2009 will witness the creative expansion of an international star like none other. She’s young. She’s beautiful. She’s talented. And she’s a proven success. Basically she’s the embodiment of pop music – 2.0. As one of Korea and Japan’s biggest pop stars, we’re talking 20 million records sold; BoA’s grand entrance to the United States is not only highly anticipated it is warmly welcomed. With her as-yet-untitled album being prepped and her first single “Eat You Up” on the brink of digital release, BoA is set to reach out and touch the American music market in a way it has never felt before.

Born in Korea to a relatively small family with two older brothers, BoA knew from as early as she could remember that she wanted to be a singer. There was never a question in this pop phenom’s mind what her career path would be. However, what she didn’t know is how fast it would take off. Accompanying her brother on an open audition call at Korean based entertainment industry powerhouse S.M. Entertainment, BoA was literally discovered by the Founder & Producer of the company, SM Lee and then the magic began. The producer SM Lee, right after seeing BoA, felt that she’d become the world superstar.

Soon after signing with S.M. Entertainment, BoA entered their intensive training academy where she took her singing and dancing skills to the next level. BoA’s vocals became stronger and her hip-hop and pop dancing advanced. By 2000, a 13-year-old BoA was ready, and she released her Korean debut album ID; Peace B which debuted in the top 10 on Korean charts. A slew of successful albums would follow (see accompanying discography) that release but not before BoA opted to breakout and into something else.

In 2002, BoA moved to Japan. She embraced the challenge of penetrating a totally different music market. Intelligent as she is talented, BoA learned Japanese within two years. She released Listen to My Heart which debuted at the very top of the charts and won over her Japanese audience with her pop sensibilities and superior dance skills. She couldn’t be stopped.

Throughout the early 2000s, specifically from 2003 to 2006, BoA seamlessly shifted between Korea and Japan releasing several albums. Her second Japanese CD Valenti moved more than 1.2 million units. During this time, BoA also toured in support of her releases bringing her energetic and engaging stage show to the masses. And then BoA came into her late teen years and she was set for the challenge of transitioning into that young adult phase of her life.

2008 the announcement was made that BoA, a triumphant artist in Korea and Japan, would make her American debut in the first quarter of 2009. More than 200 journalists from Japan, China, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the United States countries descended upon Korea to hear the tri-lingual, dancing and singing music marvel reveal her imminent plans of focusing on an American music career.

Her first full English album, the as-yet-untitled effort, features a collection of hip, R&B influenced, pop tunes that has become her forte. BoA’s stellar and strong vocals continue to play the front while the production provides the perfect pop backdrop. One listen to her debut single “Eat You Up” with its aggressive synthesizer ridden instrumental playing under BoA’s crisp, clear, and sonically sound vocals and there’s no question that the victories amassed in Korea and Japan are on the horizon here in the United States. BoA, with her fresh contemporary edge, has got an expert hold on this pop thing and her American debut will prove it.

Eat You Up by BoA

BoA introduces herself to the US

Behind the scenes with BoA for Eat You Up