Be Your Own Rock Star

Record an Album

Lee Jung-hwan, 28, has a passion for singing but never pursued a professional career. He is in fact a busy medical student, but he decided to do something more than just croon his favorite tunes at the local ``noraebang’’ (karaoke) to express his musicality _ he recorded a couple of albums at a studio.

Featuring a dozen tracks, a glossy jacket and casing, they look like professional CDs released by major labels _ except the songs were sung by Lee and his family and an artsy friend designed the covers.

``It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, an eventful and fruitful family event that lasts,’’ he told The Korea Times. The project arose when Lee’s mother heard about a studio where amateurs can make albums.

The family of three took the opportunity to spend several days together, from choosing the songs to the actual recording and designing of the album cover. His family also headed to the photo studio for a family portrait to feature in the album jacket. ``It’s an event where everyone got together and got really involved,’’ he said.

The father and son sang oldies such as Lee Eun-mi’s ``I Have a Lover’’ and Richard Marx’s ``Right Here Waiting,’’ and were careful to feature a variation of songs in an orderly fashion, alternating between songs in E Major and A Minor, for example. They ordered about 200 copies, which were distributed to friends, relatives and colleagues.

``They absolutely loved it. Korea has a unique noraebang culture, where everyone loves to sing and party. They were amazed to hear the voice of someone they know in a recording,’’ he said. Lee went on to record a solo album featuring his favorite songs such as ``Desperado.’’ He wishes to make another CD with his future wife and children.

Nara Music in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province, a satellite city of Seoul, is one of the few professional studios that offer such a service.

The owner, Kang Dong-suk, was the musical inspiration behind classic TV cartoons such as ``Flying Superboard.’’ He now specializes in producing ``dongyo,’’ or nursery songs, and albums for opera singers. But the studio also welcomes small-scale projects for music professors and amateur singers such as Lee’s family.

Releasing an album comes with a price, of course. It normally costs about 10 million won and up, depending on the number of tracks, mixing (live orchestration or electronic music, etc.) and the amount of post-production it requires, and takes up to about a month. The studio takes care of slight glitches, akin to how photographs are edited on computer programs.

Nara Music is located near exit 1 of Yatap Station on the Bundang subway line. Call (031) 708-6631.

Form a Band

The movie ``Bravo My Life’’ features listless white-collar workers rising back to life through amateur rock bands. Such movies were actually inspired by true stories _ it’s never too late, it seems, to realize your dreams of becoming a rock star.

Yamaha Korea offers classes for various instruments, ranging from the piano to electronic guitar. Many think that piano lessons are for toddlers only, but you won’t be the only adult there. There are two groups, children and professionals from all walks of life in their 30s and 40s. Visit www.yamaha-music.co.kr for more information.

A scene from the movie "Brave My Life"

Hyundai Sungwoo Resort in Gangwon Province is hosting a competition for amateur workers’ bands on May 30. Any band purely comprising of workers that have not released an album will be able to participate. It is accepting applications until May 26 through its Web site (www.hdsungwoo.co.kr).

The judges award bonus points for bands comprised of members from the same firm. The grand prize winners get 1 million won and a free voucher for a night in the resort’s luxury room; the runners up receive 500,000 won and two vouchers for suites; the second runners up receive 300,000 won and one voucher for a family room; and the third runners up can win 200,000 won and one voucher for a family room.

Make Music at Noraebang

If you think recording an album is too expensive, or forming a band is time-consuming, then hit a noraebang. But forget the generic, dark, underground ones with broken tambourines. Local noraebang have evolved to allow special touches to karaoke night.

Su Noraebang in Hongdae, a nightlife hub of Seoul, is famous as a luxurious franchise with multiple chains. Among them is Prince Edward, which features a full drum set, guitar, keyboard and other kinds of instruments to add live instrumental effects to vocals.

In the hallway, those waiting for a room can play the white grand piano, which is equipped with sheet music of the latest songs. For the more serious singer, the noraebang even provides lockers for personal microphones. It also has a washing machine and offers free ice cream and a cell phone battery-charging service. Variety TV programs often shoot in the chicly decorated rooms, so you could run into a celebrity.

Naturally, prices are more expensive than the typical noraebang next door, costing about 20,000 an hour. Visit www.skysu.com or call (02) 322-3111.

For those who want a memento of their historical noraebang extravaganza, Tinga Tinga in Seongnam-dong, Ulsan, offers guests a chance to make their own music video. Singers du jour can choose a background and sing in front of the camera, which you can take home in the form of a CD, or upload it online as a UCC (user-created content) video.

It costs 15,000 won per hour. If you’re planning on making a music video, the owner suggests calling in advance so you can reserve one of the nicer rooms. Call (052) 243-1612.