I like BoA, I think she’s good singer, and she look’s great… but Best of Asia? SM sounds a bit arrogant to proclaim that; since when did BoA became any better than the likes of Rain, Utada Hikaru, Ayumi Hamasaki, Jay Chou and Lee Hom etc?
Set the best argument aside, it would be nice to have an Asian artists making waves in the American pop scene. Unfortunately for BoA though, her debut song Eat You Up is not going to do the job; teaser below… [credits to soybeaner819@youtube]
The song is ok, and JUST ok… the song title is stupid, lyrics are bad, and the preview above is lame. There’s another better teaser, but the song is not good enough regardless.
I love you BoA… but I’m afraid your America debut is going to be a miserable one; your team needs something better than that to make it in the US, or it would be America that eat you up instead.
[Update] BoA’s debut digital single will be released on October 21 in over 30 countries instead of solely America as initially planned. The full music video of Eat You Up was released on October 7.
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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 :)
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
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.
i guess she proved u guys wrong she was on the top most selling artist on itunes for eat you up and she got number one on hot dance club chart and she is gettign even bigger she works hard and has promoted and u know what i can’t wait till she comes to canada :D:D!!
Marvin… she only topped the itunes and other charts for the first couple of days when the fans were showing their support; the song is nowhere to be seen now. She is probably doing better than what I expected, that I admit… wouldn’t call it a successful venture though, not at all.
Yein Jee,
Marvin is right in saying that your orignal forecast of BoA’s flop is the actual “FLOP.”
Seriousely dude. You were 100% wrong. So, just admit it.
You originally said: “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.”
Now, you are saying: “..the song is nowhere to be seen now..”
Her song is still #26 in the Itunes Dance music list. You are wrong again. So just shut the hell up you HATER!!!
You are the FLOP!!!
Come on, the dance song chart? Not even on top 10? What about the overall chart? If you call that a success, then she is.
I don’t call that a success though, not for a star of her calibre. As said in the earlier comment, BoA is at the moment, doing better than what I expected; kudos to her, shame on me… and that’s it.
But calling her venture a success is an overstatement my dear… and there’s no point boosting that she is doing great when she isn’t. She is just doing ok. And I don’t hate her… but I hate the song, period.
Yein,
Since you’ve apparently decided to rethink the accuracy of your original opinion, then in all fairness, the title of your Blog should say: “SMTown’s attempt at marketing BoA in the US is doomed..”
You’ve mentioned there are other artists in their line-up that are worthier of the “Best of Asia” title. SMTown is most likely basing this claim from a marketing standpoint. In my opinion, BoA’s worldwide demographic sales have far exceeded that of the others in SMTown’s line-up.
As for their choice of song for BoA’s US debut, SMTown seems to have missed the mark. SM should have consulted people in the US, who know BoA well enough to use her natural talent and charisma. Instead of going with her trademark Kpop/ Jpop image, SMTown consultants seem to be trying very hard to reinvent her.
Despite SMTown’s miscalculation, BoA has still managed to pull-off an admirable debut. Just look at the Youtube of her visit to New York at MTV studios. Fans from different parts of the country were lined up in the streets just to catch a glimpse.
If BoA doesn’t become a huge success in the USA, then it’s because of SMTown’s failure at marketing her image properly.
Personally, I like the sound of her debut song. I just can’t stand the lyrics. I especially hate the cat screeching in the background.
Nevertheless, BoA still rocks.
There’s no point changing the title… BoA is doing better than what I expected, but I haven’t change my mind that it’s a poor song to kick start BoA’s American venture, and that her debut is not likely a success.
Yes, SM have to take large part of responsibility if her debut doesn’t work out; but ultimately, it’s BoA’s reputation that is at stake.
I think BoA’s new song is much better than rain’s or any other Asian artist that has tried to get into the US music market. Rain is great in Asia, but his lyrics put him down, and so does his English, BoA has more understandable lyrics, but she has to work on making them better and improving her accent… I don’t know if it was just me, but her accent made me shiver, it sounded so try hard American wannabe, no offense to anyone, but the fact is, not all Americans are going to accept her easily into the music industry, there are racists who will refuse to listen to or like her music, simply because she’s Asian, or because she has an accent.
