BoA facts for kids

Quick facts for kids BoA
BoA in April 2018
Born	Kwon Bo-ah (1986-11-05) November 5, 1986 (age 38) Guri, South Korea
Occupation	Singer songwriter actress
Works	Albums singles videos tours
Musical career
Genres	K-pop J-pop dance-pop R&B
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2000–present
Labels	SM Avex Trax
Korean name
Hangul	권보아
Hanja	權珤雅
Revised Romanization	Gwon Boa
McCune–Reischauer	Kwŏn Poa
Signature

Kwon Bo-ah (Hangul: 권보아; born November 5, 1986), known professionally as BoA, is a famous South Korean singer, songwriter, and actress. Many people call her the "Queen of K-pop" because she has been so important to the K-pop music scene.

BoA grew up in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. She was discovered by talent agents from SM Entertainment in 1998 when she was just 11 years old. She had gone with her older brother to an audition, and the agents noticed her instead! After two years of training, she made her debut with her first album, ID; Peace B, in 2000. Since then, BoA has released many albums: ten in Korean, nine in Japanese, and one in English.

Besides singing, BoA has also been on TV. She was a judge on the reality show K-pop Star (2011–2013) and acted in the TV drama Listen to Love (2016). She also hosted the second season of Produce 101 (2017) and was a coach on the third season of The Voice of Korea (2020).

BoA became very popular in Japan with her debut Japanese album, Listen to My Heart (2002). She was the first South Korean pop star to become successful in Japan after a long time when music from both countries was not easily shared. Her Japanese albums Valenti (2003) and Best of Soul (2005) sold over one million copies each. Her English album BoA (2009) was the first K-pop artist's album to appear on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S.

BoA has sold over ten million albums in her career. She is one of only three female artists to have six number-one albums in a row on the Oricon Albums Chart in Japan. She has won many awards in South Korea and Japan, including eight MAMA Awards and five Japan Record Awards. In 2013, Mnet named her one of the 100 most important artists in South Korea.

BoA's Journey: Early Life and Music Career

Becoming a Star: From Discovery to Debut

Kwon Bo-ah was born on November 5, 1986. When she was eleven, she went with her older brother to an audition for SM Entertainment. Her brother was trying out as a dancer, but the talent scouts saw BoA and offered her a contract that very night! Her parents were not sure about her leaving school for music at first, but her older brothers convinced them. BoA has said that Seo Taiji was an early inspiration for her music.

BoA trained for two years, learning to sing, dance, and speak English and Japanese. At just thirteen, she released her first album, ID; Peace B, in South Korea on August 25, 2000. The album did well, reaching the Top 10 in South Korea. At the same time, her Korean music company, SM Entertainment, worked with a Japanese company called Avex Trax to help her start a music career in Japan. She took a break from Korean music to focus on learning Japanese and getting ready for the Japanese market.

BoA started her Japanese music journey by singing at a club owned by Avex. Her first Japanese album, Listen to My Heart, came out on March 13, 2002. This album was a huge success for BoA, selling over a million copies and becoming the first album by a Korean artist to reach number one on the Oricon charts in Japan. She released several singles from this album, like "Amazing Kiss" and "Listen to My Heart."

After her Japanese debut, BoA released her second Korean album, No. 1, in April 2002. This album was very popular in South Korea. She continued to release music in both countries, showing her talent and hard work.

Growing Success and New Music Styles

BoA's second Japanese album, Valenti (January 2003), became her best-selling album, selling over 1.2 million copies. She also had her first Japanese concert tour, BoA 1st Live Tour Valenti. Later that year, she released her third Korean album, Atlantis Princess, which was also very popular.

Her third Japanese album, Love & Honesty (January 2004), showed a new musical direction, including rock-dance songs and R&B. She went on another tour, Live Concert Tour 2004: Love & Honesty, which had a cool "outer-space" theme. Her first collection of hit songs, Best of Soul (February 2005), sold over a million copies. This made BoA the first non-Japanese Asian singer to have two albums sell over a million copies in Japan.

In 2006, BoA's fourth Japanese album, Outgrow, also reached number one on the Oricon chart. She also renewed her contract with SM Entertainment, showing her long-term commitment to the company. She even lent her voice to the animated film Over the Hedge in both Korean and Japanese versions.

BoA's fifth Japanese album, Made in Twenty (January 2007), continued her success, reaching the top of the Oricon charts. For her sixth Japanese album, The Face (February 2008), BoA started to take more control over her music. This album also topped the charts, making her one of only two artists in Japan to have six number-one albums in a row.

Venturing into America and Returning to Asia

BoA performing in San Francisco in 2009

In 2008, BoA announced she would make her American debut. Her first American single, "Eat You Up," was released in October 2008 and did well on the Billboard dance charts. She performed in New York City and at the Jingle Ball concert to promote her music.

BoA's English album, BoA, was released in the U.S. on March 17, 2009. She said it had always been her dream to debut in America, even though learning English was harder than Japanese for her. She performed at the San Francisco Pride Festival in June 2009.

BoA at the 25th Golden Disc Awards in December 2010

After her American efforts, BoA returned to East Asia. Her seventh Japanese album, Identity (February 2010), was released. She also released her first Korean album in five years, Hurricane Venus, in August 2010.

BoA made her Hollywood movie debut in the dance film Make Your Move 3D, which came out in 2013. She played the character Aya. She also celebrated her 10th anniversary in Japan with a special concert.

After this, BoA focused more on activities in Korea. She became a judge on the audition program K-pop Star for SBS, where she was praised for her helpful comments. For her seventh Korean album, Only One (July 2012), BoA wrote and composed the main song herself. This song became very popular on music charts.

