BoA’s digital single will be released on October 21 simultaneously in over 30 countries instead of focusing on American market solely. The single was originally scheduled to be released on October 14, with the music video scheduled to premier on October 7.
I like BoA, I think she is a decent singer, and she looks good… but Best of Asia? Aren’t SM a bit too arrogant to proclaim that? Since when did BoA become any better than Rain, TVXQ or non-Koreans like Utada Hikaru, Namie Amuro and Jay Chou, Wang Lee Hom etc?
Set the ‘best’ argument aside, it would be interesting to see an Asian artists making it big in US music market. However, BoA’s chance to make a huge first impact is likely doomed with her debut song… Eat You Up…
The song is ok, and it’s JUST ok… the song title is stupid, lyrics are bad, and the teaser above is lame (there’s another slightly better version here).
I love you BoA… but I’m afraid your America debut is going to be a miserable one; you and your team need something better than that to make it in US, or it would be America that eat you up instead.
Update - the music video is out.
i didn’t like that video and i couldn’t really understand the lyrics but she’s a good dancer.
This song is such a ripoff of Rihanna. No one is going to take her seriously. I like her regular songs better…
Got to agree with YeinJee. SM is kind of ‘jumping the gun’ with their arrogance. They’ll have to come up with something super original and outstanding to break the US market. I personally see nothing special there in her vid or that tune. I respect SM for trying to look at the US market but they gatta know what kind of competition they are dealing with there. Even with the Asian population growing there, those kids likely won’t buy into her just because she’s an asian singer if she’s not outstanding over some stronger American acts. Any act no matter who or where they are from has got to have that “it” quality to make it internationally. JMO.
boa is trying too much to look like an american…. america showbiz is full of this kind of hip-hop artist and some of them are better than boa… she need something special to stand out from the crowd. she should show something more ‘asian’ and not becoming one of the americans. and this song sux.
[...] as YeinJee’s Asian Journal has pointed out, her debut English language single could be bad enough to doom her to failure in [...]
Come on, Asian don’t have better stars is it? Americans don’t care about your skin colors, but you have to be good. Rain was not good enough, he is just an average singer and dancer, and Boa isn’t better than Rain. What makes Asia think that they can attract American audiences with these qualities? We already have abundance of them.
[...] YeinJee’s Asian Journal via Japan [...]
Here’s a little clue for asian entertainment to know. The reason that so many American acts have been big overseas and worldwide over the years and the reason that so many asian acts try to copy american acts is because at the time those American acts started, they were something a little different that had never been done before and because they were also good.
An Asian act like this girl going over to America and trying to do what Americans have already been doing is not likely going to get it.
Creativity, creativity, creativity….is the key in entertainment. People like to see and hear something different. And you have to have a gimmick! An Asian girl dancing around in baggy clothes and a baseball cap to music that sounds like every other song around is not creative enough to Wow thw American audience……but we’ll see. ;)
I personally think as BoA fans we are being slightly harsh. Since we know what she is capable of and what she is producing here. We must remember that BoA is being marketed differently to how she is in Asia. If she was marketed like how she was in Asia in the US she would be lucky if she even met producers like Bloodshy and Avant. I personally believe that this is a solid effort from Boa this is only the tip of the iceberg, there is much more to come and who knows how successful she will get and what material she will have on her album. Plus I have heard that Flo rida is going to feature on the remix, which is big for any star since Flo Rida is burning up the chart in the US right now!!
And why are people getting so hooked up on the fact that SM are marketing her as the best of Asia. To any US person she is the best of Asia, more likely the only Asian artist that they are going to know. Yeah Utada is releasing another US album but her first failed miserably. Maybe if her record label where more arrogant about Utada then maybe she would have got somewhere. Rather than having to give it a second crack.
BoA is going for it and I applaud her and SM entertainment for starting as they mean to go on. rather than be like another Rain or Se7en who have been debuting for ever and a MV has yet to materialise.
She’ll be the biggest Korean star in America since Andy Kim lit up the charts with “Rock Me Gently” in 1974!
What? His real name was Andy Joachim and he was from Montreal? BOA is doomed!
(Maybe she could have a dance-off with Stephen Colbert?)
Woah, what’s your problem dude?
Are you so sure it will be a flop?
DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHO BOA’S WORKING WITH???
BoA is working with Madonna’s, J.T’s and Usher’s former producer.
BoA already recorded 13 English songs!
EAT YOU UP was made by Bloodshy & Avant, so don’t expect it to be a song all about vocals.
