BoA

This article is about the Korean singer. For the British rock band, see Bôa. For other uses, see Boa (disambiguation).
This is a Korean name; the family name is Kwon.
BoA
Native name 권보아
Born Kwon Bo Ah
(1986-11-05) November 5, 1986[1]
Guri, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Other names BoA
Occupation

Musical career

Genres
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2000–present
Labels
Associated acts SM Town
Website boa.smtown.com(Korean)
www.avexnet.or.jp/boa(Japanese)
boaamerica.com(US)
BoA
Hangul 권보아
Hanja 權珤雅
Revised Romanization Gwon Boa
McCune–Reischauer Kwŏn Poa

Kwon Boa (Korean: 권보아, Chinese: 權珤雅, Japanese: クォン·ボア, born November 5, 1986), commonly stylized and known by her stage name BoA,[3] is a South Korean singer and actress active in South Korea and Japan.[4][5] She is referred to as the Queen of Korean Pop.[5][6][7]

BoA was born and raised in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. She was discovered by SM Entertainment talent agents when she accompanied her older brother to a talent search.[3] In 2000, after two years of training, she released ID; Peace B, her debut Korean album. Two years later, she released her debut Japanese album, Listen to My Heart, becoming the first Korean pop star to break through in Japan following the fall of barriers that had restricted the import and export of entertainment between the countries since the end of World War II.[3] On October 14, 2008, BoA debuted in the United States with the single "Eat You Up" and released her debut English-language album, BoA on March 17, 2009.

BoA's multilingual skills (she speaks Japanese and English along with native Korean and has recorded songs in Mandarin Chinese)[8] have contributed to her commercial success throughout East Asia. She is the only foreign artist to have three albums selling more than one million copies in Japan and is one of only two artists to have six consecutive number-one studio albums on the Oricon charts since her debut, the other being Ayumi Hamasaki.

Career

2000–2002: Debut and Japanese expansion

At age eleven, BoA accompanied her older brother to an SM Entertainment talent search. Though her brother was the one who auditioned as a break-dancer,[3] SM talent scouts instead took notice of BoA and offered her a contract on the same night as the auditions.[3] Her parents initially opposed the notion of BoA's leaving school to enter the entertainment business but eventually consented at her older brothers' persuasion.[9] She has said that her early influence as a singer was Seo Taiji.[3]

BoA underwent two years of training (involving vocal, dance, English, and Japanese lessons), and at the age of thirteen released her debut album ID; Peace B in South Korea on August 25, 2000. The album was moderately successful; it entered the Top 10 of the South Korean charts and sold around 156,000 units.[10] Meanwhile, her Korean record label, SM Entertainment, made arrangements with Japanese label Avex Trax to launch her music career in Japan. She was forced to quit school to prepare[3] and in early 2001, BoA released her first mini-album, Don't Start Now; it sold around 90,000 units. After its release, she took a hiatus from the Korean music industry to focus on the Japanese market at which time she worked to solidify her skills in Japanese.[9]

BoA began her Japanese music career singing at the Avex-owned club Velfarre.[11] In 2001, she released her debut Japanese single, a Japanese version of the song, "ID; Peace B" (originally from the eponymous album). The single reached #20 on the Oricon chart and was followed by "Amazing Kiss", "Kimochi wa Tsutawaru", and "Listen to My Heart"; the last became the singer's first single to enter the Oricon's Top Five. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, BoA recorded the charity single "The Meaning of Peace" with Kumi Koda as part of Avex's Song Nation project to raise funds for charity.[12][13] From 2001 to 2007, BoA hosted Beat it BoA's World, a radio program on the Japan FM Network.[14]

Her debut Japanese album, Listen to My Heart, was released on March 13, 2002. The album was a breakthrough in BoA's career: it became an RIAJ-certified million-seller and debuted atop the Oricon, the first album by a Korean artist to do so.[10][15] A single, "Every Heart: Minna no Kimochi", was released on the same day as the album. After the release of Listen to My Heart, BoA released her second Korean studio album, No. 1, a month later. The album sold around 544,000 units and became the fourth-best-selling record of the year in South Korea. Jumping into the World (a Japanese re-release of the mini-album Don't Start Now) and the Japanese single "Don't Start Now" were released a month later on the same day.

BoA then released her seventh single "Valenti". It peaked at the number-two position on the Oricon chart.[16] BoA released two more singles "Kiseki / No.1" and "Jewel Song / Beside You: Boku o Yobu Koe", both which also peaked at the number-three position. At the end of the year, BoA released her second Korean mini-album Miracle.

2003–2005: Commercial success

BoA's second Japanese studio album, Valenti (2003), became her best-selling album, with over 1,249,000 copies sold.[17] In support of the album, BoA launched BoA 1st Live Tour Valenti, her first Japanese concert tour.[18] Later that year, she released two Korean albums, Atlantis Princess and the mini-album Shine We Are!. The former was the fifth-best-selling South Korean record of the year with around 345,000 units sold; the latter sold around 58,000 units.

