[dabrain]

well i am kinda .... surprised??
cuz i rele didnt like the outgrow album and compared to her last two or three albums mit was definitely the best.
so i guess its jus the general problem of decreasing album sales ...

[oha123]

Gosh..u guys dunno how the japanese chart works. It's not like the billboard nor it's like the korean chart. Most artists sell the most during their 1st week. And then they sell less and less. So yeah..u can say 1st week sales are really important.

In Japan, new releases are on every Tuesday. Boa released MIT on the 17th and topped the chart for 1 week. On the 24th, new stuff were released and of corz the new releases will overtake her spot. So far... the 1st,2nd and 3rd position in the chart are new releases. We will have to wait for at least 2/3 days to see it MIT will go up or down the charts and then that will decide the weekly result.

Alot of artist just drop out of the top 20 after the 1st week, so all we can hope now is for boa to stay in top 10 for as long as possible.
Total sales are wat is important anymore. Hopefully she'll sell around 80-100k this week.

[.minjoo]

^ I find it a bit sad that her sales are very low for this one compared to her other Japanese albums.
This just proves what downloading has done to the Music Business...

I can't believe that people are claiming to listen to her but actually they don't buy her album.
I find it a bit weird to hear that lots of people like MiT... but her sales are low!
Man! If MiT was good, go buy the album!!

I'm going to receive mine after a few weeks...
It's still in Japan.

[J@de]

Can somebody please tell me where these caps are from?
I think it's recent...


I don't know what song she performed there but I want to see it.. : D

[*star*]

^ im sure she's perfoming Brand New Beat
she looks pretty ^^

[carollee206]

I hope I can buy the album 2moro cus i'm going out to the city for Australia day and I usually buy all my cds there
Gonna nag my mum to go there with me kekeke~

[xyunaxfantasiesx]

^ i hope you didn't hotlink those....

because boanjel said not to and lots of people just hotlink them =__=;;

anyways it sucks shes not #1 anymore

who is the yuna ito girl? is she fairly popular?

Yuna Ito is a Jpop singer who debuted last year or late 2005, Heart is her debut (1st) album. She's half japanese/Korean If I'm not mistaken. She mostly sings ballads and has a good voice but almost all her song are borning *cough*Heart*cough*.

Anyway, I'm starting to believe that MIT will be like Outgrow. People say they like it at first and then they find it boring.ect + the low sales.
I have been reading many comments lately that MIT isn't great so in terms of sales and comments&criticism, I can say that MIT is like Outgrow part 2 or worse.

[dabrain]

hmm .... dunno
imo boa should take a break ... like one year and rest ... and comeback even better =D

[xyunaxfantasiesx]

Recent Interview

[동아일보]모두가 "축하한다"며 들떠있는데 정작 주인공은 발 얘기부터 꺼냈다.

"6개월 동안 춤을 추면 안 된대요. 일본 정규 5집을 준비하는 과정에서 발바닥이 너무 아파 MRI 검사를 했더니 엄지발가락에 염증이 생겨 쉬어야 한다는 진단을 받았죠. 5집도 발매됐고 3월부터는 콘서트 일정도 잡혀있는데… 그래도 많이 좋아졌어요."

지난주 일본발(發) 낭보는 가수 보아(21)의 것이었다. 17일 일본에서 발표한 정규 5집 '메이드 인 트웬티'가 발매 첫 주 일본 오리콘 앨범차트 1위를 차지, 일본 진출 6년 만에 정규 앨범 5장이 모두 1위에 오르는 기록을 세웠다. 아무로 나미에, 미시아, 쿠라키 마이 등 쟁쟁한 일본 여가수들을 뒤로하고 그녀는 하마사키 아유미(8장)에 이어 역대 여자가수 부문 2위에 올랐다. 전체 가수를 통틀어서도 '킨키 키즈' 등과 공동 2위다. 수 없이 1위를 차지한 그녀도 이번만큼은 소감이 남다를 듯 하다.

"6년 간 일본에서 가장 힘들었던 건 조금이라도 긴장을 늦추면 안 된다는 것이었어요. 스스로 만족할 때까지 연습하지 않으면 안 되더라고요. 충분히 갈고 닦았을 때 배어나오는 당당함과 자신감, 그 느낌이 좋아요."

