she/her
After accidentally getting locked out of Popjustice post-maintenance
It's time...
The winner stayed at #1 throughout the entire voting period...
whereas the runner-up fell to #4 at the 10 voter mark...
Girls On Top vs. Eat You Up
If you move any closer boy there is no guarantee
What I will do to you I feel it and it's scaring me
Like I've become so kind of demon in the night
You look so tasty I could eat you up alive
9.235
Jumping BoAs: (11) @soratami ; (10) @M24, @RUNAWAY, @nanapop99, @evilsin, @clowezra, @Monado, @Crisp X
Still BoAs: (7.25) @odyism ; (8) @mi|kshake, @Slice of Life
Crispy's Score: 10
"Eat You Up" is the 5th track from BoA, BoA's first English album, released on March 17, 2009 and the 7th track from the deluxe edition, released on August 31, 2009. It was initially released as the album's lead single on October 21, 2008. A remix featuring American rapper Flo Rida was was slated for a November 2008 release. However, after the single was leaked online, the release was scrapped. It peaked at #8 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. It was written by Remee and Thomas Troelsen, composed and arranged by Henrik Jonback.
This post is going to be a bit longer as I ended up scrapping album write-ups this time around... meaning I'm left with thoughts I hadn't put out there yet. Turns out they mostly relate to this era!
As someone who has heard of BoA much later, I wanted a taste of what it was like to follow her career between 2006-ish and 2009. So while I was preparing for this rate, I looked up old threads from Soompi and other places that were still accessible. I remember being surprised to learn that articles hinting at her English debut were already published around 2007 or even earlier. From what I gathered, this was mostly met with excitement but it seemed like, the closer BoA's first foray into the Western market was to reality, the more anxious some fans were starting to get about it. I saw a few of them grow frustrated by the state of her career, pointing out Japan having become her main focus as well as a feeling among them that the English debut signified Korean activities still wouldn't return anytime soon...
On the side, it was interesting to go through scan trads of interviews and getting tidbits of BoA's POV. In a couple of these, she seemed to be showing signs of burn out... and it left me depressed! I haven't saved them all and I apologize for the lack of sources, but I copy-pasted some snippets on a document. To not clog up this post, I'm putting them into spoilers just below.
It's time...
The winner stayed at #1 throughout the entire voting period...
whereas the runner-up fell to #4 at the 10 voter mark...
Girls On Top vs. Eat You Up

If you move any closer boy there is no guarantee
What I will do to you I feel it and it's scaring me
Like I've become so kind of demon in the night
You look so tasty I could eat you up alive

9.235
Jumping BoAs: (11) @soratami ; (10) @M24, @RUNAWAY, @nanapop99, @evilsin, @clowezra, @Monado, @Crisp X
Still BoAs: (7.25) @odyism ; (8) @mi|kshake, @Slice of Life
Crispy's Score: 10
5 voters: #2 (average: 9.7)
10 voters: #4 (average: 9.125)
15 voters: #2 (average: 9.25)
17 voters: #2 (average: 9.235)
10 voters: #4 (average: 9.125)
15 voters: #2 (average: 9.25)
17 voters: #2 (average: 9.235)
"Eat You Up" is the 5th track from BoA, BoA's first English album, released on March 17, 2009 and the 7th track from the deluxe edition, released on August 31, 2009. It was initially released as the album's lead single on October 21, 2008. A remix featuring American rapper Flo Rida was was slated for a November 2008 release. However, after the single was leaked online, the release was scrapped. It peaked at #8 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. It was written by Remee and Thomas Troelsen, composed and arranged by Henrik Jonback.
This post is going to be a bit longer as I ended up scrapping album write-ups this time around... meaning I'm left with thoughts I hadn't put out there yet. Turns out they mostly relate to this era!
As someone who has heard of BoA much later, I wanted a taste of what it was like to follow her career between 2006-ish and 2009. So while I was preparing for this rate, I looked up old threads from Soompi and other places that were still accessible. I remember being surprised to learn that articles hinting at her English debut were already published around 2007 or even earlier. From what I gathered, this was mostly met with excitement but it seemed like, the closer BoA's first foray into the Western market was to reality, the more anxious some fans were starting to get about it. I saw a few of them grow frustrated by the state of her career, pointing out Japan having become her main focus as well as a feeling among them that the English debut signified Korean activities still wouldn't return anytime soon...
