K-Producer C21 Competitor

It's been a few days since the auditions concluded, and the real competition for "Korea's Rising Stars" was about to begin.

Byul-ho stood with Ascend backstage, surrounded by the nervous energy of the other contestants preparing for today's live episode. The atmosphere was electric, a stark contrast to the taped auditions they had experienced before.

As the members of Ascend chatted amongst themselves, Byul-ho took a moment to observe their competition. The diversity of talent was impressive:

A solo vocalist was warming up in the corner, her voice barely above a whisper as she ran through her scales. Next to her, a comedian paced back and forth, muttering his routine under his breath.

A duo, dressed in matching outfits, was stretching, their movements in perfect sync even now. Not far from them, a magician fiddled with his props, a look of intense concentration on his face.

But what caught Byul-ho's attention most was another K-pop group. With 11 members, they were larger than Ascend, and their coordinated outfits sparkled under the backstage lights. They exuded confidence, clearly seeing themselves as serious contenders.

Byul-ho's eyes narrowed slightly as he assessed this direct competition. The stakes had just gotten higher.

The manager of the larger K-pop group approached Byul-ho with a practiced smile. He extended his hand and introduced himself.

"Kim Jae-hoon, manager of Bright Day, or B.D as we call them," he said, his tone cordial but with an undercurrent of competitiveness. "It's nice to meet you, young CEO."

Byul-ho nodded and shook his hand firmly. "Jeon Byul-ho. It's a pleasure."

As they exchanged pleasantries, the members of Ascend attempted to introduce themselves to B.D.

However, the larger group's demeanor was noticeably cold. They barely acknowledged Ascend, some even turning away with barely concealed smirks.

Jae-sung tried to break the ice. "Your outfits look great. Are you excited for the show?"

One of the B.D members scoffed. "Shouldn't you be asking your CEO if it's past his bedtime?"

The Ascend members frowned, taken aback by the blatant disrespect. Manager Kim Jae-hoon noticed the tension and turned to Byul-ho with an insincere smile.

"I apologize for my group's behavior," he said, his tone dripping with mock sincerity. "They're just a bit nervous about the competition. I'm sure you understand, being so... young in this industry."

Byul-ho simply nodded, his face impassive. "No need for apologies. Actions speak louder than words. We'll let our performances do the talking."

The manager's smile faltered slightly at Byul-ho's composed response. He hadn't expected such maturity from someone so young.

Jae-hoon, trying to maintain his composure, shifted his gaze to Ascend's attire. "Your group's clothing looks... interesting," he remarked to Byul-ho, his tone carrying a hint of condescension. Internally, he was disdainful of what he perceived as Byul-ho's lack of industry knowledge.

Byul-ho simply smiled, fully aware of the impact Ascend's appearance was making. The group was dressed in a style that seemed almost out of place in current year - a blend of street fashion and high-end couture.

Jae-sung sported an undercut with a long, wavy fringe dyed a subtle silver, while Min-jae had his hair styled in a messy, textured look with hints of blue. The other members each had their own unique hairstyles that complemented their outfits - a mix of oversized jackets, ripped jeans, and statement accessories that created a cohesive yet individualistic look.

Their style was a stark contrast to the matching, polished outfits of B.D, which adhered more closely to the current K-pop trends.

Byul-ho had also coached Ascend on their behavior - they carried themselves with a balance of humility and confidence. When they spoke to others, they were respectful yet self-assured.

The members of B.D watched this interaction with growing irritation. They couldn't quite put their finger on it, but something about Ascend's style and attitude felt threatening. It was as if Ascend knew something they didn't, and it made them deeply uncomfortable.

One B.D member whispered to another, "Who do they think they are? Acting all cool like that."

Another nodded in agreement, "Yeah, it's like they're from another planet or something."

***

As the backstage tension simmered, the lights in the studio dimmed, signaling the start of the show. The host, a beautiful actress named Park Soo-hwa, took the stage with a dazzling smile.

