The first Korean artist to top the Japanese Oricon chart, the first Korean to enter the Billboard main chart, the first Korean artist in her 20s to hold a concert in Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, and more. Who is this artist? It’s BoA.
BoA, who made her debut in 2000, was always followed with the titles like “the first” and “the best.” Coming August 25 marks the 20th anniversary of BoA’s debut. Let’s take a look at BoA’s path, which has conquered the Japanese music market, showed potential in the US market, and set the stage for K-pop to expand around the world.
Teenage Girl Takes Over the K-pop Scene
BoA made her grand debut in the K-pop scene on August 25, 2000, with her first album ID: Peace B. At the time, BoA was only 13 years old, but the interest and expectations for her were tremendous. The title of being the solo female singer introduced by SM Entertainment was enough to draw much attention. Upon her debut, BoA won the Best New Artist Award at the year-end awards ceremony. She then rose to the top with her second album NO.1, released in 2002, and established a solid position as a female solo artist.
A Living Witness of K-pop History
BoA took a stop in the Japanese market in 2001 by releasing a single album. In 2002, she released her first full-length Japanese album Listen to my Heart and became the first Korean singer to top the Oricon chart. Then in 2003, her second Japanese album VALENTI shocked the music fans by surpassing 1 million album sales on the day of its release. BoA won the “Grand Prix of Japan Record Award” for three consecutive years from 2002 to 2004, and she also became the first Korean singer to compete in the Kōhaku Uta Gassen (NHK Red & White Song Battle) for six consecutive years.
BoA has also challenged the US music market. BoA ranked 127th in “Billboard 200” with her first US album BoA, released in April 2009. It was the first time for a Korean singer to enter the Billboard main chart.
Take Off as a Singer-Songwriter
In 2012, BoA released her own song “Only One,” which she wrote and composed herself. Since then, she wrote and composed her eighth full-length album Kiss My Lips, and wrote four songs from her ninth full-length album WOMAN.
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BoA has become a living history of K-pop. The reason why the numerous achievements she has made shine is that BoA is still moving forward. As time goes by, BoA is even more dazzling and is recognized for her value.
Now, BoA plans to release her own song “Little Bird” in the form of a music film for those who are currently suffering from COVID-19.
