First Artist

Byul-ho's eyes gleamed as he surveyed the plans meticulously laid out on paper before him. Each note, each calculation represented a step towards his vision - a vision born from the harsh lessons of a life he'd never actually lived, yet remembered with painful clarity.

"This time," he whispered, his voice barely audible, "things will be different."

He closed his eyes for a moment, the memory of his "suicide" in that other life flashing vividly in his mind. The feeling of helplessness, of being cornered by corrupt forces within the industry, was still raw and real. But now, that pain fueled his determination.

Opening his eyes, Byul-ho's gaze hardened with resolve. "They thought they could silence me, force me out. But here, now, I have a second chance. A chance to do things right from the start."

***

Over the next two days, Byul-ho worked tirelessly to set his plan in motion, leveraging his inheritance with the strategic precision of someone with years of industry experience.

First, he allocated 1 billion won (approximately $940,000 USD) for immediate use. Of this, 500 million won went towards securing a modest but well-located office space in the Gangnam district. He chose a building with potential for expansion, signing a two-year lease with an option to buy.

Next, he set aside 300 million won for initial equipment and technology. This included state-of-the-art recording equipment, computers, and software that he knew would give him an edge in production quality.

The remaining 200 million won was earmarked for initial operating costs, including staff salaries, utilities, and marketing.

Byul-ho then established a separate fund of 2 billion won as an investment pool for talent acquisition and development. He knew that securing and nurturing the right artists would be crucial to his success.

The final 2 billion won was placed in a conservative investment portfolio to ensure long-term financial stability for the company.

Throughout this process, Byul-ho relied heavily on his butler, Seon-woo. He tasked the experienced man with handling the legal aspects of establishing the company, leveraging his connections to expedite the process. Seon-woo, though still concerned about Byul-ho's sudden entrepreneurial spirit, executed his duties with unwavering loyalty and efficiency.

By the end of the second day, 'Golden-Star Entertainment' was officially registered as a company. The name, Byul-ho felt, paid homage to his father's Starlight Entertainment while signaling a new, brighter future.

As Byul-ho stood in the empty office space that would soon buzz with activity, he couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation.

Byul-ho stood in the empty office, his eyes sweeping across the bare walls and vacant spaces. He exhaled slowly, his mind already racing with the next steps.

"Employers are one thing," he murmured to himself, "but the real challenge lies in signing talents."

He knew that as a fledgling company, Golden-Star Entertainment couldn't hope to attract established stars or even rising talents. But Byul-ho wasn't deterred. His experiences from another life had taught him that true gems often lay hidden, waiting to be discovered.

"Scouting," he said firmly, nodding to himself. "That's where I'll start."

His mind began to catalogue potential scouting locations. He thought of the bustling streets of Hongdae, where aspiring musicians often performed for passersby, their raw talent on display for those who knew how to look. The image of earnest young artists, guitars in hand, singing their hearts out on street corners, filled his mind.

Then there were the countless noraebang scattered throughout Seoul. Byul-ho smiled, remembering how many future stars had been discovered belting out tunes in these karaoke rooms. He made a mental note to frequent some of the more popular spots in Gangnam and Itaewon.

High school and university festivals also came to mind. These events often showcased local talent, providing a perfect hunting ground for potential idols. Byul-ho recalled how some of the biggest names in K-pop had been scouted at such festivals.

Underground hip-hop clubs flashed in his thoughts next. The raw energy and authenticity of these venues had produced some of the most innovative artists in his other life. He knew he'd need to dive into this scene to find unique voices.

***

Byul-ho strolled through the vibrant streets of Hongdae, his eyes scanning the various street performers. Despite the energy and enthusiasm on display, none of the acts truly captured his attention. Slightly disappointed but undeterred, he decided to check out a popular noraebang in the area.

As he approached the karaoke establishment, a familiar group of voices caught his ear. His heart sank as he realized it was his classmates from Daewon Foreign Language High School.

One of the boys spotted him first. "Well, well, if it isn't our sick prince! Feeling better, Byul-ho?" he sneered.

A girl chimed in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I thought you had a terrible cold. Miracle recovery, huh?"

