K-Producer C34 Let's go retro

In the viewing room, Byul-ho and Ascend gathered around the television, watching the replay of the KRS episode. They paid close attention to the other contestants' performances, particularly Dragon Sign's.

As their own performance played on the screen, the members of Ascend couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.

"Look at those moves!" Min-jae exclaimed, pointing at the screen. "We nailed that choreography!"

Jae-sung nodded, a wide grin on his face. "And listen to those harmonies. We've come so far after months of practice."

Sung-ho playfully nudged Hyun-woo. "Check out Hyun-woo's high note. I think I saw a few fangirls faint in the audience."

Hyun-woo blushed slightly, laughing along with the others. "Oh, stop it."

As their performance ended and the rankings were announced, Byul-ho noticed the shift in the show's format. The top 1 to 3 contestants' interviews were being played for the audience at the end of the show.

Byul-ho knew the significance of this. Not all contestant interviews made it to air, and being featured at the end of the live show was prime visibility. It was another layer of exposure for the top-performing acts, a chance to connect with the audience beyond just their stage performance.

As the replay continued, the interview with Dragon Sign, who had placed third, began to roll. Byul-ho and the Ascend members watched intently, immediately noticing the dramatic tone of the segment.

Jae-sung furrowed his brow, "Isn't this a bit... over the top? It feels like they're really pushing the struggle narrative."

Min-jae nodded in agreement, "Yeah, it's almost like watching a drama instead of an interview."

However, Do-hyun seemed more sympathetic, "But guys, maybe that's really how they feel. The industry is tough, after all."

Sung-ho chimed in, "I don't know... I get that it's hard, but this feels a bit scripted to me."

As the interview segment for the second-place contestant played, the group watched with interest, comparing it to Dragon Sign's interview.

Finally, Ascend's interview as the top-ranking group began to play. As they watched, the members couldn't help but notice a particular focus.

Hyun-woo nudged Byul-ho playfully, "Look at that, our young CEO is the star of the show!"

Yoon-seok laughed, "Byul-ho hyung, I think you got more screen time than all of us combined!"

Jae-sung added with a grin, "Should we be jealous? Our manager is stealing the spotlight!"

The other members joined in the gentle teasing, clearly amused by the focus on Byul-ho in the interview.

Byul-ho just smiled, not bothering to explain the underlying tactics at play. He could see that his group, in their innocence, hadn't picked up on the producer's strategy.

After the interviews of the top 3 ended and the show repeat concluded, Byul-ho reflected on the different narratives presented for each group. He noticed how Dragon Sign's interview focused on individual struggles, the second-place duo emphasized sacrifices, and Ascend's segment centered on his role as a young CEO facing industry challenges.

Putting these thoughts aside, Byul-ho turned to his group, clapping his hands to get their attention. "Alright, team, great job on the show. Now, let's focus on our next steps."

They moved to the practice room, where Byul-ho unveiled his new idea.

"For our next performance, we're going to switch things up a bit. I want to incorporate some retro elements into our choreography and music."

Jae-sung tilted his head curiously. "Retro? Like what, exactly?"

Byul-ho grinned. "Well, sometimes the old ways have a charm that can feel fresh again. Here, let me show you."

To the group's surprise, Byul-ho started demonstrating some dance moves, incorporating classic style yet with modern twist choreography.

"See, look at me start with this smooth slide," Byul-ho explained, demonstrating a slick footwork sequence. "Then I'll add some sharp arm movements, like this. It's all about contrast - smooth and sharp, old and new."

He continued, showing a series of moves that blended vintage charm with modern precision.

Min-jae's eyes widened. "Whoa, that actually looks really cool!"

Sung-ho couldn't hide his surprise. "I didn't know you could dance like that, Byul-ho hyung!"

Hyun-woo nodded appreciatively. "It's different, but I can see how it could work with our style."