Her third Japanese studio album, Love & Honesty (2004) was a musical "change in direction": it contained a rock-dance song ("Rock with You") and "harder" R&B.[19][20] Though the album failed to match Valenti in sales, it topped the Oricon chart for two weeks and became RIAJ-certified triple-platinum.[21] In support of the album, BoA held a tour, Live Concert Tour 2004: Love & Honesty.[11] In contrast with 1st Live Tour, which "emphasized exotic Asian design", the Love & Honesty tour had an "outer-space, sci-fi" theme; among the props were a three-story-high space ship and the robot Asimo.[22] The tour, which started in Saitama and ended in Yokohama, spanned nine performances and attracted approximately 105,000 attendants.[23] Her first compilation album, Best of Soul (2005), however, sold over a million copies, making BoA the first non-Japanese Asian singer to have two million-selling albums in Japan.[17]

BoA reinvented her image on her fourth Korean album, My Name (2004); she left the "cute" and "youthful" style that had characterized previous years and presented herself as "sexy" and "sultry".[10][24] The album was the beginning of a foray into the Chinese market and contained two songs sung in Mandarin Chinese.[24] The sales of BoA's Korean albums began to decline: the album sold 191,000 units and became the eleventh-best-selling South Korean album of the year.[25] In September 2004, BoA instigated controversy in Japan when she donated ₩50 million to a memorial project for Korean independence activist and nationalist An Jung-geun.[26][27]

Her fifth Korean album, Girls on Top (2005), continued her image change. The album portrayed the singer as more "mature and self-confident" and was a "declaration of war on male chauvinism"; the "bohemian" look of the cover photograph represented "freedom and depth", while music videos and album photographs that portrayed BoA in traditional Korean dress brought the "idea of Korean womanhood" into her music. The album also continued BoA's foray into the Chinese market and, like the previous album, contained Mandarin Chinese songs.[28] The album sold less than the previous album; it was the fourteenth-best-selling record of the year in South Korea with 113,000 units sold.[29]

2006–2008: Continued success in Japan

BoA at a DoubleUDot (W.) sign event in September 2006

In 2006, BoA was mostly inactive in South Korea as she focused her attention on Japan. Her fourth Japanese studio album, Outgrow, was released on February 15, 2006. The album reached the number-one spot on the Oricon chart for its first week of release, making it her fourth consecutive original Japanese album to do so. With 220,000 copies sold, it became her lowest-selling first-week debut for a studio album at that point.[note 1] "Do the Motion", the first single from the album, reached the top spot, making her the fourth non-Japanese Asian to have a number-one single on the Oricon charts.[33] "Merry Christmas from BoA" (2005), the album's last single, was the singer's first digital single.

In May, BoA renewed her contract with SM Entertainment until 2012. At the time it was noted that she had a shareholding in the company of 100,000 (Approximately worth $1m USD).[34] She also voiced Heather the possum in the Korean and Japanese version of the animated film Over the Hedge.[35] On September 21, 2006, she released her first digital single in Korea, a Korean version of "Key of Heart". In support of Outgrow, BoA launched a special Zepp tour, B0A The Live, on September 29, 2006. The tour, which lasted until October 29, started from Nagoya and contained twelve shows, two in each of the following cities: Nagoya, Fukuoka, Osaka, Tokyo, Sendai, and Sapporo.[36] She staged her first Christmas concert on December 7, 2006.

BoA's fifth Japanese studio album, Made in Twenty (20) (2007), continued her transition from a "teenage girl" image to a more mature image. The album, which contained R&B and dance songs as well as ballads, debuted at the top of the weekly Oricon charts, making the album her sixth in a row to do so (including one compilation).[37] She began using a personal computer for composing one of the songs ("No More Make Me Sick").[38] On March 31, 2007, she launched a nationwide tour of Japan in support of the album. The tour, which sold about 70,000 tickets, was, according to BoA, "the biggest concert" she had ever given. Two tracks from the singles of Made in Twenty (20) were used as theme songs; "Your Color", from the single "Nanairo no Ashita: Brand New Beat / Your Color" (2006), was used as the ending theme song for the Japanese release of the Xbox 360 game Ninety-Nine Nights. "Key of Heart", from the single "Key of Heart / Dotch" (2006), was the ending theme for the Japanese release of the movie Over the Hedge. She also released an English version of "Key of Heart", which was only available on the first press edition of the single. Later in 2007, Anycall (a Samsung brand) signed BoA, Xiah (of TVXQ), Tablo (of Epik High), and jazz pianist Jin Bora onto "Anyband", a band created specifically to promote Anycall. The band released only one single, "AnyBand".[39][40][41]

With her sixth Japanese album, The Face (2008), BoA took more creative control over her music.[2] At this time, BoA was influenced by electropop.[2] Additionally, BoA included "happy spring" songs (the lead single "Sweet Impact" and its B-side, "Bad Drive"), a guitar-driven "groovy dance" song (2007's "Lose Your Mind"), and ballads.[42][43][44] Lyrically, BoA focused mainly on love, though "Be with You." (2008) was about a person's relationship with his dog. The album debuted at the top of the weekly Oricon charts, making BoA one of only two artists in Japan to have six consecutive studio albums top the Oricon weekly charts (the other is Ayumi Hamasaki, who has eight consecutive number-one albums).[45] On June 9, 2008, BoA and nine other artists from around the world recorded an English cover of Wei Wei's "Dedication of Love". Produced by Roald Hoffmann and Brian Alan, the single was used to raise funds for victims of the Sichuan earthquake.[46][47] But due to a tight schedule, BoA was pulled back from this project. Korean jewelry brand Ramee also released, "Ramee by BoA", a line of jewelry designed by the singer herself.[48]

2008–2010: Bring on America! and return to Japanese market

BoA in 2009

On September 2, 2008, it was announced that BoA would make her American debut under a new subsidiary label, SM Entertainment USA.[49] With the album, BoA hoped to become a "world-renowned entertainer" in the vein of Janet Jackson.[50]

BoA's debut American single "Eat You Up," produced by Thomas Troelsen, was released online on October 21, 2008. A physical promotional CD containing dance remixes of "Eat You Up" was released. "Eat You Up" placed at #9 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart.[3] The remix of "Eat You Up" featuring rapper Flo Rida was slated for release in late November and leaked onto the internet in December.[51][52] BoA performed "Eat You Up" as well as other songs at YouTube's Tokyo Live concert, and performed in New York City on December 3, 2008, as well as the Jingle Ball at the Anaheim Honda Center on December 6, 2008.[53][54] She also performed the song "Look Who's Talking" at the event.[55]

BoA released a triple-A-side single in Japan on February 18, 2009, "Eien/Universe/Believe in Love". On the same day, the Ravex single "Believe in Love" was released, featuring vocals by BoA.

