K-Producer C63 Saved

A day after the SBS show, the buzz around Ascend and Cool Girls' collaboration began to grow. Social media was abuzz with clips from their performance, and music critics were taking notice of the unique blend of retro and modern K-pop styles.

Two days later, the groups found themselves on stage at the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival. It was an unusual booking for K-pop acts, but the organizers had been intrigued by the retro-pop fusion of their collaboration.

As they took the stage, there was a moment of uncertainty from the rock-oriented crowd. But as soon as the synth intro kicked in and the groups launched into their choreography, the energy shifted. By the chorus, even the most skeptical audience members were nodding along.

Backstage after their performance, Jae-sung couldn't contain his excitement. "Did you see that? They actually liked us!"

Sun-hi nodded, her eyes wide with disbelief. "I never thought I'd see rock fans cheering for a K-pop song."

The following day, their single was officially released. The timing couldn't have been better.

Riding the wave of their high-profile appearances, the digital downloads skyrocketed. Within hours, the song had climbed into the top 70 on several major music charts.

Physical album sales were equally impressive. Record stores reported fans lining up to get their hands on the limited-edition collaboration album.

***

In his spacious office overlooking Seoul's bustling financial district, Dong-hyul leaned back in his leather chair, eyes fixed on his computer screen. He had been closely monitoring Golden-Star Entertainment and their group Ascend for weeks now, intrigued by his sister Min-ji's involvement with the company.

But Ascend wasn't the only group on his radar. As a savvy businessman, Dong-hyul had been keeping tabs on various rookie groups, always on the lookout for potential investment opportunities. He believed in getting in on the ground floor, establishing relationships with promising companies before they hit it big.

He had considered investing in Golden-Star directly, but Byul-ho's stubborn insistence on keeping the company private had thwarted those plans. The young CEO's pride was admirable, if somewhat frustrating from a business perspective.

As he scrolled through the latest k-pop news, a headline caught his eye: "Ascend and Cool Girls' Collaboration Takes K-pop by Storm."

Intrigued, Dong-hyul clicked on the article, quickly absorbing the details of the unexpected partnership. He pulled up their performance videos, watching with a critical eye. As the catchy tune of their single filled his office, a slow smile spread across his face.

"Now this... this is interesting," he murmured, already reaching for his phone.

He dialed a number, waiting only a moment before a voice answered. "Yah, Seok-jin. I need you to gather some information for me. There's a company I want to invest in - Butterfly Agency."

If he couldn't invest in Golden-Star directly, perhaps this collaboration offered an indirect route.

***

Jin-ae sat in her office, poring over the latest sales reports. A small smile played on her lips as she saw the numbers - endorsement deals were coming in, and their songs was performing well on the charts. For the first time in months, she felt a glimmer of hope for Butterfly Agency's future.

But her relief was short-lived as she turned to the company's financial projections. The collaboration with Ascend had given them a boost, but it wasn't enough to secure long-term stability. They needed more - more resources, more marketing power, more everything.

"We need investors," she murmured, rubbing her temples.

A few potential backers had shown interest, but their offers were cautious, barely enough to keep the company afloat.

Suddenly, her intercom buzzed. "Jin-ae-ssi," her assistant's voice came through, a note of excitement evident, "there's a call for you. A man named Lee Dong-hyul. He says he's interested in investing in Butterfly Agency."

Jin-ae's heart skipped a beat. Lee Dong-hyul? The name sounded vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place it. "Put him through," she said, straightening in her chair.

As she picked up the phone, Jin-ae took a deep breath, composing herself. This could be the break they needed, but she knew better than to let her desperation show.

"Lee Dong-hyul-ssi," she greeted, her voice calm and professional. "This is Wan Jin-ae. I understand you're interested in discussing an investment opportunity?"

As Dong-hyul began to outline his proposal, Jin-ae listened intently, her mind racing. This could be the lifeline Butterfly Agency needed, but she knew from experience that every opportunity came with its own set of challenges.

By the end of the call, Jin-ae felt a mix of excitement and apprehension.

Dong-hyul's offer was generous, more so than any they'd received so far. But why was he so interested in a small agency like theirs? And why now?

Jin-ae leaned back in her chair, a wave of relief washing over her. She shook her head, chuckling softly at her own paranoia. "Why question a good thing?" she muttered to herself. The investment was exactly what Butterfly Agency needed, regardless of Dong-hyul's motives.

She glanced at the calendar on her desk, the circled date - her father's deadline - looming closer. But now, instead of dread, she felt a spark of hope.

"We might just make it after all," she whispered, her thoughts turning to Byul-ho and Golden-Star Entertainment. Their collaboration had been the catalyst for this turnaround.

***

Meanwhile, Byul-ho sat in his office, contemplating the recent developments. Ascend had successfully carved out their niche, moving beyond the initial struggles of a rookie group. Their growth was evident in the increasing number of voluntary offers from radio stations for performances, and their growing recognition across various cities in South Korea.

As he reviewed the reports scattered across his desk, Byul-ho's mind wandered to future possibilities.

The success of Ascend had opened new doors, and he found himself considering two significant moves: the creation of another group under Golden-Star Entertainment, and the potential for Ascend to expand internationally.

His knowledge from his past life stirred, reminding him of the vast potential beyond South Korea's borders. He understood that for true growth and long-term success, the company needed to think globally. The Korean market, while important, was ultimately limited in size.

Byul-ho began to sketch out rough plans, considering the logistics of managing a new group while simultaneously preparing Ascend for an international debut. He knew the challenges would be significant, but the potential rewards were too great to ignore. With his unique foresight, he saw opportunities in markets that were just beginning to embrace K-pop in his current timeline.