K-pop Music Chart 2009, October week 3

1. (--) Kim Tae Woo - 사랑비 (Love Rain) *** 3 WEEKS NO. 1 ***
Score: 938
Genre: Pop
Music: Lee Hyun Seung / Lyrics: Kim Tae Woo
Album: Kim Tae Woo mini-album "T-Virus" Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Kim Tae Woo held on to the top spot by the tiniest margin with "Love Rain". This song managed another week of No. 1 just edging out Park Hyo Shin's "After Love" by one point. Since returning from his military duties, Kim Tae Woo has released a digital single "Memory and Remembrance". Now he is finally releasing a brand new mini-album "T-Virus". Unlike his previous ballads, "Love Rain" is a more up-tempo song. Produced by Kim Tae Woo and Lee Hyun Seung, it took them 5 months to complete this song. The song will penetrate one’s ears and heart with its combination of catchy melody, harmonic vocals, and skillful arrangement.




2. (--) Park Hyo Shin - 사랑한 후에 (After Love)
Score: 937
Genre: Pop Ballad
Music: Kim Do Hoon, Hwang Se Jun / Lyrics: Kang Eun Kyung, Choi Kap Won
Album: Park Hyo Shin Vol. 6 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Park Hyo Shin is somewhat unlucky as his song "After Love" fell short of the top spot by merely one point this week. Park finally returns with his sixth album after a 2.5 year break. Ever since his debut album in 1999 to this fifth and remake works, Park has showcased his soulful voice. It’s been ten years since Park Hyo Shin’s debut and for this special date, he is to release a special gift to his fans. This album is the first of two parts of the sixth album which includes 6 songs and 2 instrumentals. The title track of the album is "After Love" which has a ballad with beautiful piano and orchestra melody. "After Love" has a blockbuster movie like MV starring Park Si Yeon and Park Yong Ha filmed in Switzerland.




3. (+4) Lee Seung Ki - 우리 헤어지자 (Let's Break Up)
Score: 744
Genre: Pop Ballad
Music: Kim Do Hoon, Lee Hyun Seung / Lyrics: Kim Do Hoon, Hwang Sung Jin
Album: Lee Seung Ki Vol. 4 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: After starring in the highest rated drama "Brilliant Legacy" this year, Lee Seung Ki released a digital single "Will You Marry Me" earlier. Now he is finally coming back with his 4th full album "Shadow". The title song "Let's Break Up" moves up 4 more spots to the top three. "Let’s Break Up" was composed by top composers Kim Do Hoon and Lee Hyun Seung. This sad ballad showcases Lee Seung Ki’s vocal skills.




4. (-1) 4minute - MUZIK
Score: 736
Genre: Pop / Dance
Music + Lyrics: Shin Sa Dong Tiger, Lee Sang Ho
Album: 4minute 1st mini-album "For Muzik" Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: After winning their first Mutizen award in SBS Inky Gayo and also top spot in M!Countdown, rookie female group 4minute dropped one spot to No. 4 on our chart this week with their 2nd hit "MUZIK". This song is a euro beat street sound dance track that makes use of analog, side-chain, and tape sound. A new genre that is getting more and more popular these days.




5. (+1) T-Ara & Cho Shin Sung - TTL (Time To Love)
Score: 701
Genre: Pop / Dance
Music: Kim Do Hoon / Lyrics: Hwang Sung Jin, Rhymer, Joo Suk
Album: T-Ara & Cho Shin Sung digital single TTL Track 1
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: , T-Ara's collaboration Cho Shin Sung has made a big hit for both groups. There are not too many male and female group collaborations in the past. The song, "TTL" is sung by T-ara members, So Yeun, Eun Jung, Hyo Min, Ji Yeun and Cho Shin Sung members, Ji Hyuk, Kwang Soo, and Gun Il. The song is of the house hip-hop genre with electronica sounds along with a Korean melody. One of the better up-tempo songs I've heard recently. Part 2 of this song "Time To Listen" has already been released as well.




6. (-1) Epik High - 따라해 (Wannabe)
Score: 697
Genre: Hip-hop

Album: Epik High Vol. 6 CD 2 Track 4 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Epik High is back and they releases their first album (sixth overall) under their own independent label which can be a revolutionary change in the Korean music industry. The trio goes back to the roots of hip-hop by exploring and integrating different genres, including old school, electronica, classical, trance, drum and bass, bossa nova, and even trot in this new release. The title song "Wannabe" moved down one spot this week despite gaining points, but it is expected to move up again next week.




