Lim Chang Jung and Nahae Yuneen (My Lover) [ASX] is atop the charts based on air time and record sales. This song, from his sixth album, is characterized by sweeping romanticism in sound and lyric. It's a good bet that his Smile Again [RealAudio] will follow this single up the charts.

Hot on Lim Chang Jung's heels is Chakra, the new Lee Sang Min group. Four girls comprise this group, and their first hit is Han (Resentment) [ASX]. While this is a pop song, it has a slightly different flavor than other songs on the chart due to the influence of Indian music. Gyulshim [RealAudio], the only other song I've really heard by Chakra, is more R&B in style.

Another song appropriate to place in the R&B style is Gani [ASX] by Jinu, it's one of the prettier singles out right now. Though the song is a little weighty on the percussion, but she has such a nice voice that it doesn't really matter.

Fly to the Sky fans were disappointed last month when that group didn't perform their hit song, Day by Day [ASX] on Inki Gayo's 100^th Episode special. Apparently audiences are proving loyal to this duo as the song continues to appear in the top five or so every week.

Speaking of Day by Day, don't you think these groups could come out with more original titles? Right now, the new female R&B group As One also has a hit single entitled Day by Day [ASX]. Talk to each other, people1x I prefer the opening of Fly to the Sky's song over that of As One's.

Not to be confused with Fly to the Sky is Sky, whose new single Banjun [ASX] has a great guitar setting its tone. It's nice to hear something a little closer to rock occasionally. Sky's last single (Youngwon [RealAudio]) was a bit disjoint, but again it's nice to see musicians experimenting with their sound.

Just appearing as a hit is Kim Tae Young's Ohran Banghwangehgeut (The End of a Long Wandering)[RealAudio]. This is a quiet ballad that would have been better with better orchestration.

For an example of good orchestration, listen to Lee Seung Hwan's Dangboo [RealAudio]. I love the stringed instrument in It lends an air of authenticity to the "traditional" style of the piece. The timing and the percussion also lend themselves to this song. The orchestration helps prevent the music from becoming a stereotype of Chinese sound and gives it depth and emotion.

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