Translation of Hyunwoo's article for Mint Paper

Mint Paper December's POTM (People of the Month): Guckkasten - Album production story from Hyunwoo Ha

Original post: https://www.mintpaper.co.kr/2010/12/potm_1012_2/

Guckkasten, POTM of Mint Paper's December edition.

We have prepared the behind story of Guckkasten's EP [Tagträume] that was released on 7th December.

Shall we begin the album production story directly from Hyunwoo Ha, the vocal of Guckkasten?

Hi Everyone.

We made an EP called [Tagträume].

Actually, we had planned to release our official 2nd album right after releasing our 1st Re-Recording [Guckkasten] album.

Frankly speaking, about 9 songs are made and we were continuously designing and producing our works, but as we needed more time to fine-tune our album, we decided to produce a single with 'Scarlet Field', and 'Manicure', which we had recorded together with our 1st Re-Recording album.

However, as we were preparing to produce the single, another desire had ignited and we started making variations of 'Scarlet Field', and 'Manicure', in acoustic and electronic versions, respectively.

This album, which we began working rather light heartedly, had ignited into a burning hot album with our endless desires.

1. July 2010: Music Video

I discussed the video for EP with my friend, Jaewan Lim, who is a music video director and a former vocal of a band called "Mookhyang".

He who can make exceptional videos at a very low cost tells me.

"I'm getting married."

I tell him.

"I'll be your wedding singer. Make me a music video, pronto."

2. August 2010: Filming of ‘Manicure’ music video

We wore a mask but as it was too hot our annoyance clouded heaven and earth.

The good ol' memories of all of us suffering without getting much sleep are popping up again.

It was an abandoned factory at Ansung and it was just dirty and shabby enough to our taste, so all good.

3. October 2010: Moving of personal working studio

We moved our working studio while we were making this EP.

Kibang(Kibum Kim)and I use this studio, and two is the max it can occupy. There are no spare seats.

This place is about 6.6m² in size and it is much like 'goshiwon* for performers', and so the work efficiency is beyond imagination.

And this place even has heated floors. It also has an air-conditioner on the wall.

(*A goshiwon is a very small room that people rent to study for an important exam. Some people use goshiwon to stay if their residence is far from their schools and/or working place.)

4. October 2010: ‘Scarlet Field’ Acoustic Live Performance @ GMF2010
Premier of 'Scarlet Field' acoustic live performance.

It included tap dance and Tapper-J (Eun-Sung Jee), a friend that stubbornly pursued tap dance for a very long time at Hongdae playground, has participated in the performance.

“Thank you so very much, Eun-Sung.”

A cool dude. Because he participated in Guckkasten's album.

5. Mid September 2010: Instrumental song

We have 4 songs. We made a variation and we have a totally different songs and they are just awesome.

'This is not a single. Let's just make this as an EP! Then maybe one more song would complete it.

We spoke too much in these four songs, so let's sing without words.'

Hence came the instrumental song ‘Tagträume’

This word, which means 'day dream', has a charming story of images appearing as if dreaming when one is not dreaming.

6. Late September 2010

We need morin khuur (aka horsehead fiddle, or Mongolian fiddle) for this song.

So I call Junghoon Lee, the vocal of 'Hanumpa' and a morin khuur player.

Hyunwoo (Ha): Hello, dear Junghoon.

Junghoon (Lee): Hey, Hyunwoo. What's up?

Ha: You still have morin khuur, right?

Lee: Huh? Well... yeah... why?

Ha: Where are you?

Lee: I'm a little busy right now

Ha: It'll only take a moment.

...

After recording,

Junghoon's morin khuur skill improved a lot.

Thank you!

7. Early November 2010: Recording studio

Me listening carefully to the recordings with eyes gently closed.

Such a pro.

Umm... was I sleeping?

CEO of Tone Studio, Rock Daesung.

"We are truly sorry for causing so much pain whenever we make an album.

You went home late on your wedding anniversary because of our recording, were you in trouble by your wife?"

8. Mid November 2010: Angel and bird

We need an awesome image for the cover of our album.

So I call Gyu-Seok Choi, the cartoonist and author of 'A bit obscure to cry', and 'Natives of Korea'.

Hyunwoo (Ha): Big bro, we're making an EP and we're wondering if you could draw for us?

Gyu-Seok (Choi): Hmm... what do you need?

Ha: An image of an angel falling into a bird!

Choi: Okay. Don't have your hopes up too high.

Ha: Alright! Yay! Thank you.

Choi: I'll give you my bank account number.

Ha: Excuse me???

9. Mid November 2010: Album design

‘An image for an album will not be good enough. We need a technician.’

So I ask anyone and everyone.

Then I catch one.

“Hey, handsome Jaehoon. It's me.”

“Hey, big bro! What's up?”

“Yeah, why don't we catch up over some meal.”

“Yay!”

And for several days, that little bro looks at me resentfully.

Sorry. (It's 6am now)

10. Late November 2010: Recording for an on-air program

I really hate sitting still doing nothing at a waiting room of a broadcasting studio.

As we are a hard-wording band, we always go on stage although we are working on a new album.

It goes the same for on-air programs, too.

Even in the midst of mixing an album, we bang our heads like this and go back to the recording studio...

  

Guckkasten members, say cheese!

Click.

Kibang: “Bro. Let's go home…”

11. December 2010: EP released. Signing the CDs

We need to sign 100 CDs.

One by one, we sign earnestly.

Absolutely beautiful

  

Whenever I see myself and our band members signing like this from time to time, I think

'So this is what brings us to sing, play, and struggle tenaciously'

and such thought concludes with an exclamation of 'thank heavens'.

I am determined to die singing no matter how nasty this world is.

For what?

For me!

12. 7th December 2010: Release of Guckkasten EP [Tagträume]

The vague dream showed up in scarlet and appeared vividly

What a noble excrement this is!

Mint Paper

Written by Hyunwoo Ha

Photos provided by Guckkasten

Edited by Moon-Hee Jin