Live H to Bring Korean Music Up Close and Personal
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Local network OBS and English broadcaster Arirang TV are preparing to present local music to the world through their live concert show ``Live H.''
Unlike other music programs where there is a set host, ``Live H'' will invite only the singer or band, giving them more freedom in performing and also hosting the show based on their own styles.
``Having a host can sometimes be too choreographed and boring. The show will be more like a short documentary, or even a film, where the singers come out on the stage, perform and talk about themselves, their music and interesting incidents they would like to share with viewers,'' Kong Tae-hee, the producer, told The Korea Times.
The 60-minute show will place local singers under the microscope, just like a DVD from their concert. To add diversity and a party-like atmosphere, the show will be recorded at some of the most popular clubs around Hongdae, or the Hongik University area.
``We will have five to six cameras moving in and out of their performance. Viewers will get to experience a concert right in the middle of their living rooms,'' Kong added.
Another important feature of the show is that it will not focus on specific genres of music or musicians. Major networks mostly feature bands and singers who are popular at the moment, in recent cases idol bands, but ``Live H'' will bring various genres, singers and bands for the world to see.
No Brain was the first band to be featured on the show.
``I was playing the guitar and although I realized one of the cords was pulled out because of my dancing, I kept on singing and playing,'' Jung Min-jun, the guitarist of the band, said during a press conference for the show Monday in Hongdae.
Singer Hong Kyung-min, the second singer to appear on the show, also displayed his anticipation of meeting new viewers and taking part in the new concept.
``I do hope viewers around the world will watch the program and discover many talented bands and singers in Korea. I believe `Live H' will become a stage for not only top singers, but also talented and aspiring artists as well,'' he said.
``Live H'' will start airing Jan. 2, 2010, at 10 p.m. on OBS and in more than 180 countries through Arirang TV. Check the schedule for each country at www.arirang.co.kr.