BoA's self-titled English album was released in the U.S. on March 17 and featured tracks by producers Bloodshy and Avant as well as a duet with Sean Garrett.[56] Her second Japanese compilation album, Best & USA was released on March 18 tying together a compilation of recent hits in Japan with her English-language debut.

BoA stated that "It has always been my dream to debut in America" and was tutored English in L.A., but found the language tougher to learn than Japanese. She lived in West Beverly Hills but admitted finding it tough to make friends.[3]

BoA headlined as a performer for the San Francisco Pride Festival on June 28, 2009 alongside Solange Knowles and The Cliks.[57] She debuted her next single "Energetic", performing it for the first time in public. She also performed "Eat You Up" and "I Did It for Love."[58]

On August 31, SM USA released BoA Deluxe, a repackaged version of her debut English album. The album contained two new tracks and the radio edit version of "Energetic".[59]

With her U.S. career struggling to gain traction, BoA returned to the Japanese market to release a new single entitled "Bump Bump!" (October 2009), which features label-mate Verbal from M-Flo.[60] BoA then released "Mamoritai: White Wishes" (December 2009) which was used as the theme song to the video game "Tales of Graces" and held a Christmas concert in December.[61][62]

Her seventh Japanese album, Identity was released on February 10, 2010, but only charted at #4, selling 37,606 copies in its first week. With little promotion from her label, it ended her run of six consecutive #1 albums, suggesting that it would be impossible for her to sustain her career in three territories simultaneously.[63]

2010–2012: Hurricane Venus, Hollywood film, Only One, and First Korean Solo Concert

On March 1, 2010, SM Entertainment announced that BoA would, on her 10th debut anniversary, release a first full-length Korean album after five years.[64]

On July 21, 2010, Avex released the "Woo Weekend" single, the lead song of which was used to promote Disney on Ice's 25th Anniversary in Japan.[65] BoA's official Korean website announced on July 23, 2010 that her comeback sixth Korean album would be entitled Hurricane Venus. Hurricane Venus was released on August 5, 2010 and debuted at No.1, where it stayed for 2 weeks. "Game" charted at No.6. A repackaged version of the album with two new songs under the name of "Copy & Paste" was released in September, 2010. The album won a Bonsang Award from the Golden Disk Awards in 2010, making it the first time in her career to receive the award. On December 6, 2010, Avex released a digital single, "I See Me", for a commercial that promoted Audio Technica headphones in Japan.[66] In October BoA represented South Korea and performed at the 7th Asia Song Festival, organized by Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange, at the Seoul Olympic Stadium.[67]

BoA in 2012

BoA made her Hollywood movie debut in the dance film Make Your Move 3D (formerly named Cobu 3D), directed by Duane Adler and produced by Robert Colt. BoA plays a character called Aya, while Derek Hough (known from the U.S. television show Dancing with the Stars) will play the male lead of Donny. Aya and Donny fall in love, even though their families are enemies on the dance scene. Filming began in Spring in New York City and Toronto, Canada.

On October 2011, BoA announced on her Twitter page that she will be releasing a new Japanese single: "Many ppl asking me when I'm gonna release my next single in Japan... I'm preparing my single now. So you'll be able to listen to it soon!". Then on October 6 she wrote: "Heading to the set for my new music video. 今日はPV撮影！！ 楽しみにしてねーヾ(＠⌒ー⌒＠)ノ." It was later on announced by Avex that she will be releasing her single titled "Milestone" on December 7, 2011. The music video premiered on November 21 through MTV Japan. The single ranked at #4 on the Oricon Weekly Music-DVD charts.[68][69]

In December, she joined the judging panel on SBS’s K-pop Star which consists of Yang Hyun-suk from YG Entertainment and Park Jin-young from JYP Entertainment. She represents SM Entertainment.[70]

On March 2, 2012, SM Entertainment confirmed that BoA will be making a 2012 comeback. It was eventually verified that BoA's 2012 comeback will be Korean. On March 16, 2012, it was announced that BoA will be releasing a Korean single the next day titled "One Dream" as the theme song for SBS K-pop Star. The song will also feature SHINee's Key and Super Junior-M's Henry as the rappers. This will be the first Korean song by BoA since "Copy&Paste" in 2010.
"The Shadow"
A sample of BoA's "The Shadow" from her seventh Korean studio album Only One
Problems playing this file? See media help.

On July 12, 2012, it was confirmed that BoA would release her 7th Korean album, Only One, on July 25. BoA also wrote and composed the title track. The album was released digitally on July 22. After the album was released, the title track, "Only One", rose to No.1 on all Korean music charts and achieved an "all-kill". The album is her best selling Korean album so far with the combination of digital and physical sales. The dance version music video of "Only One" was released on July 22, 2012. The drama version, which featured actor Yoo Ah-in, was released on July 25, 2012. Later on, the music video for BoA's follow up track, "The Shadow," was released August 18, 2012.

