Korean pop starlet BoA is just lookin' for a lil' American love...
As prideful as Koreans are about their own country, they—like most non-European peoples—look to America as the ultimate barometer of pop-culture success. They might not fuck with U.S. cars, clothes or beef, but Koreans do respect the American entertainment industry. So, having already conquered China, Japan and SE Asia, Korean entertainers are now attempting to break the U.S. market. Starting with Rain's role in last year's Speed Racer and continuing on with the singer BoA's U.S. debut this month, the Korean invasion of America has begun.
The actress Kim Yun-jin of Lost was probably the first Korean native star to make a cultural impact in the U.S., but she's a small part of a huge ensemble cast. The rest of these cross-continent hopefuls are feeling the true Korean immigrant experience: They leave home with everything and arrive here with nothing, working their way up from the bottom. It's assimilate or die. But will they succeed? We've assessed the chances of five Korean entertainers who aspire to become U.S. stars...
NAME: BoA, singer
CROSSOVER POTENTIAL:
WHY SHE WILL: The 22-year-old singer, a Korean star since age 13, has the "exotic" looks and dance moves that could attract the Britney Spears crowd (i.e., young girls, gay dudes and dirty old men). Her self-titled English-language debut just landed at 142 on Billboard. Hey, at least she sold more than Capone-N-Noreaga!
WHY SHE WON'T: The album's bland dance-electro-pop might work under a strobelite in a Long Island club, but on its own? Not so much. Plus, BoA's pained Engrish makes lines like "I could eat you up alive" sound silly, not sexy.
VIDEO: BoA, "Eat You Up"
CLICK NEXT TO SEE MORE KOREAN STARS ON THE RISE!
d March 31st, 2009 at 01:17 PM
just a heads up ray park is playing snake eyes. lee byung-hun is playing storm shadow.
Se7en March 31st, 2009 at 01:38 PM
Se7en, Boa, and all these artists need better advisors. Or these Korean entertainment companies should just train native speakers. It ain't going to work!
N April 3rd, 2009 at 07:42 AM
+1 yap. i do think they should train some native speakers...it's much easier
suckitmarshall March 31st, 2009 at 01:38 PM
Complex must have mad koreans working there. Or at least one who reps way too hard for his/her set.
soleman23 March 31st, 2009 at 03:12 PM
I was thinking the same suckitmarshall. But at the same time we gotta know what's going on on outside of the U.S. entertainment. I believe Complex is doing good on exposing outside of the U.S. entertainment game. You will be REALLY surprised how Korean actors, actress, singers are doing good in Asia(I'm talking about WHOLE ASIA). Why not Japan? Here is thing about Japanese entertainment. Not many can understand their entertainment. Look at “Hole in the Wall”, “Wipeout”. Plus the Historic reason (they did really messed up sh!t during the WW2). Chinese? Their movies are coming up again, but mostly their movies about ol’ historic worrier flying fighting thing. But look at how well Korean movies are doing on Cannes movie festival. (Cannes Movie Festival has more respect than Academy Award) Look at Hollywood, we are barely getting in Asian FEMALE("sex") on TV screen. How many good looking charismatic Asian actor have you seen since "The Last Emperor"? When it comes down to famous Asian actors in Hollywood, or any entertainment in the U.S. , ppl only know Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Jet Li, who entertain us with their moves, not much of talking. It is matter of time for America to open up their market to Asian. Look at Kanye how he is in love with Murakami works.
DeShawn Stevenson March 31st, 2009 at 04:01 PM
Here's the thing about the Japanese—they may love (and study) American culture but they pride themselves on absolute authenticity...meaning if they're gonna recreate cholo-style gang culture in Japan, they are going to do that to the maximum, overlooking no detail. Koreans copy and profit...Japanese obsess and recreate. You don't see too many Japanese forays into American entertainment simply because I feel the Japanese are self-conscious and self-aware enough that they wouldn't want to try to sell a fake Americanized Japanese singer to our market (Utada doesn't count, she grew up here). Japanese are self-conscious enough just about speaking English alone as tourists! There's a quiet pride about the Japanese in that they don't seek validation from us the way Koreans do.
