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Rebecca set for a dream pop Korea
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| Rebecca Strachan is set to fly out to Seoul, in South Korea, to perform at a series of gigs |
A TEENAGER from Basingstoke has become an overnight pop sensation in the Far East after posting a video of herself singing online.
Rebecca Strachan, 19, from Aster Road, Kempshott, Basingstoke, was catapulted to attention when she uploaded a video of her and a friend singing in Korean on the popular video-sharing website YouTube.
Since it went live in November, the video has received more than 130,000 hits and led to record executives offering the pair the chance to go to the South Korean capital Seoul for a series of gigs.
Rebecca will now fly out next month to receive expert singing and dancing tuition and is set to play her first gig at a festival in May.
The trip will be funded by Korean social networking website Gypsii and record label JYP Entertainment.
She said: "I can't believe the amount of interest we've received in Korea and the whole thing seems like a dream. When I posted the video, I was totally unprepared for all the attention.
"I love Korean music and it's my dream to make it as a pop singer there.
"My family don't know what to make of it and my friends have been really supportive. I can't wait to go out there and, hopefully, with a bit of luck and hard work, I can make it as a star."
Rebecca discovered Asian music in 2003 after searching for the soundtrack to her favourite computer game Final Fantasy.
She began studying Japanese at Queen Mary's College, in Basingstoke, and taught herself Korean. She started mimicking her favourite artists and then posted a video of herself and friend Sharon Schilperoord, 18, who lives in Holland, singing a popular Korean song on YouTube.
The pair met via an online forum and managed to record the song by sending vocals to each other via e-mail.
Within five days of being uploaded, the video received more than 65,000 hits and hundreds of people were leaving comments about how well the western pair had performed tricky pronunciation.
Since then, Rebecca has covered other popular Korean songs, which have also been posted online.
Her mum, Rosemarie, 41, said: "Rebecca dreamed of being a Korean singer, so I suggested posting a video online because I've heard of people getting noticed that way.
"When she said how many hits it had received and that people wanted to fly her out there, I couldn't believe it. I've checked out that everything is legitimate and fully support her."
Kyu Sub Choi, chief executive of Gypsii, said: "Rebecca is a very talented and highly-motivated young lady. Her cover versions of Korean pop songs have attracted tremendous attention on YouTube and Korean websites and, globally, more than a million people have viewed her video.
"She is a raw diamond and we intend to make her a singing sensation in Korea."
Despite also being offered the chance to fly to South Korea, Rebecca's friend Sharon has decided to finish college first.
Rebecca is following in the footsteps of other stars from the UK who made a name for themselves online, including Arctic Monkeys and Lily Allen.
12:35pm Thursday 17th January 2008
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Posted by: T S, Popley on 8:41pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Well done, Rebecca! I wish you all the best and hope you get what you dream for.
Well done, Rebecca! I wish you all the best and hope you get what you dream for.
Posted by: Sam May, 31 New Street, Stratfield Saye on 9:08pm Thu 17 Jan 08
Ive known becca for almost 3 years now, i met her in a group of friends at QMC and she is just amazing.
When i met her she was a shy and cute little thing who sat in the corner singing quietly. We all urged her to sing more in public, get her noticed not only by others but to give her the confidence she needed and wanted in herself.
Her voice is like an angel, as corny as that sounds but it really is, she has always reminded me of Dido, her voice would be soft and gentle one mintue then it would suddenly boom out in this singing voice you thought was someone elses.
I am over the moon she is where she is, not many people can live out their life long dreams at almost 20 years old, i respect and commend becca on every effort she has made to get herself here.
Shes had it tough and shes pulled herself up from the floor each time and carried on.
I wish her every success i know she will have in the near future!
CONGRATS Becca, were all rooting for you!
Ive known becca for almost 3 years now, i met her in a group of friends at QMC and she is just amazing.
When i met her she was a shy and cute little thing who sat in the corner singing quietly. We all urged her to sing more in public, get her noticed not only by others but to give her the confidence she needed and wanted in herself.
Her voice is like an angel, as corny as that sounds but it really is, she has always reminded me of Dido, her voice would be soft and gentle one mintue then it would suddenly boom out in this singing voice you thought was someone elses.
I am over the moon she is where she is, not many people can live out their life long dreams at almost 20 years old, i respect and commend becca on every effort she has made to get herself here.
Shes had it tough and shes pulled herself up from the floor each time and carried on.
I wish her every success i know she will have in the near future!
CONGRATS Becca, were all rooting for you!
Posted by: Jon, Kempshott on 1:42pm Fri 18 Jan 08
I've known Becca for almost 16 years now, and I can say I've been with her all the way ;)
I've known Becca for almost 16 years now, and I can say I've been with her all the way ;)
Posted by: Rico on 3:32am Fri 25 Jan 08
Anyone have the youtube link?
Anyone have the youtube link?
Posted by: bri_fari, marin county california on 11:40pm Fri 25 Jan 08
19,and can speak japanese and korean too. mad respects! K-pop on!
19,and can speak japanese and korean too. mad respects! K-pop on!
Posted by: The Richards, Seoul, Korea on 11:40am Mon 11 Feb 08
We have been in Korea for five years now and originally lived in Chineham, Basingstoke. Local girl makes good - this is great. Email if you need to query anything about wonderful Korea..... PS. Do you know Iain Ross or Aaron Morgan? They are at QMC also.
We have been in Korea for five years now and originally lived in Chineham, Basingstoke. Local girl makes good - this is great. Email if you need to query anything about wonderful Korea..... PS. Do you know Iain Ross or Aaron Morgan? They are at QMC also.
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