Bloodshy & Avant made Toxic and Piece of Me for Britney Spears, and those two songs don’t even show vocals AND dancing yet they are freaking hits.
Who cares if her first single flops, BoA’s first Japanese single flopped to, it took her like 2 more singles to make it mainstream.
And it was only in BoA’s 2nd japanese album VALENTI that she actually got recognized everywhere in japan.
So, it might take 1 or 2 albums for BoA to make it in America.
BoA even said herself that she wants to enter America as a rookie, beginning from the start, and not some foreign superstar.
Even American artists, it takes them around usually after 2 albums to become mainstream.
The Guy… there is no problem with me, and I have no problem with BoA. It’s a matter of personal opinion… you have yours, I have mine.
“Eat You Up” is a good hook line. It’s one that gets people’s attention. But BOA doesn’t sell it well enough.
Alright…first of all the title. “Eat You Up” is slang for swallowing them knuckle babies (cum).
Secondly, she has not lost the accent. Now, if she were a Latina or Italian, etc., it might not be so bad since they are Romance languages and the accents are considered to be sexy. To many Americans, they’re gonna have images of cashiers at Chinese restaurants and whatnot dancing around in their heads and will pretty much say, “F*** that!”. What would be worse is hearing it on the radio and not having anything to look at to divert your other senses.
Next, she has no body to try to be sexy. She’s built like a 12-year old boy or a surfboard. I’m sorry, but many/most (?) men in the U.S. do not like rail-thin, short girls with no body. Look at all the big pop singers…most of them have something they can flaunt. She’s not even all that attractive for an Asian superstar.
Lastly, but most importantly, the music is very vanilla. How many times have we heard this kind of recycled garbage? Musically, the beat is somewhat catchy for a dance/club sound, but the lyrics? Her stilted delivery of the verses is very awkward, and that vocoder can NOT hide her accent. I mean, a chorus that goes, “I’m gonna eat you up - up - up - up - whoaaaaaaaaaaaaa” is supposed to be the breakthrough?
In order for her or any other Asian pop-singer to be successful, the language has to be learned. No, I take that back; they have to be IMMERSED in English for at least a year to start getting the slang, euphemisms, etc. On top of that, the music can’t be recycled American pop from 5+ years ago. That period of music is OVER. Although things haven’t completely changed, the sound has “progressed”.
NEXT!
I’m not even a fan of BoA and i can see how this article is in the biased side.
Asians in the US are funny, you dont support your people nor give them enough credit…. Should i remind you how when Shakira started her engRish SUCKED balls???? Yet did you see hispanics-american going all ‘LOL OMG SHE’S GONNA FAIL’. Asians are a big minority in America, a little support wont hurt you.
And what about that creativity crap??? Rihanna, brtiney, JT… everyone singing pop sounds the same, BoA works with the same people they did and that’s a smart move, she might not be #1 in the billboard charts but hell, the main thing is she blends with the current music style.
You guys are too naive.
Everyone knows that European/Western/Latin’s accents are more acceptable than Asians’.
She isn’t even signed on a major U.S. label! What does that tell you? SM is gonna waste a lot of money and time on this stupid project. Also, she spends so much time in Japan, she might as well live there since she has forgotten Korea - why need to take on the US? Boa is SUCH a mediocre singer. I could not stand her lives and I have been to Hollywood Bowl 2007. And if she does make it, I think that’ll be pretty sad for the Asian community - at least showcase an Asian artist who has amazing vocals to debut in the U.S. - like Gummy, Big Mama, or Younha.
Also, here needs to be more support for Asian American artists. They’re the ones who lived here and know more about the harsh reality of the American music market.
I hope Utada’s 2nd album will have some recognition in the States.
maybe they use eat me up because most americans will think boa as a the snake so boa will eat you up lol
i think the reason all these artists who are popular in asia fail to make it in the american industry is that they come and they don’t think of themselves as artists first, they think of themselves as asians first and that is something that is emphasized in their promotions and whatever…and for someone of a different race its sort of a turnoff(not that they’re asian, just the race emphasization [<is that a word?])
there are asian artists (i.e. justin nozuka) who do really well, even if its not with a gigantic group of people, because they are artists first and foremost
I can see your point Lily… it would be a turnoff as well if an American singer came to Asia and kept on emphasising that s/he is an American (despite being the fact), vice versa.
And emphasization is not a word… the noun for emphasize should be emphasizing :)
[...] title though… happened to bound in to this music video while searching about Korean pop star BoA’s American debut with a song of the same [...]