New Roles and Anniversaries

BoA at a fansign event on May 24, 2015

In 2013, BoA had her first Korean concert tour, BoA Special Live 2013: Here I Am. She also wrote and composed a song called "Disturbance" for the tour. In September 2013, BoA starred in a drama called Expect to Date, where she received praise for her acting. In 2014, she became a creative director at SM Entertainment, helping artists with their mental well-being.

BoA's eighth Japanese album, Who's Back? (September 2014), was released after several singles over four years. She went on her first Japanese tour in four years to promote it. After the tour, BoA starred in her first Korean film, Big Match.

Her eighth Korean album, Kiss My Lips (May 2015), was special because BoA wrote and produced the entire album herself. This showed her growing control over her music.

In July 2015, BoA celebrated her 15th anniversary with a special concert called BoA Special Live 2015: Nowness. She was the first female idol to hold a solo concert at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in South Korea. She also celebrated her 15th anniversary in Japan with new music and concerts.

Recent Projects and Group Activities

BoA at Incheon Airport on May 15, 2019.

In 2016, BoA released an English song called "Make Me Complete" for a Japanese TV drama. She also worked with other artists for SM Entertainment's SM Station project, releasing songs like "No Matter What." From October to November 2016, BoA starred in the drama Listen to Love.

In 2017, BoA became a producer for the survival reality show Produce 101 Season 2, which helped create a new boy group. She also released new music, including the Japanese single "Camo."

In 2018, BoA released her ninth Japanese album, Watashi Konomama de Iinokana, and an EP called Unchained. She also released her first Korean EP, One Shot, Two Shot, and her ninth Korean album, Woman.

In 2019, BoA released the single "Feedback" and went on her #Mood Tour in Japan and Seoul. She also released her second Korean EP, Starry Night.

In May 2020, BoA was a coach on the third season of The Voice of Korea. On December 1, 2020, she released her tenth Korean album, Better. She also joined as a judge for the Mnet dance program "Street Woman Fighter" in 2021.

To celebrate her 20th anniversary, BoA released the Japanese single "My Dear" in November 2021 and a Japanese collection album called The Greatest in May 2022. BoA also became a member of the supergroup Got the Beat, which debuted in January 2022. In November 2022, she announced her third EP, Forgive Me. In 2024, BoA appeared in the drama Marry My Husband.

BoA's Music Style and Collaborations

BoA loves hip hop and R&B music. Her favorite musicians include Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and Justin Timberlake. Because of this, much of BoA's music is dance-pop or R&B. She also sings beautiful ballads.

When she first started, BoA had a "cute" and "youthful" style. But with her album My Name, she started to show a more "mature" image. She has said that she can't stop growing up and changing as an artist.

BoA has worked with many famous artists. In Japan, she has performed with hip hop group M-Flo and pop singer Kumi Koda. She has also worked with Western artists like the Irish band Westlife and Howie D from the Backstreet Boys. She even collaborated with Akon on a song called "Beautiful."

BoA's Impact on Culture

BoA is seen as one of South Korea's most important singers and is often called the "Queen of K-pop." She played a huge role in starting the Korean Wave (the spread of South Korean culture) in Japan. Her success helped Japanese people become interested in Korean pop music in the early 2000s.

Music experts say that BoA helped improve relationships between Korea and Japan through her music. She was noted for "herald[ing] a new phase of Japanese engagement with Korean singers," meaning she led the way for other Korean artists. Her success happened at an important time, including the 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Korea and Japan.

Vox called BoA "one of South Korea's best-known exports" after her debut. The Korea Times said she was "the forerunner of the new generation of idols who popularized K-pop in Japan and elsewhere." In 2004, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism honored BoA for her contributions to K-pop across Asia.

Many artists in the South Korean music industry look up to BoA as an influence and role model. These include members of groups like Aespa, Girls' Generation, Shinee, Exo, and Red Velvet. Giselle from Aespa said, "Everyone knows her. She's not just famous — she's a legend."

Other Activities

Brand Partnerships

Because BoA is so popular, she has appeared in advertisements for many brands. Some of the companies she has promoted include Olympus, Nike, L'Oréal, and Skechers. Many of her songs have also been used as theme songs for TV shows and video games. For example, "Every Heart: Minna no Kimochi" was used for the anime InuYasha, and "Masayume Chasing" was used for Fairy Tail.

In 2007, BoA joined a special band called "Anyband" with other artists to promote a Samsung brand. She also recorded songs to promote headphones and Disney on Ice. BoA has also been a "cultural ambassador," representing South Korea at music events and even appearing in an English textbook!

Discography

Filmography

Film

Television series

Television shows

Concerts and tours

Concert participation

• 2002: SM China
• 2003: SMTOWN Smile Concert 2003
• 2007: 2007 SMTOWN Summer Concert
• 2008: SMTown Live '08
• 2009: BEST & USA Release Party: Thank Your For Your Support!
• 2010–11: SMTown Live '10 World Tour
• 2012–13: SMTown Live World Tour III
• 2014–2015: SM Town Live World Tour IV
• 2016: SM Town Live World Tour V
• 2017: SM Town Live World Tour VI
• 2022: SM Town Live 2022: SMCU Express at Kwangya
• 2022: SM Town Live 2022: SMCU Express
• 2023: SM Town Live 2023: SMCU Palace at Kwangya

Awards and nominations

See also

In Spanish: BoA para niños

• Contemporary culture of South Korea
• Korean Wave
• J-pop