For Milestone promotions, BoA's interviews are up on Excite, Barks and Oricon. I decided to translate the oricon one since I find it the most interesting.
- congrats for 10th anniversary. you've turned into a cool woman with adult charm.
[BoA] I myself dont notice any difference but i've turned 25 after all(laugh)
- looking back to the past 10 years, what do u think?
[BoA] It was so fast. looking back, I've done a lot... actually should I say a little too much (laugh) I myself think they're heavy 10 years. At first, I thought i'd stay in Japan for only 2-3 years. can't believe I've carried it this long.
- so it was beyond expectation
[BoA] yes but I think it's thanks to fans who have supported me. really thank you!
- and u didnt just work in Korea and Japan, u also went to America and the world
[BoA] About America activities, I didn't put much importance for the outcome. It was more like to challenge myself, to study and get stimulated. So rather than aiming for success in the US market, I wanted to skill up as an artist by trying a new field.
- didnt u feel worried?
[BoA]It'd be a lie if i said i wasn't worried. (laugh) well I have my confidence in a career i've built and I don't think it'd suddenly collapse. Of course, I know that a new start means u need to sacrifice something too.
- this makes me feel again that you have another YOU looking at yourself calmly and objectively.
[BoA] I dont really notice it specifically but it might be that way.
- When u first came to Japan, there was no K-POP boom like right now and u were a pioneer. Didnt u have a lot of problems back then like the language and stuff?
[BoA] To work in Japan, I thought it'd be best to speak using my own words (in Japanese) that way, I think the feelings would be conveyed better.
- So u've been working hard at it for these 10 years.
[BoA] Not really working hard, it was more like I learnt the language as I used it. During my debut period, there were interviews everyday. Of course, i got tired by that but it also served as language training. That's how my Japanese got better!
- I see. Recently there were a lot of concerts/events with your SM juniors. As a senior, what do u think of your junior activities?
[BoA] Everyone is working hard at all the countries.
- That applies to you too. (laugh)
[BoA] No no. When I heard about their schedules like "We're just back from London" "We just went to Australia" I was like Whoaa! I think it's also thanks to K-POP Boom nowadays. TVXQ also debuted in Japan when there was no K-POP boom, so it was kinda hard for them too I believe. Even though I'm their senior from the same company, I'm not from the cheering side, I'm also battling in the same field as a pro. Looking at it like that, aren't we also rivals too? so should i say i dont have no words for them as a senior... Rather it's more like I'm not in a position to speak as if I'm above them. What I can say is just to understand your group and your music and express them sincerely always.
- Those words are exactly from BoA who's faced music sincerely for 10 years.
[BoA] Actually, around 2007 I suppose, I hit my limit. There was time when I wanna be away from music. The schedule in Japan and Korea...(bitter laugh) I went out of ideas and things I wanna do.
- it was too much everyday?
[BoA]No matter how much u like something, doing it too much then u get used to it. u then forget to be grateful of being able to do it. I'm sure it happens to everyone. it just happened to me then.
- and u have to create things constantly I'm sure there was so little time to absorb things into yourself.
[BoA] Actually I wanted to take a break and recharge myself but at that time, the US debut was brought up so in the end I couldn't take a break. But the thing I wanted to do most back then was to do "input" and America debut was a perfect chance to do "input". (input=take in new things)
- so after you've done your input with breaking into the US market, you've powered up yourself as an artist.
[BoA] Not really a physical change, i think it's more like a mental change. I gained higher awareness towards music and an artist BoA. I can carry more responsibility now.
- After such heavy 10 years, the new song "Milestone" is released.
[BoA] (serious) it's my 31st single. it's been 1yr5months since a physical CD release.
- i have waited long
[BoA] me too (laugh)
- and speaking of winter BoA, it's gotta be ballads. it's not far from truth to say that this ballad beats all the ballads u've released to date.
[BoA] really? since when did I have that image? (laugh) I guess it was because of Merikuri.
- no doubt about that
[BoA] This new ballad has small number of sounds. Having heart-wrenching piano and strings in the background, the singing voice is clear in the song.
- it's a singing voice full of emotion that reach deep in the heart
[BoA] the way I sing in this song is like telling my story, not try too hard to convey or decorate the song. The message in the song is about self-til-now and self-from-now, yes there are confusion and worries but I think that's natural. every time seasons change, it might be hard to get up and do something but don't be afraid. let's try. that's what the lyrics are about. i can put feelings into the song without having to tell myself to do so.
- the phrase "I don't even understand myself" at the start of the song really grabs my heart
[BoA] the lyric's neither too abstract nor too straight, a very realistic one. I personally like it very much.
- the DVD content is also refreshing. it's like watching BoA documentary.
[BoA] I also thought it was like watching a movie/film because of the color. it's very documentary-ish
- when u first debuted, u must have had a hard time with pronunciation and had to focus on pronoucing while singing. Starting from what song did u feel able to convey feelings directly into the song?
[BoA] umm... looking back from now I think the way i conveyed feelings in these songs a lil childish but i'd have to say starting from "Kimochiwa Tsutawaru", "Listen to my heart" that I felt things after reading lyrics myself.
- that early!?
[BoA] but listening to the songs now there are parts where I feel I tried too hard. (laugh) i think it's the age.
- and since what song did u feel u could express your feelings freely without being tensed.
[BoA] maybe from "Do the motion", "Kimino tonaride", "Everlasting"
- from this DVD single, we can see how you have cherished music for all these 10 years.
[BoA] I'm glad to hear that. Working for this long, the feelings I have towards music increase every year. No matter how much I love it, I can't possibly keep running non-stop right? therefore, if I dont do things that can be enjoyed by both myself and fans, definitely someone must get tired... that someone is me though (laugh) from now on, i'd like to work slowly, focusing on quality not quantity.
- and this single is full of 3 quality songs
[BoA] "Audio Technica" tie-up songs are all ballads. "I SEE ME" was digital-distribution only but it's such a great song. I like it a lot so I'm very happy to see it in the CD this time. "Merikuri BEST&USA version" fits the season perfectly so I hope people will listen to it a lot this winter.
- Will u sing it in Xmas Live this 10th,11th Dec?
[BoA] I want to. It's gonna a special xmas live since it's also a 10-year anniversary.
- It's 10th this time, next time it'll be 20th anniversary...10 years from now u'd be only 35 though. how cool
[BoA] 20th anniversary... even now i've worked as a singer for more than half my life. It'd be even more when I turn 30...
- but u can't picture yourself as something else if not a singer, right?
[BoA] i can't. oh i can get married. but then I have to look for a guy first.(laugh)
- in the future, any thing u wanna challenge, ambition?
[BoA] I just wanna do my best for every job I have at the moment. I'll be happy if I can continue singing songs I like in Japan, Korea and America!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.