Come On I think BoA Would be bad A** here in American she already has fans here and the more we talk about her the more she would grow Just belive in BoA Kwon . I can’t wait to for her to be here . . .Im jump for joy and getting ready for shows Look out everyone we have a bright new Star here . .
I think that BoA has enough skills to create a HUGE bang in the American Music Industry. I loved her music video teaser and I love the tune of ‘Eat You Up’. I don’t know why people are going to say she’s going to fail. She might or she might be topping the charts, you just never know…Alittle support here would be nice.
Also, not many asian singers even dream of entering the US market and BoA entering, I think that is a decision we need to commend BoA on, even if she does fail.
But in my opinion, I think the song is EXCELLENT compared to other American singers and I think that she has what it takes to top the Billboard Charts in America.
Go BoA!!!
Asian has better brain than us.
shut up and just watch.
what she is doing.
that’s all what we could do.
god… the song’s horrible…
i cant even believe this’s boa’s MV…
it looks so low-cost compared to her japanese MVs…
she’s trying to be rihanna and britney and shakira at the same time..
crazily awesome horrible
[...] was harsh on the song when the American debut news was announced, and I officially hate it now. Nothing personal; I think music is catchy, but the [...]
I think Boa is a talented singer/dancer so I really hope she does succeed. I look forward to her conquering the American market but first she has to improve her pronunciation. You can speak with an accent but you can’t sing with an accent. That might be harsh but let’s face it it’s the truth. I don’t think Americans will be very forgiving about that. As I see it, that will be her only stumbling block because she already has the talent and the drive. Does this girl ever take a break?
Her MV is a little disappointing but I think she will only improve from here on. I wish her a lot of luck.
BoA WILL ALWAYS BE ABSOLUTELY MY ALL TIME FAVORITE AND I WISH HER WELL IN HER PLANS FOR THE USA !!!
well honestly I think she is the best female artist in asia and Utada Hikaru tried to debut in America with timberland in 04 but she failed horribly, check her album out “exodus”. So if Boa doesn’t make it as the asian female artist in the U.S. no one can and se7en is also releasing his american album soon
I’m an asain who’s lived in the US since 1970. I’ve seen many musical acts from different cultures and backgrounds. That’s what’s great about this country. Everyone has the opportunity to perform here and possibily make their mark in the music business. BoA deserves a shot at being America’s first Asain Pop sweetheart. Although I enjoy her music style, I’m more attracted to BoA’s natural charisma and sparkling personality. She works very hard and is a seasoned professional. Anyone who works as hard as she does can succeed in any venue.
i love boa! …but it took me a while to get used to eat you up..but after listening to it a few times, it was pretty good. :] even she isn’t an immediate hit, i hope she eventually gets to the top.
i don’t get why she’s debuting in 30 countries though..doesn’t that mean less advertising…in all 30 countries? isn’t it better being an immediate hit here? i mean, let’s face it–the fact that music is popular here means that other countries will hear the music too. that way SM can spend less advertising everywhere else.
either that or i don’t understand marketing or advertising.. =/
good luck boa!!
I sort of have to agree with you, although it’s still questionable as to whether she’d make it. Especially with the American version of the song, Eat You Up. It looks extremely stupid. I think she’d do better if her Korean version of the MV was to be released in America, as opposed to the one that was directed by Diana. At first, I just found the song to be unbearably annoying, but then it started to grow on me. However, like most people I’ve talked to, maybe it would’ve been better if she debuted things like Girls on Top, Motto, etc. I love BoA. She’s an amazing dancer, and a pretty decent singer.. but her exposure in America may flop. Like so many others, despite whether they’ve already had a considerable amount of fans since a few years ago. But we never know, right? Just gotta wait till everything is released to actually come to a solid conclusion.
Well…releasing in 30 countries is not a bad idea either
Just for an example, the backstreet boys released their first album in many place, but it only got popular in Europe and came to Quebec (Canada) through France. Their song `We’ve got it goin’ on” is from their first album and many Americans didn’t hear it. But then when they released their 2nd album, Backstreet’s Back, it was know as their 2nd in Europe and Canada, but their first in the States.
In short, they got known in Europe first and then got to the States! So its a good idea to release in many countries!
I think BoA’s new song is pretty catchy. I can see that her English has improved DRASTICALLY. But, debuting HERE?? Eh, IDK. I hate to sound cliche.. but she’s not gonna survive. The American music industry is brutal so if she wants to have a name, she gotta step it up. Honestly… no one wants to listen to an asian chic singing a song in English with an Asian accent.