In a recently resurfaced video on X, a year-old snippet of K-pop icon BoA went viral, showcasing her puzzled reaction to being called “Mother” by fans. The clip, brought back by About Music on May 16, captures BoA during a live broadcast with her fans, known as Jumping BoAs.
The term “Mother,” widely adopted in the K-pop scene, is a queer term used to show profound respect and admiration for influential female artists. However, BoA, unfamiliar with this context, appeared bewildered and somewhat displeased by the flood of comments calling her “Mother.”
She candidly expressed her confusion, questioning, “But why are you calling me mother? I don’t have any children. Are you trolling me by calling me mother or what? Someone answer me.” Her playful bewilderment continued as she asked international fans, “Why do foreign fans call me mother? Why am I your mother?”
Eventually, fans explained the term’s true meaning, alleviating BoA’s confusion and leading to her laughter at her own misunderstanding.
Despite being dubbed the “Mother of K-pop,” BoA modestly downplayed the title, stating, “Oh, I’m the mother of K-pop? But no, there are many mothers of K-pop from the older generation.”
The video, now amassing around 800k views and 30k likes, sparked a wave of admiration and humor among K-pop fans. Many were struck by BoA’s humility, insisting that she rightfully deserves the “Mother of K-pop” title due to her pioneering role and lasting impact in the industry.
BoA has been a significant figure in spreading K-pop’s influence in Korea and Japan, paving the way for future generations and solidifying her legacy over two decades.
Conversely, some netizens found her initial reaction amusing, interpreting her confusion as thinking fans were implying she was old and should have children. This lighthearted misunderstanding only endeared her more to fans, highlighting her genuine and relatable nature.
