Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 87

The Show Stealer of Paris (2)

* * *

Paris Fashion Week.

Among industry experts, this F/W [Fall/Winter] collection show is being noted for the relative scarcity of Korean celebrities.

A columnist from the renowned global fashion magazine, , compiled and posted a list of K-pop stars invited to this year’s Paris Fashion Week.

[23 in the year before last, 14 last year, only 8 this year… Is the rise of global ambassadors making a difference?]

There was a time when K-pop stars dominated exclusive contracts with numerous global brands.

However, as the popularity of groups that entered Billboard waned due to retirements, disbandments, and some members even leaving the entertainment industry altogether, the craze gradually subsided.

Moreover, with domestic actors underperforming at world-renowned film festivals like Cannes and the Academy Awards, it’s not surprising that there aren’t many Korean stars at Fashion Week.

Therefore, the rumor that Jarmani [Likely a fictional brand name, playing on “Armani”] would select a Korean ambassador and feature them in the show spread like wildfire in less than a day.

“Is it the designer’s personal pick?”

“No way, Jarmani’s designers are notoriously picky.”

“Who knows, maybe Rickel Munner is trying to re-target the Asian market.”

Paris Fashion Week, the second day.

The main topic of conversation among the hundreds of models and even more staff members at the show is, of course, the global ambassador who suddenly appeared at Fashion Week.

It’s rare for a known celebrity to enter the scene so abruptly like this.

Usually, they sign a contract well in advance, distribute promotional materials internally and externally, prepare sufficiently as a model, and then participate in the show.

And that’s only possible if you impress someone who holds sway over the brand, like the head designer or someone even higher up.

“Those designers, that’s why they’re called fickle animals!”

Van Martin, a Dutch model who walked in ‘Jerion’s’ show yesterday and is participating in Jarmani’s show again today, slammed his fist into his palm.

“Calm down, Van. It’s not like it’s the first time this has happened, is it?”

“I heard Pierre-no replaced several models right before the show yesterday. One of them was a friend of mine, who came all the way to Paris only to return empty-handed.”

The world of modeling is incredibly cruel. Among the models who graced the runway on the first day, many are nowhere to be seen afterward, except for the top-tier group.

You might get one chance.

But the next time is never guaranteed.

That’s why most of the hundreds of new models who appear at Fashion Week every season disappear as one-offs and are never seen again.

From the models’ point of view, they can’t help but resent someone they’ve never heard of getting a chance to walk on a prestigious runway or brand show.

“Lisa, how many minutes left?”

“The Luminary show has already started. We’re next, so… roughly forty minutes?”

“This is a disaster. Does my face look okay?”

“Don’t worry, you look like a walking skeleton. If your eyelids start twitching, just close them.”

Moreover, this is The American Cathedral in Paris, where Jarmani’s show is scheduled to take place.

Female models might feel this way, but male models are even more sensitive to the thought that their spot might be taken away.

At that moment, the backstage entrance becomes a hive of activity.

“Is it Rickel Munner? I heard he wasn’t going to personally direct backstage this time…”

“No, it’s the celebrity who’s walking in our show! He’s arrived!”

The attention of the models, staff, and officials sitting in rows and busy with makeup turned towards the entrance.

Soon, the ambassador who’s been the talk of the town appeared.

Is he about 186 centimeters tall [approximately 6’1″]? Next to him stood an ordinary-looking Asian man, who looked like an interpreter or manager.

As soon as he walked in, the models gasped, as if on cue.

“······.”

Every time the man moved, an intangible wave seemed to ripple through the backstage area.

This global ambassador… No one actually knew the name of the celebrity who was said to be from Korea. Only those who were particularly interested had searched for photos that appeared in articles.

But names and ages are ultimately of little use in this industry.

The model’s true ability is determined by their ‘aura,’ represented by their face, physique, how well they embody the brand’s image, and their walk.

Depending on how those elements combine, they’re either just another passerby on the street or a model who can wear hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of clothing and truly represent the brand.

But this is outright…

‘What is this? It feels like the clothes themselves are walking!’

Moreover, isn’t he wearing a shabby jumper and jeans, without any makeup or styling?

Nevertheless, his sunken cheeks, eyes that gleam differently depending on the angle of the light, and a walking style that draws attention like a magnetic field, even when he’s walking casually, mark him as a top model.

As competitors in the same industry, they feel it more acutely than anyone else. As if they had made a silent agreement, the models in that place all shared the same thought.

That person is a model, not just a celebrity.

“Oh······.”

Coincidentally, the empty spot where the man stopped was next to Van Martin, who had been loudly complaining until just now.

The Asian model—Park Geon—looked around and extended a hand to Martin.

“I’m borrowing the seat next to you. Nice to meet you.”

“Ah, yes.”

