K-Producer C65 Visiting another country

One week after his meeting with Ji-won, Byul-ho found himself preparing for a trip to Thailand. He had arranged a meeting with Supachai Thanakorn, the contact Ji-won had mentioned with strong ties to Thailand's music industry. With school on summer break in August, the timing was perfect.

As Byul-ho packed his suitcase, his butler, Kim Seon-woo, entered the room. "Young master, I've prepared your travel documents," he said, placing a folder on the desk.

"Thank you, Seon-woo," Byul-ho replied. "I'll be leaving for Thailand tomorrow morning."

Seon-woo's eyes widened in surprise. "Thailand? You didn't mention you were traveling abroad."

Byul-ho smiled reassuringly. "It's a business trip. Nothing to worry about."

Despite Byul-ho's assurances, Seon-woo's brow furrowed with concern. "Young master, if you're set on going, please allow me to offer some advice."

Byul-ho nodded, recognizing the worry in his butler's voice.

"Make sure to arrive at the airport at least three hours early," Seon-woo began. "Always keep your passport with you. Don't forget to bring adapters for your electronics. And please, be careful with street food – your stomach may not be used to it."

As Seon-woo continued listing precautions, Byul-ho realized the underlying fear behind his butler's extensive advice. The memory of his parents' tragic plane crash hung unspoken between them.

"Seon-woo," Byul-ho said gently, interrupting the stream of advice. "I'll be careful. I promise."

Seon-woo nodded, his eyes glistening slightly. "Of course, young master. I... I just want you to be safe."

Byul-ho placed a hand on his butler's shoulder. "I understand. And I appreciate your concern. I'll call you as soon as I land, okay?"

As Seon-woo left the room, Byul-ho felt a mix of emotions. He was excited about the opportunity ahead, but he also felt a twinge of guilt for causing Seon-woo such worry. He made a mental note to bring back a nice souvenir for him.

***

As Byul-ho boarded the bus, he could feel the eyes of the other passengers on him. His tailored suit and expensive luggage stood out, especially given his tall and youthful appearance. He made his way down the aisle, conscious of the whispers and glances.

A group of young women near the back caught his attention, their hushed giggles and not-so-subtle glances making it clear he was the topic of their conversation. Byul-ho felt a flush of warmth creep up his neck, a sensation that caught him off guard.

'This young body,' he thought, trying to push away the distracting thoughts that suddenly flooded his mind. In his previous life, such attention barely registered, but now... He shook his head slightly, reminding himself of his purpose.

"'Developing good habits leads to developing a good identity," he muttered under his breath, an old habit from his past life to clear his mind.

The bus ride seemed longer than usual, each bump and turn amplified by his heightened awareness. When they finally arrived at the airport, Byul-ho felt a mix of relief and anticipation.

As he stepped off the bus, a familiar chorus of voices caught his attention. There, waiting near the entrance, stood Ascend and their manager. Jae-sung waved enthusiastically, while the others wore expressions ranging from excitement to concern.

"Hyung!" Jae-sung called out as Byul-ho approached. "We couldn't let you leave without saying goodbye."

Byul-ho felt a warmth in his chest, touched by their gesture.

Byul-ho approached the group, a smile spreading across his face. "You didn't have to come all this way," he said, though his tone betrayed his appreciation.

Jae-sung grinned. "Of course we did, hyung. This is a big step for all of us."

The manager, Roh Sang-ook, stepped forward. "We've prepared some notes on Thai culture for you," he said, handing Byul-ho a folder. "Just some basics to help you navigate any social situations."

Byul-ho nodded gratefully. "Thank you, this will be very helpful."

Min-jae piped up, "Bring us back some Thai snacks, hyung!"

The group laughed, and Byul-ho promised he'd do his best.

As they chatted, Byul-ho gave them some final instructions for their schedules while he was away. After a few more minutes of conversation and well-wishes, it was time for Byul-ho to go through security.

With a final wave to Ascend, Byul-ho made his way into the airport. Even without Seon-woo's advice, he had arrived three hours early, giving him plenty of time to navigate the pre-flight procedures.

After passing through security and finding his gate, Byul-ho settled into a seat, reviewing the cultural notes Sang-ook had given him. Before he knew it, it was time to board.

As the plane took off, Byul-ho felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. The flight to Bangkok would take about six hours. He used the time to go over his meeting strategy and brush up on some basic Thai phrases.

Finally, as the captain announced their descent into Suvarnabhumi Airport, Byul-ho took a deep breath. He was ready to take this next big step for his company and group.

***

As Byul-ho stepped off the plane into the humid Bangkok air, he pulled out his Samsung phone - a recent model this year. He was grateful for the international service he'd arranged before leaving Korea.

He navigated to his messages, finding the contact information for Supachai Thanakorn that Ji-won had provided. With slightly nervous fingers, he typed out a message in English:

"Mr. Thanakorn, this is Jeon Byul-ho from Golden-Star Entertainment. I've just landed in Bangkok. Looking forward to our meeting tomorrow."

As he made his way through immigration and collected his luggage, Byul-ho kept checking his phone for a response. Finally, as he was about to exit the airport, a message came through:

"Welcome to Thailand, Mr. Jeon. My assistant will pick you up outside. Look for a sign with your name."

Relieved, Byul-ho headed towards the exit. True to Supachai's word, he spotted a young Thai man holding a sign with "JEON BYUL-HO" written in large letters.

The assistant bowed slightly as Byul-ho approached. "Sawadee krap, Mr. Jeon," he greeted in accented English. "I'm Somchai, Mr. Thanakorn's assistant. Please, let me take your bag."

As they walked to the waiting car, Somchai briefed Byul-ho on the schedule for the next day. They would meet Supachai at his office in the morning, followed by lunch and a tour of a local recording studio.

Sitting in the back of the car as they drove through Bangkok's busy streets, Byul-ho felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. This was his first step into the international market in this life, and he was determined to make it count.

After a short drive, they arrived at a sleek, modern building in the heart of Bangkok's business district. Somchai, the assistant, led Byul-ho through the lobby and up to the 20th floor.

As the elevator doors opened, Byul-ho was greeted by the sight of Supachai Thanakorn himself. The Thai businessman, in his mid-50s, exuded an air of confidence and warmth.

"Mr. Jeon," Supachai said in fluent English, extending his hand. "Welcome to Thailand. I hope your flight was pleasant?"

Byul-ho shook his hand firmly. "Thank you, Mr. Thanakorn. The flight was fine, and I'm excited to be here."

Supachai led Byul-ho into a spacious conference room with a stunning view of Bangkok's skyline. As they settled into their seats, Supachai began, "So, Mr. Jeon, Ji-won tells me you're looking to expand into the Southeast Asian market. Why don't you tell me more about your plans for Ascend?"