BoA releases single in Japan

Korean Wave pioneer Kwon "BoA" released a new dance track, titled "Shout It Out", in Japan today.

Five months after she released the ballad "Message/Call My Name", the 27-year-old performer has returned to her dance roots.

"Fans will be able to enjoy "BoA"'s vibrant dance moves. Dance is what defines who "BoA" is", said her agency, SM Entertainment, through a press release yesterday.

A music video for the song was released in January, showing a very fit-looking "BoA", but the song officially came out today.

Since "BoA"'s official debut in Korea with her first album, "ID; Peace B", in 2000, the singer has been very active in Japan, releasing about 40 singles there and numerous albums.

The "Queen of K-pop" has also been increasingly moving into acting. After a cameo appearance in the SBS drama "ATHENA" in 2011, "BoA" starred in the two-episode KBS drama "Hope for Love" last year and the English-language dance movie "Make Your Move".

Currently, "BoA" has been cast as the female lead in the thriller"Big Match", where she will join actorsLee Jeong-jaeandSin Ha-gyoon.

By Kim Hee-eun, contributing writer