7. (-3) Lee Seung Chul - 사랑 참 어렵다 (Love Is So Difficult)
Score: 628
Genre: Pop Ballad
Music + Lyrics: Hong Jin Young
Album: Lee Seung Chul Vol. 10 Repackaged Version Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: After hitting the top 10 with "My Nails Came Off", Lee Seung Chul recently released a repackaged version of his 10th album. This version includes a bonus DVD and a new song "Love Is So Difficult". This week it dropped three spots to No. 7. "Love Is So Difficult" is a soft rock ballad where listeners can hear his soft yet deep voice. The MV of this song is starring Kim Jung Eun and Yoon Sang Hyun. This song tops the airplay charts in Korea and this momentum carries it into this high ranking.




8. (+2) f(x) - 라차타 (La Cha Ta)
Score: 596
Genre: Pop / Dance
Music + Lyrics: Kenzie
Album: f(x) digital single La Cha Ta
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: SM Entertainment new rookie female group f(x) already made an impressive debut. Their first hit "La Cha Ta" was composed by Kenzie. It has hip-hop grooves with an electronica tinge to it. The message of the song is to enjoy life. This week it is moving up again. However, f(x) is going to have a new hit "Chocolate Love" which they shared the spotlight with labelmate SNSD on two different versions of the same song.




9. (-1) Lee Hyun (feat. Lim Jung Hee) - 30분전 (30 Minutes Ago)
Score: 552
Genre: R&B Ballad
Music + Lyrics: Bang Shi Hyuk
Album: Lee Hyun mini-album "30 Minutes Ago" Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: 8Eight members Baek Chan and Joo Hee has released their solo singles and being featured in other artists works respectively already. It is finally Lee Hyun's turn for his solo effort. His husky voice fits perfectly to this emotional ballad which is written by Hitman Bang Shi Hyuk, who wrote all 8Eight's hit songs. After Baek Ji Young's "Like Being Hit By A Bullet" and 8eight's "Without A Heart", it's the third song in Bang's trilogy revolving around lovers breaking up. There are 2 versions of this song, the version being promoted now featured the female vocal of Lim Jung Hee. This week "30 Minutes Ago" dropped one spot to No. 9.




10. (+2) Kara - 미스터 (Mister)
Score: 518
Genre: Pop / Dance
Music: Han Jae Ho, Kim Seung Soo / Lyrics: Song Soo Yoon
Album: Kara Vol. 2 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: With all the hypes of many new girl groups, Kara is quietly having a very solid year and has established themselves as one of the top female groups this year. "Mister" is already their 4th top 10 songs in 2009 (most by any artists). It is a Euro-pop dance track that has a powerful electronic sound. This week it moves into the top 10 again.




11. (+7) Gavy NJ - 핼쑥해졌대 (In A Pallid State)
Score: 499
Genre: R&B Ballad
Music + Lyrics: Min Myung Ki
Album: Gavy NJ Vol. 4 Side A Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: With a member change (Misty replacing Jung Hye Min), Gavy NJ released Side A of their 4th album, titled "Heartbreak Hotel". Title song "In A Pallid State" is a listener friendly ballad once again written by Min Myung Ki, who is responsible for all their hits. It is a medium tempo ballad which is perfect for the female listeners who just went through breakup. This week it moves up 7 spots to the edge of the top 10.




12. (-1) Tei - 독설 (Venomous)
Score: 490
Genre: Pop Ballad

Album: Tei Vol. 5.5 "The Shine 2009" Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: Tei is coming back with a new mini-album. The title track is "Venomous" which was penned by Park Kyung Jin who’s known for works such as Gummy’s Just Forget Me and Kim Chang Rak who is famous for the music he composed on Bae Yong Jun’s homepage. One can hear Tei’s strong vocals through this track. This week it dropped one spot to No. 12.




