Weekly K-Pop Music Chart 2013 – October Week 2

There are big changes in the top 10 this week. Both the top two songs are coming from outside of the top 10 last week. Busker Busker’s “First Love” defeats Lim Chang Jung’s “About Me” to become our new No. 1 song. It marks the second time this year two non-idol artists claimed the top two spots on our chart. The last time was in July Week 3 when Dynamic Duo’s “BAAAM” won over Lee Seung Chul’s “My Love.”

“First Love” is the title song of Busker Busker’s second album. It moves up from No. 17 all the way to No. 1 this week with a near perfect score of 990. This song has swept every chart in Korea. The only blemish of “First Love” is that it ranks No. 3 in airplay. “First Love” is about a man who misses his ex-girlfriend. It has a rhythmical guitar melody. Busker Busker has swept all the music shows without even performing in any. This signals a major change from the past when artists are required to perform on the show to get the top spot. Congratulations to Busker Busker.

Lim Chang Jung’s “About Me” debuted higher than Busker Busker’s “First Love” last week, but has to settle for No. 2 this week after moving up 13 spots. Many of our younger K-Pop listeners may not be familiar with Lim Chang Jung or just know that he is an actor.  Actually Lim Chang Jung released his first album way back in 1995 and he was one of the most popular male soloists in the last 90’s and early 2000’s with many chart topping songs. Lim made a decision to retire from singing in 2003 to focus on his acting career. But he returned to the music scene in 2009 with his 11^th album.

“About Me” is Lim Chang Jung’s first release in three years. Lim Chang Jung himself wrote this minor chord ballad with soft piano sounds that perfectly complement his unique voice. It is about a man who cannot forget his past love.

Besides the top two, we have three other new songs in the top 10 this week. All five new songs are from male artists or groups.

Moving up 17 spots to No. 6 is FT Island’s “Memory.” This song is coming from their special sixth anniversary mini-album “Thanks To.” Lead singer Lee Hong Ki wrote “Memory.” It is a rock song with an intense guitar sound along with Lee Hong Ki’s powerful and emotional vocals.

The biggest mover this week is at No. 7. R&B vocalist Lee Jung moves up 27 spots with “I’m Sorry,” the first song he is releasing to celebrate his ten years in the business. Having debuted back in 2003 with “Again,” Lee Jung has a smooth R&B voice and is very underrated. He sings in many drama OST’s in recent years. “I’m Sorry” is written by Brave Brothers and Chakun of Electroboyz. It is a ballad with piano arrangement with Lee Jung’s husky R&B voice.

Moving up 15 spots to No. 10 is 4men’s Shin Yong Jae. His latest solo hit “You’re All Talk” is the first single off of the 4men members’ solo project. This is not Shin Yong Jae’s first solo hit as he is very active singing on OST’s in the last two years. “You’re All Talk” is a ballad about the confession of loving and hating a girl.  

About the Soompi Music Chart:

Soompi Music Chart is unlike any other music charts or television rankings. It takes into account rankings by various major music charts in Korea and airplay of each song, making it an unbiased and objective tally of what’s going on in the world of K-pop. Our chart is composed of the following sources:

Air Monitor Chart – 15%
GAON Music Chart – 20%
Various Internet charts (Olleh, Bugs, Melon, Soribada) – 15%
Billboard Korea – 20% 
SBS Inkigayo Chart  – 10%
KBS Music Bank K-Chart – 10%
MNet M!Countdown Chart – 10%