By Han Sang-hee
Staff reporter
The world has seen numerous rising stars through various reality shows and competitions on the small screen, but Charice may be the face, or voice, to remember.
When Korea first got a glimpse of the girl with the big voice on local talent show ``Star King’’ in 2007, Charice looked like any other 15-year-old, bashfully smiling to the audience and cameras, dressed in pink from head to toe.
But now, with her first studio album ``Charice,’’ out, after performing with big stars including Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli, appearing on top shows like ``Oprah’’ and ``Ellen,’’ she has gained much more confidence and it seems she is ready to finally surprise the world with her signature music and charm.
The 18-year-old Filipina was playing some tunes on a piano program on her laptop when The Korea Times arrived for an interview at Warner Music Korea in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul.
``It feels great to be back,’’ she said, smiling, dressed in a sophisticated silver and black outfit with dark smoky eye-makeup.
Her new album was produced by the famed David Foster and, like Charice herself, is full of melody and color, perfect for music lovers around the world who are in desperate need of a young, hip soon-to-be diva.
``(`Charice’) is my first pop album. (We) made sure each song had different emotions. Some are heartbreaking, while others are very inspirational,’’ the singer said.
The top track ``Pyramid’’ is a contemporary pop number, where Charice really shows she has the style of a funky teenager yet the vocals of a true diva. Other tracks also shine throughout the album, including the powerful ``In This Song,’’ the slower ``Nobody’s Singing to Me’’ and the upbeat number ``Nothing.’’ Her album definitely sticks out from the electronic and fast-beat numbers infatuating the eyes and ears of audiences nowadays, and after listening to her tracks, it will take no time to turn on your computer and search for more clips of her performing live.