Interview: will the REAL BoA please stand up?
I know you're all extremely excited to read an interview with world pop sensation BoA. But you're not getting that. Instead, we've got something even better. Be prepared to be amazed and awed, just like I was when I first came across this gem of a singer.
It's taken a few years, but I've finally managed to stalk down this beautiful, talented young lady and landed an interview with her. Due to her stunning looks, her age (same as BoA) and strikingly similar vocals, Hana has often been mistaken for BoA. Some have even argued that Hana's vocals are better. And I agree, the first time I heard one of Hana's tracks, my jaws dropped in pure amazement. With that said, let's get to know more about Hana, who I've been stalking for the last 5 years of my life.
Bio
Name: Hana
Age: 21
Ethnicity: Korean
Website: http://n01.dmusic.com/
johnnydorama: When did you start listening to K-pop?
Hana: I feel like I've listened since I was little because my mom had the old school Korean popular music on tapes and CDs. It exploded with Turbo, debut of H.O.T., Sechskies, Finkl, SES, etc.
jd: Who are your favorite artists and why?
Hana: I don't particularly have favorite artists, but favorite songs or albums of various artists. Different styles of music appeal to me at different times, but for the most part, I am into Kpop (and everything under that umbrella-- rap, ballad, dance, etc.).
jd: You know you sound exactly like BoA, other than the obvious, what made you like her? What made you want to sing her songs?
Hana: I remember buying her debut album and I was really interested in the fact that she was my age and was performing as a professional singer. I liked the idea that we were growing up "together" and I grew up listening to her songs which I felt I could relate to and sing along with. Her songs have always been catchy and fun to sing because she's a challenge to follow sometimes. Obviously, she's levels and levels above my singing ability, but it was fun to see that as she was improving, I would improve as well.
jd: BoA, just recently has starting pursuing a career in the US. Have you heard her song "Eat you up"? What do you think about it? Do you think she will make it? Will you record a version of it for us? 
Hana: I have heard her song and I think it's catchy. Even if I don't like a song at first, my impression of it changes as I hear it again and see the performance with it and that's how it was for this song--- it wasn't an instant liking. No one really knows if it will be a HUGE hit here, and I can't really judge that either. I'll think about it 
jd: Have you ever tried pursuing a professional musical career? Are you still actively pursuing one?
Hana: I auditioned in 2002 for SM in CA. I didn't get a call back but I was pretty satisfied about the whole experience and what happened during my audition; it's definitely a good memory/experience to know I've had. I think a professional career in this field is so idealized and only the great things that would come from it come to mind when considering it; but now that I'm older, it's not a realistic pursuit for me and I'm OK with that. I'm currently studying in graduate school for a degree in speech language pathology.
jd: And the obvious final question, how did you get started? What motivated you?
Hana: I don't know how I came across the sound recorder, but I did a long time ago. Sharing my recording with caution and getting some positive feedback really motivated me to keep doing it and it was definitely a fun hobby to keep. I took some singing lessons and learned more about recording and just kept going. I got a lot out of it and although I don't do it anymore (it's on the back burner as of now), I still sing on the worship team for church every week, so I'm still singing!
That concludes our interview with Hana, but make sure to show her some love by leaving her comments here and also by visiting her website for more of her great music!
With that, I'd like to leave you with two of Hana's cover's: "Everlasting" and "Valenti," both originally by BoA.
02 Dec 2008 - 11:46 AM
1. Aya792
^_^