Behind the scenes of "M SOUNDPLEX" - Big Bang episode

"M SOUNDPLEX" launched by cable music channel Mnet on February 26 is a program which says music is about having fun, regardless of genre. This motto has been carried since the show's first episode which starred Indie band 10cm, Lee Juck and singers from singing competition "Superstar K" up till Big Bang's episode which is waiting to go on air. Starting this week, "10Asia" will reveal the process through which this new space and culture for having fun is created, along with stories from behind the scenes, through the lips of "M SOUNDPLEX" producer Lee Sang-yoon. That first stage is Big Bang's.

Big Bang performs during the recording for cable music channel Mnet's "M SOUNDPLEX." [Mnet]

"I'm sorry I'm late," G-Dragon said while bowing to a member of the crew for "M SOUNDPLEX." Big Bang had not been able to appear for the show's rehearsal as promised due to a problem another TV program had with its schedule. The rehearsal had been planned for 2 p.m. but it was only after 5 p.m. that Big Bang was able to leave from their former engagement. Big Bang was professional, hurriedly getting ready while apologizing for being late when it actually was not their fault, but whether the show could start rolling in time for its recording set for 8 p.m. was the problem, not the fact that they were not able to make it to the rehearsal. This is always the case you have with television programs. Problems are bound to come up, even when you think you have prepared extensively. The important thing is to cover that problem so that it does not show instead of dwell on it. It looked like the show could get started in time for the recording if the band and chorus finished rehearsing before Big Bang arrived and we quickly went through the camera rehearsal. Although even after that, unexpected problems would arise.

However, the real problem occurred after they arrived. It turned out that the sound source Big Bang's band had prepared was slightly different from the one our producers had prepared. For several days, we had worked on a variety of aspects including how to show the stage, in what angle the camera would travel and the timing of the cut-aways based on the lyrics and sound source we had to their songs. So while we go this sorted out, the members of Big Bang started on their camera rehearsal. This too did not go as well as we thought it would. With each of the members trying to re-adjust their movements and test it out with producers to give the best performance possible for their solo stages, before we knew it, we were already 30 minutes past recording time. Members of the crew started to raise their voices from irritation and the audience started to rumble. How did things get to this state? Will we be able to record the show properly? The show is what is important although I was oppressed with the pressure in having to prepare Big Bang's performances and concern that they audience must be bored from having waited for the recording since 8 a.m.

Big Bang, worn out and probably with more to worry over their muddled schedule, truly did their best, not only in regards to showing their singing and dancing. During the time they talked with the show's host Chung Won-young and Park Gyeong-lim, they told stories they had never mentioned before for the show and their fans. Then while Park gave the audience a good laugh with one of her own past songs, Big Bang prepared for their final performance. And their encore performance for song "Lie," the highlight of the day, started. They did not have an MR for the song, only the sound of the guitar, but the sound was rich and their energy, combined with the excitement of the audience, filled up the entire venue. It was the moment that everybody, both the performer and watcher, had fun together. Maybe it was for that single moment that I had been so worried since early morning.

Reporter : Lee Sang-yoon
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@