Weekly K-Pop Music Chart 2010 - October Week 3

1. (–) 2NE1 –  박수쳐  (Clap Your Hands)  *** 3 WEEK NO. 1 ***
Score: 864
Genre: R&B/Hip-hop
  Music+Lyrics: e.knock
Album: 2NE1 Vol. 1 Track 3 Purchase this album    
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: 2NE1’s “Clap Your Hands” remains No. 1 for the third consecutive week.  This song is from their first full studio album “To Anyone”. The girls did well last year with their powerful charisma on stage and their showy fashion sense. 2NE1 will have three title tracks – “Can’t Nobody,” “Go Away,” and “Clap Your Hands” – that will be performed simultaneously for promotions, probably a first in Korean music that an album have three different title songs. Top producers, Teddy, e.knock, choice37, and PK among others have participated in the album to bring out strong hip-hop beats, R&B, as well as reggae.

2. (+23) Miss A – Breathe   
Score: 740
Genre: Pop/Dance
Music+Lyrics: Park Jin Young
Album: Miss A 2nd single Track 2 Purchase this album   
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Moving up 23 big spots to No. 2 and almost certain to become the new No. 1 song next week is top rookie female group Miss A’s second single title song “Breathe”.  The girls who debuted this past July with much confidence and skill returns with a funkier and cuter image fans are expected to enjoy.  Their debut song “Bad Girl Good Girl” already topped the chart and now they are looking to add another No. 1 song.  Miss A will battle top male group CN Blue for this year’s top new artist honor.

3. (-1) Wheesung –  결혼까지 생각했어  (Even Thought Of Marriage) 
Score: 700
Genre: R&B/Dance
  Music: Kim Do Hoon / Lyrics: Wheesung
Album: Wheesung mini-album “Realslow Is Back” Track 1 Purchase this album    
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title track of Whee Sung’s single album, ‘RealSlow is Back.’ This is a song where Whee Sung shows off his appeals to the fullest. It is a powerful R&B dance song with intense sounds, his explosive vocals, addictive melody and his signature straightforward yet sentimental lyrics. It is about a man who’s heartbroken after the woman he intended to marry leaves him. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

4. (New) Beast –    숨 (Breath)  *** HOT SHOT DEBUT ***
Score: 693
Genre: Pop/Dance
 Music+Lyrics: Choi Gyu Sung, Rado, Shin Sa Dong Tiger 
Album: Beast mini-album “Mastermind” Track 2 Purchase this album    
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Not to be confused with Miss A’s ‘Breathe”, our highest debut this week is from fast rising boy group Beast.  The title song from their latest mini-album translated to English is “Breath”.  Beast has already excited fans with “Clenching Fists Tightly” released prior to its upcoming third mini album, “Mastermind.” They need to wait no longer as the boy group returns this month. The title track is “Breath” a new song that is expected to upgrade Beast one notch higher. The song was composed by Sinsadong Tiger and Choi Gyu Sung and Beast member, Yong Jun Hyung took part in penning it. The strong synth riffs and drums flow well with the group’s vocals and adlibs.  This week “Breath” becomes one of our highest debuts all year at No. 4.  We may be seeing two songs with almost the same English titles at the top two spots next week.

5. (-2) FT Island –  사랑 사랑 사랑 (Love Love Love)   
Score: 558
Genre: Pop Rock
  Music: Kim Do Hoon, Lee Seung Ho / Lyrics: Kim Do Hoon, Lee Seung Ho, Mario
Album: FT Island mini-album “Beautiful Journey” Track 1 Purchase this album    
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title track of FT Island’s 2nd mini album, ‘Beautiful Journey.’ The perfect combination of powerful vocals and sentimental piano melody helps to create this heartbreaking rock ballad song that highlights FT Island’s sophisticated and sensual appeal. The group members are back with even more stable and developed vocal and performance skills. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