If you have a look at other artists trying to penetrate the American market, say the Veronicas from Australia, they have a lot more meaning in their lyrics and have a strong debut song. Look at them, im pretty sure they made it into the charts from what I heard. lol I’m not much a chart checker… But just by listening to BoA’s song, I know it’s not going to be enough, BoA needs to get a song writer to make a decent song, with some proper lyrics.
From looking at all the Asian artists I know, I would say the best group to have a chance in penetrating the American music industry is Epik High. Tablo makes great lyrics and his english is amazing. With that and the great music they make, I would say they could get very far.
I read before that BoA is just the same as any other American artist, and that to get some attention, she had to do something unique. I don’t know if BoA can do that, but I know that Epik High is already something unique. Listen to the mass of American rap/hip hop/pop whatever groups out there, and tell me if any are like Epik High.
For me, I think BoA and SM are making a great attempt to get into the American market, but because it’s the first time that it has been done like that at that scale, things are a bit sloppy here and there. They needed to plan more think about what would blow the Americans away and add some new light into their industry.
For your information BoA’s single is during grat and has become #1 in billboard’s hot dance club play, made it to the top in AMERICAN online msuic chart
BoA rocks and willl make it big here in America, just wait and see !!!
The way BoA sings Eat You Up is so annoying, i hate that pause after every word, it makes it impossible for me to sing along.
And I hated this song when i listened to it, then i watched the KOREAN PV, and loved the dance moves, then i was hooked on the darn song.
BoA’s dancing is hot, and that’s what the Americans will see. (at least, i hope). Alot of American teenagers dont want to give foreigners a try, cause of their silly accent.
Do you hear BoA’s SLIGHT Korean accent? She’s only been taught a year of english, and listen to how amazing she is! i, for one, am very impressed.
I don’t think BoA will have any trouble, because alot of teenagers will love these lyrics. although they are stupid, they are smutty, and they love this stuff. (although i don’t, and i’m not impressed with BoA taking an American Hip Hop approach)
besides Eat You Up, have you heard Look Who’s Talking? Amazing peice of dance music, very catchy, and listening to it is funny, because it’s very egotistical, as if she’s telling the American audience who she is, and she really shines while singing this on stage.
BoA won’t flop, she’ll be amazing, as long as she keeps up that charisma.
First of all, I love BoA and will continue to support her. Although her first U.S. single is, how do I say it… it is very and utterly most LAME! Even with the music video. Like all the above said, she should come with something unique. In my opinion, I liked her because her music was different and her mv’s were different. If SMtown knew of this, then they would at least keep that, instead of showing her like some random artist trying to conquer the American charts without knowing anything. I know she can do better, so I’ll be waiting for her next song.
Best of Asia?? Now that’s going a little over-board. There are lots of asian artists who are also considered the best. Utada Hikaru is one of them. This is like the same thing with the Philippine singer, Regine Velasquez, who is called Asia’s songbird. She has good vocals, but to call herself Asia’s songbird is over-doing it.
About asian’s only singing in english with an asian accent? You people are all wrong. Just because some asians sing with a strong accent, doesn’t mean ALL asians sing with that accent. Utada Hikaru definitely did not have an accent when she made her english album, not even when she had some english lines in her japanese music. Just too bad her album flopped, I really loved her album.
There are also Philippine artists who might speak with a strong accent, but when they sing in english, you can’t hear it, like Lea Salonga and Rivermaya. If you don’t know about them, then check them on youtube. You will be surprised to hear them, cause there aren’t any accents. Just wanted to point that out before other people think that all asians only sing with a strong asian accent.
Anyway, I know BoA will become a success in the U.S. because she is amazing and a very talented artist.
i agree with the journal… American music industry is FULL of amazing talents and they still fail. Boa is only in the average, if that… and its even harder for an asian singer to make it big in such competitive industry. Unfortunately if Boa wants to make it in america, she would need to have the “look” that the americans want (BoA is pretty & cute in Asian standard, but not necesarily to Americans standard, in terms of appearance, i think Lee Hyori or someone who has more exotic look would do better…), she would also need a voice that is almost as good as Mariah carey, the only thing she has that i can see as competitive is that she has the ability to move, hands-down…but that alone isn’t enough AT ALL… i hope in time, more asian singers would be seen on american TV, This definitely was a good effort…just not good enough..
