J-pop singer Mai Kuraki to perform in Korea

Japanese R&B artist Mai Kuraki is set to give her first concert in Korea, according to Mnet Media on Wednesday.

Kuraki, who recently had a number one single written by Korean songwriter Song Yang-ha, will perform in Seoul as part of her "10th Anniversary Live Tour 2009", Mnet announced in a press release.

Celebrating a decade-long career in the music industry, she released her second best album "All My Best" in Japan earlier this month. It reached No.1 on Japan's Oricon weekly albums chart.

"The Korean fans [Kuraki] met at the Asia Song Festival two years ago were very passionate," said a source close to the singer and songwriter. "It left a good impression and she really wanted to perform in Korea for her 10th anniversary."

Muraki debuted in 1999 with the single "Love, Day After Tomorrow", which sold 1.4 million copies in Japan. Since then, she has released 32 single albums -- all of which placed within the top 10 of the Oricon charts -- plus nine studio albums and eight DVDs.

The concert will be held at Seoul's Ax-Hall on November 14 and tickets for her "Best" album will be available in Korea starting today.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr