With transparent skin and delicate body, her eyes are strong. Debuting at the age 13 with 17 years career, she's grown into a forever young but calm woman.
"Since I'm a solo artist and not in a group, I don't have anyone to rely on."
BoA, an artist from Korea who has branched out to Japan and the world, said with a smile. Not a smile to put up a brave front. I can feel the energy born from experiences of this woman who has just turned 30.
Japan debut with no interpreter
Her debut happened by chance. She followed her brother to an audition when she was 12 and was scouted by a big entertainment firm.
Debut in Korea was at the age of 13 in year 2000 and it was decided from way before that she'd advance to Japan market so she did a short homestay in Japan to learn Japanese. The day after Japan debut, she had to do interview in Japanese.
She couldn't say the things she wanted to say. It was in an era where Korean artists still didn't promote all over the world so there was no system, no interpreter.
"It's very difficult to express yourself in a foreign language. It's exhausting..."
When I throw her a question, she'd answer promptly. I can feel how smart she is but from her standpoint, it's still not her mother tongue. During her early days in Japan, she always had electronic dictionary close by her side, earnestly studying Japanese everyday.
Not long after she's come to Japan, she wrote lyrics in Japanese to a song.
あおいそらはいつもおなじで こどくなふしぎさね
かなしみもさびしさもすべて かくしているみたい
うそでもねえ ほほえむことはすてきなことね
涙だけが すなおにないている
(MOON & SUNRISE)
Not knowing Kanji, she wrote her thoughts in Hiragana.
Only the word "tears" is written in Kanji.
14 years old girl who lived apart from her family, even when bathed in spotlight and showing smiles to fans, she still had conflicts inside.
Success brought by stoicness
Her career in Japan is full of records.
The first Korean artist to hold arena tour in Japan.
The youngest foreign artist to perform in Kouhaku in 2002. Her Kouhaku attendance continued after that for 6 consecutive years.
6 consecutive studio albums ranking first on Oricon Album Weekly Chart since debut. She was the 2nd female artist in history to hold the record.
Now not only the chart, but she became an artist and a producer who feels the sense of joy and accomplishment by delivering better music for the audience.
Even during costume and makeup change for the interview, she kept practicing filling the studio with the volume of her voice. Stoic through and through.
BoA continued challenging herself by debuting in the US with "Eat You Up" in 2008. Holding a big success in Japan, she started all over again on a new ground.
"I've learnt a lot. Things are difficult as much as you think they are. If you think it'd be alright, then the world looks much brighter."
BoA spoke calmly of the difficulties she's faced.
In 2014, she made a Hollywood debut by starring lead role in the movie "Make Your Move". Last year she worked as an MC in a huge audition TV show "Produce 101 Season 2".
BoA who keeps running on gorgeous path and might even appear as one with no hesitation. In her album set to release on Feb 14, there's a song that expresses what's deep in her mind.
"Watashi Konomamade Iinokana (Am I OK like this?...)"
The new album "Watashi Konomamade Iinokana" concept is "choices in adult female's life".
One day, I found that
people around me do not scold me anymore.
Please tell me what I've done wrong.
I don't wanna ask
but if I don't, I can't change.
（Watashi Konomamade Iinokana）
"I thought I'd definitely be married by the age of 30. But marriage is not that easy."
"But I still enjoy my work so I have no choice but to put my work as first priority. After turning 30, there's no need to hurry anymore. I've strangely turned philosophical."
"Career, Marriage, Relationship" the main life choices women in their 30's face. BoA also has problems her peers have.
"When I was in my 10's or 20's, I can work even after pulling an all nighter but after turning 30, the fatigue and lack of sleep rapidly shows on my face. Skin also turned dry and sometimes I need to get IV drips. As a person who needs to present myself in front of people, I have to strictly secure my sleep time. (LOL)"
Even though she has transformed into a woman, but sometimes she'd laugh until her face got crumpled. From frank words to private stories, one can see an adolescent side of her still remained from her debut time.
"Comparing oneself to others is meaningless."
Standing alone on stage for 17 years. Where does that power come from?
"I don't compare myself to others. Compare for what? To feel jealous when you see things you don't have? That's negative thinking. Or to feel superior to others? That's just self gratification."
"I think comparing oneself to others and, even unconsciously, feel superior or inferior is the beginning to losing self confidence."
Message to her peers "Take good care of your own happiness"
There is no trace of the girl who came to Japan alone and fought with loneliness and pain by herself anymore.
"As a human being, I cherish my happiness. Whenever I get caught up living a busy life, whether in the past or even now, I'd always search for what would help me spiritually. Recently it's exercising outdoor. Usually my job is indoor working in studio and I've only discovered recently that moving about in the nature really feels good."
She said with a natural smile.
Having spent her teenage years in a different way from others but found herself having the same problems with women her own age.
I asked her for a message for her peers.
"I want everyone to think that no matter what choice they make, it's a step toward a life that they can be happy with."
Singer debut, Overseas advancement, Difficulties with Japanese language.
No matter how big the influence from those around us, in the end it's the result from every choice we made ourselves. Choices we made to be happy.
VDO BoA answering fans' questions
Q: You wear different sneakers every time. How many pairs do you have?
A: I've never counted so I don't know but I've got a lot. Since I don't wear high heel shoes, I usually wear sneakers.
Q: What's your fav track off the new album?
A: I like all of them that's why I chose them for the album. I filmed Jazzclub MV in New York so I have many fun memories for the song but I love all of them.
Q: What's your recent hobby?
A: Last year I was into golf but since it's too cold now I'm having a break from it.
Q: You've said before that you like the word "zeitaku(luxury)" in Japanese. What's your zeitaku now?
A: A holiday. (It means she's so tired she needed a break.)
Q: Artist you wanna collaborate with?
A: Hirai Ken. People say both of us have sad singing voices so I wanna collab on a sad song.
translated from:
https://ex.yahoo.co.jp/buzzfeedjapan/ashitano-interview/6.html
