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BoA hints at retirement amid online criticism
Singer and actor BoA / Courtesy of SM Entertainment
By Pyo Kyung-min
Singer and actor BoA stirred speculation regarding her potential retirement from the entertainment industry with a cryptic Instagram story over the weekend, after experiencing a spate of online abuse recently.
On Saturday, BoA posted a question on her Instagram story, which read "If my contract expires, I can retire, right?" in Korean. However, she made a spelling mistake — "untoe," instead of "euntoe" — the Korean term for retirement, leading to various speculations by online users.
Later, addressing the confusion, the singer-actress posted again, "'I made a typo. It is 'euntoe.'"
This incident has fueled discussions that BoA may be considering leaving the industry after her contract with SM Entertainment ends, especially given the recent backlash she faced online concerning her appearance and acting skills in the drama "Marry My Husband."
Debuting at the age of 13 in 2000, BoA has made significant contributions to the K-pop industry, including becoming the first Korean singer to top the Oricon chart in Japan. Celebrating the 24th anniversary of her debut this year, BoA has been diversified her career by moving into acting and serving as a judge on audition shows.
The 37-year-old faced criticism for her appearance and acting skills based on her portrayal of a villain in the tvN drama, "Marry My Husband," which concluded in February.
In response, BoA addressed the issue through her social media on March 29, stating, "If I don't take care of myself, I get criticized and if I do, I still get criticized. If I lose weight, they tell me to gain some, and if I gain weight, they say I look like a pig. I don't know what you all look like, but don't waste your life like that. I'm sorry, but I'm still BoA."
She also mentioned the issue on a news show on March 30, likening her experience in the spotlight to living in "The Truman Show," where every aspect of one's life is broadcasted to the public, since her debut at a young age.
"Celebrities shouldn't become the focus of anger just because their lives are visible to the public," she was quoted saying.