K-Producer C35 Time to enter in the 'Real Competition'

For several days, Byul-ho dedicated himself to training Ascend in the new retro-inspired style. The practice room was alive with energy as the members worked tirelessly to master the intricate dance moves and adapt their singing to the new concept.

On a particularly intense afternoon of practice, Byul-ho's phone suddenly rang. Glancing at the screen, his eyebrows raised in surprise as he recognized the number of the KRS producer.

"Take five, everyone," Byul-ho called out to the group, who were in the middle of perfecting a challenging dance sequence. They nodded, grateful for the brief respite, as Byul-ho stepped out of the room to take the call.

As he answered the phone, Byul-ho's mind raced. He had exchanged numbers with the producer as a standard courtesy, but he hadn't expected to hear from him so soon, especially not in the middle of their preparation period for the next round.

"Hello, PD-nim," Byul-ho answered, his voice calm despite his growing curiosity and slight concern. "This is unexpected. How can I help you?"

"Ah, Byul-ho-ssi," Jin-woo's voice came through, sounding slightly strained. "How are you? What are you up to?"

"We're in the middle of practice for the next stage," Byul-ho replied. "Is everything alright?"

There was a brief pause before Jin-woo sighed. "Listen, Byul-ho-ssi, I'll get straight to the point. We've been facing some... issues regarding the K-pop groups in the competition."

Byul-ho's grip on the phone tightened slightly. "I see. What kind of issues?"

"There's been a lot of controversy," Jin-woo explained. "Many viewers feel it's unfair to have professionally managed groups competing against normal dreamers. We've... we've come to a decision."

Byul-ho closed his eyes, already anticipating what was coming.

"We're going to have to pull the K-pop groups out of the competition," Jin-woo said, his voice apologetic. "We need to stay true to the show's original format, focusing on those chasing their dreams without resources."

To Jin-woo's surprise, Byul-ho's voice remained calm. "I understand, PD-nim. These things happen."

"You're... not upset?" Jin-woo asked, clearly taken aback.

Byul-ho smiled slightly. "It's disappointing, of course, but I appreciate you letting us know directly. We've gained a lot from this experience already."

"I... I'm sorry it had to end this way," Jin-woo said, sounding genuinely regretful.

"No need for apologies," Byul-ho assured him. "Thank you for the opportunity."

As the call ended, Byul-ho sighed. Their preparation for the next stage wouldn't be seen on the show, but he wasn't overly concerned. They had already gained significant exposure, with their social media following growing to 38,000 and climbing. These fans were actively supporting Ascend, buying their songs and engaging with the daily content on their page.

Byul-ho looked back at the practice room, where his team was still working hard, unaware of the news.

He took a deep breath, preparing himself to break the news to them. While it was a setback, he knew this was just one step in their journey.

The foundation they had built through the show would serve them well as they moved forward on their own path.

Byul-ho gathered his group, his expression serious. "Everyone, I have some news," he began.

The members exchanged worried glances.

"What's up, Byul-ho hyung?" Jae-sung asked, voicing the group's concern.

Byul-ho took a deep breath. "I just got a call from the KRS producer. They've decided to remove all K-pop groups from the competition."

A chorus of shocked exclamations filled the room.

"What? Why?" Min-jae asked, his voice rising in disbelief.

"They're facing backlash," Byul-ho explained. "People think it's unfair for managed groups to compete against individual contestants."

Sung-ho's shoulders slumped. "So all our hard work..."

"Isn't wasted," Byul-ho interjected firmly. "We've gained a lot from this experience. Our fanbase has grown significantly."

The members nodded slowly, processing the information.

Meanwhile, similar scenes were playing out with Dragon Sign and Headshot Boys, the other K-pop groups in the competition.

On social media platforms like Cyworld and Naver, news of the decision spread rapidly. The reaction was mixed, but largely positive:

@음악팬2009: "Finally! Now real undiscovered talents can shine!"

@아이돌사랑: "This is unfair! Ascend and the others worked hard too!"

@공정한시청자: "Good decision. K-pop groups have other platforms. This show should be for unknowns."

