K-Producer C25 First step's success

In a spacious apartment in Busan, Jae-sung's father, Kim Chung-hee, sat in his leather armchair, his eyes fixed on the television screen. He had just finished watching the recorded performance of his son's group on "Korea's Rising Stars."

His wife, Soo-min, noticed his expression and asked, "Yeobo, why do you look so troubled? Aren't you relieved that your colleagues didn't recognize Jae-sung? This way, your reputation remains intact."

Chung-hee nodded slowly, his brow still furrowed. "It's not just that, Soo-min-ah. Yes, I'm glad he wasn't recognized, but... he's clearly had facial surgery. I'm not angry about that, but I am disappointed that he chose this path instead of following in my footsteps."

Soo-min sighed, placing a comforting hand on her husband's shoulder. "Jae-sung has chosen his own path. We should let him be. He seems happy and successful in what he's doing."

Chung-hee just shook his head again, unable to shake off his disappointment. "I had such high hopes for him in law... How did we end up here?"

***

In the cozy practice room of Golden-Star Entertainment, the members of Ascend gathered around Byul-ho, their faces eager for news. As Byul-ho shared the latest sales figures, a wave of excitement swept through the group.

"I'm pleased to report that our TV appearance has significantly boosted our sales," Byul-ho announced, a small smile playing on his lips. "Our EP has now reached twenty thousand digital downloads."

The members' eyes widened in surprise and joy.

"Not only that," Byul-ho continued, "but our physical sales in Seoul and other cities have hit 14 thousand units."

A round of applause and cheers erupted from the group. Jae-sung, beaming with pride, said, "That's amazing! We've come so far from where we started."

Min-jae nodded enthusiastically. "It's hard to believe how much we've improved since our debut."

Byul-ho watched his group's celebration with satisfaction. The numbers represented a substantial improvement from their initial performance, affirming that their hard work and his strategies were paying off.

As the group's initial excitement over their sales figures settled, the conversation shifted to a more serious topic. Jae-sung pulled out his phone, showing the others a social media post.

"Have you seen this? B.D's official account posted an apology, but people aren't really accepting it. The comments are pretty harsh."

The other members gathered around, their expressions growing somber as they scrolled through the comments.

Sung-ho winced. "Some of these are really nasty. There are even threats..."

Min-jae nodded, his brow furrowed with concern. "I know they messed up, but this feels excessive."

Byul-ho, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. "Let this be a lesson for all of you," he said, his tone serious. "In this industry, outbursts like B.D's can have severe consequences. If you ever feel that angry, it's crucial to keep it private and not show it in public."

The members nodded, but Byul-ho noticed a hint of disagreement in their eyes.

Recognizing their conflicted feelings, Byul-ho continued, "I understand it might seem unfair or harsh, but you need to understand something important. The moment you chose to become idols, you also chose to become public figures. Your actions and words carry more weight now."

He paused, making sure he had everyone's attention. "If you guys become really famous in the future, and I believe you will, you'll need to be even more mindful of your public image. It's not just about you anymore; it's about the group, the company, and the fans who support you."

Jae-sung nodded slowly. "I get it. It's like we're representing something bigger than ourselves now."

"Exactly," Byul-ho affirmed. "It's a big responsibility, but it's also what makes this career so impactful. You'll have the power to influence and inspire people.."

The members exchanged glances, the weight of Byul-ho's words sinking in. While the idea of constantly monitoring their behavior seemed daunting, they also recognized the truth in what he was saying.

"It's not about being fake," Byul-ho added, sensing their concerns. "It's about being the best version of yourselves, both on and off stage. That's what will set you apart and help us succeed in the long run."

After his advice, Byul-ho encouraged the group to check their own social media presence.

As the group followed Byul-ho's suggestion to check social media, they huddled around their phones, scrolling through various platforms.

"Wow, look at all these positive comments!" Jae-sung exclaimed, his face lighting up.

Min-jae nodded enthusiastically. "People really loved our performance. They're calling us 'refreshing' and 'innovative'!"

However, as they continued scrolling, their smiles began to fade. Sung-ho's brow furrowed as he read aloud, "''Ascend will never make it.' 'They're just riding on the drama from the show.' 'Their song is stupid and meaningless.'"

Hae-won, the youngest member, looked up at Byul-ho, his eyes wide with confusion and hurt. "Byul-ho-ssi, why are people saying these things? We didn't do anything wrong."

Byul-ho's expression remained calm as he addressed the group. "This is another important lesson for all of you," he said gently. "In this industry, and in life in general, there will always be haters, even if you've done nothing wrong."

The members exchanged worried glances, but Byul-ho continued, "Some people simply enjoy criticizing others. Others might be jealous of your success. And some might just have different tastes in music."

Jae-sung nodded slowly. "So, what should we do about these comments?"

Byul-ho smiled, “Firstly, bear in mind that these disparaging comments are often a small number compared to your supporters. Secondly, employ detrimental analysis for self-improvement but don’t let it weigh you down. And lastly, concentrate on getting better at what you do and the people who sincerely appreciate it.”

“It becomes difficult especially if they say something nasty…” Do-hyun added.

“I get it,” Byul-ho nodded. “It’s normal to be hurt. However, remember that your worth is not measured by random individuals online; rather it is determined by the effort put into becoming better still and touching lives of those who love you for real.”

The others listened as Byul-ho spoke. It was true that even though such feedback hurt them deeply inside; this time around they felt more prepared to deal with it.

Jae-sung suggested making a vow: "Whenever we come across hate comments let’s back each other up, while using positive critiques as our driving force."

As the team consented, Byul-ho observed silently. They were starting to learn some hard lessons about fame and he believed that going through such things will only toughen them up along their journey towards stardom.

***

The next day, Byul-ho made his way to school as usual. As he entered the building, he noticed a shift in the atmosphere. Some students who had watched the "Korea's Rising Stars" episode were staring at him, whispering among themselves.

"Did you see him on TV last night?" one student muttered.

"Yeah, can you believe it? What's he doing managing a K-pop group?" another snickered.

Some students who were unaware of the situation asked curiously, and as the news spread, the whispers of mockery grew slightly louder. Byul-ho, however, kept his composure and ignored the comments, walking to his classroom with his head held high.

As he settled into his seat, he noticed Min-ji approaching, her friend trailing behind her. Min-ji's expression was a mix of curiosity and something else Byul-ho couldn't quite place.

"Byul-ho," Min-ji started, her voice neutral but tinged with interest, "I saw you on KRS last friday with your group. I have to say, it was quite impressive."

Byul-ho smiled politely, nodding his head slightly. "Thank you, Min-ji."

Min-ji's friend, who had been eyeing Byul-ho skeptically, suddenly blurted out, "I still find it hard to believe that you actually own Ascend. How is that even possible?"

Byul-ho turned his gaze to the friend, then back to Min-ji, raising an eyebrow slightly.

Realizing the awkward situation, Min-ji quickly stepped in. "Oh, I'm sorry. Byul-ho, this is my friend, Choi Seul-gi."