 . (New) Bobby Kim – 오직 그대만 ( Only You: MBC Drama “Friend, Our Legend” OST ) : 64
50 . (-18) Yoon Sang – 그 눈 속엔 내가 ( Inside Those Eyes, I’m… ) : 63

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

BONUS TRACK:
Snofeel (feat. Noblesse) – 사랑노래 (Love Song)
Genre: Hip-hop / R&B

Album: Snofeel Vol. 1 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV
Comment: Newbie singer “Snofeel” created by singer and songwriter Noblesse’s Yoo Sung Kyu, releases his 1st full album which consists of hip-hop and R&B tracks. Snofeel had released 3 singles in the past. He spent many years as an underground musician and also spent 5 long years preparing for his 1st full album. His title song “Love Song” was composed by Soul-j and written by Noblesse. The song introduces Snofeel’s refreshing rap skills and Noblesse’s vocals. Snofeel dedicates this song to all the loving couples who will feel blissful through this song. This is one of the best albums I’ve heard recently.  Besides the title song, many other songs in this album is worth listening. (credits to purpletiger86 for translations)

YESTERDAY ONCE MORE:
Flower – 여기짜디인가요 (Is this it)
Genre: Rock Ballad

Album: Flower Vol. 4 (2005) Track 2
Watch: MV
Comment: Flower is an underrated rock ballad duo originally with members Go Yoo Jin and Jun In Hyuk. They debuted in 1999 with their first album Tears, and later with the hit “Endless”. “Is This It” was from their last studio album in 2005 and this song was a top 20 hit at the time.  We haven’t heard from them since, but member Go Yoo Jin has a lot of solo activities, including this week’s top 20 song “Because I Am A Fool (Inveterate Disease)”. (credits to ~S2~)

Sources of the chart

Air Monitor Chart – 15%
MNet M!Countdown – 15%
Various Internet charts (Dosirak, MNet, Melon, Muz, Bugs, Cyworld, Soribada) – 15%
ChartKorea – 10%
Hanteo Weekly Album Sales (2 weeks lag) – 10%
SBS Inky Gayo Take 7 + Internet Chart + Music Video Chart – 10%
Hanteo Gayo Chart (1 week lag) – 10%
KBS Music Bank K-Chart – 5%
MTV Chart – 5%
Gasoo appearance on gayo shows (MBC Music Core, SBS Inky Gayo, KBS Music Bank, MNet M!Countdown, SBS Kim Jung Eun Chocolate, KBS Yoo Hee Yeol Sketchbook , YTN Live Power Music, MTV Non-stop, Pops In Seoul) – 5%