Hanging around on the airwaves is Yaegam by the Jekkies (Sechskies). The more I listen to it, the more I think that it reminds me of early H.O.T. music, back when H.O.T. did happy, sugary music like Candy [MP3].

Lee Jung Hyun's Wa [RealAudio] has finally conquered the top spot on the charts heretofore occupied by H.O.T.'s Tooji [ASX]. Wa [MP3], the lead single off Lee Jung Hyun's album Let's Go To My Star is a good club song and has a strong dance beat.

Gipeun Seulpeum by Y2K also seems to be disappearing from the airwaves. This ballad is quite different from the sound I usually associate with this visual rock group, and I'm glad it enjoyed at least some popularity.

One of my favorites, The S#arp, are doing well with Tell Me Tell Me [ASX]. It's easy to dance to most of this quasi-disco song, except for the slightly weird rap passage in the middle of it. Its percussion is similar to The S#arp's other single out right now, Gaggai [RealAudio].

One of the singles I'm enjoying the most right now (despite its similarity to Flashdance) is Shilyun [ASX] by Koyotae. Overall, I think this second album (entitled I Feel Something New Is Being Born Within Me) is a strong effort, and if they stay together, the next one should be really solid.

As I write this, Kim Jang Hoon's Seulpeun Sunmool [ASX] is leaping upward on the charts. This is a very delicate ballad dependent primarily on his voice, not instrumentation (although the piano is very nice). This song has taken almost as big a jump toward the top of the charts as Durian's I'm Still Loving You [ASX].

New to the charts and radio request shows is the group Position. This group's single, Blue Day [ASX], is a relaxing, warm tune (good for winter weather listening). It has a dreamy quality that lulls the listener into a comfortable mood. Also out by Position is You [RealAudio], which is slightly more upbeat than Blue Day.

Following Position, we have Baek Ji Young and Boodam [ASX]. This song reminds me a lot of Um Jung Hwa's Mollah [MP3] and Festival [MP3], two of the big summer dance hits.

Click-B, a new seven-person group, has been getting quite a bit of airplay with their debut single, Dreaming [ASX]. This song doesn't fit cleanly into any genre?it falls into the generic "pop" heading, but it doesn't have any rap, it lacks the frenetic beat of dance and techno, and it is too toe-tapping to be a ballad.

I'm really surprised it took so many months for Tashannie's Haru Haru [ASX] to appear in the top twenty. Tashannie's debut album Parallel Prophecys has been out for such a long time, and it seems like it got good reviews. I think Yoo Mi Rae (Uptown) and Lee Soo Ah sound pretty sweet together.

Finally, the two big girl groups are going to head to head right now. From Fin.K.L. we have To My Prince [RealAudio]. This fragile ballad is competing with the big hit by S.E.S., Love [ASX]. Both songs represent typical styles for the groups, but maybe Love is a bit more interesting.

Would you like to Comment on this article or send it to a friend? You can do either one just below where you see: