K-Producer C39 Iniseu

Later in the afternoon, Byul-ho entered the dance practice room, nodding respectfully to the coaches who acknowledged his arrival. He quietly made his way to the side of the room, leaning against the wall to observe the group's training session.

As Ascend moved through their choreography, Byul-ho couldn't help but smile to himself. The difference in their movements was subtle but significant. Before the renovation, there had always been a hint of caution in their steps, a slight hesitation born from the fear of injury on the old, unforgiving floor.

He remembered the intense warm-up sessions they used to have, and the minor injuries that would crop up despite their best efforts. A twisted ankle here, a strained muscle there - small setbacks that could derail their progress for days or even weeks.

Now, watching them practice on the new sprung floor, Byul-ho could see the change in their demeanor. Their movements were more fluid, more confident. They threw themselves into the complex choreography without reservation, trusting the floor to absorb the impact of their landings.

Jae-sung executed a particularly challenging move, one that had given him trouble before. This time, he nailed it very well, a grin spreading across his face as he continued the routine without missing a beat.

Min-jae and Sung-ho were working on a synchronized sequence, their movements sharp and precise. The fear of collision that used to make them hesitate slightly was gone, replaced by complete trust in each other and their environment.

As the practice continued, Byul-ho felt a sense of satisfaction wash over him. The investment in the new floor and the renovated practice room was already paying dividends. Not just in the improved quality of their performance, but in the boost to the group's confidence and morale.

As the choreography practice wrapped up, the members of Ascend bowed to their coaches, expressing their gratitude. Byul-ho joined in, thanking the coaches for their hard work before turning his attention to the group.

"How's the recording coming along?" he asked, his eyes scanning the tired but satisfied faces of his members. "Any progress on the new songs? And what about the adjustments for 'Love Sentence'?"

Jae-sung spoke up first. "The vocals for 'Love Sentence' are mostly done, but I'm having a bit of trouble with the bridge. The key change is tricky."

Byul-ho nodded understandingly. "We can work on that together later. Sometimes it just takes a fresh ear."

Min-jae, wiping sweat from his brow, chimed in. "The dance break in the new song is coming along well, but we're still figuring out how to transition smoothly into the next section."

"I've been working on the rap parts," Sung-ho added. "But I'm not sure if the flow matches well with the beat. I could use your input, Byul-ho."

Hyun-woo, looking a bit frustrated, said, "I've been stuck on the bridge of the new ballad. The melody isn't quite right, but I can't figure out why."

Yoon-seok and Do-hyun exchanged glances before Do-hyun spoke up. "We've been practicing our harmonies for the chorus, but it's not clicking yet. Maybe you could listen and give us some pointers?"

Hae-won, the youngest, looked a bit hesitant. "I... I've been trying to write some lyrics for the new song, but I'm not sure if they're good enough."

Byul-ho listened to each member's concerns, nodding thoughtfully.

"It's okay," he reassured them. "These challenges are all part of the creative process. We'll work through them together. Why don't we grab some food and then head to the studio? We can tackle these issues one by one."

The members visibly relaxed at Byul-ho's words, grateful for his support and guidance. Then they gathered their things to leave.

Byul-ho and the group settled into the recording studio after grabbing some food. The atmosphere was relaxed but focused as they began discussing their songs.

"Alright, let's start with 'Love Sentence,'" Byul-ho said, pulling up the track on the computer. "We need to polish this for the SM release."

Jae-sung leaned in, pointing at a section of the waveform. "I think if we adjust the vocal layering here, it'll have more impact."

Hyun-woo nodded in agreement. "And maybe we could add a subtle synth line in the background to enhance the retro feel?"

As they worked through "Love Sentence," they also brainstormed ideas for their other new songs. Sung-ho suggested a lyric change for the rap section of one track, while Min-jae proposed a new dance break that could work well with the melody.

Hours passed, and despite the initial struggles, the group was making solid progress. Byul-ho watched with pride as his members bounced ideas off each other, their creativity flowing freely.

As evening approached, Seon-woo, Byul-ho's butler, appeared at the studio door. "Young master, it's time," he said quietly.

Byul-ho nodded, standing up. "Keep working, guys. You're doing great," he encouraged before following Seon-woo out.

After Byul-ho left, the members exchanged glances.

"You know," Yoon-seok said, shaking his head in disbelief, "I always forget Byul-ho is the youngest of us all."

Do-hyun chuckled. "Right? He acts so mature, it's easy to forget he's still in high school."

"Well, he's not your average high schooler, that's for sure," Jae-sung added with a grin.

The group shared a laugh, marveling at their situation. As they wrapped up for the day, they headed to their newly renovated rooms in the building.

***

Meanwhile, as day turned to night, the Ascend concert clip continued its journey across the internet. The original video, now a day old, had amassed an impressive 22,000 views and was still climbing.

In her luxurious bedroom, Min-ji was settling in for the night when her phone buzzed. She reached for it, seeing a message from Seul-gi. Curious, she opened it to find a short video clip.

As she played it, her eyes widened slightly. The clip showed a K-pop group performing an energetic, retro-inspired dance routine. It took her a moment to realize she was looking at Ascend, the group managed by Byul-ho.

After watching the clip, she quickly typed a message to Seul-gi:

Min-ji: "Is this what you were talking to Byul-ho about in the cafeteria?"

Seul-gi's response came almost immediately:

Seul-gi: "Yeah! Isn't it amazing?? They're so cool ã… ã… I'm so sad I missed the concert ã… ã… "

Min-ji: "Really? I think it's okay, better than I expected."

Seul-gi: "It's not just okay, it's incredible! Ah, but you're probably not interested ã…‹ã…‹"

Min-ji put her phone down, her mind drifting to thoughts of Byul-ho. She found herself curious about his group and his company. It was a side of him she hadn't really considered before, and she felt a sudden urge to know more.

As she lay in bed, Min-ji realized she was actually looking forward to seeing Byul-ho at school tomorrow. Maybe she'd ask him about Ascend, just out of curiosity, of course. With these thoughts, she drifted off to sleep, the catchy beat of Ascend's song still playing faintly in her mind.

***

As Friday morning dawned, Byul-ho made the decision to skip school. He had already instructed his butler, Seon-woo, to inform the school of his absence.

"Please tell them I'll submit an extra credit assignment to make up for the missed day," Byul-ho said, straightening his tie as he prepared for the day ahead.

Seon-woo sighed, knowing he couldn't dissuade his young master. "Very well, sir. I'll make sure they're informed."

Today was crucial for Byul-ho. Despite Ascend's growing popularity, securing brand deals in 2009 was no small feat. The internet was still not the primary focus for marketing, and many companies were hesitant to invest in rookie groups without a solid track record.

Byul-ho had spent weeks reaching out to various brands, leveraging every connection he could. Most doors had been firmly shut, but a few had cracked open just enough for him to wedge his foot in.

One such opportunity was with a mid-sized Korean skincare brand, looking to appeal to a younger demographic. They had been intrigued by Ascend's fresh image and growing fanbase.

As Byul-ho boarded the bus, he felt the curious glances of other passengers, no doubt surprised by his youthful appearance in professional attire. He paid them no mind, his thoughts focused on the upcoming meeting.

The endorsement deal wasn't just about money; it was about securing resources for Ascend.

Byul-ho had been meticulously managing Ascend's appearance, investing a significant portion of their limited funds into high-quality skincare products. A sponsorship deal would not only save money but also generate income for the company.

He recalled trying the 'Iniseu' products himself. Despite being a newcomer in the market, their quality was impressive. The company prided itself on sourcing ingredients from Jeju Island, giving their brand a unique selling point.