"Welcome, everyone, to the first live show of Korea's Rising Stars!" Soo-hwa exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious. The audience erupted in cheers.

She then turned to the judges' panel, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I hope you're ready for an exciting night, judges. Cheon Sung-min, have you prepared your gentle critiques?"

Cheon Sung-min, the veteran singer, chuckled. "Gentle? Me? You must have me confused with someone else, Soo-hwa."

The banter continued, with Soo-hwa expertly drawing laughs from both the judges and the audience. As the introductions wrapped up, she moved on to tease the upcoming performances.

"Now, we have quite a treat for you tonight," Soo-hwa said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial stage whisper. "Among our talented contestants, we have not one, but two K-pop groups ready to battle it out on our stage!"

The audience's excitement grew palpable, murmurs of anticipation rippling through the crowd.

"That's right," Soo-hwa continued, "It seems our little talent show has become quite popular with the idol world. I guess even K-pop stars need a little extra spotlight sometimes, right, Mun Kang-dae?"

Mun Kang-dae leaned into his microphone with a smirk. "Well, Soo-hwa, let's hope they can prove they deserve to be here. This isn't just another music show, after all."

***

In the lavish Lee residence, Lee Min-ji sat on a plush sofa, her eyes fixed on the large flat-screen TV. Beside her, her friend and classmate, Choi Seul-gi, watched with a puzzled expression.

"Min-ji-ya, why are we watching a talent show?" Seul-gi asked, her tone curious.

Min-ji avoided the question, instead commenting on the host's dress. "Doesn't Park Soo-hwa look stunning tonight?"

Seul-gi raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. As they continued watching, the scene shifted to backstage interviews. Suddenly, the camera focused on a familiar face.

Seul-gi gasped, covering her mouth. "Oh my god! Isn't that Jeon Byul-ho? What's that loser doing at a talent show?"

Min-ji, maintaining her composure, replied coolly, "Apparently, he is managing a K-pop group that will be competing in today's live show."

"Really?" Seul-gi's eyes widened in surprise. Then, a sly grin spread across her face. "Say, Min-ji... is this why we're watching? Are those rumors about you and Byul-ho true?"

Min-ji remained silent, her face impassive. She couldn't reveal the truth – that her family had tasked her with acquiring Byul-ho's remaining shares in Starlight Entertainment under the guise of friendship. She was merely watching out of curiosity, trying to learn more about Byul-ho and his group to better accomplish her mission.

Instead, she deflected again. "Look, the show's about to start. Let's just watch, okay?"

Seul-gi gave her friend a skeptical look but settled back into the sofa.

***

As the show progressed, various contestants took the stage, showcasing their talents. Eventually, it was time for B.D to perform. Byul-ho and Ascend gathered around the backstage monitor, watching intently.

The moment B.D stepped onto the stage, Byul-ho noticed a dramatic shift in their demeanor. The arrogance and disdain they had displayed backstage vanished, replaced by an aura of humility and innocence. Their faces beamed with seemingly genuine smiles as they bowed deeply to the judges and audience.

"We're so honored to be here," one member said, his voice trembling with apparent emotion. "We'll do our best to show you our passion for music."

Byul-ho's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed this transformation. He glanced around the backstage area, noticing the reactions of the other contestants.

"Can you believe those guys?" a solo vocalist muttered. "Acting all sweet and humble now. If only the audience knew how they really behave."

The magician nodded in agreement. "It's all an act. They were practically sneering at everyone earlier."

Byul-ho remained silent, but his mind was working overtime. He knew that this kind of two-faced attitude could be detrimental in the long run. It might win them favor now, but it could easily backfire if their true nature was exposed.

He thought back to the months of training he had put Ascend through, not just in music and dance, but in character. He had emphasized the importance of being "humble as a lamb but smart as a serpent," as he put it. He wanted them to exude a genuine charm, to be consistently humble both in private and public, so that their image would always be admirable.