I think she’s a great dancer and sings well….I like her voice, and I’m not supporting her just because I’m Korean. I hope she does well here in the US. If she doesn’t do well, at least she tried. So her English isn’t perfect…none of us speak “perfect” English either……she just happens to have a strong accent, that’s all… I think it’s kinda sexy. The US is a tough market to break into, and it’s got to take some serious balls to attempt. Let’s at least give her some credit for trying….Asians are terribly underrepresented in the music industry here. Just think of it this way: if she does make it, she will break new ground for us yellow folk! GOOD LUCK BOA! DO YOUR BEST! YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT!
Oh yeah…and Lee Hyori….I’ll admit she’s hot, and she KNOWS she’s hot too. I watched an interview with her once, and apparently she thinks she’s the best thing to happen to Korea since kimchi…she even had the gall to say that she felt she would literally be a “beatiful woman” forever……what a turn off. Yes, I will probably never get the chance to hook up with a hot woman like her, and some may say I am just bitter about that, but guys like me are interested in other aspects, like intelligence and modesty. It’s one thing to be confident, but rubbing it in is not cool. I hope she finds someone that isn’t attracted to her just for her looks….I hope there’s more inside.
Yup, totally agree, she needs something more than just this song. there’s nothing special to this and if ya want to eat up the US market, you need more than this. Since the fact that she’s asian, it’s very hard to compete in US so she need to leave a deep mark in the US, and this song doesnt have the power to do so. Seriously, maybe most of the people who buy her song right now are azn living in america. I hope her album will be better than this….fight harder …!!!…xD
I agree with the Guy BoA may not make a HUGE debut and honestly BoA is my favorite Asian singer to me BoA really is the best of asia again thats opinion but we have to look at something here what really makes someone the best at something ??? the answer would be OPINION nobody could possibly be the best at something but we all look to and love BoA for what shes done… she did have number one hits in all three huge Asian Markets Girls on Top in Korea… Winter love in Japan I mean come on those songs are amazing that is if you ever heard them Tomoko you said she needs something more more flare to make it in America i disagree if she changes her attitude and she tries to do something different SOLEY because shes in America then she would no longer be BoA in my eyes you also said that the only people in America that listen to this song are asian in america also wrong im American and i am looking forward to the album as should you shes working with great talent and its sure to be a success
Wow is there a little bit of self-hatred here…if asian accent is not yet sexy in america, make it sexy, like how bruce lee made using chopsticks sophisticated, and kung fu a popular, well-respected form of training and entertainment. The thing is trend changes. With good marketing, talents and the ascendence of asian economies, trust me there will be a day anything asian is deemed sexy.
It is finally time for asians to break out of the model minority image and the MV seems to carry this message…like dancing in front of a bunch of “ballet” judges. We are no longer just Michelle Kwan and Yo Yo Ma haha. I acutally buy her strategy here by not appear to be trying too hard and desperate to impress like her asian predecesors….make a good yet non-intimidating impression than shock everyone later…
I just can say boa u.S debut single is awesome and i believe boa will success
I think you’re all wrong. This song is amzing and the dancing in the video in INCREDIBLE. True the lyrics are a bit wierd but the vocals are amazing and the beat to the song is exactly what American hip-hop dancers love to hear. It has rhyth and everything. Especially since BoA will be performing with Flo Ridda it can only help.
Also, her old music does have a more meaningful approach to it and I do miss it but she’s trying new things and branching out. And like I said her stuff isn’t bad to begin with. The American stuff anyway. And to whoever said she’s copying Rhianna is some bull because Rhinna can’t sing OR dance to save her life.
By now people should have realised that being a teen pop star has got nothing to do with talent. She doesnt have the star power that is necessary to make it big in the states and being a korean american clone is not helping. best thing for her is to choose between either korea or japan and stay there.
From the perspective of a total westerner…her song is pretty good. If Madonna or Britney had sung that, it would have been an instant hit for sure. It’s great!! What’s wrong is the whole emphasis on her “Asianness.”
WE DON’T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THE FACT THAT SHE’S FROM ASIA, IT’S SO ANNOYING!! What has she got to offer us? Good music, or is she here to remind us constantly that she’s from Asia? WE. KNOW. We can SEE that she is Asian, it’s really obvious! We want a beautiful human being who can sing, not someone who goes on and on about being Asian!!
I am very surprised that a smart man like SooMan would promote such a good song…so horribly! Yeah, she’s gonna fail. Why? Sadly, it’s not even that her song sucks. It is a hit song that no one is gonna care about. Thanks to the stupid “Best of Asia” thing.
