Netflix music show 'Take 1' to offer blockbuster performances by top musicians
From left, Lee Chan-hyuk of AKMU, producer Kim Hak-min, and Lee Su-hyun of AKMU pose during a press conference for Netflix's new music show, “Take 1,” in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Netflix
By Lee Gyu-lee
Netflix is set to debut its first Korean music show, “Take 1,” which will offer dynamic, big-budget performances from Korea's renowned musicians across genres.
“We came up with the idea of this wild project where we ask singers, 'If you are to sing one last song of yours before you die, what would it be?' And then we prepare that stage and tear it down after the performance,” Kim Hak-min, the show's creator and producer, said during a press conference for the show in Seoul, Thursday.
The seven-part music show invites well-known artists ― soprano Sumi Jo, solo artists Yim Jae-beom, Park Jung-hyun, Rain and You Hee-yul, K-pop duo AKMU and girl group Mamamoo ― for each episode to choose a song and create the greatest performance of their lifetime.
The producer, whose previous shows include JTBC's music shows, “Sing Again” and “Sugarman 3,” said that the production team handpicked each artist from diverse genres to give variety to the show's performances.
“We divided the categories up ― such as male or female vocalist, classical, singer-songwriter or performance-based artists ― and asked those who have become recognized in that field to join,” he said.
He hinted that Rain and AKMU will offer special blockbuster performances, sharing that Rain's performance was taped in Cheong Wa Dae, the nation's previous presidential office.
“As this show streams to global audiences, (Rain) had the idea to include a cultural heritage asset, Cheong Wa Dae. So we finally got permission (to film there from the relevant authorities). We used lawn protection mats and carpets to minimize any possible damage to the site,” he said.
About 200 dancers were invited to AKMU's performance, which also involves aviation and skydiving.
Lee Chan-hyuk, a member of the duo, expressed satisfaction in joining the show and bringing his imagination to life for the performance.
“I had received offers for this type of show before, but when I actually agreed to do it and looked into it, there were things that I needed to give up, instead of really making the stage that I originally wanted. So when I was first offered to be on 'Take 1,' I went all-out sharing the ideas that I wanted to create during the meeting,” he said, adding that he was thrilled to see it become possible.
“I wanted my stage to have as much budget as they could put in as possible … I talked about flying airplanes in the meeting and the next time we met, they told me that they had been looking for a place where an airplane can land. And when I saw the performance that I had imagined coming to life, it felt very emotional and touching.”
“Take 1” will hit Netflix on Friday.