BoA's US Debut

Ever since BoA entered the korean music industry, people hoped that she would one day break into the US market and become an international artist. After first conquering the Japanese market she's now ready for the world.

In September 2008, after months of speculation, the plans for her US debut were finally released and Eat You Up announced as her first single to be released online in October in the States. For the production of the song, they got the renowed production team Bloodshy & Avant on board, who had already worked with big names like Britney Spears, Madonna and Jennifer Lopez. The result was a catchy, up-beat dance track which has already entered the Billboard charts, managing to peak at number 12, as well as becoming the number 1 breakout song on the Hot Dance Club Play chart.

Breaking into a dance audition and showing off her remarkable dance skills, that was what the Eat You Up music video was about and for that BoA worked together with Kenny Wormland, one of the most famous dancers in the USA who has appeared in videos of Nelly Furtado and toured with Justin Timberlake as well as choreographing DBSK's MIROTIC. Success was assured with this group of respectable entertainment industry figures.

Since late last year, the 22-year-old top artist in both Korea and Japan has been promoting her debut. One of her first performances was at the YouTube Live, where she presented the artists performing in Tokyo and also performed Eat You Up to a live audience for the first time. After that, appearances in the MTV studio in Times Square and the KIIS FM Jingle Ball followed, the latter also including a performance of her new song Look Who's Talking.

The preparations for her upcoming US album, scheduled for a March 17th release, are running at full speed and on February 17th another song was released on her Myspace, Facebook, Imeem and other social networks. I did it for love is a danceable electronica influenced track, featuring the famous Sean Garrett who is responsible for various #1 hits, including songs from Beyonce and Fergie. For the video, this time BoA worked together with director Joseph Kahn. Joseph has made some well known videos like Britney Spears' Womanizer, Eminem's Without Me, Muse's Knights of Cydonia and many more.

Further names involved in the production of BoAs first US Album that should be mentioned are Brian Kennedy and Henrik Jonback. With this great support and production team behind her, BoA's US career looks promising and many are looking forward to it.

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One month before her US debut, KoME had the opportunity to interview BoA and ask about her thoughts and impressions of the US and her debut.

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions! How have the American promotions been so far for you?

BoA: Really fun! I haven't officially started promoting because my album hasn't been released yet, but I've been doing club appearances where they've been spinning my first single Eat You Up and doing interviews with different magazines and online media. I am looking forward to promoting the first album.

One step towards your US debut was the YouTube live. How did you feel about the performance? How did it feel to know that people all over the world were able to watch your performance and discover your music?

BoA: I was so happy to be a part of Youtube Live - what an international event! I think it ran very smoothly and I was excited to see how pumped up my fans in Japan were about my new songs.

Korean music is gradually becoming more popular in the US and Europe. What do you think of this? How do you feel when you see that you already have so many fans all over the world?

BoA: I love it! Music is so universal. It's great to see that even though they might not understand what they're listening to, they can still enjoy my music.

Korean and American cultures are very different. Have you experienced any culture shock or awkward feelings during your time there?

BoA: When I first moved out here, it was when random people would say hello to me in the hall or on the street. But now, I just smile and say hello too!

Is there anything from home that you've missed while in America?

BoA: My toy poodle! But it's okay because I'm bringing her back with me when I come back from Japan next time.

What places have you visited while in the USA? Are there any places that you'd still like to see?

BoA: Well, I live in Los Angeles right now. While I've been here, I've visited NYC, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Atlanta. Hopefully I'll be able to visit cities in all 50 states someday!

Can you share an anecdote from your time in America?

BoA: Once while my staff and I were eating in Koreatown, there were two girls at the table right next to ours. I heard one of them say, "Doesn't that girl look like BoA?" and the other girl said, "You didn't wear your contacts today, did you?" I was trying so hard not to laugh, it was cute.

Special thanks to BoA and SM Entertainment for making this interview possible.