13. (-4) Jewelry - Vari2ty
Score: 563
Genre: Pop / Dance
Music: Park Keun Tae / Lyrics: Jung Byung Ki
Album: Jewelry Vol. 6 Track 3 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the title song of Jewelry's 6th studio album "Sophisticated." It has an appealing yet sensible melody. The lyrics are about the constantly changing charm of women, and it is performed with the members' unique voices. The music video underscores the charm of each of the four members. (credits to Arirang TV - Pops In Seoul)




14. (+3) Boo Hwal - 생각이나 (Thinking)
Score: 421
Genre: Rock Ballad
Music + Lyrics: Kim Tae Won
Album: Boo Hwal Vol. 12 Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track for Boowhal's 12th regular album, "25th Anniversary - Retrospect." Another poetic ballad from the group, it features quiet beats with a bass drum in the intro, and communicates the excitement of meeting someone again. The plain and clear instrumental performance goes well with the powerful vocals. (credits to Arirang TV - Pops In Seoul)




15. (-1) Outsider & MC Sniper (feat. Horan) - 심장병 (Heart Attack)
Score: 387
Genre: Hip-hop

Album: Hwantastic Project Vol. 1 digital single
Watch: MV
Comment: At No. 15 dropping one spot we have an all-star collaboration. Fast rising hip-hop artist Outsider and veteran rapper MC Sniper along with Clazziquai's Horan teamed up with "Heart Attack", a remake of Lee Seung Hwan's 8th album title song. This song is the first single of Lee Seung Hwan's "Hwantastic Project" this month to celebrate his 20th year in the music industry. Lee's original version is a rock style song which hit the top 10 in 2004. This week, there are 3 songs from the Hwantastic Project on our chart. Besides this song, we have songs from Park Ji Hun and also Jo Kwon (2AM) & Whale from the same project.




16. (+4) Yoon Do Hyun - 너라면 좋겠어 (I Wish It Was You)
Score: 374
Genre: Rock Ballad

Album: Yoon Do Hyun mini-album "Harmony" Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV
Comment: Yoon Do Hyun hasn't had a solo hit song since the big hit "Seems To Fall In Love" in 2005. Now the same team (with songwriter Jun Hae Sung) is back four years later to produce this excellent rock ballad "I Wish It Was You". It is a neo classic ballad that uses a synth orchestra. It brings out the sadness of the song and fans can hear a whole new different side of Yoon Do Hyun’s vocals.




17. (-1) Baek Ji Young (feat. 2PM Taec Yeon) - 내 귀에 캔디 (Candy On My Ear)
Score: 359
Genre: Pop / Dance
Music + Lyrics: Bang Shi Hyuk
Album: Baek Ji Young mini-album "Ego" Track 1 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative song for Baek Ji-young's mini album, "Ego." A European-style pop track, it's all the rage in clubs these days and features tribal-style beats with luxurious sounds sure to make listeners dance. Baek Ji-young's charismatic voice goes well with powerful rapping by Oak Taek-yeon of 2PM. (credits to Arirang TV - Pops In Seoul)




18. (+1) Sandara Park (feat. CL) - Kiss
Score: 310
Genre: R&B / Dance

Album: Sandara Park digital single "Kiss" Track 1
Watch: MV
Comment: 2NE1 member Sandara Park is having her first solo digital single "Kiss". This track is the theme for Cass Beer commercial with actor Lee Min Ho. Produced by Teddy who also made tracks "Lollipop", "Fire" and "I Don't Care." "Kiss" has danceable rhythm and features CL of 2NE1’s rap. The song is about a girl’s wish for the guy to come and kiss her.




19. (-6) Brown Eyed Girls - Abracadabra
Score: 299
Genre: Pop / Dance
Music: Hitchhiker, Lee Min Soo / Lyrics: Kim Lee Na, Miryo
Album: Brown Eyed Girls Vol. 3 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV Live Performance
Comment: This is the representative track for Brown Eyed Girls' third regular album, "Sound G." An electro-pop style dance song, it was written by Jinu from Roller Coaster. The dream-like prelude, with some heavy rhythms, is provocative. The easy-on-the-ear chorus is catchy, even without any 'hooks.' (credits to Arirang TV - Pops In Seoul)




20. (New) Tae Yeon & Sunny (SNSD) - 사랑인걸요 (It Is Love) *** HOT SHOT DEBUT ***
Score: 248
Genre: Pop Ballad

Album: MBC Drama "Heading To The Ground" OST Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MV
Comment: Though the drama "Heading To The Ground" starring DBSG's Yunho and Go Ara flopped in rating, it doesn't affect the popularity of its theme song "It Is Love", sung by the sweet voice of SNSD's Tae Yeon and Sunny. This week it is our highest debut at No. 20. Tae Yeon has sung theme songs for dramas Hong Gil Dong and Beethoven Virus and now this song, all making to the top 20.