[PREVIEW] BTOB: Born To Beat

BTOB [Cube Entertainment]

They are not perfect with their moves; at least one member heads to a different direction while doing a group dance. They also do not seem to have fully adjusted to being on stage, but something about them told the audience down the stage that they are idols.

At the showcase for new Korean boy band BTOB held at JW Marriot Hotel in Seoul on Wednesday, the seven-member group performed two songs from their debut album -- the title track "Secret," of which its sub-title is "Insanity," and a medium tempo ballad "Imagine."

There were no adoring, screaming fans blanketing the outdoor stage area bearing signs, but they had everything they need to look like sparkling idols.

From top to toe, they seemed ready to become a superstar, and, quoting their own words, " to dominate the global music market."

BTOB logo[Cube Entertainment]

"We are Born To Beat (BTOB)!"

Leader + Main Vocal: SEO EUNKWANG, Nov. 22, 1990
Vocal + Rap: LEE MINHYUK, Nov. 29, 1990
Vocal: LEE CHANGSUB, Feb. 26, 1991
Vocal: LIM HYUNSIK, March 7, 1992
Vocal + Rap: PENIEL D. SHIN, March 10, 1993
Vocal + Rap: JUNG ILHOON, Oct. 4, 1994
Vocal + Rap: YOOK SUNGJAE, May 2, 1995

Why they are hot?

We all know the drills for Korean idol groups' performances by now: teenage fans screaming down the stage and following the lyrics to the song.

Despite the absense of all those factors, all seven members were highly confident in introducing their new tracks.

Like their name "Born To Beat," the revealed songs at the showcase had very strong beats, even in the ballad tune, which was powerful enough to feel the vibe through their sheer shirt sleeves.

Performing to different styles of songs, including Lee Seung-chul's "Western Sky," Snoop Dog's "Gangsta Luv" and the late Michael Jackson's "Hollywood Tonight," the rookie group tried their best to show different sides to themselves.

According to their interviews at the scene, members received Japanese, English and Chinese lessons as well to target fans overseas. Especially with member PENIEL, who was born and raised in Chicago, the group's activities abroad did not seem to have a high barrier.

Perhaps it was the beaming cameras and flashes shining from everywhere; the group looked tired as the show went on for about an hour and a half, but did not forget smiling at the camera that was airing the event in live on the group's official Youtube channel.

As much as BTOB is the first idol group to be announced by Cube in two years, the firm which also manages the music careers of top Korean idol groups BEAST, 4minute and G.NA, the ambitious group BTOB, who said that they are going to dominate the overseas market, will quickly have to prove that they are truly born to beat.

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10 아시아 Reporter : Monica Suk monicasuk@
10 아시아 Editor : Lucia Hong luciahong@