6. (New) Lim Jung Hee – 진짜일 리 없어 (It Can’t Be Real)   
Score: 490
Genre: Pop Ballad
Music+Lyrics: Bang Shi Hyuk  
Album: Lim Jung Hee mini-album “It Can’t Be Real” Track 2 Purchase this album 
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: In any other week this will be our highest debut but we have so many new songs on the chart this week.  Lim Jung Hee’s “It can’t Be Real” settles for the second highest debut at No. 6, still very impressive.  “It Can’t be Real” was composed and penned by Hitman Bang. The producer came up with the title and lyrics of the song after watching the film, “Inception.” The song is about can’t believing breakup actually happened. The song has neo-soul sounds and uses trendy electronic synths.

7. (-3) Gavy NJ –   그만하자 (Let’s End It)  
Score: 484
Genre: Pop Ballad 
Music:   Min Myung Ki / Lyrics: Min Myung Ki, Do Hee Sun
Album: Gavy NJ digital single “Let’s End It” Track 1
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:  Gavy NJ, who debuted in 2005, releases a digital single titled, “Let’s End It,” composed and penned by Min Myung Ki who wrote all of the group’s top hits. The song initially starts off with sad violin arrangements followed by guitar and piano playing. The electronic sounds soon come forth along with the girls’ unique vocals. The song holds sad lyrics about reminiscing one’s past love life, only to realize that all that’s left is breakup.  This week it drops three spots to No. 7.

8. (+37) Lee Juck – 그대랑     (With You) *** BIGGEST MOVER OF THE WEEK ***
Score: 483
Genre: Rock Ballad 
   
Album: Lee Juck Vol. 4 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Our biggest mover this week may come as a surprise to many k-pop fans.  It is from Panic member Lee Juck.  The title song “With You” from his 4th album “Love” jumps 37 giant spots to No. 8 this week.  One of the most well respected artists in Korean Music, lee Juck’s new album immediately becomes top seller upon its release.  ‘With You” also ranked very high in both airplay and internet charts.  It is a rock ballad with lively lyrics, a light band sound, and free-wheeling energy to spare. Despite the lack of promotion, the song is in the top 10 in only its second week.

9. (-2) V.O.S –  Full Story      
Score: 477
Genre: R&B Ballad
 Music+Lyrics: Han Sang Won
Album: V.O.S Special mini-album “The Blue Bird” Track 3 Purchase this album    
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: V.O.S returns after a year with part one of their special mini album titled, “The Blue Bird.” The group took part in producing the album, taking one step further as musicians. The title track is “Full Story,” an emotional ballad composed by hit maker, Han Sang Won. The two members of V.O.S also took part in creating this number. V.O.S’s soft yet strong vocals are apparent in this Korean style emotional ballad.  This week “Full Story” drops two spots to No. 9.

10. (-5) Miss $ (feat. Jung Sul Ki) – 이 나이 먹고 뭐했길래 (What Did You Do At This Age)   

Score: 460
Genre: Hip-hop Ballad
Music: Rhymer, Masterkey / Lyrics: Rhymer  
Album: Miss $ digital single “Miss Independent” Track 1
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Miss $ returns more mature both music and artist-wise with a new digital single titled, “Miss Independent.” Korea’s hip-hop “big daddy, Rhymer produced the entire album, helping bring out Miss $’s colors. The title track is “What Did You Do At This Age,” a medium tempo hip-hop number with lyrics about not knowing love even at an older age. Jung Seul Gi’s vocal featuring helps bring out the sad mood of the song.  This week it falls five spots to No. 10.

11. (New) Sung Shi Kyung & IU –   그대네요 (It Is You)
Score: 419
Genre: Pop Ballad
Music: Kim Hyung Suk / Lyrics: Lee Mina
Album: Sung Shi Kyung digital single “It Is You” Track 2
Listen To: Full Song
Comment: Sung Shi Kyung is back with a brand new digital single, “It Is You” after completing his mandatory two-year military service. The song is about sadness felt through love and breakup and it’s something everyone must have gone through at least once in their lives. Created by Sung Shi Kyung and close friend/producer Kim Hyung Suk, “It Is You” is a song with beautiful melody and lyrics. Singer IU is featured in this song.  This week it debuts at No. 11.

