BoA: Flying from 'No. 1' to 'Only One'

BoA [SM Entertainment]

No matter how many barriers stood in her way, reaching for the top has never been an issue for BoA.

"I hated people telling me, 'Because you're BoA' [taking all my efforts for granted]."

The 26-year-old popstress became a public figure at the age of 13, when it was a booming trend for numerous talent firms and producers from broadcasting stations to search and train young teenage idols.

Some rose high, some fell, some stayed exactly where they were when they first began. While there were no set rules and how-to guides for them to grow as true K-pop stars, BoA has always been a true believer in herself and strived to become No. 1.

And she did.

Navigating the K-pop and J-pop music scenes, the "No. 1" singer is now aiming to open the next chapter of her life by becoming the one and only, or, the "Only One" of its kind.

Back in the music scene with her seventh full-length effort "Only One," BoA has shared her thoughts about her music and recent TV experiences at an interview held at Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul, Korea on July 26.

BoA [SM Entertainment]

“'The Shadow' captures how I think my fans perceive me."

Audition program "KPOP STAR" was definitely one of the turning points of her life that has made the singer reflect on her past and plan the future. Watching budding future artists growing their skills and experiencing bitter failures, it was a chance for BoA to forget about the current busy life and look back at the early years of her career.

"When I look at the participants develop and be discouraged at moments, I felt sad but proud. I guess that's exactly how my fans see me. 'The Shadow' captures how I think my fans perceive me. I wrote it for them but ironically it could be about my feelings toward fans. It's not too hopeful or optimistic, but show the difficulty as singers quite realistically," BoA said.

“The standard of 'really good songs' is very personal. For me, they are songs that I like and proud of.”

"Only one" is composed of seven new songs excluding the two instrumental versions of the title tune of the same name and "The Shadow."

When asked if she does not agree that the album lacks a few tracks to call it a full-length album, BoA said with self-assurance that the quality of an album is all she cares about.

"Counting how many songs are listed in an album is not the foremost issue for me. What's really important is to make an album with 'really good songs.' I didn't want to drop the quality of my album just to make the album look full and packed. The standard of 'really good songs' is very personal. For me, they are tunes that I like and I am proud of."

She went on to say the trend of musical genres and style is one of the important factors to consider when producing an album. What is more important though, is making a song that lasts in people's heart forever with lyrics and melodies.

"I've been doing electronic music for quite some time. Then I figured electronic sounds could be placed in a song for a few parts but it shouldn't be the main theme. I also wanted to create a song with a really nice melody. The musical style I pursue differs every year and it has a huge influence on the albums I release. 'Only One' was especially affected a lot by that."

“This kind of hip-hop-based choreography is what I like and what I’m good at.”

“The choreography team Nappy Taps came to my mind in the process of writing and composing ‘Only One.’ They know about my dancing style better than anyone else because we had worked together for several months to film Hollywood dance pic ‘COBU 3D.’ I chose to wear sneakers because dancing with heels wouldn’t be able to keep the original feeling. This kind of hip-hop-based choreography is what I like and what I’m good at.”

“I prefer narrow and deep relationships over wide and shallow ones.”

However, behind her glittering career in the limelight as a singer, dancer and actor, is just an ordinary young woman in her 20s. Or perhaps, too ordinary.

Home, work, watching TV series… other than those three is just a boring life. I prefer narrow and deep relationships over wide and shallow ones,” she said, jokingly adding that she is closer to being the latter despite her preference.

“I’m so busy when I’m at home. People think I’m killing time at home but listening to music, reading books and watching TV series and movies are great sources of learning. I get inspired for my music by spending time like that but to make good music requires working with instruments by myself.”

“Only One,' or the only thing, I can't let go in my life is myself."

For more than a decade she has gone through a lonely fight against herself. On her way to success, BoA had to give up countless once-in-a-life-time events, even precious childhood memories, to have a firm hold on the steering wheel of her life.

Neither gaining fame nor being a celebrity per se was the top priority in her life. The little giant had much bigger thoughts than that.

"I used to have doubts about having a long singing career. At some point I figured once you're a celebrity in Korea, you're forever a celebrity. That scared me. Even when you're out of the spotlight, rumors and gossip surround you online and on TV. But I found myself not being able to let go of this job. I couldn't and can't control that. After all, the 'Only One,' or the only thing, I can't let go in my life is myself."


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