On August 7, 2012, BoA stated in a fan meeting that she will be releasing the Japanese version of "Only One" in Winter 2013 and will be personally translating the lyrics from Korean to Japanese by herself. On October 16, 2012, BoA released a digital single "Lookin'" featuring The Quiett for Hyundai’s ‘Premium Younique Lifestyle’ campaign. On December 10, 2012, Avex Entertainment confirmed that BoA will be releasing a new Japanese single on February 27, 2013. The single will include the Japanese versions of her Korean songs "Only One" and "The Shadow" from her seventh Korean album "Only One." There will be a new PV for the Japanese version of "Only One." [71]

The next day, it was confirmed that BoA will hold her first solo concert in Korea entitled "BoA Special Live 2013 ~Here I Am~" on January 26, 2013 at the Olympic Hall.[72] All tickets were sold out immediately upon going on sale.[73]

2013–2014: First Korean tour, Japanese comeback, acting

BoA as Benetton S / S Global Campaign ambassador in March 2013

On January 23, 2013, it was announced that BoA would release a new digital single titled "Geuleon Neo (Disturbance)," a song she both wrote and composed, on January 28, 2013, in commemoration of her first concert tour in South Korea.[74] The music video for "Geuleon Neo (Disturbance)" premiered through SM Entertainment's YouTube channel on January 28. On April 11, 2013, it was confirmed that BoA had three more solo concerts added to "BoA Special Live 2013 (Here I Am)". The concerts were on May 18 in Taiwan, at the Taiwan University Gymnasium, on May 25 in Daegu, South Korea, at the EXCO Convention Center, and on June 1, in Busan, South Korea at KBS Hall.[75]

BoA's 33rd Japanese single, "Tail of Hope", was released on June 26, 2013, containing the theme song for the Japanese drama Hakui no Namida. The single featured a song titled "Baby You...", which is the Japanese version of her Korean song "Geuleon Neo (Disturbance)," and English version of "Tail of Hope".[76] A preview of the "Tail of Hope" music video premiered on June 7, 2013 at 5:50 A.M. JST via Mezamashi TV. A short version of the PV was released the same day, as it was uploaded by Avex Trax's official YouTube channel later that day.

On May 27, 2013, BoA released an OST, "Between Heaven and Hell," for the new KBS drama Shark.[77][78] It is a minor waltz ballad song, produced by popular hit maker Kim Hyung Suk. The song served as the main theme song of the drama. On June 24, 2013, the Dutch trailer for BoA's Hollywood film, Make Your Move 3D, was revealed through YouTube, stating that the film would finally be released in the Netherlands on July 24, 2013. Two days later, the official trailer for the U.S. version of the film was revealed also through YouTube. It was eventually announced at K-CON 2013 that the United States release of the movie would be on March 28, 2014. On July 16, 2013, it was announced that BoA will be cast as the main female lead in the drama Expect to Date. It will be part of KBS' drama special series which airs every Wednesday at 11:15pm KST. BoA starred in the 2 episode drama with actor Choi Daniel. Production ended mid-August and the drama premiered in Korea on September 11.[79]

On July 31, 2013, BoA released a new song titled "Action," serving as '2013 Gwangju Design Biennale's theme song. BoA and composer Yoo Young Jin collaborated to write the song which is an electronic dance track that inspires listeners to work with passion to find their own color.[80] On August 23, 2013, SOUL Office announced that BoA would be releasing her 34th Japanese single titled "Message/Call My Name." The single released on October 23, 2013.

In October, she participated in MBC's "Infinity Challenge." She was paired up Leessang's Gil to create a collaboration single. Their team and song name was "G.A.B," which stands for "Gil and BoA." On November 2, they performed their new song at the 2013 Infinity Challenge Song Festival. "G.A.B" was also released via digital download through various Korean music sites. In December, BoA was confirmed to be starring in her first Korean film titled Big Match. BoA will play the role of mysterious woman named Soo Kyung who walks around with a poker face. The movie began filming the same month and will be released in theaters in late 2014.[81]

Also in December 2013, her official website confirmed that she will be releasing a new Japanese single in 2014 titled "Shout It Out". The single was originally scheduled to be released on February 26, but due to an unknown reason, the release date was pushed back to March 5.[82][83] On January 21, Avex uploaded the full music video for "Shout It Out" on their official YouTube channel. "Shout It Out" will be available in three versions including a CD-only, and two CD + DVD options.[84][85]

In January 2014, staff of The Law of Pleasures announced that BoA will make a cameo appearance in the movie. She will play the neighbor of one of the main characters of the movie. The movie was be released on February 13, 2014.[86]

In May 2014, Avex Trax announced that BoA will be releasing her 37th Japanese single, "Masayume Chasing," on July 23, 2014, which was also used as the fifteenth opening song for the anime, Fairy Tail. Her website also updated that she will be hosting a Japanese tour called "BoA Live Tour 2014 WHO'S BACK?" in September. The tour consists of five concerts total, in four cities. The tour will begin on September 6 in Tokyo at the NHK Hall, and continue on the 7th in Tokyo at the same venue, on the 14th in Aichi/Nagoya, on the 20th in Osaka, and end in Fukuoka on the 23rd. This will be BoA's first Japanese tour in 4 years.[87][88] Throughout various interviews, BoA has confirmed of a new Japanese album coming out in 2014, in which her tour in September will promote.[89] On July 10, Avex Trax confirmed that BoA's 8th Japanese studio album, "WHO'S BACK?", will be released on September 3.[90] On August 30, 2014 in a special radio cast of "Beat It BoA's World", BoA stated that she will be releasing a new Japanese single after her Japanese tour. It was eventually verified through BoA's official Japanese website that she will be releasing her 38th Japanese single "FLY" on December 3, 2014.[91]

2015–present: Kiss My Lips

It was reported on December 31, 2014, that BoA would release her 8th Korean album sometime in 2015 to commemorate her 15th debut anniversary. A representative from SM Entertainment told the media, "No specific date has been decided but BoA will release a new album in Korea next year. You will be able to enjoy both her music and charm from the album this time".[92] The company also revealed, "The music will be such that only BoA can pull off."[93] This will be BoA's first Korean album release since Only One, which was released in 2012. On April 30, it was announced that BoA will be releasing her 8th Korean studio album on May 12.[94] SM Entertainment revealed she took part of her album as a composer, lyricist, and producer. The album will also include a variety of genres, including indie pop, R&B, funk, and more.[95]

On December 6, SM Entertainment revealed that the singer, alongside label mates F(x) and Red Velvet, will take part in the agency's special winter project, entitled Winter Garden, by releasing a digital single on December 22.[96][97]

To promote her Nowness performances in Japan, Boa released the japanese single "Lookbook", along with the japanese version of Kiss My Lips.