@드림챠서: "I'll miss seeing Ascend, but I understand the decision. Following them on Cyworld now!"

On Naver's entertainment forum, a heated discussion broke out:

User A: "It's the right call. How can a trainee compete with a managed group?"

User B: "But the K-pop groups brought in ratings. The show might suffer now."

User C: "Who cares about ratings? It's about fairness and giving everyone a real chance."

The majority seemed to support the decision, viewing it as a return to the show's original purpose. However, a vocal minority, particularly fans of the K-pop groups, expressed disappointment and frustration.

***

As Byul-ho walked through the school hallways, he overheard the usual snickers and whispers from his classmates.

"Look, it's the wannabe CEO," one boy said loudly enough for Byul-ho to hear.

Another chimed in, "Heard his group got kicked out of that show. Guess dreaming big doesn't always work out, huh?"

Byul-ho kept his head high, not letting their words affect him. He knew better than to engage with their taunts.

Later in the cafeteria, Byul-ho sat down across from Min-ji, his mind already on business.

"So, what did your parents say about the share price?" he asked, getting straight to the point.

Min-ji stirred her soup thoughtfully. "They're mostly on board, but they're pushing for a small discount. You know how they are with negotiations."

Byul-ho nodded, his mind racing. With Ascend out of KRS, he needed to pivot quickly. They had gained significant exposure, but now was the time to capitalize on it before the public's interest waned.

He thought about the future K-pop industry practices he knew from his past life. Small, intimate concerts for fans... fan meetings... special events... These things weren't common in the current K-pop scene.

"A small concert," he murmured, almost to himself.

"What was that?" Min-ji asked, looking up from her food.

Byul-ho's eyes focused back on her. "Nothing. Just thinking aloud." He paused, then made his decision. "Tell your parents I'll agree to a small discount. But I need the deal closed quickly."

Min-ji raised an eyebrow, surprised by his sudden agreement. "That's... unexpected. May I ask why the rush?"

Byul-ho allowed himself a small smile. "Let's just say I have plans that need funding. Time-sensitive plans."

As Min-ji nodded, promising to relay the message to her parents, Byul-ho's mind was already racing ahead.

A small, intimate concert for fans is just an easy part of his otherwise challenging and ambitious plans.

He would need careful planning and, more importantly, significant funding.

The share sale would provide the capital he needed. Now, it was time to start bringing the future of K-pop to the present.

***

A while later, Byul-ho entered his rented office space, his eyes scanning the modest but functional surroundings. He chuckled wryly to himself, thinking about the financial journey of the past months.

"One group, and it's already costing a fortune," he muttered to himself.

Sitting at his desk, Byul-ho pulled out a ledger and began reviewing the numbers.

The numbers told a story of ambitious beginnings and unexpected challenges.

The office rent and initial equipment costs had gone as planned, but operating expenses had ballooned beyond his initial estimates. Training Ascend, paying for top-notch coaches, and marketing efforts had taken a significant bite out of the investment pool he'd set aside for talent development.

"So," Byul-ho said aloud, leaning back in his chair, "we've spent about 2.85 billion won in less than a year. Not bad, considering, but definitely tight."

The small concert idea was just the tip of the iceberg. Byul-ho's mind raced with plans that went far beyond a single event.

Byul-ho knew that while small concerts were a good start, the real reason he needed more funds was to begin laying the groundwork for international expansion.

This included hiring language tutors for the members, with a focus on English, Japanese, or Chinese, investing in advanced music production software and equipment to meet international standards, building connections with overseas music producers and choreographers, setting up a robust online presence with multi-language support, and creating high-quality music videos that could appeal to a global audience.

Moreover, he knew that to truly establish Ascend as a formidable presence in the industry, they needed to start producing more content - music videos, variety show appearances, and perhaps even a reality series documenting their journey. All of these would require funds well beyond what a few small concerts could generate.

Just then, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Min-ji: "My parents agree to your terms. They want to finalize ASAP."

Byul-ho smiled, feeling a mix of relief and excitement. "Perfect timing." he said to himself.