I think she can make it, but it’s going to take a little time…. lots and lots of little time. But I believe she can pull it off.
Got her new album thinking I was gonna be disappointed, but was shocked at how good it was.
Her English MV sucked. The Cha version is much better. I personally like the song, but I do agree that her debut should’ve been better if she wanted to make an impact on the American market.
And I agree with the “Best of Asia” title. She is well known in Asia but she’s definitely not the best. Personally, I’d think DBSK or Bi could pull it off, but that’s only considering a couple of Korea’s most famous stars. There are many other well known singers from Asia too.
I really liked her album, as far as dance songs go but otherwise i have to say no to her debut. She is not a Mariah Carey or Carrie Underwood in the sense of being a vocally powerful singer like they are. This album was edited too much to hide her accent. And yes, having an asian accent is the last thing you need as an asian artist.
She is average looking as far as asians are concerned and she is really short which fills one of the more degrading sterotypes of asians. I am asian-american and I know that her looks will not pull her through.
In terms of the western idea of beauty, she is not it. They should have tried to showcase her talent instead of trying to sell her sex appeal, which she does not have. (Personally, Wonder Girls have more sex appeal than she does) This “sex appeal” would work in asia for her body type but not here. This is the land of the hour-glass shaped divas.
She is also a mediocre singer. She would be famous in America for that reason alone. Now that would normally work in the US if she was a really gorgeous person with an hour-glass figure. Her body type and “innocent” face sells in Asia but not here.
I’m sorry BoA but you do not have the looks or the talents to pull it off over here. Utada is fluent in english and is more talented. If any asian artist deserves to make it over here, it is her. She has the voice although she is not as pretty as you. But she has the voice and you do not.
[...] what else? Just BoA. Very smart. But while the super-confident popster proclaimed BoA to mean Best of Asia, Bring on America (that’s just a tad bit arrogant), America is indeed bringing it and things don’t look [...]
I agree with Jenny 100%. Sorry BoA – I really like you, but America doesn’t dig the whole anorexic, innocent look like they do in Asia.
Oh, and the “I did it for Love” video?
Repeating “I I I I did it did it did it” and lap dancing a chair will not cut it here either.
They are going about it all wrong.
And her accent in interviews are hella annoying.
I’m korean, so I can say it.
The key to succeeding in a foreign market as competitive as America is to separate yourself from the rest of the crowd. The autotuner effect and the electropop sound has been played to death hear in North America. BoA won’t be able to distinguish herself from Britney Spears or Rihanna.
Remember several years ago when Latin music was the big craze: artists such as Shakira and Ricky Martin were able to succeed because no one else in North America sounded like them at the time. When Coldplay succeeded in North America, they did it because no one was doing sensitive, soft rock at the time. Estelle succeeded because she caught everyone’s attention with the song “American Boy.” It was fun, catchy, and didn’t sound like any pop song on the radio at the time.
I think someone like Jay Chou would have a better shot at hitting it big here in North America because his sound is very distinct from North American pop. Asian artists should try to incorporate more of their Asian heritage into their music. It would make them sound unique. It wouldn’t look like they were just imitating established American acts. Just come up with something different to catch our attentions!
BIG BANG!!! needs to come to America. Their unique style and music will catch hella attention. Their talent is amazing too. Seo Taiji would pwn too but he doesn’t care about spreading out through the world and it’s kinda of too late for him since he’s nearing the age of 40. Big bang is the only asian band left and Jay Chou sucks mayne.
Big bang is also pretty fluent in english besides Dae Seung and Seungri but their getting there. They’d definately make it here if any band or singer(s) do it, it would be them. Plus YG Family is aimed more towards that urban theme of look not that k-poppy pretty boy look that all the asians love.
Big Bang!? Are you serious? Those short, hip-hop/r&b wannabe posers would be laughed off the stage here in America! There’s absolutely nothing “original” or “amazing” about them, just like the rest of kpop.