Byul-ho smiled, pleased with their reactions. "Exactly. We're not copying the past, we're reinventing it. This way, we stand out from other groups while still feeling familiar to a wider audience."

Do-hyun nodded. "I like it. It's unexpected but not totally out there."

Yoon-seok raised a hand. "How will this work with our music though?"

"Great question," Byul-ho replied. "We'll be incorporating some retro synth sounds, but keeping our modern beat and vocal style. It's all about balance."

Jae-sung's eyes lit up. "This is exciting. It feels like we're creating something truly unique."

As Byul-ho moved to the sound system, a smile played on his lips. "I've actually prepared some samples for you guys," he said, pressing play.

The room filled with the sound of a retro-inspired beat, blending old-school charm with modern production. The members' eyes widened in surprise as Byul-ho stepped into the center of the room.

Without missing a beat, Byul-ho began to dance. His movements were fluid yet precise, a perfect blend of classic and contemporary styles. The group watched in awe as their young CEO glided across the floor, his body moving in perfect harmony with the music.

Then, to their even greater surprise, Byul-ho started singing. His voice, smooth and clear, rang out in perfect English:

"It's never too late to love me,"

His vocals complemented the track beautifully, adding another layer to the already impressive performance. The dance moves seemed to flow naturally with the lyrics, creating a cohesive and captivating display.

As Byul-ho finished his demonstration, the room erupted in applause. The members crowded around him, full of questions and compliments.

Jae-sung clapped. "Byul-ho hyung! I had no idea you could sing like that!"

Min-jae nodded enthusiastically. "And your pronunciation is perfect! Have you been secretly training all this time?"

Sung-ho chimed in, "The way you're combining the dance with the singing... it's so smooth. How do you make it look so easy?"

Do-hyun tilted his head curiously. "Hyung, where did you learn all this? We've never seen you practice like this before."

Hyun-woo added, "Yeah, it's like you've been doing this for years!"

The other members murmured in agreement, their faces a mix of admiration and shock. They had known Byul-ho could dance and sing to some extent, but this level of skill and coordination was unexpected.

Byul-ho, slightly out of breath but smiling, looked at his team. "This is the direction I want us to explore. It's different, it's fresh, but it also has a nostalgic appeal. What do you guys think?"

Jae-sung was the first to respond, his eyes shining with excitement. "I can already imagine how we could incorporate this style into our performances."

Min-jae nodded enthusiastically. "It's so different from what other groups are doing. We'd really stand out with this concept."

"Hyung, you have to teach us those moves," Sung-ho pleaded. "They look challenging, but I'm up for it!"

Do-hyun chimed in, "And that singing style – it's so smooth. Can you show us how to blend it with the dance like that?"

Hyun-woo added, "I'm really curious about the music production too. The retro elements with our modern style could create something truly unique."

Yoon-seok, usually more reserved, couldn't contain his excitement. "I can't wait to start working on it!"

As the members continued to express their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn, Byul-ho felt a surge of satisfaction. Their passion and willingness to embrace new challenges were exactly what he had hoped for.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Byul-ho and Ascend, a storm was brewing in the world of "Korea's Rising Stars." The show and its network were facing mounting pressure and complaints about the inclusion of K-pop groups in the competition.

Viewers and other contestants argued that it was unfair for professionally managed groups to compete against individual performers. The controversy had even caught the attention of news outlets, further amplifying the issue.

In a tense meeting room at the network headquarters, executives and producers debated their next move.

"The backlash is getting out of hand," one executive said, frowning at a report. "We're losing credibility with a significant portion of our audience."

Another added, "Maybe we should consider removing the K-pop groups from the competition. It might appease the critics."

The show's main producer, Jin-woo, looked conflicted. "But the K-pop groups, especially Ascend, are bringing in high ratings. Removing them could also cause backlash from their fans."

As the debate continued, the future of Ascend's participation in the show hung in the balance. The decision made in this room could dramatically alter the course of their journey on "Korea's Rising Stars".