From Seo Taiji to Baek Ji-Young: top five stories in music world

Among the top stories in the Korean music scene this year was the much anticipated comeback of superstar Seo Taiji, who ¡°retired¡¯ in January 1996, but returned this year with a new album called "Ultramania." In other news, Kang Ta of H.O.T., a top dance pop group, was booked for drinking and driving.

1. Seo Taiji¡¯s comeback and announcement of plans to make inroads into Japan

Seo Taiji, who made a triumphant return with a comeback show on Sept. 9, abandoned the mainstream music style of his days as the front man for ``Seo Taiji & the Boys," proved with his entry into the "pimp rock" genre that he is still a cutting-edge musician.

2. Cho Sung-Mo's popularity rises to new heights

Cho was once again hailed by fans for ballads like ``Do You Know?" and dance songs like ``Pledge," for which he won prizes at various song festivals.

3. Baek Ji-Young sex video scandal

Singer Baek Ji-Young was scandalized by the online release of a video showing her having sex in a hotel room

4. Female singers rebound: ``We are stars, too.¡¯¡¯

5. MP3 fever sweeps market amid sustained stagnation in CD sales

6. Rock group ``Wild Chrysanthemum¡¯¡¯ makes comeback

7. Businesses busy capitalizing on fame of dead singers.

8. Kang Ta of H.O.T. charged with causing accident while driving under influence of alcohol

9. Kang Won-Rae of ¡®Clon¡¯ may be paralyzed from waist down after traffic accident

10. There is no place for singers of medium standing.