On the side, it was interesting to go through scan trads of interviews and getting tidbits of BoA's POV. In a couple of these, she seemed to be showing signs of burn out... and it left me depressed! I haven't saved them all and I apologize for the lack of sources, but I copy-pasted some snippets on a document. To not clog up this post, I'm putting them into spoilers just below.
BoA's dream-- Studying abroad and debuting in America
"I do not feel as happy doing what I am doing now. To put it more exaggeratedly, I think I might have lost myself, my sense of belonging, in the midst of working."
These words let slipped by BoA, who has been active as a front runner in the entertainment scene, were both shocking and surprising to the people around her. Debuting in 2001 when she was only merely 14 years old, she was still a young girl who held a childish and innocenet look to her. Yet in the years to come, she has successfully released hits like 'Listen to my heart', 'Valenti' and her albums have all managed to break the million sales mark. She has been in the entertainment showbiz for 7 years, and is now 21 years of age. Now, what prompted BoA who has transformed from a young teenager to a mature lady, to say those words?
"It was probably after the release of my compilation album (Best Of Soul), that I began to lose my aim in life. I guess in a way, it was having to work constantly with no breather in between each moment, that made me feel that way. From time to time, I will think back and reflect, whether I am being too contented with what I have now. Honestly, I always wonder what will happen to me if I were to give up singing one day, but because singing has been my life, the thought of it is enough to just jolt me back to my senses that I need to go on with singing. But I guess it is the fact that I hadn't have a break for so long that it is making me burnt out."
As BoA told us these, she secretly threw a glance to her colleagues(manager etc) at the side and gave them a small but bitter smile. Indeed, throughout these 7 years, she has been shuffling back and forth between Japan and Korea without rest in her schedules and has used up 4 passports in the midst of her travelling. Perhaps it's because she is so busy, that she cannot seem to find the motivation to drive her anymore. However, BoA has not lost her dreams all these while. It's a dream made she was 15 years old --That she wants go abroad to America to study 10 years later, when she is 25 years old.
"There's still 4 more years to when I am 25 years old. Maybe I will really go abroad to study then. I want to study English and also take up ballet, these are what I feel are important and essential to me. Besides, I can still do recordings even when I am studying."
"I do not feel as happy doing what I am doing now. To put it more exaggeratedly, I think I might have lost myself, my sense of belonging, in the midst of working."
These words let slipped by BoA, who has been active as a front runner in the entertainment scene, were both shocking and surprising to the people around her. Debuting in 2001 when she was only merely 14 years old, she was still a young girl who held a childish and innocenet look to her. Yet in the years to come, she has successfully released hits like 'Listen to my heart', 'Valenti' and her albums have all managed to break the million sales mark. She has been in the entertainment showbiz for 7 years, and is now 21 years of age. Now, what prompted BoA who has transformed from a young teenager to a mature lady, to say those words?
"It was probably after the release of my compilation album (Best Of Soul), that I began to lose my aim in life. I guess in a way, it was having to work constantly with no breather in between each moment, that made me feel that way. From time to time, I will think back and reflect, whether I am being too contented with what I have now. Honestly, I always wonder what will happen to me if I were to give up singing one day, but because singing has been my life, the thought of it is enough to just jolt me back to my senses that I need to go on with singing. But I guess it is the fact that I hadn't have a break for so long that it is making me burnt out."
As BoA told us these, she secretly threw a glance to her colleagues(manager etc) at the side and gave them a small but bitter smile. Indeed, throughout these 7 years, she has been shuffling back and forth between Japan and Korea without rest in her schedules and has used up 4 passports in the midst of her travelling. Perhaps it's because she is so busy, that she cannot seem to find the motivation to drive her anymore. However, BoA has not lost her dreams all these while. It's a dream made she was 15 years old --That she wants go abroad to America to study 10 years later, when she is 25 years old.