2001년 싱글 'ID 피스 B'로 일본에 진출할 때만 해도 10대였던 그녀는 이제 총 21장의 싱글과 12장의 앨범(정규, 베스트, 리믹스 포함)을 발표한 일본 내 '거물' 가수로 성장했다. 그러자 "글쎄요, 노력 안 해도 몸무게가 줄어든다는 것 빼놓곤 별로 변한 게 없는데…"라며 한 발 물러선다. 반면 음악적인 부분은 아직 과제로 남아있다. 이제는 '보아만의 음악'을 해야 할 때가된 것. 더 이상 '기성복'같은 음악으로 승부하기엔 팬들의 기대치가 높아졌다.

"모든 노래를 작사, 작곡하지 않았지만 저만의 감정으로 노래한 건 사실이에요. 그럼에도 불구하고 저만의 인생이나 철학이 전달되지 못했다면 그런 감성을 담을만큼 덜 컸다고 생각해요. 하지만 전 지금도 성장하고 있고 언젠간 진짜 '보아만의 음악'을 들려드릴 때가 오리라 믿어요."

그녀의 성공 이후 한국에는 '제 2의 보아' 붐이 나돌 정도로 보아의 성공을 잇겠다는 여가수들이 많았다. 그러나 여전히 두 번째 보아는 나오지 않고 있다. 이에 대한 그녀의 해법은 "제 2의 누군가가 되기 전에 '제 1의 나'가 돼야 한다"는 것. 하지만 승승장구하는 그녀도 전혀 걱정이 없는 것은 아니었다.

"'내리막길'에 대한 생각은 하지만 두려움은 없어요. 노력한 만큼, 정상에서 머문 시간만큼 내려오는 시간도 비례한다고 믿거든요. 하지만 요새는 최고의 자리를 후배에게 물려주는 것도 선배의 도리라고 생각해요. 자연스러운 흐름이기도 하고요."

가수 생활 7년째인 그녀는 올해 2년 만에 국내 정규 음반 계획도 밝혔다. 여기에 올해부터는 연기 활동도 병행한다는 소식도 전했다. 팬들은 그녀의 연기에 대해 찬반양론을 펼치고 있지만 그녀의 의지는 확고하다. "비판을 두려워한다면 어떤 것도 도전할 수 없다"는 것. 마냥 어리게 보였던 그녀도 다 큰 것 같다.

이제 스물한 살. 이룬 것이 많은 만큼 앞으로 이룰 것도 많다. 인터뷰가 진행될수록 그녀는 점점 확신에 찬 모습을 보였다. 10년 후에도 그 '배짱'만큼은 변치 않을 듯 하다. 그러자 그녀, 웃으며 마지막 배짱을 펼쳐 보였다.

"제가 대학을 가지 않았던 것도 음악에 충실하지 못할까봐 포기했던 거죠. 기회는 나중에 또 오겠죠. 열심히 일하는 여성은 언제나 멋지고 매력적이잖아요. 10년 후 결혼을 못했더라도 '멋진 노처녀'가 될 자신이 있어요. 제겐 음악이 있으니까요."

◆1집(2002.3.13) 리슨 투 마이 하트(1위) 93만장 2집(2003.1.29) 발렌티(1위) 125만장 3집(2004.1.15) 러브 앤드 어니스티(1위) 65만장 4집(2005.2.15) 아웃그로우(1위) 43만장 5집(2006.1.17) 메이드 인 트웬티(1위) 18만장(첫 주)

김범석기자 bsism@donga.com

"세상을 보는 맑은 창이 되겠습니다."

ⓒ 동아일보 & donga.com, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지

While everyone has been congratulating BoA on her recent success, she mentions about her feet conditions instead.
"I won't be able to dance for 6 months. In process of preparing for my 5th Japanese album, my feet began to ache really badly. I've recieved a MRI examination, and was told to rest for inflammation(? direct translation) in my toe. My 5th album is already out and have concert scheduled from March..But I'm a lot better now.'

Last week BoA has received a good news. Made In Twenty(20) was no.1 on the weekly Oricon charts. Since her debute, which was 6 years ago, she has set a record for having all her 5 albums in the no.1 charts. BoA has been placed 2nd after Hamasaki Ayumi (8 albums), along with other prominent female artists such as Amuro Namie, Misia, Kuraki Mai charting below BoA. She is ranked in tie with Kinki Kids.
Despite her numerous no.1s, she is surely having different feelings of achievement this time.

"The most difficult thing about working in Japan for 6 years is that I had to keep my tensions up constantly. It was important that I keep practising until I am satisfied. I can exude confidence and presence only when there has been enough practice. I like that feeling."

