YeinJee's Asian Journal

Korean pop star BoA has revealed the ’secret to her beautiful voice’ in a recent Japanese radio show… apparently all she needs is a bowl of noodles and a happy stomach.

Korean pop star BoA… someone give her a ramyeon please…

“I like noodles. I frequently go to restaurants and eat ramyeon (noodles). I can’t sing well if I’m hungry. People don’t recognize me when I’m in a restaurant,” BoA shared. [Krnloop]

I bet the Koreans and Japanese noodles-maker are working on their accounts now to get BoA as their spokesperson.

The latest Samsung AnyCall commercial film, featuring AnyBand - a group of artists with different talents - pop star BoA, Xiah Jun-su (from boyband TVXQ), Tablo (from hip-hop group Epik High) and pianist prodigy Jin Bora…

AnyCall is famous for its commercial films; its previous series featuring pop star Lee Hyori (AnyMotion, AnyClub etc.) were simply classic. The CFs were very well received in Korea and spread around the world through various online video sharing site.

With Hyori’s contract ending pretty soon… Samsung is trying to form a new hype with AnyBand. With pop stars BoA and Jun-su in backing, and the talent of Tablo and Bora… it’s almost certain that the commercial will create a great buzz in the market.

Here is the latest commercial films (full 9 minutes version) featuring AnyBand; the theme of the CFs is to tell people to share more love, have fun and be happy…

Korean pop star BoA is honoured with the Young Contemporary Artist Award from the Ministry Culture and Tourism; she received the award on October 18.

BoA receiving the artist award

The Young Artist Award goes out to artists in their 20s and 30s, as recognition by the government for the artists’ achievements and cultural impact.

Meanwhile, actress Goh Doo-shim and actor Kim Sung-hwan received the Okgwan Cultural Medal of Honor and the Hwagwan Cultural Medal of Honor respectively for their long-term contributions to the popular arts sector. [KBS]

Korean pop star BoA’s Japanese blog has been a hit since its launching in June 2007.

Screenshot of BoA’s Japanese blog

BoA is a superstar both in Korea and Japan. She often updates her blog and introduces Korean food and culture to the Japanese fans. Besides, most of the photos she posted are taken by herself, and the fans love it.

You can read her blog in English using Google Translator; not perfectly translated, but it’s better than none.

Kwon Boa is one of the most popular South Korean pop stars. Commonly known by her stage name BoA (Beat of Angel), she released albums in both Korean and Japanese.

Picture of Kwon BoA

Kwon Boa profile

Name: Kwon Boa
Korean name: 권보아
DOB: November 5, 1986
Birth place: Guri, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Height: 160cm
Blood type: AB
Profession: Singer

(Also known as Boa Kwon, Kwon Bo-a, Gwon Boa)

Kwon Boa biography

BoA was discovered when she was 11 years old. Her brother went for an audition organized by SM Entertainment, a Korean entertainment agency, which was looking for younger talents instead. BoA brother was asked to introduce his younger siblings (if he has any) and BoA was introduced in the audition and caught SM’s interest.

After convincing BoA’s parents to allow BoA to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a singer; SM started grooming BoA in singing, dancing and foreign languages. BoA was once sent to Japan for her training.

BoA released her debut Korean album, “ID; Peace B” in 2000 and was noticed by Japan’s Avex Agency. She inked a record deal with Avex and released her debut Japanese album, “Listen to my Heart” in March 2002 with the collaboration of Avex-SM; she became the first ever foreigner to top the Japan Oricon chart with the album.

BoA’s career continues to prosper in both Korea and Japan, and becoming quite popular across Asia as well. She was named as the MTV Asia’s Most Influential Asian Artist in 2004; she was just 18 back then.

BoA is currently one of the most famous artists in both Korea and Japan, and she is just 21. It has been known that she is interested in acting as well; we could be seeing BoA on big screen besides her pop performances in near future.

Kwon Boa Related Websites

Avexnet (Japanese) ll Official Blog (Japanese) ll Kwon Boa Forum