K-Producer C67 Signs of Craze

The next morning, Byul-ho woke early, the unfamiliar sounds of Bangkok filtering through his hotel room window. He quickly showered and dressed, opting for a light grey suit that would be comfortable in the Thai heat.

After a quick breakfast in the hotel restaurant, Byul-ho met Somchai in the lobby. The assistant greeted him with a polite wai, which Byul-ho returned, grateful for the cultural briefing he'd received.

"Good morning, Mr. Jeon," Somchai said. "We have a busy day ahead. First, we'll be meeting with Khun Arthit, a prominent music producer, at his studio."

Byul-ho followed Somchai into Khun Arthit's studio, immediately impressed by the top-notch equipment and modern design. Khun Arthit, a man in his late forties with an easy smile and a fashionable haircut, greeted them warmly.

"Welcome, Mr. Jeon," Khun Arthit said, extending his hand. "I've been looking forward to meeting you."

Byul-ho shook his hand firmly. "Thank you for having me, Khun Arthit. Your studio is impressive."

As they settled into a comfortable seating area, Khun Arthit leaned forward, his eyes bright with interest. "You know, I've always been keen on partnering with a Korean studio. There's so much potential for cultural exchange in music."

Byul-ho nodded eagerly. "I couldn't agree more. While Golden-Star Entertainment might be new, we're committed to standing out in the industry. I can assure you, Khun Arthit, a partnership with us would be mutually beneficial."

Over the next two hours, Byul-ho and Khun Arthit delved into the specifics of potential collaborations. They discussed the possibility of Khun Arthit producing a Thai version of one of Ascend's songs, as well as the idea of a joint project between Ascend and a popular Thai artist.

As they talked, Byul-ho's knowledge of both K-pop and international music trends impressed Khun Arthit. The Thai producer found himself increasingly intrigued by the young CEO's vision for bridging Korean and Thai pop music.

By the time their meeting concluded, they had outlined a tentative plan for Khun Arthit to produce two tracks for Ascend's Thai debut EP. Additionally, they agreed to explore the possibility of a collaborative showcase featuring Ascend and some of Thailand's rising stars.

As Byul-ho prepared to leave, Khun Arthit placed a hand on his shoulder. "You know, Mr. Jeon, when Supachai told me about you, I was skeptical. But I can see now why he was so impressed. You've got a good head on your shoulders."

Byul-ho bowed slightly, genuinely touched by the compliment. "Thank you, Khun Arthit. I look forward to working with you."

***

Over the next few days, Byul-ho maximized every moment of his trip to Thailand. He established a robust framework for Golden-Star's partnership with Supachai and Khun Arthit, ensuring that the collaboration could continue smoothly even after he returned to South Korea.

They set up a system of regular video conferences, scheduled twice a week, to discuss progress and address any issues that might arise. Byul-ho also arranged for a small team from Golden-Star, including a bilingual coordinator, to be stationed in Bangkok temporarily to facilitate the initial stages of their collaboration.

To bridge the distance between South Korea and Thailand, Byul-ho invested in a secure file-sharing system that would allow for easy exchange of music files, promotional materials, and other essential documents. This would enable Ascend to record in Korea while receiving production input from Khun Arthit in real-time.

Before leaving Thailand, Byul-ho also met with a local legal team to draft contracts that would protect both parties' interests across international borders. He was careful to include clauses that addressed potential challenges of long-distance collaboration, such as time zone differences and communication protocols.

Byul-ho also took steps to immerse himself in Thai culture during his stay, recognizing the importance of cultural understanding in this partnership. He attended local music events, met with Thai music journalists, and even started learning basic Thai phrases.

As he boarded his flight back to Seoul, Byul-ho felt a sense of accomplishment.

The groundwork had been laid for a strong international collaboration.

***

As Byul-ho emerged from the arrivals gate at Incheon International Airport, he was greeted by a familiar sight that brought a warm smile to his face.

His loyal butler, Seon-woo, stood at the forefront, his usual stoic expression softened by evident relief at seeing Byul-ho safe and sound.