She was only in her teens when the single 'ID: Peace B' released in 2001, she has grown to a Japan's big star who has released total of 21 singles and 12 albums (including remix, best of albums) so far. Her response to all this was, " Well, I haven't changed much since my debute, except that I've lost some weight." However, she is left with a question that concerns her music. It's time for her to develop her own style of music, her fans now have higher expectations.

"Although I don't write most of my music, it is true that I've been singing with the emotions that are my own. If I failed to convey those emotions, I'm probably not grown enough to hold my own philosophy and life experieces into my music. But I am still growing and one day, I really believe people will be able to listen to real 'BoA music'."

After her success, there has been a boom of many Korean female singers trying to follow up BoA's successful career. None of them proved to be a real 'Second BoA'. Her response to all this was that you have to become the 'first of yourself' instead trying to become the second of anyone. BoA has indeed been successful but it doesn't mean that she doesn't have any worries herself.

"I don't have any fears of going through any declines in my career. It is inevitable when you've went through lengths of training and have reached your peak. I think it is a senior's (先輩) role to give away your top position to your juniors (new comers, 後輩). It is also a natural flow to do so."

She has also planned for a new Korean album in 2 years this year. She will also start acting. Some of her fans are against her new challenge, but BoA feels firm about starting her acting career. "If I am afraid of criticisms, I won't be able to challenge anything new." BoA says, who always seemed like a young girl, now a grown up.

She is now 20 years old. She has made many achievements, but still has many things to achieve in the future. As the interview proceeded, she seemed to grow more confidence. Her 'gutsy-ness(?)' probably won't change for the next 10 years. Having said that, she smiled and displayed her last gutsy-ness in the interview.

"The reason I gave up on going to university was that I didn't want to loose my sincerity towards music. Chances will come later. Hard-working women are always perceived to me as being beautiful and charismatic. Even if I'm not married after 10 years, I'm confident that I'll become a 'cool old maid (literal translation for 'no cheo nyeo', 老處女)'. I have my music with me."

Interview by Bum-suk Kim

Credits: hsado for translations

[Jin91]

I agree... people need to stop only downloading them. I admit I download her cd at first but I always buy them as soon as I can. cuz I'm in the US I have to ask a relative to get it for me... ;;

[rbpx]

Oh no, that explains why she hasn't had a full out dance routine in ages. Poor BoA. It sounds like she has plantar fasciitis, which makes it feel like your feet are on fire. I feel really bad for her.

[luluchan]

DANG ITO YUNA!!! i mean i like her ballads singles ~ but her album really sux compared to BOA!!

brrrr

Winter love is sucha good songs and the Bsides are good too!!

ppl dun like Key of heart but i love it!!!

PLUS the cd comes with a DVD from the concert too!! brr~ GET IT!!
BoA is so awesome and she's just 20!! ~

BoA's promotion isn't any different than it has been in the past. So promoting it even more wouldn't have changed anything. Maybe Japan is just tired of BoA. You have to remember, BoA was never that BIG in Japan from the beginning. You have the Korean media who is exaggerating her success, so not everything reported about her success is the complete truth. And what I mean by her not being that BIG, is that for a Korean cross over artist she's HUGE. For a J-Pop artist, she's just another one of those J-Pop princesses that just rise, reach a peak, then slowly go down to a recession. We need to be happy BoA has had five succesful original albums in Japan anyway besides wondering why this album isn't a a top seller. We should of seen this coming with "Made In 20". Look at how "OUTGROW" did, look at the top artist in the J-pop scene and look at the singles released off "Made In 20". But never forget, people get tired of a artist. They are tired of the Ayus, Namies, and now the BoAs. Now we're going to have to deal with the Koda Kumis, Ai Otsukas, ayakas being top sellers.

Sorry, BoA is going to start going down into a recession now. She lasted a pretty good while if you ask me. Especially for a Korean cross over artist. She has been the only Korean cross over artist in Japan to reach such high success there. I could be wrong about this though. Please correct me if I am wrong.

ppl have bottoms and peaks~~~ BoA's got talent i think she will make a come bk and ... she was BIG ~~ Best of Soul sold more then 1 million~~she's well known in Japan~~

Ayaka might be gainin some major popularity cuz there aren't really many YOUNG artists who write their own music and can sing reasonably well... she's not bad and still will be successful this year

Ai Otsuka is going DOWN for sure she is buggin ppl already.. koda kumi isn't AS big either (but her new album still sold loads")

I think BoA KNOWS that she isn't as BIG as b4~ that's why she's trying to venture into other things ... like acting.. after all.. she's just 20!!

