Radio Play

The bustling streets of Hongdae pulsed with energy as Byul-ho and Ascend arrived.

The videographer, camera at the ready, began recording as the members gathered around Byul-ho for a final pep talk.

"Remember," Byul-ho said, his voice low but encouraging, "every interaction counts. Even if they don't take a flyer, your smile and energy might stick with them."

The members nodded, determination shining in their eyes. They spread out, flyers in hand, ready to introduce Ascend to the world.

Jae-sung approached a group of students, his smile bright. "Hello! We're Ascend, a new K-pop group. Would you like to know more about us?" The students hurried past, barely glancing his way.

Min-jae tried his luck with a couple walking hand-in-hand. "Excuse me, would you be interested in our upcoming debut?" The couple politely shook their heads and continued on.

As the day progressed, the pattern repeated. Many passersby ignored the enthusiastic members, too caught up in their own worlds to pause. Some took flyers out of politeness or mild curiosity, barely glancing at the content before shoving them into bags or pockets.

Byul-ho watched it all, the videographer capturing both the rejections and the small victories. He saw Sung-ho's face fall after being brushed off by a group of teenagers, saw Hyun-woo's smile even as person after person walked past without acknowledging him.

"It's okay," Byul-ho reassured them during a quick huddle. "This is all part of the process. Even one genuine connection can make a difference."

The members nodded, their spirits lifting slightly. They returned to their task, handing out flyers and introducing themselves with unwavering enthusiasm.

As the day wore on, there were small moments of encouragement. A young girl's eyes lit up as she took a flyer, excitedly showing it to her friends. An older man paused to listen to Do-hyun's pitch, nodding appreciatively before accepting the flyer.

These moments, though few, were captured on video alongside the numerous rejections. Byul-ho knew this raw, honest footage would resonate with viewers, showing Ascend's dedication and humility.

***

As the sun began to set, Byul-ho gathered the tired but still spirited members. "Great job, everyone," he said, genuine pride in his voice. "This is just the beginning. Every flyer handed out, every smile given - it all adds up. You've taken your first steps into the public eye, and you did it with grace and perseverance."

The members exchanged tired but satisfied smiles. They had faced rejection, but they had also experienced the thrill of potential fans showing interest. It was a small start, but a start nonetheless.

As they packed up to leave, Byul-ho felt a surge of satisfaction. This footage, once edited and shared, would give their growing fanbase a genuine look at Ascend's journey.

It was all part of the story they were crafting - the story of a group willing to start from the ground up, to connect with fans one by one if necessary.

The road ahead was long, but Byul-ho knew that days like this, filled with both challenges and small triumphs, were laying the foundation for Ascend's future success.

***

As Byul-ho and Ascend continued their grassroots marketing efforts in Hongdae for the third day, a familiar group of faces caught Byul-ho's attention. His heart sank as he recognized his former classmates from second-grade high school, now his fellow third-graders.

The group approached, sneers already forming on their faces. Byul-ho's former crush clung to her boyfriend's arm, both looking at Byul-ho with a mix of amusement and disdain.

"Well, well," the boyfriend called out, loud enough for passersby to hear. "Look who it is. The fallen prince of Daewon, handing out flyers. How the mighty have fallen, eh, Byul-ho?"

Byul-ho took a deep breath, maintaining his composure. "I'm working, actually. Promoting my company's new group."

His words only seemed to fuel their mockery. "Company? Group? Don't make us laugh," one of the girls snickered. "You're nothing but a flyer boy now."

The members of Ascend, who had been watching the exchange with growing concern, started to move closer. Jae-sung, the oldest, stepped forward, his presence imposing despite his usually gentle demeanor.

"Is there a problem here?" he asked, his voice low and firm.

The classmates, suddenly faced with a group of older, clearly protective individuals, faltered slightly. Sung-ho and Min-jae flanked Byul-ho, their expressions making it clear they wouldn't tolerate any more insults.

Byul-ho's former crush tugged at her boyfriend's arm. "Let's go," she muttered, her earlier bravado diminishing.

As they turned to leave, the boyfriend couldn't resist one last jab. "Enjoy your little job, Byul-ho. It's all you'll ever amount to."

Once they were out of earshot, Jae-sung turned to Byul-ho. "Are you okay? Who were those jerks?"

Byul-ho managed a small smile. "Just some old classmates. Thanks for stepping in, guys. I really appreciate it."

The members exchanged concerned glances, clearly wanting to say more, but Byul-ho straightened his shoulders and picked up his stack of flyers.

"Come on," he said, his voice steady. "We've got work to do. These flyers won't hand themselves out."

As they resumed their task, the members of Ascend kept a protective eye on their young CEO. They had always respected Byul-ho for his vision and leadership, but seeing him handle such cruel mockery with grace only deepened their admiration.

Byul-ho, for his part, channeled his emotions into his work. Each flyer handed out, each potential fan engaged, was a step towards proving those classmates wrong.

***

As the fifth day of flyer distribution came to an early close, excitement buzzed among the members of Ascend. They quickly packed up their remaining flyers and headed across town to the SBS Radio studios, home to Power FM, one of Seoul's most popular radio stations.

Byul-ho led the group through the bustling streets, their anticipation growing with each step. This would be their first major promotional opportunity, a chance to introduce themselves to a wider audience beyond the streets of Hongdae.

They arrived at the imposing SBS building, its modern facade gleaming in the afternoon sun. Byul-ho checked his watch - they were right on time for their slot on "Young Street," a program popular among youth and young adults, perfect for Ascend's target demographic.

They were led through the corridors to the studio.

Byul-ho noticed the slight tremors in his members' hands and the nervous glances they exchanged. He quickly gathered them in a tight circle, his voice low and reassuring.

"I know you're nervous, but remember - you've prepared for this. You know your music, you know yourselves. Just be genuine and let your personalities shine through. The audience will love you for who you are."

Jae-sung nodded, squaring his shoulders. "We've got this," he said, his voice only slightly wavering.

"Yeah, no sweat," Sung-ho added, though his fingers drummed an anxious rhythm against his thigh.

The others murmured their agreement, drawing strength from Byul-ho's confidence and each other's presence.

A staff member approached, clipboard in hand. "Ascend? You're on in five minutes."

Byul-ho gave each member a reassuring pat on the back as they were led into the studio.

The host, a cheerful woman in her early thirties, smiled warmly at them. "Welcome, Ascend! We're excited to have you here today."

As the intro music faded, the host's voice filled their headphones. "Good afternoon, listeners! Today we have a special treat - a brand new idol group making their radio debut. Please welcome, Ascend!"

The members chorused their greeting, "Annyeonghaseyo, we are Ascend!"

"It's great to have you here," the host continued. "Why don't you start by introducing yourselves to our listeners?"

One by one, the members introduced themselves, their voices growing more confident with each introduction.

"So, Ascend," the host said once the introductions were complete, "tell us about your upcoming debut. What can fans expect?"