Topping the charts1x Which One??
It is seldom that the organizations that publish top ten lists for pop music agree on what the number one song is. Usually these lists are put out by broadcast companies, and each corporation favors songs that conform to their current programming guidelines.
For instance, topping the SBS charts right now is 1tym with One Love [ASX], an R&B rap piece. 1tym's sound is consistent and smooth and they've got a good sense of rhythm that apparently agrees with the SBS audience. Topping the RKI (KBS International) pop charts is Cool with Haesugnamnyuh [ASX], a slightly clownish pop song. This is a bouncy little song with not much substance, but will be good for summer beach parties. RKI tends to focus on the poppiest of the pop. Then, over at MBC, we've got Baek Ji Young at the top with Dash [ASX], a fast-paced dance tune. This song borders on a ska sound at times, without committing completely to the genre, and would work equally well on all three charts.
There is often at least a little overlap on the charts. Right now, Clon is holding a place on the half dozen charts. And speaking of Clon, Choryun [ASX] really sounds like early Russian pop music1x Korean lyrics aside, it's easy to imagine one of those pop groups like Musikalniy Teletayp, or even Kino on an upbeat day, singing this song. Ordinarily that scratchy Clon voice can be a turn-off, but it is blessedly toned down in Choryun.
Kim Min Jong's new ballad Ahreumdaoon Ahpeum [ASX] seems to be on only one chart this week, but hopefully this soft song will find a greater audience as the weeks progress. Ditto for Yoon Hyun Suk's Love [ASX], a tender ballad with a gentle sound and Choi Jae Hoon's very pretty Biae Rhapsody [ASX]. So Chan Hui's Tears [RealAudio], whose title sounds like a ballad, turns out to be something closer to techno, is appearing on almost all the charts. It seems ballads make better winter music than summer music.
Chakra is still going for an ethnic sound in their newest single, Hey U [ASX], and so far it looks just a little less successful than their former hit Han. The saxophone is interesting, but the vocals are a bit muddied in places. As this group matures, they may be able to handle this speed rapping a little better.
Arguably, the best song on the charts right now is Agape by Eve. The rock guitar of this group is a nice change from the two dominant gayo sounds: bubble gum and rap. They probably won't get much time on the TV stations because of their dyed hair, but . . ..
My vote for the second best song is Park Ki Young's Blue Sky. Park will always get top marks from me because she's got more going for her music than just a pretty face. I love her lack of timidity and strong voice. It would be nice if the chart makers reward her talent with an appropriate ranking.
By Denise Ahn
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