Behind Seon-woo, Byul-ho spotted the members of Ascend, along with their manager, Roh Sang-ook. Jae-sung was holding a small "Welcome Back" sign, while the others were trying (and failing) to look cool and nonchalant about their CEO's return.

As Byul-ho approached, Seon-woo stepped forward. "Welcome back, young master," he said, his voice carrying a hint of emotion. "I trust your trip was successful?"

Byul-ho nodded, touched by his butler's concern. "Very successful, Seon-woo. Thank you for being here."

The members of Ascend couldn't contain their excitement any longer. They surged forward, bombarding Byul-ho with questions about Thailand and their potential debut there.

"Hyung, did you eat Tom Yum? How's the local taste?" Min-jae asked eagerly.

"Did you see any elephants?" Hae-won chimed in.

Byul-ho laughed, holding up his hands. "One at a time, guys. I'll tell you everything, but let's get out of the airport first."

***

In the days following his return from Thailand, Byul-ho found himself juggling multiple responsibilities.

He spent hours in video conferences with Supachai and Khun Arthit, ironing out details of their partnership and discussing plans for Ascend's Thai debut. The time difference made for some late nights, but Byul-ho wanted to maintain the momentum they had built during his visit.

Alongside managing the Thailand project, Byul-ho turned his attention to forming Golden-Star's first girl group.

He reviewed the profiles of potential trainees his scouting team had gathered, but found himself being more selective than he had been with Ascend.

"My company have more resources now," he reminded himself. "I can afford to take my time and find the right combination of talent and personality."

Days passed as Byul-ho attended auditions and interviews. Many of the candidates were talented, but something was missing - that spark of uniqueness he was looking for.

Then, during an audition, Byul-ho found what he was looking for. A young girl named Yo Yoon took the stage, her presence immediately capturing Byul-ho's attention.

As she performed, Byul-ho could see a certain charm in her movements and hear a unique quality in her voice.

After her audition, Byul-ho spoke with Yo Yoon, impressed by her humble demeanor and clear passion for music. He could see the fire in her eyes, the same drive he had seen in most of Ascend's members.

He decided to add Yo Yoon's name to the shortlist. She was just one piece of the puzzle, but finding her felt like a significant step forward. Now, he just needed to find the right members to complement her talents and create a group that could stand out in the competitive world of K-pop.

***

While Byul-ho focused on expanding the company and forming a new group, Ascend's progress in the K-pop community was steadily growing. Though they hadn't yet reached the heights of Big Bang or the now-disgraced Crystal Cascade, Ascend had become a recognizable name among young Koreans, particularly in Seoul and other major cities.

On Cyworld, the dominant social media platform in Korea, fan communities dedicated to Ascend were flourishing. Fans eagerly shared and discussed the latest content from Golden-Star Entertainment:

"Guys!!! Ascend's first official merch just dropped on the Golden-Star website! I got the jacket with the ASCEND logo!"

MinJaeLove replied: "OMG really?? I'm heading there now!"

JaeSungOppa4ever: "Nice! I'm still broke from buying 50 photocards at their last concert lol"

Hyunwoo_is_my_husband: ""Speaking of photocards... My mom found my collection and threw half of it away. She said it was 'cluttering up the house' 😭"

Another related: "Nooo that's terrible! My mom threatened to do the same, but I hid them under my bed."

Young_Beauty91: "I feel you. My room was getting messy with all the merch, so I had to get rid a bunch of duplicates. Anyone interested?"

A user with a profile of a female high schooler replied: "You THREW THEM AWAY?? How could you??"

"I know, I know! But I kept the best ones. Anyone want the extras I saved? Better than the trash, right? I have extra photocards and even a signed poster!"

MinJaeLove: "WHAT?? A signed poster?? Can I have one??"

Young_Beauty91: "DM me and we can discuss! I have individual member cards too."

Sungho_bias: "This is so sad. All that money and support just to end up in the trash. We should make a guide on how to secretly store photocards!" she added, "But that ASCEND jacket looks so cool... Maybe just one won't hurt?"

"Trust me, it's worth it! The quality is amazing. We have to support our boys!"

JaeSungOppa4ever: "Exactly! Every purchase helps them chart higher. Let's get them their first music show win!"