Asian artists have been trying to break into the North American market for a while now, the two most notable being Hikaru Utada of Japan and Coco Lee of China. Hikaru made the jump with Exodus
Under their new American branch, SM Entertainment USA, SM Entertainment is taking a stab at mainstream music with their long-time ubertalent, BoA. Will she succeed? I really, REALLY hope so. Hit the video for the Asia version of her debut song, Eat You Up:
Production wise, it’s similar to our homegrown material. Four on the floor beat with stutters thrown in for good measure. Massive, fat “womp-womp” saws alternating between kicks. Catchy hook. Nonsensical, vocoded lyrics. A little poppy, but it sounds about right, no?
I love it, but I’m biased; I have a ton of BoA albums reaching way back to the start of her career, so I have a lot invested in her success. As people who may not have been exposed to her earlier work, what do you guys think?
P.S. Thanks Lindsey Le for making the introduction. Always Loyal, Always Lindsey Le – the new fragrance from Jeremy Lim.
Tags: boa, korea, Music, north america, sm entertainment
![[123/365] Guitar Hero](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4424497274_f685c579dc_s.jpg)
![[120/365] Sleep Sheep](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2740/4415975961_63da866e4c_s.jpg)
[...] No, that’s no typo; I’ve got to compete with a Korean R&B singer. Worse for me is that J Lim (Lim Jeong Hee) will be making her imminent debut North American shores under JYP Entertainment, just like BoA’s entry under SM Entertainment USA. [...]
Gosh, I remember when Utada and Coco tried to make it in the U.S. with VERY little success. Utada made a good attempt and I’m pretty sure that a lot of people knew her because of her game singles for Final Fantasy, but when it came to her album, there was just nothing outstanding. Some were catchy, but it didn’t have an appeal to them for those in the U.S. It was really sad to see that. At least she’s still making it big in Japan.
I believe it was last year, when Se7en and Bi (Rain) came over and tried to make it, and again, had very little success even though Se7en recorded a single with Amerie (which wasn’t used because another artist also sang the part). Bi was featured in a few films, but no great reviews came out of it. Probably a few more women fans who’re fascinated by his boyish charms and rock hard abs. Now they’re both trying to make a comeback in Korea.
On to BoA. I liked her Asian songs. I think she sang in both Korean and Japanese, and I liked most of them. This is…eh…sounds like she’s trying to play into the Janet Jackson, fast-beat club music scene. It’s not bad, but not great. I’m not particularly excited about it. The lyrics could have been better. The whole “I’ll eat you up” part and “I’ll take you to my room”…like, couldn’t they not try so hard? I guess they’re saying that we’re going to be taken by her? Meh. But the video is hot. I think Asians are crazy dancers. Oh yeah! But…then again, the song doesn’t match the video so I’m confused…I would have pictured her all over a guy, but dancing nonstop and ending in a college auditorium…yeah, don’t know where they were going with that. Glasses breaking, windows shattered, and a chandelier catching on fire? Huh?
I have this belief that if you can make it overseas, you shouldn’t try so hard to make in America simply because not many artists are successful in accomplishing it. Especially those of a different language. You’d think, “Oh yeah, they’re known as the Japanese Madonna, so they have to be good,” right? Wrong. It’s definitely not the case. My suggestion for an Asian invasion of the music industry in the Americas is to start here FIRST and then go overseas. Less expectation that way too because if you make it here first, there’s no doubt that you’ll have a problem elsewhere. You have so much endorsement and it’s hard not to know your name if you’re a star in Hollywood’s music scene.
Wha…I’m done.
Well, the video concept has BoA going to an Audition, wowing the judges (Which is why the guys glasses shatter X_x) and SM Entertainment released this during the time of the opening of the USA Auditions. So I’d say it’s promoting that.
@kP: It’s funny. I haven’t found a single girl who thinks Bi is good looking; it’s always about his abs, haha. Coco was supposed to have been pretty successful, but nothing compared to our domestic product. I think you might be onto something too with starting out in the Americas. From my experience (and there isn’t too much), US material is considered ‘cool’ the East. Sadly, it doesn’t really work the other way around!
@hideko: Never knew that was coinciding at the same time. Very cool.