BoA over Times Square in NYC...coming to MTV VERY soon! READ ON!!!!

BoA takes on America-

The multi-talented young woman known as Asia's most influential artist recently promised to "take America by storm." But among the crowd gathered at MTV's Times Square Studio for her live debut performance, there are fans who have come not only from all over the country, but from Canada, the Philippines and El Salvador as well. It seems BoA has taken the whole world by storm, and America is simply the last to be conquered.

We are instructed to be enthusiastic and make a lot of noise for the sake of television, but this is an unnecessary precaution. The fans' excitement is genuine, and the whole room erupts into cheers and screams when a smiling BoA steps onto the stage. She is modestly dressed, in grey hightop sneakers, black jeans and layered tops - white shirt, grey vest, and black jacket. She is smaller than she seems in concert footage, and seems almost meek, but this changes once the music starts.

BoA is instantly in motion, striking a few introductory poses and then the music overtakes her completely. Spotlights flicker around her and four male dancers appear in time for the opening verse of Look Who's Talking. "Champagne, caviar..." She insinuates herself between two dancers, stroking their cheeks flirtatiously before breaking away and swinging into full dance mode. Her moves express confidence, playfulness, high energy, and just a touch of seduction - tastefully sexy, but nothing lewd or vulgar. Her voice can scarcely be heard over the noise of the fans, who show their appreciation in nonstop screams and howls.

While the crew are setting up for the next performance, BoA stands shifting weight from left foot to right, rocking slightly side to side like a kid, and converses briefly with the audience.

A male voice calls out "You're so cute!" BoA smiles shyly and looks down, saying "Aww no..." A female voice asks "Are you cold?" She shakes her head cheerfully. Another female voice exclaims, "You're little." BoA stops rocking and stands suddenly rigid. The smile drops from her face, replaced by a mock pout, as she points accusingly at the guilty party. Then the smile breaks out again as she waves a hand dismissively. "You all know my secret" she laughs, back to rocking.

The second performance to be filmed is the latest single, Eat You Up. This is the premiering song, the one this event was arranged to promote - and therefore the reason we're all here - so we do our best to go explosively insane to show our appreciation. BoA's voice sounds clearer than it does on the studio recording, without artificial effects... but surprisingly, instead of the Korean accent being stronger without the disguise of those effects, it seems less pronounced. Her delivery is flawless, both voice and moves. I'm thinking how anyone who discovers BoA through this performance will have to be as captivated as the rest of us here who already love her.

There are three songs to be performed this morning, and a few of us contemplate out loud what the third will be. From the reaction of the audience I know they are as thrilled as I am to hear the opening beat of Girls On Top, a powerful feminist anthem even the guys seem to approve of. BoA's voice is as strong as her message, and it's beautiful to hear this American audience joining in to sing the Korean lyrics.

Filming out of eventually-televised order, the musical performances are finished first, then the Q&A portion is recorded. The crowd clears the floor, arranging ourselves along three sides of the studio, to make room for BoA and MTV host Suchin Pak. BoA answers questions from Ms. Pak, as well as fans in studio and on the street. We find out that she has no driver's license in the US, her hightops are of no particular brand, she likes to sing I Kissed A Girl for Karaoke, she would like to work with Usher, and her typical Friday night consists of sitting around in her pajamas watching movies on television. "I have no friends here..." she explains, to which we all respond with "Awww" and mingled shouts of "You can come to my house" and other assorted encouragements. Suchin Pak assures her that having friends is no longer an issue.

Finally there is time for just one more question from the audience. A clearly nervous young blonde woman tells BoA, "I know you just had a birthday..." and presents her with a small white cake adorned with pastel-coloured icing flowers. BoA is delighted and touched by the gesture, as are the rest of us watching. The girl hands BoA the cake with slightly trembling hands, obviously excited, and is rewarded with gracious smiles and thanks. It's a lovely moment, and a perfect ending for this magical morning. BoA is beaming as she leaves the studio, waving until she is out of sight.

You can see BoA's NY debut performance on MTV, set to air "in mid-December."

BoA

reviewed/submitted by "Pink Spider"
pinkspider@vegassoundz.com