Image and artistry

On the cover of KoreAm, May 2009
"Valenti" (2002)
Many of BoA's songs are dance tunes, such as "Valenti" (2002).
Problems playing this file? See media help.

BoA lists hip hop as her main musical influence, though she also enjoys R&B. Her favorite musicians are Janet Jackson,[98] Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, and Ne-Yo;[99] as a result, much of BoA's music is either dance-pop or R&B. Because she also sings ballads, she is often compared to Japanese singers Ayumi Hamasaki and Hikaru Utada. Her debut album, ID; Peace B, contained urban pop, "slickly produced" ballads, and "upbeat dance tunes". As her career went on, she began experimenting with different styles: Valenti contained mostly ballads; Love and Honesty was an experiment with "harder" R&B and rock music.[19]

Because the composition and writing of BoA's songs is handled mostly by her staff, BoA has been criticized as being a "manufactured pop star".[note 2] In response to such criticism, BoA said that "if one person were to force their own will on something, then things that should have gone right could easily go wrong" and that she is "not all that unhappy with the expression that [she is] a manufactured star. In a way, that is true. Because SM Entertainment created the environment and all the surrounding conditions, [she is] able to be successful in the way [she is] now."[9] Though her earlier releases were marked by a "cute" and "youthful" style, BoA began to present a more "mature" image starting from the album My Name. In a Talk Asia interview, Anjali Rao noted that some felt that My Name marked the beginning of BoA's decline in popularity and asked if the public would always see the singer as "Little Baby BoA"; BoA replied, "So while I apologize to those people who still want the baby BoA, in fact, what can I do? I just keep growing up! I can't stop that from happening."[9]

BoA has collaborated with high-profile artists. Among the Japanese artists she has performed with are the hip hop group M-Flo (for the single "The Love Bug"), pop singer Kumi Koda, and house DJ Mondo Grosso. She has performed with Western artists: the song "Flying Without Wings" from her album Next World was a collaboration with Irish band Westlife covering the original song; the Bratz single "Show Me What You Got" was performed with Howie D of the American band Backstreet Boys.[19] She also worked with Akon, singing the song "Beautiful", which was featured on the Japanese release of his third album, Freedom.[100] Other artists she has collaborated with are Soul'd Out, Dabo, Verbal (of M-Flo), Rah-D, Seamo, TVXQ, Yutaka Furakawa (of the band Doping Panda), and Crystal Kay (for her single After Love: First Boyfriend/Girlfriend).[101] American rock band Weezer covered "Meri Kuri" on the Japanese version of their album Weezer (The Red Album).[102]

BoA is a "top artist" in South Korea and Japan; her popularity in the latter is attributed to her linguistic skills (she speaks and records in Japanese, Korean, and English) and a Japanese interest in Korean pop culture started in the early 2000s when the two countries began promoting cultural exchanges.[103][104][105] BoA's popularity extends throughout [East Asia]; she has fans in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. She has expressed plans to enter a global market; in June 2006, the music video of her Korean song "My Name" became the first music video ever shown on MTV K, an MTV music channel directed at Korean Americans.[10]

Because of her wide appeal, BoA has appeared in advertisements for many brands.[9] Among the brands she has promoted are Olympus, Lotte, Nike,[106] L'Oréal, Japanese cosmetic company Kosé, Skechers, Audio-Technica,[107][108][109] GM Daewoo and L'Occitane. Seven of her songs have been used as themes. "Every Heart: Minna no Kimochi" was used as the ending theme for the anime InuYasha;[110] "Beside You: Boku o Yobu Koe" was used as the opening theme for the anime Monkey Typhoon;[111] "Key of Heart" was the theme song for the Japanese release of Over the Hedge;[112] "Your Color" was the theme song of the video game Ninety-Nine Nights;[113][114] "Mamoritai: White Wishes" was the theme song of the video game Tales of Graces,.[115][116][117] "Tail of Hope" was used as the theme for the Japanese drama "Hakui no Namida," and "Masayume Chasing" was used as the 15th opening theme song for the anime "Fairy Tail." Her widespread popularity has also made her a "cultural ambassador"; she has represented South Korea in inter-Asian musical events and has appeared in an Oxford University Press-published English-language textbook.[118][119]

Discography

Main article: BoA discography

Korean discography

Studio albums
EPs

Japanese discography

Studio albums
Compilation albums
  • 2004: K-pop Selection
  • 2005: Best of Soul
  • 2009: Best & USA
  • 2011: BoA Summer Selection 2011 (Digital Compilation)
  • 2013: Winter Ballad Collection 2013 (Digital Compilation)
  • 2014: Winter Ballad Collection 2014 (Digital Compilation)
Remix albums

