What BoA’s Manager Used To Do Because Of Her Insecurity During Her Teenage Years

Global superstar BoA was an icon in the 2000s who paved the way for many young people to dream of being K-Pop stars. Now, she continues to thrive as a musician and director of SM Entertainment.

BoA | @boakwon/Instagram

Although she is an accomplished legend in K-Pop, her journey was not easy. Her evident talent in singing and dancing led her to SM Entertainment, and after two years of training, she debuted in 2000. She was just 14 at the time, but she became extremely successful not only in Korea but in Japan.

Your browser does not support video.BoA performing “Atlantis Princess” in 2003 | MBC

Despite her success, BoA admitted that she always had an insecurity. On tvN‘s reality show Dancing Queens on the Road, BoA had a heart-to-heart with other iconic female singers such as Kim Wan Sun, Uhm Jung Hwa, Lee Hyori, and MAMAMOO‘s Hwasa.

Poster for “Dance Queens on the Road” | tvN

While having a meal together and sharing their experiences as K-Pop stars, Lee Hyori revealed that BoA’s manager used to gift the singer a book every month.

BoA’s manager used to gift her books all the time. He would choose a book and give it once a month or so? And in the blank page in the front of the book, he would write a letter saying, ‘BoA, I read this and think this or that would be good for you’ or ‘I hope you learn about this through this book.’

— Lee Hyori

Your browser does not support video.| tvN 

When asked if she actually read the books her manager gave her, BoA shared that she did because of an insecurity about her education.

I didn’t like having the image that I didn’t go to school or that I dropped out of school.

— BoA

A young BoA | SM Entertainment

While other teenagers went to school, BoA took a different route and became a K-Pop star—which was not common in the 90s. Because of this, she didn’t like the thought of people seeing her as a dropout. Lee Hyori mentioned the fact that things are a lot different now—nowadays, kids drop out of elementary school because they want to become K-Pop stars.

Your browser does not support video.9-year-old Na Haeun presenting the Best Dance nominees at the 2018 Melon Music Awards | Awesome Haeun/YouTube

BoA also shared that back then, in the workplace, adults treated her like a child.

I hated how when I conversed with adults, they treated me like such a child.

— BoA

Your browser does not support video.BoA doing her first Japanese interview on “Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ” | Fuji Television 

Uhm Jung Hwa then asked how people treat her now, and BoA gave a refreshing response.

Now, they’re like, ‘Hello, Director.’

— BoA

Your browser does not support video.| tvN 

Although BoA didn’t finish school, her 23-year career proves she lacks nothing. BoA is considered the “Queen of K-Pop” as one of the top artists in K-Pop history.

BoA with WINNER’s Lee Seunghoon | @boakwon/Instgram

She was cited as a role model for so many K-Pop stars, such as Girls’ Generation members, SHINee‘s Key, and aespa‘s Winter and Karina. She recently held her 20th debut anniversary concert in March, three years later than intended because of the pandemic.