K-Prorucer C55 Inviting his family

A few days later, on a crisp autumn morning, Ascend and their manager, Roh Sang-ook, boarded the KTX train from Seoul to Busan. The journey, usually taking around two and a half hours, passed in a blur of anticipation and last-minute rehearsals.

They arrived in Busan in the early afternoon, checking into their hotel near the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO), where their concert would be held the following evening.

As the group settled into their rooms, Jae-sung approached his members. "I'm going out for a bit, I'll just go see somone," he said, his voice tinged with nervousness.

The others nodded knowingly, offering words of encouragement. As Jae-sung headed for the door, their manager, Sang-ook, looked puzzled.

"Who is he going to see in Busan?" Sang-ook asked.

Min-jae exchanged glances with the others before responding, "It's a personal matter, Sang-ook-ssi. Jae-sung is visiting his family."

***

Meanwhile, Jae-sung found himself on a local bus, his heart pounding as familiar streets passed by. Soon, he was standing before his family's apartment.

Taking a deep breath, he pressed the doorbell. Moments later, the door opened, revealing a middle-aged woman with kind eyes - his mother, Soo-min.

"Jae-sung-ah?" she gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Before he could respond, she pulled him into a tight embrace. "Oh, my boy," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

As they parted, Soo-min held him at arm's length, studying his face. "I saw you on television," she said, her eyes gleaming with pride. "You're in a music group now."

Jae-sung blinked in surprise. "You knew?"

Soo-min smiled softly. "I saw you on that show, KRS. I've been following your progress ever since."

A warm feeling spread through Jae-sung's chest. Then, hesitantly, he asked, "Does... does father know?"

His mother's expression became complicated, a mix of hope and worry. "Why don't you come inside?" she said, stepping back to let him in. "We have a lot to talk about."

Jae-sung stepped into the familiar living room, the scent of home washing over him. His mother bustled about, quickly setting out a plate of freshly cut fruit and a steaming pot of barley tea on the low table.

As they settled on the floor cushions, Soo-min poured tea for both of them. "So, what brings you to Busan, Jae-sung-ah?" she asked, her voice gentle but curious.

Jae-sung hesitated, his fingers tracing the rim of his teacup. "Actually, my group... we're having a concert here."

Soo-min's eyes widened in surprise. "A concert? Here in Busan?"

Nodding, Jae-sung reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out two tickets. He placed them on the table, sliding them towards his mother. "I... I came to invite you and father. If you'd like to come, that is."

His mother's expression softened, a mix of pride and sadness in her eyes. She picked up the tickets, running her thumb over the printed text. "Oh, Jae-sung-ah..." She paused, her smile faltering slightly. "Your father... he's still quite stubborn. Even when we saw you on KRS, he insisted you should be pursuing law instead."

Jae-sung couldn't help but chuckle, though there was a hint of pain in his laugh. "Some things never change, do they? Father was always set in his ways."

Soo-min reached out, patting his hand gently. "I'll try to convince him to come. But even if he doesn't..." She straightened her shoulders, a determined look in her eyes. "I'll be there. I want to support you, to see you living your dream."

Jae-sung felt a lump form in his throat. He squeezed his mother's hand, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you, Mom. It... it means a lot to me."

They shared a moment of understanding, years of separation and unspoken words passing between them. Then Soo-min smiled, reaching for the fruit plate. "Now, tell me all about yourself... After all these years..."

As Jae-sung began to share stories, the atmosphere in the room lightened. For the first time in years, he felt the warmth of home, even if it wasn't quite complete yet.

***

Jae-sung left his childhood home, a mix of emotions swirling in his chest. The cool Busan air helped clear his mind as he made his way back to the hotel. He was grateful for his mother's support, but the absence of his father's approval still weighed on him. Nonetheless, he steeled his resolve. He would give his all in the performance, whether his father attended or not.

Back with the group, Jae-sung threw himself into preparations, channeling his complex feelings into perfecting their routines.

The day of the concert arrived swiftly. In the early afternoon, Ascend gathered on the empty stage of BEXCO, running through final sound checks and stage positions. The vast space, capable of holding up to 4,000 people in its main hall, felt both exciting and daunting.

During a short break, the members sprawled out on the stage, catching their breath and mentally preparing for the evening ahead.

As evening approached, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Given Ascend's growing but still modest popularity, they had opted to use only half of BEXCO's main hall, setting up for an audience of about 4,000. It was a significant step up from their previous performances, but still allowed for an intimate feel.

Backstage, the group huddled together, listening to the growing murmur of the audience filing in. Jae-sung's eyes were closed, his lips moving in a silent prayer or self-encouragement.

Finally, the lights dimmed, and a roar of excitement rose from the crowd. As the opening notes of their first song began to play, Ascend took deep breaths, exchanged determined glances, and strode onto the stage.

The fans' cheers washed over them, a wave of support and enthusiasm. Light sticks waved in the air, creating a sea of twinkling lights.

As Jae-sung's eyes swept across the crowd, his heart nearly stopped when he spotted two familiar figures in the VIP section near the front. There, sitting stiffly but undeniably present, was his father, alongside his beaming mother.

For a split second, Jae-sung's rhythm faltered, but he quickly recovered, a surge of emotions propelling him forward. His father's face was a mask of stoic disapproval, arms crossed tightly over his chest. But he was there. He had come.

A smile tugged at the corners of Jae-sung's lips, not of joy exactly, but of determination. His father's presence, approval or not, ignited a fire within him. Today, he would show not just his father, but everyone in attendance, exactly why he had chosen this path.

As the music swelled and Jae-sung began his part, his voice rang out clearer and stronger than ever before. His movements were sharp, precise, filled with a passion that seemed to radiate from every fiber of his being.

As the concert progressed, Jae-sung's bandmates noticed his elevated energy, feeding off it and matching his intensity. Together, they delivered a show that left the audience breathless, proving that Ascend was more than just another rookie group - they were a force to be reckoned with.

After their first performance, the group headed backstage, and the members turned to Jae-sung. Min-jae smiled and said, "You looked so energized out there."

Jae-sung grinned and replied, "Well, I had to impress someone, you know."

Min-jae and the other members exchanged glances. They sensed that Jae-sung might have invited his family and was hoping to give them his best performance.