By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne returns to Seoul Sept. 1, as part of her world tour. Fans can expect Lavigne to keep the energy high with pop-punk tunes like ``Girlfriend, ``Complicated" and ``Sk8er Boi" at the Melon-AX.
Lavigne has already held sold-out concerts in Seoul over the past few years, but this will be her first concert since 2005.
The 23-year-old singer has sold millions of albums around the world since she started her career. Lavigne was born in Belleville, Ontario, Canada in 1984. Her talent was apparent early on, with her singing with her mother aged two. When she was 14, she won a competition to sing with country singer Shania Twain in a concert.
By the age of 16, she was signed by major record label Arista Records. In 2002, her first album ``Let Go" was released. It was a big success, thanks to hit songs like ``Complicated," ``Sk8er Boi" and ``I'm With You." The album sold 16 million copies worldwide.
Lavigne was nominated for eight Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for ``Complicated" and Best New Artist. Fans also loved Lavigne's punk-like image, although her music was more pop than punk.
In 2004, Lavigne released her second album ``Under My Skin" which included songs like ``My Happy Ending" ``Don't Tell Me" and ``Nobody's Home."
Her last album ``The Best Damn Thing" was released in 2007, selling a respectable five million copies. Album producers included Dr. Luke, Rob Cavallo and Lavigne's husband Deryck Whibley of Sum 41. The first single ``Girlfriend" reached number one on Billboard Hot 100.
In between albums, Lavigne has been trying her hand at acting. She appeared in ``Fast Food Nation" in 2006, and has reportedly gotten the lead role in an upcoming film.
Lavigne continues to draw Korean fans. Her first two performances in Seoul in 2003 and 2004 were both sold out, as well as her concert at the Olympic Fencing Stadium in 2005.
After Seoul, Lavigne will hop over to Japan for a concert at the Tokyo Dome on Sept. 16. She will perform with Japanese singer Ai Otsuka and pop duo Puffy.
The concert will be held at the Melon-Ax Hall (Gwangnaru Subway Station Line 5). Tickets are 88,000 won. Call (02) 3444-9969 or visit https://ticket.interpark.com.