12. (-4) Yoo Chun, Jae Joong, Junsu (JYJ) –   찾았다 (Found It)   
Score: 413
Genre: Pop Ballad
Music+Lyrics: Choi Yong Chan  
Album: KBS Drama “Sung Kyun Kwan Scandal” OST Track 2  Purchase this album
Listen To: Full Song
Comment:  TVXQ’s Micky Yoo Chun makes his Korean drama debut in the highly anticipated KBS period drama Sung Kyun Kwan Scandal.  Based on a novel by Jung Eun Gwol, Yoo Chun plays a stubborn, stickler student from a powerful and influential family who goes against his privileged background to seek education and equality, but he still has much to learn about how the world really runs.  With Yoo Chun as the leading man, TVXQ bandmates Jun Su and Jae Joong have also joined the soundtrack. The JYJ trio return to K-pop with the drama song “Found It”, a lovely ballad that is very different from previous TVXQ songs.  This week it drops four spots to No. 12.

13. (+1) BoA – Copy & Paste       
Score: 410
Genre: Pop/Dance
 Music: Gad, Kafi, Lewander / Lyrics: Kenzie, Kang Ji Won, Kim Boo Min
Album: BoA Vol. 6 Repackaged Version Track 1 Purchase this album    
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: BoA returns this fall with a repackaged version of her sixth album, “Copy & Paste.” The new album includes eleven songs from “Hurricane Venus” along with two new tracks that show an upgraded BoA in both music style and charms. The title track is dance number, “Copy & Paste”, a dance hit with strong rhythm.  This week it moves up one spot to No. 13.

14. (-2) Sistar –  가식걸  (Shady Girl)
Score: 379
Genre: Pop/Dance
Music+Lyrics: Brave Brothers
Album: Sistar mini-album “Shady” Girl Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title track of Sistar’s 2nd single album, ‘Shady Girl.’ It is a pop dance song with intense hip hop beats. It’s about how a girl wants to look pretty in the eyes of a guy she loves even if she has to act a little pretentious. You can enjoy the upbeat melody and Sistar’s transformation into sophisticated and feminine ladies with the 50’s minimal look. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

15. (-5) Oh Jong Hyuk – 가슴이 뛰잖아 (Heart Is Racing)  
Score: 361
Genre: Pop Ballad
Music: Kim Bo Min, The Name / Lyrics: The Name
Album: Oh Jong Hyuk digital single OJ Track 1 
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Ex Click B member Oh Jong Hyuk (OJ) is back after one year with a new digital single album.  The title song “Heart Is Racing” is a powerful ballad and it is at No. 15 this week.  This song is receiving good airplays in Korea, which contributes a large part to its score.

16. (+19) SHINee –    Hello
Score: 324
Genre: Pop/Dance
  Music: Cates, McEwen, Jensen / Lyrics: Kim Ina
Album: SHINee Vol. 2 repackaged version Track 2 Purchase this album    
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: SHInee has done exceptionally well this year with “Lucifer” and is back with its repackaged second album titled, “Hello.” The title track is of the same title and in contrast with their past song which showed off the boys’ powerful charms, the new song will show a sweeter side. This trendy R&B pop number is expected to be refreshing in vocals and rhythms.  This week “Hello” moves up 19 spots to No. 16.

