Lee Juck, formerly of the groups Panic and Carnival, recently released his first album, Dead End. Rain [RealAudio], the sixth track on Lee Juck's debut album, is a ballad emphasizing his solo voice. It starts with a piano accompaniment and grows in volume and orchestration as each measure passes.

Chani Mini is another new group with a first album just starting to hit the airwaves. This group consists of Hwang Chan Hee and Choi Min Hun, and their debut release, Kkum [RealAudio] is really kind of catchy. The third track on the album, Missing You [RealAudio] is a more gentle song along the lines of an R&B ballad.

Jo Sung Mo's second CD is in the stores, released almost on the heels of his first album, To Heaven. The first song to see airtime is For Your Soul [RealAudio], a ballad set to strings and piano with a full, classical sound. Demonstrating Jo Sung Mo's versatility is Jangcheo [RealAudio], which is much more of a dance tune.

The Tashannie debut, Parallel Prophecys, seems to meet with the approval of everyone to whom I talk to about music. Yoon Min Rae (Tasha from Uptown) and Lee Soo Ah (Annie) comprise this new hip-hop duo. Their first single is Haru Haru [RealAudio], a soulful R&B ballad. You can also hear them rapping on Chamun Soo Eopeo [RealAudio].

The music from Honey Family fits in well with the rap/hip-hop wars surrounding me. I'm not going to prop up one rap group higher than any other rap group. However, I should say that Honey Family's music, as demonstrated by Rapkyo Curtain 1 1999 Daehanmigook [RealAudio] and Wangtta Dwella [RealAudio], isn't much different from that of the YG Family or any other hard hip-hop group out there today.

On the other hand, I have to admit I like the debut album of Kross, a new group trying to break into the hip-hop scene. Regret [RealAudio] is a decent ballad featuring Bijou vocalist Choi Dabi. Since I am Choi Dabi's number one fan, this song sees a lot of play time at my house. I am also partial to Ssoreojil Soo Epda [RealAudio].

Based on its name, I thought the five-member group C&G was yet another rap conglomerate, but they turned out to be more into the dance genre. Their debut album, One Nine Nine Nine, features the dance set 5.6 [RealAudio] as its third track. Jagunyansok [RealAudio] is a more interesting song. It's got an R&B feel culivated by the inclusion of the jazz trumpet.

Space A has a second album out called Maturation. Space A is a dance group. You can here their style in Sungsook (Maturation) [RealAudio], the second track of the album. Segshihan Namja (Sexy Guy) [RealAudio] is also a dance tune.

Lim Sung Eun (previously of Two Two and Young Turks Club) is on her third album. Number three is titled Refreshing, an optimistic announcement. Majimak Baeryo (Last Consideration) [RealAudio] falls more or less in the pop/dance genre with a hint of the Miami sound at the edges. Neol Bonaelshobakkyo is a soft ballad.

The two songs I've selected from Chae Jung Ahn's album are techno influenced. Mujeung (No Affection) [RealAudio] is music fit for a technorave. Eeddeugorium [RealAudio] is techno disguised as a ballad.

Finally, Han's Band has released its second CD, Curiosity. I'm never quite sure what to make of these three girls. As dance music Curiosity is perfectly fine, but the singers still have their adolescent voices. Hogishim (Curiosity) [RealAudio] and To Be With You [RealAudio] sound like the Korean equivalent of Menudo.

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