In a method and apparatus for controlling the power of a laser beam in an optical recording system that includes a laser light source, an optical detector detects a reflected write pulse that is a reflection of an incident recording light signal from the optical recording medium, and a signal generating device generates a mark formation effectiveness (MFE) signal according to the reflected write pulse. A laser power compensation circuit includes a filter for filtering the MFE signal so as to result in a first component, and a combiner for combining the first component and the MFE signal so as to result in a second component. The laser power compensation circuit controls laser beam power of the laser light source according to the first and second components for optimum information recording.