I've been watching the charts, looking for any new activity on them. Of course, H.O.T.'s Tooji [ASX] will be in the top ten indefinitely, as will the Jekkies' Yaegam [ASX], especially with the release of the Yaegam video [RealVideo]. Other videos helping prop up songs are Koyotae's Shilyun [RealVideo], GOD's Saranghae Geurigo Giyukhae [RealVideo] and Position's Blue Day [RealVideo]. There hasn't been much movement on the hit parade of late, but one new song did climb into the top twenty: Nabi [MP3] by Jaurim. I just saw the video [RealVideo], and at first, I thought I was watching a clip from an Amitabh Bachchan movie.

Jaurim is one of most innovative rock groups in Korea today, and I highly recommend even their earliest songs. I must have been asleep when they released their first album, Purple Heart. More attentive listeners probably remember Il Tal [RealAudio]. This song really features the vocalist Kim Yun Ah and must have been influenced by the Beatles (the members of the group credit John Lennon, Sinead O'Connor, R.E.M., the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kim Hyun Shik, and Kim Dae Hyun as musical influences). From that same album is Aeinbalgyun [RealAudio], a song with a real country music tone. This western feeling is created mostly by the guitar (played by Lee Sun Kyu) and the simple drum beat (played by Ku Tae Hun). Other cool songs from this album are Yok [RealAudio], Hello Mimi [RealAudio] and Milabchunsa [RealAudio]. The Milabschunsa video [RealVideo] highlights Kim Jin Mahn's bass playing and Ku Tae Hun's work on the drumkit. Listen to Violent Violet [RealAudio] if you like your rock closer to acid.

For a debut album, Purple Heart was very solid. Jaurim's follow-up album, Lover, demonstrated that the group could get even better. First, I thought I'm Sorry, I Hate You Video [RealVideo] a great look and sound. From this album also comes a quartet of rock songs, Lover 3/3 [RealAudio], Lover 2/3 (Lover) [RealAudio] and Lover 1/3 (Queen) [RealAudio] and Lover 3/3 (Angel) [VQF]. For a distinctly edgy sound, try Yeah, I've Lived Like This [RealAudio]. Falling Blossoms [RealAudio] is a good rock ballad with fantastic guitar riffs.

In between albums, Jaurim did some soundtrack work, the most prominent result of which is Hey Hey Hey [RealAudio]. Throughout all their music I see the Beatles influence (and I think they do the sixties-homage-thing much better than Oasis). The backdancers in the video [RealVideo] look as if they just stepped out of a Gap commercial (except they're not quite so frightening as the Gap automatons). From this same time period also comes a cover of The Cardigans' Love Fool [RealAudio] that is almost identical to the original. I also think Kennedy Rose [RealAudio] is worth a listen.

I'm really excited about Jaurim's new album, B Regular Work. It is refreshing to hear someone challenging the generic pop turned out by some of the glossier gayo groups. The scene is set with a pair of intro songs, A Side [MP3] and B Side [MP3] (I like Side A better). This album includes Comix Remix [MP3], which is truly bizarre (that's a compliment), and a remake of Hello Mimi [RealAudio]. Geurae Jehgil [RealAudio] is on the techno side with a strong heartbeat going on underneath it, as is Milrapchunsa No. 9 [MP3]. This is a sweet rock album and it would definitely not be a waste of your money.

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