US discography

Studio albums

Tours

Awards

Filmography

TV Series

Year Network Title Role Notes
2010 SBS Athena: Goddess of War Herself Cameo, ep 7–8
2011–2012 K-pop Star Season 1 Herself Judge for SM Entertainment
2012 Running Man Herself Guest Star, ep 88–89
KBS Win Win Herself Guest Star, ep 116–117
Road For Hope Herself Guest Star
2012–2013 SBS K-pop Star Season 2 Herself Judge for SM Entertainment
2013 Thank You Herself Guest Star, ep 21–22
KBS Waiting for Love Joo Yeon-ae Drama special (main role)
MBC Infinite Challenge Herself Paired up with Gil Seong-joon for Song Festival 2013
2014 MBC Every1 EXO 90:2014 Herself Guest Star, ep 9
2015 JTBC Crime Scene 2 Colleague Kwon Guest Star, ep 10
tvN Three Meals a Day Herself Guest, Ep 6-7 (with Yoo Hae-jin)
JTBC Please Take Care of My Refrigerator Herself Guest Star with SHINee's Key
JTBC Hidden Singer Season 4 Herself Guest Star, ep 1

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2006 Over the Hedge Heather the Possum (voice) Korean- and Japanese-dubbed versions
2012 I AM. Herself Documentary
2014 Make Your Move 3D Aya Hollywood film
Venus Talk Song Beom-sik (cameo) Korean film
Big Match Soo-kyung Korean film
2015 SMTOWN THE STAGE Herself Documentary
2016 Autumn Post Office Soo-ryun Korean film

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The first-week sales of Listen to My Heart were approximately 230,000 units,[30] those of Valenti 615,000,[31] and those of Love and Honesty 296,000.[32]
  2. ↑ BoA has contributed to the writing and composition of 49 songs to date since the start of her career, and self-produced her seventh Japanese studio album IDENTITY

