Here's What Goes On Behind The Scenes When Designing A K-Pop Comeback Stage, According To An Mnet Producer

Contrary to what some may expect, it takes a lot of work to make a comeback or debut stage happen. In an interview with the producers behind M2, Mnet‘s digital channel, viewers were informed of the behind the scenes work that is involved.

The producer of the online music stages, Lim Tae Hong, explained his work process after he was asked, “When an idol group comes back, they all want to do a comeback show with [Lim Tae Hong]…which part do you focus on the most in comeback shows?”

Lim Tae Hong was the right person to talk to as he had ample experience working on performances such as Kep1er‘s “WADADA” debut stage and ENHYPEN‘s “Drunk-Dazed” comeback show.

He explained that he prioritizes storylines before anything else. Rather than a stage filled with just dancing, he wants there to be a deeper meaning behind the performances, from the props to the introduction video and more.

When an artist comes back with a new album, I have to create the very first stage for them. So instead of a title song stage, I try to include stories behind the performances as well. I try to focus on those a lot.

— Lim Tae Hong

Because M2 releases their videos on YouTube, they are given the opportunity to work with high-tech equipment that their cable counterpart cannot use.

Since we’re a digital channel, we can provide higher quality than TV. We work with 4K and progressive 60 frames to produce shows in high quality.

— Lim Tae Hong

Lim Tae Hong and his team pay close attention to each frame of the debut or comeback stage.

Sometimes we start with animations. Even if it’s not for a stage, there are times when members do a little acting to show a story, so I work on the storyboard a lot to create a consistent scene.

— Lim Tae Hong

In Kep1er’s “WADADA” debut stage, for instance, Chaehyun‘s short scene was thoroughly planned out despite being less than 30 seconds long. The props that lit up, her expressions, how the camera panned towards the larger set, and more where all laid out in a storyboard.