Laughter erupted from the group as Byul-ho tried to walk past them. But they weren't done, following him as he attempted to leave.

In the midst of the group, Byul-ho's eyes landed on Park Soo-yeon, his long-time crush. Unlike the others, she wasn't actively mocking him, but her silence was just as painful. She stood quietly, leaning against Kim Jun-ho, one of the popular boys in their class.

The sight of Soo-yeon with Jun-ho, combined with the relentless taunting, finally caused something to snap inside Byul-ho.

He whirled around, facing his tormentors. "Don't you have anything better to do with your lives?" he shouted, his voice carrying a maturity that momentarily silenced the group. "Is this really how you want to spend your time? Mocking others to make yourselves feel important?"

For a moment, surprise registered on their faces. But it quickly gave way to more laughter.

"Ooh, looks like the prince still has some fight left in him," one of the boys jeered.

Byul-ho took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He looked at each of them, including Soo-yeon, whose eyes briefly met his before darting away.

"I feel sorry for you," he said quietly, his voice level. "I hope one day you'll find something meaningful to do with your lives."

With that, he turned and walked away. This time, they didn't follow. As he rounded the corner, Byul-ho could hear their laughter fading, but it no longer bothered him. He had bigger plans, greater ambitions. Their petty bullying seemed insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

As Byul-ho ventured into a more secluded area, he came across a lone figure huddled against a wall. The young man, appearing to be in his early twenties, wore tattered clothes that had seen better days. In his hands was a well-worn guitar, its scratched surface telling tales of countless performances.

The man's fingers moved deftly across the strings as he sang softly in Korean, his voice carrying a raw emotion that made Byul-ho stop in his tracks. There was something hauntingly beautiful about the melody, a perfect blend of melancholy and hope.

Byul-ho listened, transfixed. The young man's voice had a unique quality - a slight rasp that added depth to his higher notes, and a warmth in his lower register that sent chills down Byul-ho's spine. It was unlike anything he'd heard before, yet it reminded him of some of the most successful ballad singers from his memories of 2024.

As the song came to an end, Byul-ho found himself applauding softly. The young man looked up, surprise evident in his eyes.

"That was incredible," Byul-ho said, stepping closer. "I'm Jeon Byul-ho. May I ask your name?"

The young man hesitated before responding, "Kim Jae-sung. Thank you for listening."

Byul-ho's mind raced. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was standing in front of someone with immense, untapped potential.

"Jae-sung-ssi," Byul-ho said, his voice filled with determination, "how would you like to become a star?"

Kim Jae-sung's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Byul-ho smiled, his eyes shining with excitement. "I'm the CEO of Golden-Star Entertainment," he explained, watching Jae-sung's reaction carefully. "I believe you have incredible talent, and I want to sign you to my label."

Jae-sung's brow furrowed in confusion. "Golden-Star Entertainment? I've never heard of it before."

Byul-ho's smile didn't waver. Instead, it grew more confident. "That's because we're new," he admitted. "But mark my words, Kim Jae-sung-ssi, one day, Golden-Star Entertainment will be a household name in the K-pop industry."

There was something in Byul-ho's voice, a certainty that made Jae-sung pause. Despite the young CEO's age, there was an air of wisdom and determination about him that was hard to ignore.

"I know it sounds unbelievable," Byul-ho continued, "but I have a vision for the future of K-pop, and I believe you could be a big part of that future. Why don't you come to my company? I can show you our facilities, and we can discuss this further."

Jae-sung hesitated, looking down at his worn guitar and then back at Byul-ho. Hope and skepticism warred in his eyes. "Is this... is this for real?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Byul-ho nodded solemnly. "It's very real, Jae-sung-ssi. This could be the opportunity you've been waiting for. What do you say? Will you come with me and see what Golden-Star Entertainment has to offer?"

Jae-sung took a deep breath, his fingers absently strumming his guitar strings. After a moment that seemed to stretch on forever, he nodded. "Okay," he said quietly. "I'll come and see."

Byul-ho's face lit up with a genuine smile. "Excellent! Let's go then. I think this is the beginning of something great, Jae-sung-ssi."