17. (-4) Chae Dong Ha –  하루가 미치고  (Day Is Crazy) 
Score: 314
Genre: Pop Ballad
  
Album: Chae Dong Ha mini-album “D Day” Track 2 Purchase this album    
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment:  Almost a year after his solo debut album, former SG Wannabe member Chae Dong Ha is releasing the mini-album D day. Chae traveled all the way to India and Nepal to find inspiration for the album, for which he composed and produced. Going against the current K-pop trend, D-day eschews digital and electronic sounds for strings and acoustic. The album comes with four new songs including the main track Haruga Michigo, whose music video co-stars Chuno’s Yoon Joo Hee.  This week it drops to No. 17.

18. (+29) Kim Bum Soo –        지나간다 (Passing By) 
Score: 300
Genre: Pop Ballad
  Music+Lyrics: Park Jin Young
Album: Kim Bum Soo Vol. 7 Part 1 Track 2 Purchase this album    
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Veteran artist Kim Bum Soo returns after two years and two months with part one of his seventh album titled, “Solista.” The title track, “Passing By” was produced by Park Jin Young (JYP), and is expected to capture the general audience well. The song starts off with delicate piano and orchestra arrangement followed by standard acoustic sounds.  This week “Passing By” jumps 29 spots to No. 18.

19. (New) Kim Jong Kook – 다시 내게로 돌아와          (Come Back to Me Again) 
Score: 295
Genre: Pop Ballad
  Music+Lyrics: Ha Kwang Hoon
Album: Kim Jong Kook Remake Album Track 4 Purchase this album    
Watch: MV
Comment: Kim Jong Kook returns with a remake album filled with ten classics released between the 70’s and 90’s from the likes of Lee Moon Se, Jo Kwan Woo, Kim Jong Chan, and Lee Jung Suk. The artist adds his own distinct color to these songs, giving each and every one of them a new feel from the original. Title song “Come Back to Me” was originally sung by veteran singer, Jo Kwan Woo. The song is re-arranged to give it some trendy sounds from the South. Gary of hip-hop duo Leessang is featured in the rap portion of the song, which seem to flow well with Kim Jong Kook’s unique singing method.  This week it debuts at No. 19.

20. (New) Supreme Team & Young Joon – 그땐 그땐 그땐   (Then Then Then) 
Score: 292
Genre: R&B/Hip-hop
  
Album: Supreme Team & Young Joon (Brown Eyed Soul) mini-album “Ames Room” Purchase this album 
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Just as their sneak preview song “Why” fell off the chart, the official title song “Then Then Then” from Supreme Team & Young Joon’s (Brown Eyed Soul) “Ames Room” project album debuts at the same spot (No. 20) that “Why” occupied last week.  This song is mainstream enough yet doesn’t lose the uniqueness from both artists.

21. (-12) Jung Yup – Love You : 291

22. (+6) Lee Seung Ki – 지금부터 사랑해 (Love You From Now On) : 281

23. (-6) Winter Play – 투셰모나모 (Touche Mon Amour) : 275

24. (+10) Sunday Brunch – 십원짜리 (Ten Won Item) : 274

25. (New) Suh Young Eun (feat. Noblesse) – 너는 날 녹여 (You Melt Me) : 267

26. (-3) Lee Seung Chul – 그 사람 (That Person) : 236

27. (-6) San E – 맛 좋은 산 (Tasty San) : 235

28. (+18) Se7en – I’m Going Crazy : 230

29. (-23) Secret – Madonna : 214

30. (-12) Homme – 밥만 잘 먹더라 (Eat Well) : 194

31. (New) T-Ara – 하늘땅 별땅 (Heavens Earth Star Earth) : 193

32. (+18) Co-Ed – Too Late : 191

33. (-17) ERU – 하얀 눈물 (White Tears) : 183

34. (-19) DJ DOC – 나 이런 사람이야 (I’m This Kind of Person) : 175

35. (+2) Trax – 오 나의 여신 (Oh! My Goddess) : 166

36. (New) Woo Eun Mi – 부탁해 (Request) : 163

37. (-8) No Reply – 내가 되었으면 (If It Was Me) : 148

38. (New) Ga In – 돌이킬 수 없는 (Irreversible) : 136

39. (-28) Rainbow – A : 131

40. (-8) 4men – U : 118

41. (New) Beige & Ryeo Wook (Super Junior) – 친구와 사랑에 빠질 때 (When You Fall In Love With a Friend) : 117