References

  1. ↑ Mark Russell (29 April 2014). K-Pop Now!: The Korean Music Revolution. Tuttle Publishing. p. 110. ISBN 978-1-4629-1411-1.
  2. 1 2 3 "BoA "I Discuss Everything from a Secret Story about the Album's Production to an Unexpected Thing That Happened While Filming a PV!"" (in Japanese). Oricon. February 27, 2008. Retrieved September 17, 2008.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Robert Michael Poole (2009-03-20). "No constrictions on BoA's ambitions". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2011-05-10.
  4. ↑ "BoA – "GAME"". MTV Korea. September 13, 2010. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  5. 1 2 "The 'Queen of K-Pop' BoA, to make her long-awaited comeback". allkpop.com.
  6. ↑ Honorific nicknames in popular musicHonorific nicknames in popular music
  7. ↑ "Way Back Wednesday: BoA, the Queen of K-pop". allkpop.com.
  8. ↑ Lee, Dan (May 30, 2003). "BoA" (PDF). Japan Today (G Plus Media). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 13, 2005. Retrieved November 20, 2008.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "BoA TalkAsia Transcript". CNN. December 15, 2006. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "The first video on MTV K: BoA "My Name"". MTV K. June 26, 2006. Archived from the original on July 5, 2006. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  11. 1 2 "BoA's profile". SM Entertainment. Retrieved October 9, 2008.
  12. ↑ "BoA and Hamasaki Ayumi Join Song+Nation's South Korean Release". Chosunonline.com (in Japanese). Chosun Ilbo Co. Archived from the original on December 7, 2008. Retrieved December 1, 2008. (Paid access required to view article)
  13. ↑ "Song+Nation" (in Japanese). Avex Trax. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
  14. ↑ "Beat it BoA's World" (in Japanese). Japan FM Network. Archived from the original on March 1, 2007. Retrieved August 13, 2008.
  15. ↑ "List of million sellers in 2002" (in Japanese). RIAJ. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  16. ↑ "BoA, her memory of Xmas..." (in Japanese). Oricon. December 1, 2004. Retrieved September 30, 2008.
  17. 1 2 "BoA's Greatest Hits Album Breaks the Million Mark!" (in Japanese). Oricon. May 24, 2005. Retrieved September 30, 2008.
  18. ↑ "Singer BoA, Asian Star". CCTV.com. CCTV. August 22, 2005. Retrieved September 9, 2008.
  19. 1 2 3 Hickey, David. "BoA Biography". MTV. Archived from the original on February 5, 2008. Retrieved August 13, 2008.
  20. ↑ "BoA, Asia's Most Lucrative 17-Year-Old Girl, Swept Up 6.5 Billion Yuan Last Year". People's Daily (in Chinese). Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. October 11, 2004. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
  21. ↑ "BoA's Love & Honesty certification". RIAJ. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
  22. ↑ "BoA Reclines to Sing". The Epoch Times (in Chinese) (The Epoch Times). April 19, 2004. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  23. ↑ "Middle-Aged Men and Women Also Cheer For Boa". Donga Ilbo. Donga Ilbo Co. April 19, 2004. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
  24. 1 2 "BoA's New Album Is a Foray into the Chinese Market". The Epoch Times (in Chinese) (The Epoch Times). September 30, 2004. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  25. ↑ "2004 Music Sales" (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on August 1, 2008. Retrieved January 8, 2009.
  26. ↑ "Persons such as BoA donate 50 million won to An Jung-geun Memorial Foundation". Digital Chosun Ilbo (in Japanese). Chosun Ilbo. September 9, 2004. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
  27. ↑ "BoA's public relations of "Doma Ahn Joong Keun" evoke a sensitive reaction in Japan". Digital Chosun Ilbo (in Japanese). Chosun Ilbo. September 10, 2004. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
  28. ↑ "Korean "Spice Girl" BoA Declares War on Male Chauvinism". The Epoch Times (in Chinese) (The Epoch Times). August 6, 2005. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  29. ↑ "2005 Music Sales" (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on August 1, 2008. Retrieved January 8, 2009.
  30. ↑ "Album Rankings for the Fourth Week of March 2002". Oricon. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  31. ↑ "Album Rankings for the Second Week of February 2003". Oricon. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  32. ↑ "Album Rankings for the Fourth Week of January 2004". Oricon. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  33. ↑ "First number-one! BoA Achieved an Exploit for the First Time in 21 Years!?" (in Japanese). Oricon. April 5, 2005. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  34. ↑ "Kwon BoA renewed contract with SM Entertainment - Yummy Celebrities". yummycelebrities.com.
  35. ↑ "Tetsuya Takeda, Yoshizumi Ishihara, Tomochika and BoA Make a Greeting on Stage" (in Japanese). Oricon. August 8, 2006. Retrieved November 20, 2008.
  36. ↑ "News at BoA's Official website" (in Japanese). Avex Trax. August 22, 2008. Archived from the original on September 9, 2006. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  37. ↑ "It's Lonely at the Top: BoA Turns 20". Digital Chosun Ilbo. Chosun Ilbo. January 27, 2008. Archived from the original on May 31, 2008. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  38. ↑ "My first song composed with a personal computer made me feel a sense of accomplishment because my efforts were well rewarded" (in Japanese). Yahoo! Japan. January 11, 2007. Retrieved January 2, 2008.
  39. ↑ "Xiah Junsu: "Even When First Meeting BoA 6 Years Ago, She Stood Out"". Donga Ilbo (in Korean) (DongA Ilbo Co.). November 7, 2007. Retrieved January 8, 2009.
  40. ↑ "BoA: "When First Meeting Tablo, He Asked To Take Pictures"". Donga Ilbo (in Korean) (DongA Ilbo Co.). November 7, 2007. Retrieved January 8, 2009.
  41. ↑ "Xiah Junsu-Tablo: "At First, We Didn't Believe We Were Cast for 'AnyBand'"". Donga Ilbo (in Korean) (DongA Ilbo Co.). November 7, 2007. Retrieved January 8, 2009.
  42. ↑ "BoA "New Song Is a Heart-twinged Song That Makes You Hope to Fall in Love!!"" (in Japanese). Oricon. October 1, 2007. Retrieved September 17, 2008.
  43. ↑ "BoA "Cool! The Video Clip of Her Dance Performance Is a Must-see!!"" (in Japanese). Oricon. April 25, 2007. Retrieved September 17, 2008.
  44. ↑ "BoA "I Felt Again That I Loved Dancing!"" (in Japanese). Oricon. December 12, 2007. Retrieved September 17, 2008.
  45. ↑ "BoA Takes Sole Possession of 2nd Place of All Time. Brother and Sister of the Jackson Family Reach the Top 10 Together." (in Japanese). Oricon. March 4, 2008. Retrieved December 11, 2008.
  46. ↑ "Wei Wei Leads International Stars in 'Dedication of Love'; Proceeds to Go to Disaster Area". Sina.com (in Chinese). Sina Corporation. June 4, 2008. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  47. ↑ "Wei Wei Sings an English Version of 'Dedication of Love' with Nine International Stars". Chinanews.com (in Chinese). China News Service. June 3, 2008. Retrieved August 29, 2008.
  48. ↑ "‘BoA Boss’ Jewelry Brand Announced". Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean) (Yahoo! Korea). Agence France-Presse. March 24, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  49. ↑ "BoA Plans Debut in US". The Korea Times. Hankook Ilbo. Retrieved September 2, 2008.
  50. ↑ "Rap-Up.com - Korean Pop Star BoA Prepares U.S. Takeover". 23 September 2008. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  51. ↑ "BoA Enlists U.S. Hitmakers for English Debut". Rap-Up. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
