Ningin Blogger DavidHou wrote earlier today about NY1 not including BoA in their snap poll of which Asian artists will be the first Asian pop star. Offhand, I can see why this would be a slight against BoA. However, in speaking with a senior SM official today, the truth is that SM asked that BoA not be included. So it’s nothing malicious or intentional on NY1’s part. (Danny, you don’t have to block them anymore!)

Looking at this from a big picture perspective, the fact that this is even a controversy is a positive sign for Asian artists. NY1 is not an Asian news company. Hundreds of thousands of people watch NY1 here in New York City. For them to focus so much attention lately and care about which Asian artist will be the first one to make it successfully is a huge step in the right direction for us.

Getting back to the original poll question of “Who will be America’s first Asian pop star?” and judging by the available choices, I think the question really should’ve been “Who will be America’s first Asian pop super star from Japan or Korea?” I would argue that there’s a lot of Asian pop stars already in America but just not known for being Asian, Michelle Branch, apl.de.ap (from Black Eyed Peas), Kelis, Ne-Yo, Nicole Scherzinger (from Pussycat Dolls), Mike Shinoda and Joe Hahn of Linkin Park, Arnel Pineda (lead singer of Journey) and many others. Some of these people are from Asia, some are definitely pop stars, and some are even pop super stars.

For the sake of argument, let’s ignore that last paragraph and the fact that those people are hugely famous. Who will be the first Asian pop star to cross over successfully? I think anyone who tells you that they know is lying. There’s just too many factors beyond the artists’ control. There’s the management element, the pr, the media, the distribution, the ever shifting American taste in music – just about everything really. Perhaps because I’m in the media business, I like to think the media has the biggest effect. For better or for worst, MTV has the ability to create pop stars through sheer size and reach.

Things are starting to change a bit. There’s a new MySpace generation of artists that became stars because their fans made them so. Don’t you think it’s a little crazy that Tila Tequila is more popular in America than Wonder Girls, BoA, Se7en, and Utada combined? Don’t get me wrong, having met Tila, she’s actually very talented and business savvy, contrary to what her TV shows might otherwise suggest. However, I think she would even agree that her singing is not quite as good as BoA or Utada.

Tila’s claim to fame is that she has the most friends on MySpace. From there she smartly used it to propel her career. So the simplified answer to which pop star will cross over successfully first is, whoever catches on first; not catch on with the Asians in American, but with all of America. Obviously, that’s easier said then done but it’s not impossible. Tila leveraged MySpace, many other leveraged MTV, Charice Pempengco — whom Jinra just blogged about — has Oprah. In short, all these people built powerful allies or associations.

When BoA signed with Creative Artists Agency, I was so happy for her. CAA doesn’t just manage music talent, but movies, tv, books, everything. If anyone can make it possible to have BoA go on tour with the Pussycat Dolls, be in the next Transformer movie, and guest starring on 24, the people at CAA can do it. I’m just throwing that out there; I have no clue if that’s even on the table. Imagine though how great that would be if it was a reality.

Anyway, I didn’t vote in the poll. My money is on Charice Pempengco, she has a once-in-a-generation type voice and Oprah backing her!