Moreover, he spoke in Dutch, as if he had overheard the conversation he had been having with his Belgian colleague just moments before.

After a flustered Martin shook hands, the man turned around and spoke in French this time.

“I’m Gode, the global ambassador of Jarmani. I’m glad to be able to participate with you in such a big show.”

First in perfect French, then the same words repeated in English.

Now even the models and staff further away were paying close attention. It was a rare sight in the backstage area, which is usually busy and noisy, like observing a swan’s graceful movements above the water while its feet paddle furiously beneath the surface.

While Byun Hwi-seung smiled wryly, Park Geon, who introduced himself as Gode, spoke again.

“I didn’t come here to play around or sightsee with a light heart. I apologize if I took someone’s place… but for today, as a colleague and team member standing on the same show, I hope we can create the best runway show of the season.”

Words that neither belittle himself nor sound arrogant are always quickly effective.

Already, with the impact of that brief walk, jealousy and resentment have been considerably diminished. One of the models who was listening nearby as if mesmerized clapped softly.

Clap, clap, clap… As the applause started nearby, some of the models with free hands also joined in.

There were still those who looked at him with dissatisfied eyes, but everyone here knows that causing more trouble will only ruin the show.

That’s why the models who had finished their makeup slowly gathered around the new face.

“I’m Hanna Yvo, nice to meet you.”

“I’m Daniel Ron. This is my first time at a brand show too.”

“But Gode, what’s the order? First, or closing?”

“Is the friend next to you the manager Jarmani assigned? We all had to arrange everything ourselves; is the Asian superstar treated differently after all?”

Among the flood of questions, Byun Hwi-seung’s expression grew more and more strained, understanding both English and French.

“These bastards are really…”

*

The makeup session ended earlier than expected.

After changing into the clothes prepared in advance, Geon took the opportunity to look around the cathedral.

As expected of Paris, the premier venue among the four major fashion weeks, the space where the show was being held was vast, so the length of the runway was considerable.

Byun Hwi-seung, who was following him like a real manager, exclaimed.

“Hey, how are you still making friends in the meantime? If it were me, I would have grabbed the first guy I saw and started a fight.”

“What’s the point of fighting? Anyway, I’m the one who’s going to work together with them and leave work first.”

“…Sometimes I don’t know if you have an insider’s mentality or just a civil servant’s mindset.”

“The real insider is you, senior. I was surprised that you seem to know more models than you do back in Korea.”

Byun Hwi-seung kept his word to introduce him to all the people he was close to among the models who came to Fashion Week.

From yesterday to today, he greeted dozens of people, going around to the brands where each show was being held.

It was all quite confusing because not only the models walking in the show but also the celebrities, officials, and reporters who came to take pictures of them were all mixed together.

“I haven’t even seen a fraction of the people I know, honestly. But really… if I just had one night, it would have been much more fun. Can’t you postpone your plane ticket?”

“Then the filming crew will come looking for you.”

When that didn’t work, Byun Hwi-seung pouted and grumbled.

“I planned a perfectly safe route because it was your first time traveling abroad, but you’re skipping it. You’ll definitely regret it when you go back to Korea.”

“I can always come out again.”

“Oh my, the viewership ghost [referring to Geon’s ability to draw viewers] is traveling abroad? I know you won’t go out unless you’re going to Hollywood.”

Even while talking, Byun Hwi-seung was busy checking SNS and messaging apps.

He heard that some of the actors and musicians in Korea, as well as some of the models walking in the show, were here, but there was no real reason to meet them in a position where they had no prior acquaintance.

Looking down at the railing, the audience for the show was slowly filling up. Just when he thought he should start preparing, he heard his name being called.

“Park Geon-ssi [Mr. Park Geon]?”

When he turned around, a man between youth and middle age with only the upper part of his hair dyed white was standing there.

Byun Hwi-seung quickly whispered so that only he could hear.

“Rickel Munner. Jarmani’s head designer.”

It seemed that this person was the ‘internal designer who saw him favorably’ that Director Shim Soo-jin had mentioned before leaving the country.

Geon bowed his head slightly and replied.

“Nice to meet you. I was expecting to see you at the show.”

Rickel Munner smiled, his entire face crinkling.

“You seem to know who I am.”

“Aren’t you the one who brought me here?”

“That’s right. Soo-jin handled the contract for the ambassador and model, but I was the one who specifically requested you. No matter how influential a group executive is, the designer’s eye is ultimately more important for choosing the model who will walk the runway.”

In the entertainment industry, if star directors and PDs [Production Directors] have a huge influence on casting, in the fashion industry, the designer’s pick is absolute.

It is in this scene that an unknown rookie is selected based on just one look and goes on to walk in the show, only to be abandoned by the designer’s change of heart in the very next season.

Geon nodded briefly.

“I know it’s a rare opportunity. I’ll think of it as a special event and do my best.”