Top music media outlet Billboard is showing great interest in the popular K-pop group, B.A.P (composed of Bang Young Gook, Him Chan, Dae Hyun, Young Jae, Jong Up, and Zelo). "B.A.P. has proven that K-Pop is as strong as ever," Billboard reported this past Friday on its K-Pop column corner, K-Town. "They can certainly gain success even in the US."

"B.A.P. has worked relentlessly since having debuted last year, releasing a total of six singles. Their second mini-album, 'One Shot,' has achieved great success. With high record sales in the US, the album has reached number one on the Billboard World Album Chart, and their title song has reached the K-Pop Hot 100 Top 20."

The Billboard article also made reference to B.A.P's Live On Earth concert tour which will open in the United States on May 7th and visit four cities: "B.A.P will tour cities such as New York, LA, Washington DC, and San Francisco, following a similar path as top talents Big Bang and 2NE1."
Big Bang's first world tour came to a close this past January. During this tour, Big Bang visited 12 countries and 24 cities with a total attendance of about 800,000. In reference to this tour, top global media outlets such as the UK's Guardian and The New York Times were unsparing in their praise, calling it, "incomparable with Justin Bieber."

The fact that B.A.P, a rookie idol group that debuted just last year, was compared with Big Bang, a veteran group that has already proven their global success, shows perhaps the extent to which overseas critics have appraised B.A.P's talent and potential. B.A.P made their entrance into the K-Pop scene just last year in January with their first single, 'Warrior,' catching eyes with their powerful and original choreography. That year, B.A.P grabbed the attention of fans nationwide after winning best new artist awards at various end-of-the-year music awards ceremonies.

B.A.P has distinguished themselves internationally, sweeping the music charts of 13 various countries: Billboard's World Album Chart, Germany's Asian Music Chart,  Taiwan's G-Music Chart, Malaysia's Number 1 K-Pop Chart, iTunes Hip Hop Album chart, etc. They have certainly proven themselves to be the next generation of K-Pop artists.

Having recently released their schedules for their pacific tour, B.A.P is currently busy with preparations for the tour, which will include visits to four cities in the US and four countries in Asia.