K-Producer C75 Collab Concert

Several days had passed since Byul-ho and Ascend arrived in Thailand. Finally, the much-anticipated joint concert with Natthew was about to begin. As the stadium filled with excited fans, Byul-ho couldn't help but notice the overwhelming majority were there for Natthew.

Despite the recent popularity of Ascend's music video in Korea, it had only reached a dozens of thousands views in Thailand. The group was still largely unknown to Natthew's fanbase.

In the crowd, two friends chatted as they found their seats.

"I'm kind of wondering who this Ascend is. Are they a popular K-pop group in Korea?" one asked, glancing at the concert poster.

His friend shrugged. "No idea. The only K-pop groups I really know is Big Bang or C.C."

"Same here," the first agreed, echoing the sentiment of many in the audience.

As the lights dimmed, a hush fell over the crowd. Suddenly, the stage erupted in a dazzling display of lights and smoke. Natthew emerged, dressed in a sleek, silver suit that sparkled under the spotlights.

"Sawadee krap, Bangkok!" Natthew's voice boomed through the speakers. "Are you ready for an unforgettable night?"

The crowd roared in response, their cheers reaching a fever pitch as Natthew launched into his first song. The energy in the stadium was electric, with fans singing along to every word.

Natthew's performance electrified the stadium, his voice soaring over the cheering crowd. As he finished another song, he paused, catching his breath while the audience's enthusiasm continued unabated. With a wide smile, he raised his hand, gesturing for quiet.

"Bangkok, are you having a good time?" he called out, met with resounding cheers. "Well, it's about to get even better! I have some special guests I'd like to introduce. Please welcome, all the way from South Korea, Ascend!"

The crowd's reaction was a mix of curiosity and polite applause as Ascend appeared on stage, joining Natthew. Jae-sung stepped forward, his voice clear despite his nervousness.

"Sawadee krap, Bangkok!" he greeted, the other members echoing the greeting with careful pronunciation.

There was a moment of uncertainty in the air. The audience, largely unfamiliar with Ascend, seemed unsure of what to expect from this collaboration.

Then, the music started. The opening beats of "Ascension" filled the stadium, but with a twist - Natthew's voice blended seamlessly with Ascend's, adding a new dimension to the song.

As the performance progressed, a shift began to occur in the audience. Heads started nodding to the catchy rhythm, and eyes widened in appreciation of the intricate choreography. The seamless integration of Natthew's style with Ascend's K-pop flair created something unexpectedly captivating.

As the first collaborative song ended, the stadium remained primarily focused on Natthew, with some curious chatter about Ascend.

"Natthew's amazing as always," a young woman remarked to her friend. "But that K-pop group wasn't bad either."

Her friend nodded. "Yeah, I've never heard of Ascend before, but they held their own. Still, I'm here for Natthew."

"Those K-pop guys have some good moves," one said. "Almost as good as Big Bang."

From the side of the stage, Byul-ho watched the audience's reaction with cautious optimism. The gamble was paying off; Ascend was being received far better than he had dared to hope.

As planned, midway through Natthew's concert, Ascend joined him on stage. The transition was smooth, with Natthew graciously introducing the K-pop group. The audience's attention remained firmly on their Thai idol, but there was a noticeable curiosity about the newcomers.

Byul-ho watched intently as Ascend performed alongside Natthew for the remainder of the concert. He could see the group working hard to complement Natthew's style without overshadowing him - a balance they had practiced extensively.

The final song would be "Love Sentence," Ascend's viral hit.

He remembered the lengthy negotiations with Natthew's team to make this happen. It had taken all his persuasive skills and a significant compromise on profit sharing to secure this slot.

***

As the concert progressed, Ascend seamlessly integrated into Natthew's performance, initially serving as skilled backup dancers and singers. However, the audience's curiosity about the K-pop group gradually grew.

The Thai fans, while still primarily focused on Natthew, began to appreciate Ascend's unique style. Their synchronized dance moves and harmonious vocals caught the attention of many in the crowd.

When the final song, "Love Sentence," began to play, the atmosphere in the venue shifted. The retro-inspired beat and catchy melody immediately captured the audience's interest. As Ascend and Natthew performed together, the charm of the music was undeniable.

Surprisingly, as the performance continued, the fans' attention began to subtly shift. Without even realizing it, many found their eyes drawn more and more to Ascend. The group's energy on stage was magnetic, their well-practiced choreography and vocal prowess shining through.

The decision to perform "Love Sentence" in English proved to be a smart move. As the Thai fans understood some of the lyrics, their connection to the song deepened. The catchy chorus and relatable words had people swaying and singing along, even if they weren't fully aware of it.

As "Love Sentence" reached its crescendo, Natthew's fans found themselves captivated by the infectious beat and melody. They swayed to the rhythm, many unconsciously mouthing along to the English lyrics they could catch.

As the final notes faded and the crowd erupted in cheers, a buzz of curiosity rippled through the audience. "What was that song called?" one fan asked her friend. "Is it new? I don't remember Natthew releasing it."

Her friend shrugged, equally intrigued. "I'm not sure, but it was catchy. Maybe it's from that K-pop group?"

Regardless of its origin, the song had clearly struck a chord with the audience, leaving them with a positive lasting impression of the collaborative performance.

Backstage, Byul-ho greeted his exhausted but exhilarated group members with proud smiles and supportive pats on the back. They had just performed alongside Natthew for hours without a break, a feat that impressed even their experienced CEO.

"My legs feel like jelly," Min-jae groaned good-naturedly, stretching his arms above his head.

Jae-sung chimed in, "I think I sweated out half my body weight out there."

Byul-ho chuckled, "Oh come on, you guys. This was nothing compared to our marathon practice sessions back home. Remember that time we rehearsed for 6 hours straight?"

The members shook their heads with a chuckle. Jae-sung quipped, "At least during practice, we don't have to worry about tripping over our own sweat puddles on stage."

They all laughed, the shared joke easing the fatigue of their performance.

After the banter died down, Byul-ho made his way over to Natthew, who was chatting with his staff nearby. "Natthew-ssi," Byul-ho called out, extending his hand. He spoke in English, "Thank you for this opportunity. Your performance was incredible."

Natthew grasped Byul-ho's hand warmly. "The pleasure was mine, Byul-ho-ssi. Your group is truly talented. I think we surprised a lot of people tonight."

They talked briefly about the audience's reaction and the potential for future collaborations before Byul-ho and Ascend headed back to their hotel for some well-deserved rest.

***

The next morning, while most of Bangkok was just beginning to stir, Byul-ho was already at the Muay Thai Training Center near their hotel. Sweat glistened on his brow as he practiced kicks and punches on a heavy bag, his movements surprisingly fluid and powerful.

The members of Ascend, who had come to watch out of curiosity, stood at the edge of the training area, their eyes wide with surprise.

"Whoa," Min-jae whispered. "Did you guys know Byul-ho hyung could fight like that?"

Jae-sung shook his head, clearly impressed. "I had no idea. He's always full of surprises."

As Byul-ho finished his routine, he noticed his group watching. He grinned, slightly out of breath. "What do you think? Want to give it a try?"

The members exchanged nervous glances, suddenly realizing they might be in for more than they bargained for on this Thailand trip.