[hyeminnie]

^ i know. i'm still surprised that she's accomplished at such a young age.

anyways. i think that sales will keep a steady rate for another week or two.
and maybe this album didn't do as well as Outgrow cuz maybe there were high hopes for Outgrow and it wasn't that good, so maybe people think that about MIT.

[Devine.Integrity]

Damn! BoA went down to number 4? Im too slow to notice my only heart! Lets see..she went back up to number 3 which is overall good. I hope she can regain her poistion from number 1. Keep on going BoA. I also cannot wait for her Korean album. I hope she is still very popular there and alot of people still support her.

Its kind of like a big switch when DBSK goes to Japan and how BoA will be returning to Korea. Hmm..I dont really know much, though I should not be talking about since IM in a boa thread.

[heygingersnap]

Yuna Ito is a Jpop singer who debuted last year or late 2005, Heart is her debut (1st) album. She's half japanese/Korean If I'm not mistaken. She mostly sings ballads and has a good voice but almost all her song are borning *cough*Heart*cough*.

LOL, i actually like yuna ito........ i don't think her songs are boring.
and i really like HEART, even though i like MADE IN TWENTY better.
yuna ito has also been in the NANA movies, so that adds to it.
anyway, i don't think we should start talking bad about other artists...

Recent Interview

thank you for this!!
i really love BoA's answers.
she's probably the only singer i know of that openly expresses her love for music.
that counts for so much, and her answers are so well-thought out.
BoA <3<3<3

[xyunaxfantasiesx]

LOL, i actually like yuna ito........ i don't think her songs are boring.
and i really like HEART, even though i like MADE IN TWENTY better.
yuna ito has also been in the NANA movies, so that adds to it.
anyway, i don't think we should start talking bad about other artists...

Oh no, I'm a fan of Yuna but the majority of her songs aren't that "special" to me. I would like to see more up-tempo songs from her.

Anyhow, BoA looks like Chun-Li in that Cut-out. I love her outfit though.

About the interview:

I think it is a senior's (先輩) role to give away your top position to your juniors (new comers, 後輩). It is also a natural flow to do so.

If I failed to convey those emotions, I'm probably not grown enough to hold my own philosophy and life experiences into my music. But I am still growing and one day, I really believe people will be able to listen to real 'BoA music'

Wow, for her to say that; it's like she has reached the point of her career where she doesn't care about or need the popularity anymore. She just wants to make her music now.
I really respect BoA as an artist. I will keep supporting her whether she is declining or not and whether she becomes that artist of her own because to me she already has. Just keep on BoA!

[LaBelle]

Whoaaa I hope Boa get well soon..

Btw what rank is she now??? what bout the sales???

[blessed]

thanks yuni for the trans!!
shes such a sweetie, hope she gets better soon.
but OMG, what does it mean by her toe is already 'out'?? i kept on thinking of wobbly teeth..
O__o,, SORRY GUYS for the horrible imagery,,
well.. ANYWAYS, hope she makes a full recovery & showcases some of that dancing talent soon!

[rukawa11]

Her last answer in the last part of the interview is cool..
I'm glad she's really taking things in her strides..
but if she really wants to dance vigorously again I think the first thing she needs to do is to stop wearing high heels..
that will take some pressue off her feet..

someone mentioned that Japan releases singles and albums on Tuesdays..
It's actually Wednesdays (Japan time)..

And Ito Yuna debuted through NaNa and her first single Endless Story was really a big hit..
it was in the late 2005 so you can say her album is quite anticipated because it took a long time for her to release an album..
besides, NaNa 2 was just aired in Japan, she has a really nice voice and some of her songs are really good e.g. Endless Story, Precious, Journey etc..
so I'm not surprised that MIT lost out to Heart..

the Japanese market is really competitive.. people just come and go, so for her to have stayed up there for 5 years, it has already been a feat..

[motoway065]

whoa whoa there
everyone made it seem like boa is no longer a top artist and is going down or something =O
she still debuted at no1 and thats a huge accomplishment.

anyway..thanks for the interview. i love her attitude and how shes not scared about losing popularity
and good news about her starting acting and her new krn album^.^

i wish boa the best and hope her feet gets better.