42. (–) So Yoo (Sistar) – 사랑한다 말하까 (Should I Confess My Love) : 103

43. (-21) Park Hyo Shin – 안녕 사랑아 (Goodbye Love) : 99

44. (New) U-Kiss – 시끄러!! (Shut Up!!) : 96

45. (-12) Brown Eyed Soul – 그대 (You) : 83

46. (-7) Sori – 넌 내 스타일 아니야! (You’re Not My Style!) : 65

47. (-21) Narsha (feat. Sunny Hill) – 맘마미아 (Mamma Mia) : 64

48. (New) Park Ki Young – 빛 (Light) : 62

49. (–) Comeback Madonna Band – 백만 송 이장미 (Million Roses (I Am Legend OST)) : 57

50. (-19) Seo In Kook – 애기야 (My Baby U) : 56

Blue: Songs to watch out under top 20

Green: Editor’s recommendations under top 20

BONUS TRACK:

Ez-Life (feat. Naomi) – 그 여자를 못 잊더라 (Can’t Forget That Woman)

Genre: Hip-hop Ballad

Album: Ez-Life digital single “Can’t Forget That Woman” Track 1

Watch: MV

Comment: Male duo, EZ-Life returns after three months with a new single, “Can’t Forget That Woman.” The song is a medium-tempo rap ballad where the members Lee Sang Baek (vocal) and DK4RG (rapper) sing about love confession. One of Korea’s top female singers, Naomi also takes part in the song, lending her emotional vocals. (credits to motoway065 for translations)

YESTERDAY ONCE MORE:

Loveholic – Loveholic

Genre: Modern Rock

Album: Loveholic Vol. 1 (2003) Track 2

Watch: MV

Comment: Loveholic is a modern rock band formed by ex Weather Forecast member Kang Hyun Min, bassist Lee Jae Hak, and female vocalist Ji Sun.  The group debuted in 2003 with their first album “Florist”.  The title song is the same as the group name “Loveholic”.  At that time the Korean modern rock genre is still mostly underground but this song with a very pop melody and Ji Sun’s laid back vocal captures many fans attentions and was able to crossover to mainstream success.  Loveholic also participates in many drama OSTs and went on to have many hit songs.  In 2008, Ji Sun left the group to pursue a solo career.  Loveholic became a duo and changed their name to Loveholics.

About the soompi music chart:

Soompi Music Chart is unlike any other music charts or television rankings.  It takes into account not only sales and rankings by various other charts in Korea, but also airplays of each song, the number of live performances and appearances, making it an unbiased and objective tally of what’s going on in the world of K-pop.  When we compare our chart to the GAON Music Chart which is now the official music chart in Korea, we are very closely matched.  Our chart is composed of the following sources:

Air Monitor Chart – 15%
Cable Sources (MNet, Cable Airplays) – 15%
Various Internet charts (Dosirak, Bugs,  Melon, Naver, Monkey3, Daum, Cyworld, Soribada) – 15%
ChartKorea – 10%
Hottracks Weekly Album Sales (2 weeks lag) – 10%
SBS  Inky  Gayo Take 7 + Internet Chart + MP3 Download Chart – 10%
MBC Inky Top 100 Chart – 10%
KBS Music Bank K-Chart – 10%
Gasoo appearance  on gayo shows  (MBC Music Core, SBS Inky Gayo, KBS Music Bank, MNet M!Countdown, MBC Music Travel LaLaLa, SBS Kim Jung Eun Chocolate, KBS Yoo Hee Yeol Sketchbook, Pops In Seoul) – 5%

Thanks to Mardi09 for helping on this week’s internet chart research.