K-Producer C70 Trainees

With Han Lee taking over the day-to-day operations as president, Byul-ho found himself with more time to focus on the creative aspects of Golden-Star Entertainment. On this particular day, he was in the practice room, overseeing Ascend's training session.

As the group ran through their latest choreography, Byul-ho's mind was already racing with plans for their future. He made mental notes on their progress, considering how to refine their performance for their upcoming appearances.

During a short break, Byul-ho pulled out a folder, reviewing the profiles of the trainees for the new girl group. He had narrowed down the list to a handful of promising candidates, including Yo Yoon, Don Mirae, Gim Sung, Bing Eun Sun, and Bi Iseul.

"Jae-sung," Byul-ho called out to Ascend's leader. "How do you feel about mentoring some of the girl group trainees? Your experience could be valuable to them."

Jae-sung nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, hyung. I'd be happy to help."

As the practice resumed, Byul-ho's phone buzzed with a message from Han Lee. The TV brand they had been negotiating with for Ascend's first commercial had finally agreed to terms. Byul-ho smiled, knowing this small TV commercial could be a significant step for the group's public recognition.

He quickly typed out a response to Han Lee, suggesting they gather the team to brainstorm concepts for the commercial. This was exactly the kind of creative decision-making Byul-ho had hoped to focus on in his new role as chairman.

***

The next day, Byul-ho stood in the main practice room, a sense of anticipation in the air.

He had just finished reviewing the progress of the collaboration with Butterfly Agency, feeling satisfied with the direction of their joint project.

As the door opened, five young women entered, each carrying a mix of nervousness and excitement on their faces. Byul-ho smiled warmly, ready to welcome Golden-Star's newest additions.

Yo Yoon, the main vocalist, entered first. Her long, dark hair framed a face with expressive eyes that seemed to convey a depth of emotion even when she wasn't singing.

Don Mirae followed. Her short, dyed hair gave her an edgy look that contrasted with her shy smile.

Gim Sung strode in confidently. Her sharp features and trendy style marked her as someone who kept up with the latest fashion. Bing Eun Sun bounced in next, her bubbly personality evident in her bright smile and the way she excitedly looked around the room.

Finally, Bi Iseul entered, her elegant posture and classic beauty immediately catching everyone's attention.

Byul-ho introduced each trainee to the members of Ascend, who greeted them warmly. Jae-sung stepped forward, his expression friendly and encouraging.

"Welcome to Golden-Star," he said, smiling at the girls. "If you need any help or advice, please don't hesitate to ask me. I'd be happy to share what I've learned."

The other members of Ascend exchanged knowing glances, barely suppressing their grins.

"Ooh, Jae-sung hyung," Min-jae teased, "offering to be their personal mentor, are we?"

Sung-ho joined in, "Yeah, hyung. Very generous of you to volunteer so quickly."

Jae-sung's ears turned red as he realized how his offer might have sounded. He stammered, trying to clarify, "I-I just meant as a sunbae in the industry..."

The girl trainees giggled at the exchange, which only made Jae-sung more flustered. Byul-ho watched the scene with amusement, pleased to see the ice breaking between the two groups.

"Alright, alright," Byul-ho said, stepping in to save Jae-sung from further embarrassment. "Let's show our new trainees around and get them settled in."

After touring the main building with Ascend, Byul-ho nodded to the group, signaling that he'd take it from there. He then led the five curious girl trainees to a separate warehouse that he had recently rented nearby.

As they walked, Gim Sung spoke up. "Byul-ho-ssi, why did we need to see the Golden-Star building if we're going to be in another building next to it?"

Byul-ho chuckled at her directness. "Good question, Gim Sung. It's so you won't get lost later when you come to the main building. Whether I call you there or for whatever other reason, you'll know your way around. It is the main building, after all."

The girls exchanged glances and giggled, appreciating his practical thinking.

As they entered the warehouse, Byul-ho led them to their practice room. He pushed open the double doors, revealing a wide, spacious area with polished wooden floors and wall-to-wall mirrors.

"This," Byul-ho announced with a hint of pride, "will be your main practice space."

The girls' eyes widened as they took in the room. Yo Yoon's gaze was drawn to the sound system in the corner, while Don Mirae immediately moved to the center of the room, testing the floor with a few experimental dance steps.

Bing Eun Sun bounced excitedly. "It's so big! We could do cartwheels in here!"

Bi Iseul nodded appreciatively. "The lighting is excellent too. It'll be perfect for practicing our expressions."

Byul-ho smiled, pleased with their reactions. "I'm glad you like it. This space is all yours. We've equipped it with everything you'll need for your training."

The girls nodded eagerly, and Yo Yoon asked, "What kind of training should we start with, Byul-ho-ssi?"

Byul-ho smiled, "Your professional trainers will arrive soon to work on choreography, but in the meantime, I can teach you a few things."

The girls exchanged curious glances, wondering what their young CEO could possibly teach them about performing.

Some of them, particularly Bi Iseul and Don Mirae, couldn't help but notice how handsome and tall Byul-ho was up close.

Unaware of their thoughts, Byul-ho began his impromptu lesson. He started by demonstrating some advanced vocal techniques, showing them how to blend their voices for harmonies that were becoming popular in the industry. He then moved on to some unique dance moves, emphasizing the importance of synchronization and individual flair.

"In today's market, it's not enough to just sing well or dance well," Byul-ho explained. "You need to be able to do both simultaneously, and with your own style."

He then surprised them by discussing stage presence and fan interaction, concepts that seemed beyond what they expected from typical training.

"Don't forget, your performance doesn't stop when the music does," he advised. "Every moment on stage is an opportunity to connect with your audience."

The girls listened intently, impressed by Byul-ho's knowledge and the fresh perspective he brought to their training. They practiced some of the techniques he showed them, with Byul-ho offering constructive feedback.

Byul-ho's phone rang, interrupting the training session. He glanced at the screen and excused himself. "I need to take this. Keep practicing those moves."

As he stepped away, Gim Sung called out teasingly, "Is it your girlfriend, Byul-ho-ssi?"

Byul-ho turned back with a slight smile. "I'm glad you're all getting comfortable enough to joke around."

Don Mirae rolled her eyes playfully. "Meh, boring reaction. Not even a little shy."

The other girls giggled as Byul-ho chuckled, moving to a quieter corner of the room. He looked at his phone again, seeing Min-ji's name on the caller ID. A mix of surprise and curiosity washed over him as he answered.

"Hello, Min-ji-ssi," he said, his tone neutral but curious.

Min-ji's voice came through, sounding slightly hesitant. "Byul-ho... I wanted to apologize for my behavior two days ago. I... I overreacted."

Byul-ho's eyebrows raised slightly. He hadn't expected an apology, especially since he still wasn't entirely sure why she had been upset in the first place.

"It's alright," he replied, his voice softening. "I was a bit confused, but I'm glad you called."

There was a pause on the other end of the line before Min-ji spoke again. "I just... I felt like you were using our friendship for business purposes. It made me uncomfortable."

Byul-ho's expression turned thoughtful. He hadn't considered how his actions might have appeared from Min-ji's perspective.

"I see," he said slowly. "I'm sorry if I made you feel that way. It wasn't my intention at all. I value our friendship, Min-ji, beyond any business considerations."

As he continued the conversation with Min-ji, trying to smooth things over, Byul-ho remained unaware of the curious glances the trainees were casting his way. They had noticed the change in his demeanor and were now even more intrigued about who was on the other end of the call.