"There's still 4 more years to when I am 25 years old. Maybe I will really go abroad to study then. I want to study English and also take up ballet, these are what I feel are important and essential to me. Besides, I can still do recordings even when I am studying."
BoA's Confessions
When asked about her feelings towards the debut, BoA replied, "The talk about debuting in the U.S. has been going around for two to three years. Actually, it was really hard to hide while preparing for this debut. People around me would ask why I wasn't releasing an album and it was frustrating not being able to tell them that I was in the midst of making one. It finally sunk in that I'm going to America as I am in front of you all doing this press conference. When I went to Japan it was done quietly. One of the differences between then and now is that I'm able to hold a press conference. Above all things, I want to go back to being a beginner and show you that I'm doing my best."
Another reporter asked where she would like to perform since they announced she might be doing a tour in the U.S., BoA replied, "I really want to go to Las Vegas and perform live. I went to one of Celine Dion's performances and I was moved and inspired. It really made me think about wanting to perform on a stage like that."
"Also I'm very happy to have met such great choreographers who can give me great choreography. So far I haven't been able to show you many hip hop elements when I actually specialized in hip hop. I'm very pleased knowing that I'll be able to show you some hip hop. When I was learning the dances and songs, I felt like a fish that met water. Is it not my job to show you a variety of music and dances?" BoA said, confidently.
When asked about her feelings towards the debut, BoA replied, "The talk about debuting in the U.S. has been going around for two to three years. Actually, it was really hard to hide while preparing for this debut. People around me would ask why I wasn't releasing an album and it was frustrating not being able to tell them that I was in the midst of making one. It finally sunk in that I'm going to America as I am in front of you all doing this press conference. When I went to Japan it was done quietly. One of the differences between then and now is that I'm able to hold a press conference. Above all things, I want to go back to being a beginner and show you that I'm doing my best."
Another reporter asked where she would like to perform since they announced she might be doing a tour in the U.S., BoA replied, "I really want to go to Las Vegas and perform live. I went to one of Celine Dion's performances and I was moved and inspired. It really made me think about wanting to perform on a stage like that."
"Also I'm very happy to have met such great choreographers who can give me great choreography. So far I haven't been able to show you many hip hop elements when I actually specialized in hip hop. I'm very pleased knowing that I'll be able to show you some hip hop. When I was learning the dances and songs, I felt like a fish that met water. Is it not my job to show you a variety of music and dances?" BoA said, confidently.
11.26.08
Hi Again!
I’m going to try and keep this blog updated as much as possible from now on.
Still in Tokyo and I’m actually in the recording studio right now. Did any of you get a chance to see my YouTube Live performance? I was a little nervous becuase it was the very first live show of my single, “Eat You Up.” But, when I got onstage, the huge reaction from fans was incredible and I totally forgot my nerves. If you didn’t get a chance to look at it, check it out. (Also checkout the fact that I finally got some time to get my hair cut and colored:). What do you guys think?!)
I also have to thank so many people for coming out to my fan club meeting in Japan. I was so lucky to get some time to spend with everyone! I was in Korea before heading to LA - so it really had been too long since I’d been back to Japan.
Shopping in the U.S. is AMAZING btw. Yesterday I went to Aoyama and picked up some hoodies and a really nice leather bracelet. And what’s this I hear about post-Thanksgiving sales? Okay, now I REALLY can’t wait to get to New York for my performance with MTV Iggy at their studios in Times Square. It’s my first live show in The States…EVER. (I know you guys will show me some love and support as always!)
Have to get back in the studio to record now, but I will write again SOON so don’t worry.
Always,
BoA
Hi Again!
I’m going to try and keep this blog updated as much as possible from now on.
Still in Tokyo and I’m actually in the recording studio right now. Did any of you get a chance to see my YouTube Live performance? I was a little nervous becuase it was the very first live show of my single, “Eat You Up.” But, when I got onstage, the huge reaction from fans was incredible and I totally forgot my nerves. If you didn’t get a chance to look at it, check it out. (Also checkout the fact that I finally got some time to get my hair cut and colored:). What do you guys think?!)
I also have to thank so many people for coming out to my fan club meeting in Japan. I was so lucky to get some time to spend with everyone! I was in Korea before heading to LA - so it really had been too long since I’d been back to Japan.
