HUTA draws inspiration from UFC fighter Ko Seok-hyeon: The dynamism captured in the 'KO' recording studio
Behind-the-scenes footage of the recording for "KO," a new song by HUTA inspired by the nickname of UFC fighter Ko Seok-hyeon. The video captures the detailed process of crafting his powerful Vocal performance.
BTOB member HUTA has revealed the unique motifs and creative process behind his new single "KO" through behind-the-scenes studio footage. Inspired by the nickname "KO" of Korean UFC fighter Ko Seok-hyeon, whom HUTA has long supported, the track translates the dynamism of combat sports into a musical narrative.
Musical energy drawn from a fighter's nickname
HUTA explained that while "KO" aligns with the purple concept of his recent album, it carries a more powerful and upbeat energy. The core idea for the track originated from the nickname of UFC fighter Ko Seok-hyeon, a dedicated supporter of the athlete. HUTA let his creativity soar by imagining Ko Seok-hyeon and approaching the track as if he were creating his own Workout song. Closely tied to his own personal narrative, the song is a concentrated expression of HUTA's energy paired with a dynamic sound.
"It needs to sound solid"... Vocal details that make all the difference
In the studio, HUTA's relentless pursuit of perfection was evident. He attempted repeated takes to capture the subtle nuances that define the song's texture. Notably, he focused on adjusting his vocal tone with the specific goal of making it "feel solid." Whenever the pronunciation or rhythm of a particular section deviated from his intended feel, he immediately provided feedback to find the optimal result.
In-depth discussions also took place regarding the use of the chorus and guide vocals. HUTA made continuous decisions to enhance the song's quality, such as how to arrange harmonic choruses to fill the track's empty spaces and whether to preserve the guide vocal lines. His intense focus was evident as he meticulously checked his own vocal texture, noting, "I think that slightly raspy feel works well."
From the bridge to the Hook, HUTA constantly retried parts to ensure a seamless flow. The process of returning to the microphone to bridge that final 2% gap was a fierce struggle as an artist to translate the intensity of a combat athlete into music.
