K-Prorucer C54 Next target: Busan

Byul-ho sat at his desk, surrounded by stacks of papers and open folders. His eyes scanned over charts and graphs, each detailing Ascend's growing, yet still modest, popularity across different regions of South Korea.

He tapped his pen thoughtfully against a map, circles and notes scattered across various cities. "Busan seems promising," he murmured to himself, noting the higher concentration of digital downloads in the area.

Shifting his attention to another report, Byul-ho studied the demographic breakdown of Ascend's fanbase. The colorful pie chart confirmed what he had suspected - a strong skew towards females, particularly in the 15-25 age range, with a smaller but notable following among women in their 30s and 40s.

As he worked, Byul-ho couldn't help but compare Ascend's current status to the giants of the industry. They were making waves, sure, but they were still firmly in the rookie category, barely scratching the surface of the D-list in the vast K-pop hierarchy.

"Big Bang, TVXQ, Wonder Girls," he listed under his breath, a reminder of the powerhouses they were up against. They had momentum now, and he was determined to make the most of it.

He turned back to the map, circling potential venues in Busan and Daegu. A smaller tour, hitting these cities, could be just what they needed to solidify their growing fanbase outside of Seoul.

***

Jae-sung bowed deeply to the crew, his fellow members following suit. "Thank you for all your hard work," he said earnestly.

The crew members nodded politely, a few mumbling quick "you're welcomes" before turning back to their tasks. Jae-sung couldn't help but notice the lack of enthusiasm in their responses. It was a stark reminder of Ascend's current standing in the industry - just another rookie group, their name not yet carrying any weight.

As they walked away, Min-jae leaned in close. "They didn't seem very impressed, did they?"

Jae-sung shrugged, trying to keep his spirits up. "We'll change their minds when they see the final product."

They approached Roh Sang-ook, their new manager, who was reviewing something on his tablet. As they gathered around him, Sang-ook looked up, a perceptive glint in his eye.

"Good work today, everyone," he began, then paused, studying their faces. "You know, I can tell you're still getting used to me. It's natural to miss Byul-ho-ssi's direct involvement."

The members exchanged guilty glances. Hyun-woo spoke up, "We're sorry, Sang-ook-ssi. It's just..."

Sang-ook held up a hand, smiling gently. "No need to apologize. I understand. But I hope you'll open up to me more as we work together. I'm here to support you, just as Byul-ho-ssi did."

The tension in the group eased slightly at his words.

"Speaking of Byul-ho-ssi," Sang-ook continued, "he wants to meet with you all in his office."

A ripple of excitement passed through the group. Despite their growing success, Byul-ho's presence still carried a special weight for them.

As they made their way to Byul-ho's office, Jae-sung couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. They were growing, changing, stepping into a new phase of their career. But part of him still longed for the early days when it was just them and Byul-ho, working towards their dreams together.

Reaching the office door, Jae-sung took a deep breath and knocked.

Jae-sung and the others entered Byul-ho's office, guided by his assistant. They found Byul-ho seated behind his desk, looking noticeably tired. Dark circles under his eyes betrayed long hours of work, but he managed a smile as they entered.

"Have a seat," Byul-ho gestured to the chairs in front of his desk.

As they settled in, Jae-sung couldn't help but voice his concern. "Hyung, are you alright? You look exhausted."

Byul-ho chuckled softly, running a hand through his hair. "Just feeling the weight of juggling CEO duties and school life. But don't worry, I can manage."

The members exchanged worried glances but nodded, respecting Byul-ho's resilience.

Byul-ho leaned forward, his eyes brightening slightly. "I called you here to discuss your next concert. We're planning to hold it in Busan. Your fanbase there has been growing steadily."

Excited murmurs rippled through the group. Min-jae's face lit up, "Busan? Really?"

However, Jae-sung remained quiet, his expression conflicted. Byul-ho noticed immediately.

"Jae-sung-ah, what's wrong? You don't seem as excited as the others."

Jae-sung shifted in his seat, looking slightly uncomfortable. "It's just... my family lives in the Busan area."

Byul-ho's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Oh? Which part of Busan?"

"Haeundae-gu," Jae-sung replied softly.

Byul-ho's eyes widened. "What a coincidence! The venue we're considering is near there, in Centum City."

The other members turned to Jae-sung, a mix of excitement and concern on their faces. Hyun-woo placed a hand on Jae-sung's shoulder. "Isn't that good news? You could see your family."

Jae-sung nodded slowly, but his expression remained troubled. "Yeah, it's just... I haven't seen them in a while. It might be... complicated."

Byul-ho leaned back, studying Jae-sung carefully. "Is there something we need to know, Jae-sung-ah? If there are any issues, we can work around them."

The room fell silent as Jae-sung took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the floor. "My father... he wanted me to be a lawyer. But I wanted to pursue music. We had a huge argument, and he... he chased me out."

The other members exchanged shocked glances as Jae-sung continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "I worked odd jobs to survive. When I reached Seoul, I slept on park benches, in internet cafes, anywhere I could. I was... homeless."

Byul-ho leaned forward, his expression serious. "Jae-sung-ah, do you regret choosing your dream over your father's wishes?"

The room held its breath, waiting for his answer. To everyone's surprise, Jae-sung nodded slowly. "I do regret it," he admitted.

A collective gasp filled the room, but before anyone could speak, Jae-sung continued, "But even though I regret it, I never gave up on my dream. I kept hoping that one day, all of this would be worth it."

Smiles of understanding and admiration spread across the faces of Byul-ho and the other members.

Byul-ho nodded thoughtfully. "I'll be honest with you all," he began, his voice gentle but firm. "Many people chase their dreams only to find out it's not for them, or they lack the necessary talent. When one door closes, another often opens. But Jae-sung-ah, I believe the door to your dream never truly closed. Perhaps it was fate that led you to me, to us."

Jae-sung looked up, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. The other members moved closer, offering silent support.

"Your talent, your perseverance... they've brought you here," Byul-ho continued. "And now, you have the chance to show your family that your dream wasn't just a foolish notion. It's becoming a reality."

The room was filled with a mix of emotions - pride, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose. Jae-sung, looking both vulnerable and determined, finally spoke up.

"Thank you, all of you. I... I think I'm ready to face my family again. To show them who I've become."

Byul-ho smiled warmly. "We'll be right there with you, Jae-sung-ah. All of us."

The other members nodded in agreement, the bond between them stronger than ever.

As they discussed the upcoming Busan concert, there was a new energy in the room - a sense that they weren't just performing, but proving something to themselves and to the world.