A Mother-Son K-Pop Journey: Recording BIGBANG's "If You" at KING STUDIO

In Seoul's Gangnam district, where K-Pop dreams take shape, KING STUDIO offers travelers an unparalleled opportunity to step into the shoes of their favorite artists. For Canadian mother-son duo Yulan and Michael, this became the defining moment of their Seoul trip when they recorded a heartfelt duet of BIGBANG's 2015 ballad "If You" – a song etched in K-Pop history for its raw emotional depth and lyrical vulnerability.

Why "If You" Resonates with Global Fans

Penned by G-Dragon during a period of personal reflection, "If You" marked BIGBANG's first full-group vocal performance, abandoning their signature rap verses for a minimalist ballad structure. The track’s stripped-down arrangement – built on acoustic guitar and haunting harmonies – amplifies its lyrical themes of regret and lost love:

"If it’s not too late / Can’t we get back together?"
– "If You" (translated lyrics)

Critics praised its departure from conventional idol music, with Billboard noting its "restrained, dreamlike hums" and "emotional authenticity rarely seen in mainstream K-Pop". For Yulan, who lived in Korea two decades ago, the song symbolized her enduring connection to Korean culture. "I’ve sung this at home for years," she shared, "but experiencing it professionally made me understand why it’s considered BIGBANG’s saddest masterpiece"

The KING STUDIO Experience: Beyond Tourist Attractions

Certified by the Korea Tourism Organization, KING STUDIO bridges fandom and artistry through its tiered programs:

Michael chose the Diamond package, ensuring their duet would receive the same post-production treatment as BIGBANG’s original track. "I wanted Mom to feel like an actual artist," he explained.

From Nervous Newbies to Studio Stars

14:00 PM | Studio Tour
Producer Aiden – began their session by demonstrating the Neumann U87 microphone used in BIGBANG’s recordings. "This isn’t karaoke," he emphasized. "We recreate the exact process idols follow – from key selection to harmonic layering".

14:10 PM | Vocal Training
Despite Yulan’s fluency in Korean, the emotional weight of "If You" posed challenges. "The lyrics demand vulnerability," Aiden noted, adjusting their vocal registers to mirror Taeyang and Daesung’s melancholic tones.

14:30 PM | Recording Session
In Studio A – acoustically treated for vocal clarity – the duo experienced idol-level rigor:

• 3 takes per verse to perfect emotional inflection
• Harmony guides projected on studio monitors
• Live feedback via Avid Pro Tools interface

"The director made us sing lines 20 times until we felt the regret in ‘I should’ve treated you better’," Yulan recalled.

Why This Matters for Canadian Travelers

For K-Drama fans visiting Namsan Tower or Hongdae, KING STUDIO offers deeper cultural immersion:

1. Authenticity: Use the same equipment as BTS and BLACKPINK.
2. Legacy Creation: Take home a CD/mastered audio file – unlike generic souvenirs.
3. Multilingual Support: English/Chinese/Japanese staff ease communication.

Michael’s advice? "Book the 10 AM slot to avoid vocal fatigue from sightseeing. And practice your song months beforehand – it’s harder than it looks!"

Conclusion: More Than a Song – A Cultural Pilgrimage

Yulan and Michael’s story exemplifies how KING STUDIO transforms passive fandom into active artistry. As global interest in Korean culture grows (via Squid Game and BTS), such experiences let travelers participate rather than observe.

"Walking out with our CD, I finally understood why Korea calls music ‘yeongwonhan huyeongja’ ," Michael reflected. For Canadians planning their Seoul itinerary, this isn’t just another activity – it’s a chance to voice their own K-Pop narrative.

Ready to create your Seoul soundtrack?
📍 75-52 Samseong-ro, Gangnam-gu
⏰ 10:00 ~ 20:00
🔗 kingstudio.co.kr/en