  52. ↑ "New Music: BoA f/ Flo Rida – ‘Eat You Up (Remix)’". Rap-Up. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  53. ↑ Schofield, Jack (November 23, 2008). "YouTube Live from San Francisco, but not from Tokyo". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  54. ↑ "Singer BoA's American Debut Single 《Eat You Up》 Is Released on the Internet for the First Time". Sina.com (in Chinese). SINA Corporation. November 24, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  55. ↑ "BoA to Perform in 'Jingle Ball' Concert in U.S". Korean Broadcasting System. December 3, 2008. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  56. ↑ "BoA’s 1st U.S. Album to Release March 17" (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
  57. ↑ "SF Pride Main Stage". SFPride.org. Retrieved August 8, 2009.
  58. ↑ "BoA Performs at SF Pride". The Korean Times. June 30, 2009. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
  59. ↑ Han, Sang-hee (September 1, 2009). "BoA Releases Repackaged Album". Korea Times. Retrieved November 14, 2009.
  60. ↑ Kim, Lynn (November 4, 2009). "BoA releases new single "Bump Bump!" today". Asia Economy. Retrieved November 14, 2009.
  61. ↑ "BoA to Hold Xmas Concerts in Tokyo". Korea Times. August 22, 2009. Retrieved November 14, 2009.
  62. ↑ "BoA 冬ソングのリリース＆2010年全国ツアーの開催が決定！" (in Japanese). Livedoor. November 6, 2009. Retrieved November 14, 2009.
  63. ↑ "2月22日付 アルバム 週間ランキング：NEXT STAGE – スタ☆ブロ -". Oricon (in Japanese). 2010-03-04. Retrieved 2010-02-16.
  64. ↑ 보아, 5년 만에 국내 복귀…데뷔 10년째 되는 8월 25일 앨범 발매 (in Korean). Retrieved March 4, 2010.
  65. ↑ Avexnet Japan BOA Discography
  66. ↑ Archived February 13, 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  67. ↑ KOFICE 7th Asia Song Festival 23 October 2010. Retrieved 2011-10-12
  68. ↑ "Oricon Weekly Charts". www.oricon.co.jp. December 19, 2011. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  69. ↑ "BoA announces new single, "Milestone" | tokyohive.com". www.tokyohive.com. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  70. ↑ "BoA, Yang Hyun Suk, & J.Y. Park finally record together for SBS's 'K-POP STAR' | allkpop.com". www.allkpop.com. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  71. ↑ "BoA to release her first Japanese single in two and a half years | allkpop.com". www.allkpop.com. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  72. ↑ Archived December 14, 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  73. ↑ "BoA adds an extra date to her solo concert | allkpop.com". www.allkpop.com. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  74. ↑ "보아,'그런 너' 뮤비 공개…'엔딩 골라보는 재미가 있다'". nate.com. January 28, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  75. ↑ "일시적인 장애 : 네이트". news.nate.com. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  76. ↑ "BoA、河村隆一がフジ昼ドラ「白衣のなみだ」テーマ曲担当". Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. 2013-03-29. Retrieved 2013-03-30.
  77. ↑ Hong, Grace Danbi (27 May 2013). "BoA Sings Theme Song for Shark OST". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  78. ↑ "보아, KBS 새 월화극 '상어' OST 참여". news.naver.com. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  79. ↑ "[단독]보아, KBS 드라마 '연애를 기대해' 주연 발탁". news.nate.com.
  80. ↑ "BoA releases song 'Action' for '2013 Gwangju Design Biennale'". allkpop.com. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  81. ↑ "BoA confirmed to make her domestic film debut in 'Big Match'". Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  82. ↑ "BoA OFFICIAL WEBSITE". BoA OFFICIAL WEBSITE. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  83. ↑ "BoA OFFICIAL WEBSITE". BoA OFFICIAL WEBSITE. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  84. ↑ "BoA flaunts her smooth moves in PV for Japanese single 'Shout It Out' | allkpop.com". www.allkpop.com. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  85. ↑ "BoA releases PV for 'Shout It Out' - Latest K-pop News - K-pop News | Daily K Pop News". www.dkpopnews.net. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  86. ↑ "Boa to Make Cameo Appearance in Movie ‘The Law of Pleasures’". mwave.interest.me. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  87. ↑ "BoA OFFICIAL WEBSITE". BoA OFFICIAL WEBSITE. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  88. ↑ "BoA NEW SINGLE「MASAYUME CHASING」2014.7.23リリース決定!!". May 9, 2014.
  89. ↑ "BoA 約4年半ぶりNEW ALBUM「タイトル未定」今夏リリース決定!!". May 19, 2014. The song was also featured as the opening theme for the anime Fairy Tail on its 2nd Season.
  90. ↑ "BoA 8th ALBUM「WHO'S BACK？」2014.09.03(水)リリース決定！！". July 10, 2014.
  91. ↑ "BoA 2014/12/3発売 NEW SINGLE「FLY」リリース決定！！".
  92. ↑ "BoA reported to comeback with a new album next year - Latest K-pop News - K-pop News | Daily K Pop News". www.dkpopnews.net. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  93. ↑ "BoA to make comeback with Korean album in 2015". Koreaboo. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  94. ↑ "'15주년' 보아, 5월12일 정규8집 전격 컴백..전곡 작사·작곡 - 스타뉴스". star.mt.co.kr. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  95. ↑ "BoA celebrates her 15th Korean anniversary with 8th album this May". Koreaboo. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  96. ↑ "SM Releases Another Clue to Their "Winter Garden" Project". Soompi. 2015-12-06. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
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  98. ↑ "The Singers 2 - Learning Ace - 12". Japan Times. 2005-02-13. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  99. ↑ "BoA's profile" (in Japanese). Avex Marketing Inc. Retrieved August 30, 2008.
  100. ↑ "Akon – Freedom+2". Universal International, Japan. July 27, 2009. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
  101. ↑ クリケイ×ＢｏＡ超豪華ユニット！！. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese) (Sports Hochi). 2009-05-02. Retrieved November 14, 2009.
  102. ↑ "Weezer Covers BoA's "Meri Kuri" in Japanese". Barks.jp (in Japanese). ITMedia. June 3, 2008. Retrieved August 13, 2008.
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  104. ↑ Hiroshi Matsubara (April 19, 2002). "Language, music point way to stronger relations". The Japan Times. The Japan Times Ltd. Retrieved August 13, 2008.
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  111. ↑ "Jewel Song / Beside You: Boku o Yobu Koe" (in Japanese). Goo. Retrieved April 13, 2009.
  112. ↑ "Key of Heart" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 20, 2008.
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  115. ↑ "Mamoritai: White Wishes (CD+DVD)" (in Japanese). Goo. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  116. ↑ "Mamoritai: White Wishes (Tales of Graces Limited Edition)" (in Japanese). Goo. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  117. ↑ "BoA sings for Namco’s Tales of Graces [updated with audio preview]". allkpop. September 27, 2009. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  118. ↑ "Asian Stars to Shine in Seoul.". Yonhap. November 26, 2004. Retrieved August 6, 2008. (Registration needed to view article)
  119. ↑ "BoA Makes It Into Textbooks". Digital Chosun Ilbo. Chosun Ilbo. January 10, 2006. Archived from the original on August 3, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2008.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to BoA.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Kim Gun-mo		 13th Seoul Music Awards – Daesang Award
2002 		Succeeded by
Lee Hyori
Preceded by
Yoo Seungjun		 4th Mnet Asian Music Awards – Best Dance Music
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BoA
Preceded by
Incumbent		 Japan Record Awards – Gold Prize
2002–2009 		Succeeded by
Unknown
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Lee Soo-young		 7th Mnet Asian Music Awards – Best Female Solo Artist
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