K-Producer C63 Connections outside SK

Byul-ho sat at his desk, reviewing the profiles of potential trainees his scouting team had gathered.

The decision to form a girl group had been strategic, influenced by the recent successful collaboration between Ascend and Cool Girls. He recognized the potential for synergy between boy and girl groups under the same label, and the diverse appeal it could bring to Golden-Star Entertainment.

As he sorted through the profiles, Byul-ho's mind was already racing with concepts for the new group. He envisioned a style that would complement Ascend while standing uniquely on its own, perhaps drawing inspiration from the retro-modern fusion that had worked so well in their collaboration.

Simultaneously, Byul-ho was laying the groundwork for Ascend's international debut.

He had arranged for intensive language lessons in English, Japanese, and Mandarin for the members, understanding the importance of communication in foreign markets. On his computer, multiple tabs were open - research on international copyright laws, potential partnerships with foreign labels, and statistics on K-pop's growing global audience.

He had also begun reaching out to contacts in key cities like Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Bangkok.

***

After several unsuccessful attempts to establish international contacts, Byul-ho realized he needed to leverage existing industry connections. He picked up his phone and dialed a familiar number.

"Ji-won-ssi? This is Jeon Byul-ho. I hope I'm not disturbing you," Byul-ho said, his tone respectful yet tinged with urgency.

Park Ji-won, his father's old friend and a veteran executive at SM Entertainment, answered warmly. "Byul-ho-ya, it's good to hear from you. What can I do for you?"

Byul-ho explained his situation, detailing his plans for Ascend's international expansion and the challenges he'd faced in making connections abroad.

Ji-won listened attentively before responding. "I see. Well, you're in luck. I have extensive contacts in Hong Kong, China, and throughout Southeast Asia. Some of them might be useful for what you're trying to achieve."

Byul-ho's spirits lifted at these words. "That would be incredibly helpful, Ji-won-ssi."

"I'll look into it and see which connections might be most beneficial for you," Ji-won promised. "I'll get back to you once I've made some inquiries."

"Thank you so much, Ji-won-ssi. I really appreciate your help," Byul-ho said, genuine gratitude in his voice.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Byul-ho hung up the call. He leaned back in his chair, a mix of relief and anticipation washing over him.

***

Two days after their initial conversation, Byul-ho's phone rang. It was Park Ji-won. "Byul-ho-ya, let's meet at the Sky Lounge in Lotte World Tower tomorrow at 2 PM. I have some information for you."

The next day, Byul-ho arrived at the sleek, modern lounge. Ji-won was already there, a thick folder on the table in front of him. After exchanging greetings and ordering coffee, they got down to business.

"I've compiled a list of contacts who expressed interest in your project," Ji-won said, sliding the folder across the table.

As Byul-ho flipped through the pages, his eyes widened. The list was more extensive and promising than he had dared to hope.

Ji-won began to explain, pointing to different names on the list. "This one here, Chen Wei, owns an entertainment company in China. And here, Supachai Thanakorn, he's got strong ties to Thailand's music industry."

Byul-ho nodded, absorbing the information. "And this one in Japan?"

"Ah, Tanaka Hiroshi. He's a veteran music producer with connections to all the major labels there."

As Ji-won continued to detail each contact, Byul-ho felt a growing sense of excitement. These weren't just random connections; they were key players in their respective entertainment industries, each with the potential to significantly boost Ascend's international presence.

"Ji-won-ssi, this is... this is incredible," Byul-ho said, genuine awe in his voice. "How did you manage to get all these people interested?"

Ji-won smiled, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Years of building relationships, Byul-ho-ya. And," he added with a wink, "your group's recent success didn't hurt. People are starting to take notice of Golden-Star Entertainment."

Byul-ho smiled at Ji-won's praise, a mix of pride and humility in his expression. "Thank you, Ji-won-ssi. Your help means more than I can express."

Ji-won's expression turned serious. "Before you dive in, Byul-ho-ya, I need to remind you to be careful when handling business with these international contacts."

Byul-ho leaned forward, attentive.

"Each country has its own set of rules and cultural norms," Ji-won explained. "What works in Korea might not work elsewhere. China, for example, has strict regulations on foreign entertainment. And in Southeast Asia, you'll need to navigate complex local partnerships."

He paused, making sure his words were sinking in. "There's also the matter of intellectual property rights. Some countries aren't as strict about enforcing these laws. You'll need to be vigilant to protect your group's work."

Byul-ho nodded solemnly. "I understand, Ji-won-ssi. I'll make sure to do thorough research and seek legal advice before making any moves."

"Good," Ji-won said, his tone softening. "I don't mean to discourage you. These opportunities are exciting, but I've seen too many young companies rush in unprepared and get burned."

"I appreciate your concern," Byul-ho replied. "I promise I'll proceed with caution. This is too important to risk with hasty decisions."

Ji-won smiled, patting Byul-ho's shoulder. "That's what I like to hear. You've got a good head on your shoulders, just like your father did."

Byul-ho smiled warmly at Ji-won's words, feeling a mixture of pride and nostalgia at the mention of his father. They chatted for a while longer, reminiscing about old times and discussing the ever-changing landscape of the entertainment industry, before finally bidding each other farewell.

Back at Golden-Star Entertainment, Byul-ho settled into his office, spreading out the files Ji-won had given him. He began poring over the details, paying close attention to the specific laws and regulations of each country.

Despite his knowledge from his past life as a K-pop producer, Byul-ho approached the task with caution. He knew better than to assume his experience would directly translate to this new world. After all, even in his other life, he had been a novice when it came to international expansion.

"This is like starting from scratch," he murmured to himself, making notes as he read through the complex legal jargon and cultural nuances of each market.

He recognized that adapting Ascend for an international audience would require more than just translating their songs or changing their style. It would mean understanding and respecting the cultural contexts of each country they hoped to enter.

As he worked, Byul-ho felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. The connections Ji-won had provided were invaluable, opening doors that might have otherwise remained closed. He was determined not to squander this opportunity.