Shopping in the U.S. is AMAZING btw. Yesterday I went to Aoyama and picked up some hoodies and a really nice leather bracelet. And what’s this I hear about post-Thanksgiving sales? Okay, now I REALLY can’t wait to get to New York for my performance with MTV Iggy at their studios in Times Square. It’s my first live show in The States…EVER. (I know you guys will show me some love and support as always!)
Have to get back in the studio to record now, but I will write again SOON so don’t worry.
Always,
BoA
I learned that BoA was able to hustle as much as she could, playing shows here and there... even though she didn't seem to be given the consistent promotion she deserved, or that she didn't have access to the necessary platforms to make her known to the masses on a significant level, at least from what I was able to tell. I saw that she was interacting with radio stations and blogs a lot... those are the sources of pretty much all the interviews I could find from that era. YouTube is full of those! It didn't really translate to much success as this single and its follow-ups weren't getting airwaved enough in the end. It led many fans to blame SM for the era's under performance overall. I figure this isn't that simple and other factors played into it.
To end this little detour on a more positive note, a peak for many international fans seemed to be her performances at KIIS FM Jingle Ball Village in late 2008 and at San Francisco Pride Festival in 2009. I remember being heartwarmed at the testimonies I've read from people who attended those. If it's the case for anyone reading this, I made sure to embed a couple videos of the sets below!
For me personally, giving it a 10 was an immediate decision as this was one of my introductions to BoA. When this first popped up during a random YouTube generated K-Pop listening session in 2013, the beat instantly won me over. To this day, I still consider it among my favorites. I think it showcased her talents and retained her personality more than most of the English album, and was on par with the best of her Korean and Japanese output. Am I being hypebolic? Indeed, but look at the material here!
The groovy, electronic hip-hop influenced sound she went for fit her like a glove and, I suppose, was a solid attempt to attract the attention of the American GP... I guess? I'm being hesistant because I wonder if the soundscape hadn't already shifted to more upbeat and dancier electropop tunes back then, making this an interesting choice for a debut single.
Anyway, I can't think about this song without grinning... because this pops the fuck off!! Excuse my French but the beefiness of the main synth riff, the syncopation, the staccato singing BoA employs which makes it sound even groovier, the anthemic chorus that always makes me wish I had the range to scream it in tune... I could go on and on about my love for it. To top it off, the music video pumps me up so much too!! It was smart to focus on BoA's dancing abilities, as that was a wish of her per one of the interviews shared earlier, and the Jacksons influence is prevalent once again.
Even though the song is on the slower side compared to the rest of the album, the whole thing still feels like an invitation to the dancefloor to me. In the commercial sense, it may not have made as much of a dent as expected, but it remains a bop that I'm dying to finally be able to put on repeat through modern ways... who at SM Entertainment do I have to harass for it to be put on streaming services?!
—
@Kaz D'Oerba (8.5) — "god this is such a 2009 throwback. Deserved to smash teebs"
@clowezra (10) — "An 11 contender for me, one of the best songs of the 00s, a timeless banger."
@M24 (10) — "A classic. I'm a sucker for this kind of dated electropop, so it hasn't aged badly for me. We could complain about the autotune and stuff, but sadly that's the way things were back then. I wish the MV was reuploaded in greater quality though, I'm sure SM must have recorded it in HD..."
@RUNAWAY (10) — "okay hear me out. I’ve been obsessed with this song from the second I first heard it and the obsession has continued all the way to this moment. That iconic video…..that was fighting for gay rights. This deserves to do so well, but the English album haters will probably undeservedly tank this song. This was the runner up for my 11, and it better do well here!"
@nanapop99 (10) — "Had this song been released a year before, it would have easily smashed all around the world. But I guess the locals were just not ready for an asian superstar back then. To me, this is a top notch electropop banger and I will forever be mad at Lee Soo Man for letting her flop like that. The classic that got away."
@evilsin (10) — "I believe this was a great choice for the first glimpse of the English material from miss BoA, because it's a little Britney, it's a little Janet and very much BoA. The dance is so tight as well, the Asian version of the music video was also a treat to look at."
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