If anybody even still comes to this and sees what they wrote haha all i have to say is you were WRONG bigtime wait wait let me get this straight you guys thought it would flop and the last time i looked for 2 weeks in a row her album was wait what was it oh yea thats right number 4 on the Itunes list AHAHAHAHAH … oh and for all the people on this site that says they love BoA and then disrespect her like that your not true fans i have listened to BoA since she debuted in Korea and i am american i have every album in the original casing and you can damn well bet that since i am a fan i will be loyal to her forever and always you guys need to pay your dues its high time somebody came with some amazing dance choreo and music I did it for love is an amazing song and the dance sequence is phenomenal plus i dunno if you all heard her and usher may be teaming up for a performance anyway i say F*** you to all the so called BoA fans who let her down and disrespected her coming to America
Joddon,
4th on itunes?????????? wow that is so amazing………….. Unfortunately, no one really cares about that. itunes does not replace the billboard chart.
and who says we are being unsupportive. we are just stating the truth. She is not successful. if you would remove the “i love boa” blindfold you would see.
Most of the people who bought her album are Kpop fans who heard of her when she was still performing in Asia
Secondly, she has not been on a radio tour which is ESSENTIAL for a new artist. How do I know? I know someone who works for DefJam records.
third, i have never seen any promotions except for at forever 21 which was created by a korean person. no tv shows, interviews by major networks with no association with an asian company, i.e soompi, allkpop dont count. nada! zip!
So her debut was a failure. I knew it would be. And Anne thanks for agreeing with me on my other comment about BoA’s image. we already knew she was going to fail……………. she wont sell here…….
Yeah… we already knew that (except for her most devout fans). A lot of the fans say “well, it’s only her first album.” Except that it’s not. She’s a veteran singer/dancer (been doing it since when?), and music level of this quality isn’t going to cut it, especially if she’s been doing this all her life.
Oh well, it’s not like BoA is the only one that didn’t make it in the American market (Japan had high hopes for Utada Hikaru too, but she didn’t pan out either).
Until Asia actually finds a distinct music particular to that area but with the same addictive qualities of any old pop music, the results will probably stay the same, which is highly unfortunate, as Asians aren’t looking to that direction very much at all and still playing catch-up rather than innovating.
Asians are not playing catch-up… they are going through the same music phases we are. That is why BoA sounds just like any American artist. She can make it big in the US with the right connections.
If you don’t know anything about asia, you have no business judging their performers based on what particular music style is popular in the United States.
End of story.
I don’t know about BoA but me thinks your shitty blog is doomed.
I don’t think it has failed completely, but it needs a strong follow up, some collaborations and better promotion generally. Just one appearance on a major US chat show could float it for her.
I think BoA may be the best of Asia, she has it all, personality, voice and above all is an outstanding dancer who puts all American artists aside from MJ in the shade. She also speaks pretty good English.
Also I think as regards the tracks they got it about right if they want longevity, yes all the tracks do sound like they were written for Britney Spears and Rhianna (because they probably were), but I don’t know how effective it would have been to go in with a blatantly asian style, I mean where are those Latin acts now? And there are a lot more Latinos in the US than Asians. I do think they should avoid trying to copy the slutty style of Britney Spears and the likes in videos though, they need to show more of her looks, dancing talents and personality which I believe they are now doing – thank goodness they ditched the US version of the Eat You Up video!
I think she still has a chance, if she doesn’t work herself to death first!
BoA has talent. Lots. Her american record label, however, does not -__-. No radio airplay? I search all the channels that she is “apparently” on but still, I’ve never heard any of her songs. KIIS FM for example. I’m always trying to tune in but NO BOA whatsoever. It’s stupid. ++ She’s going back and forth to Japan. That’s going to seriously tire her so how the hell could she perform here? Just yesterday, her new album came out. I went to all the stores I possibly could to look for it and I realized the order was canceled completely for BestBuy’s and Wal-Mart. I think it’s due to her unsuccessful sales for the first album at those stores. Whatever, BoA deserves more promotion and I think we can all agree on that.
Boa debut in USA is completely failure. She is done in USA.
SM ent must lost alot of money for Boa failure.
RIP Boa Kwon in USA
I personally like her songs sure not everyone might but they are decent compared to some singers that originated from America. I think that it would be a wonderful idea to get music, bands, and singers from different areas of the world because it would bring us to understand different cultures and styles. Now Boa i would think that just like every singer would have to find a way to surpass others but like i said everyone has to do their best. If she fails or succeeds is up to her because someone in the world will always like her. Also reading other post i see there was a discussion about Big Bang. I would love for them to branch out and come to America. I love everything about them. Surely they would prosper over here.
HAHAHAHA