Backstreet Boys are back

Maturer, wiser and, needless to say, older, the Backstreet Boys will be performing in Seoul next month in their first appearance on Korean soil. The performance here is part of their one-month Never Gone tour around Asian cities in early 2006.

Starting from Tokyo in Japan on Jan. 7, the band will travel and sing in Nagoya, Osaka, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Manila, Bangkok, Singapore, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and wrap it up in Melbourne on Feb. 2.

In the late 1990s, the Backstreet Boys, also known as BSB, gained global fame as their combination of new swing R&B vocals, good looks and entertaining abilities melted millions of girls` hearts in all corners of the world.

<**1>Each of the Boys` first two albums - "Backstreet Boys" (1997) and "Millennium" (1999) - sold more than 13 million copies. The group kept on going with "Black and Blue" (2000) selling 8 million copies and released "Hits: Chapter One" in 2001.

However, the five singers in the group, Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean, Howard Dorough and Kevin Richardson fell apart as McLean checked into rehab for alcoholism and depression in 2001. During almost five years since the breakup, each member had some time of their own and grow up.

"This time off gave us a chance to recharge our batteries, step away and see what has happened in our lives, what we have accomplished and to be thankful for the opportunities that we have had and thankful for each other," wrote Richardson on the band`s official website.

Now, the quintet tries to go beyond being called as a mere "boy band," and open a new chapter as an adult vocal group after they released their latest album "Never Gone" last June.

Though the Boys could not sell as many records as they used to, "Never Gone" still did a good job, selling about 3.5 million copies in five months.

Three members are already in their 30s. One of them, Littrell, became a father. Not only did they get older, but they grew mature. McLean has overcome personal problems. "I`ve been sober for two years," said McLean on the website.

After successful tours in the United States and Europe from July to November, the older Boys are hitting Asia soon.

The concert in Seoul will be held at Olympic Gymnasium which can seat 10,000. The large scale of the concert will enable the quintet to let out all of their energy that they have accumulated for the past five years. It will be 10 years since Seoul fans saw them in their performance tour here.

"To meet their fans` expectations, the Boys are planning events such as fan meeting at backstage," said an official from the concert organizer Yellow 9.

The show comprise of Backstreet Boys` best hits including "I want it that way" and "As long as you love me," and special effects which will be very similar to recent tours in Europe.

Never Gone tour in Seoul is scheduled to be held at Olympic Gymnasium in Olympic Park on Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. Exit No. 3 at Olympic Park Station on Subway Line No. 5. Ticket prices range from 66,000 to 110,000 won. For ticket reservations, call 1544-1555 or visit www.interpark.com For more information, call (02) 783-0114.



(yoonmi@heraldm.com)





By Kim Yoon-mi