1M March 31st, 2009 at 05:53 PM
DeShawn Stevenson, I co-sign. You know how things work out there. Korea does have many talented acts but they're just not suitable for the American market. Why do they need to come here?
LeBron James March 31st, 2009 at 09:18 PM
DeShawn Stevenson, i see your kind of skeptical about their debut. as you know, these guys are not random "FOB" they've been conquering asian entertainment market for years and known for their talents. your talking about asian people as if you were "ASIAN". just be quiet and go practice and pray for agent zero to come back. obviously, you guys needs some WIZARD power in washington wizard.
uknow April 1st, 2009 at 10:31 AM
+1
uknow April 1st, 2009 at 10:33 AM
+2
REF April 8th, 2009 at 03:52 PM
Search on youtube for map the soul and listen to the worldwide english version, great stuff.
jeeeeez April 1st, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I don't think it's Japanese 'pride' that stops them from coming over to the US, but more of a 'Oh I can make money at home, so why bother' sort of attitude. At least the Koreans are brave enough to take a challenge I say. What's wrong with wanting to be recognized in a larger market?
Naive Observer January 2nd, 2010 at 04:58 AM
Whoa Whoa Whoa guys.... I didn't know there were such strict rules for becoming famous.... Obviously Koreans are talented enough to do all this. Heck, its the consumers' choice, if they like it, they buy it. What's the problem? So if the Koreans are good, then we should give them a chance
Kawasaki March 31st, 2009 at 09:10 PM
great article from complex. If "ENGLISH" is their obstacle in becoming a SUPERSTAR, they better get one of those surgery to stretch out their tounge.
jason April 2nd, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Typical jap response about korean. Amazing
You March 31st, 2009 at 09:42 PM
She landed 127 on the Billboard, not 142.
Lin April 3rd, 2009 at 03:28 AM
Just little difference
Lin April 3rd, 2009 at 03:35 AM
127 and 142 ...What a big difference! Who cares? only Korean kids and teenagers might do.
ha April 3rd, 2009 at 07:17 PM
would you care if you get B+ instead of A-? i bet you care about it.
sq6 April 4th, 2009 at 05:56 PM
but we're talking about F+ and F- here...
Kaybee March 31st, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I don't think much of the music pop icons because the West already has tons and tons of them including 'Idol stars'. Asian Idol stars lacks the western nuances to be a star there but one never knows...In my opinion those Korean stars vying for the Western (North American) markets should not imbibe the western ways and instead 'sell'/market their Eastern style with a punch (which they lack greatly). The Korean actors on the other hand are promising. Koreans are one of the best actors in the world (in my opinion again). Even their sidecastes actually act well even in a minute role if you pay attention... Lee Byun Hoon can do wonders...Rain...others too...
uknow April 1st, 2009 at 10:30 AM
money, money, money, money..
KSentry April 3rd, 2009 at 02:13 AM
Ha ha, you don't need to be native speaker in US to be the next US idol. Just look at other starts that came out of Australia, Mexico and France. Do American really know how to speak correct English? American accent is not even main English accent and Americans are sux at their English. Do Afro-Americans speaks correct English? So what is the real American native language sound like? I think this show that US is not ready for Asian stars. I wonder why US is rolling empty stomach, good luck with Britney Spear and Snoop dog shits.
DJSHINE April 4th, 2009 at 06:39 PM
Hey, as a fellow Korean I wanted to say, "Your English sucks. Please don't try to sound articulate when you're not capable of doing so." Also, please read the article thoroughly and make an argument that is viable. The article isn't belittling these Korean entertainers, in fact, it's promoting their visibility in America. And if you really use your brain just a little bit, you can figure out this article was most likely written by a Korean.