Black Label [EN]: Chapter 100

Black Label – Episode 99 (100/299)

100. Time to Make Money

After the show.

As soon as Jaesung came down to the backstage behind the runway, his manager, Theo, appeared.

“Both of you worked very hard. I think today’s show was the best in the brand’s history.”

Was he extremely pleased with the show? The smile on his face seemed brighter than ever.

Jaesung bowed once and immediately responded.

“You flatter me. I’m just relieved that the premium brand, ‘Alexander King,’ hasn’t tarnished the reputation it has built up over the years.”

Theo slowly looked around at the men in suits standing behind him and said.

“Lee, let’s start with introductions. These are the investors who provided unwavering support for Alexander King’s season.”

As soon as Theo finished his explanation, he began to introduce Jaesung to each investor.

These were people who might be helpful someday. There was nothing to lose by making acquaintances and leaving a good impression.

As the meeting with the investors was coming to an end, Alexander whispered in Jaesung’s ear.

“Lee, I think we should get going soon. You should at least say hello to your family before the press conference starts.”

Jaesung briefly replied, “Yes, I understand,” and immediately turned his gaze to the clock on the waiting room wall.

There was a time when he thought he could relax after the show.

Of course, this was a huge miscalculation. What awaited him after the show was a tremendous number of schedules that could be described as murderous.

First, in 30 minutes, he had to conduct a press conference-style interview with reporters from the broadcasting station in the ‘Photo Zone’ inside the venue.

From major broadcasting stations such as ‘NBN’ and ‘FOX’ to local broadcasting stations with unfamiliar names….

And then?

Then, as agreed in advance, he had to conduct interviews with several magazines. This was just the scheduled appointments.

He would also have to spend individual time with the fashion bloggers, editors, and columnists who visited the venue.

It was clear that it would take at least six hours to complete all the schedules.

If he missed the given 30 minutes now, there would be no chance to thank his family and acquaintances.

He had to move diligently.

After briefly finishing the conversation with the investors, he headed straight to the hallway leading to the venue. The moment he opened the door and took a step outside.

A clear and cheerful voice was heard.

“Oppa-!” [Korean term for ‘older brother’ used by females]

The owner of the voice was none other than his younger sister, ‘Seunghee.’

Behind Seunghee were his mother and father, and a translator hired by the brand’s board of directors.

As is often the case with siblings, their relationship became more affectionate when they were apart than when they were close.

Jaesung hugged Seunghee tightly and said quietly.

“Seunghee, thank you for coming all this way.”

“Oppa, that was amazing. You were so cool!”

As Seunghee gave a thumbs up, his mother, who had been watching their reunion with a happy face, gave him a word of encouragement.

“Our son, you’ve worked so hard.”

“Thank you.”

“Look how gaunt you’ve become. Are you eating properly?”

His father, Lee Kangsoo, frowned slightly and scolded his mother.

“Honey, why are you being like this even here? Jaesung is not a child; he will take care of his meals.”

“But….”

“What do you mean ‘but’? It’s been a while since we’ve seen him; are you just going to nag him?”

His mother, who was about to protest, finally gave in and replied, “Okay, okay,” and his father began to speak again.

“Jaesung, you worked hard to prepare.”

“No, thank you for coming.”

“Of course, I had to come.”

A silence fell in the empty hallway for a moment.

“I’m proud of you.”

His father’s casual words echoed. Those words echoed in the hallway, in his ears, and in his heart.

There are times when a densely condensed word comes more strongly than a hundred eloquent words.

Now.

That was exactly the case for Jaesung.

He was originally very clumsy at expressing himself.

Even this short word, which might not be a big deal to other fathers and sons, must have been uttered with difficulty after several considerations.

Jaesung smiled brightly and replied in a bright tone.

“Me too. I respect you, Father.”

“You, saying things like that….”

Just as an awkward atmosphere was about to flow again, fortunately, his mother quickly changed the subject.

“Son, what about during vacation? Can you come to Korea?”

“Yes. I might be able to stop by for a while, even if it’s not for long.”

It hadn’t been long since the semester started, but in just two months, he would be on summer vacation.

Although it was clear that he would have to spend it frantically due to pending assignments and studies, he was planning to take some time to visit Korea.

He wanted to spend time with his family, and he wanted to sit in a cafe with Director Song in England and chat all day.

He also wanted to see Director Song and the staff who were working hard at this hour.

“Really? That’s a relief. Then….”

Just as his mother was about to continue speaking, a very familiar voice was heard from the other side of the hallway.

“Lee-!”

It was none other than ‘Ashlyn.’ As soon as she found Jaesung, she ran to him and hugged him tightly.

Jaesung glanced at his family and quietly said to Ashlyn.

“Ash, Ashlyn. It’s been a long time.”

Ashlyn pounded Jaesung’s chest with her small hands and said in a tearful voice.

“You’re so mean.”

“Yes…?”

Looking at it, his family’s eyes were unusual.

What should I say? It was like watching a predictable melodrama.

As Jaesung couldn’t hide his embarrassment, Geraldine, who came late, said with a faint smile.

“She had a hard time because of Lee’s performance.”

The information related to this show’s performance was treated like a ‘top secret.’

It was only revealed to people from the brand, models, and some staff.

Although she didn’t know the details, judging from her smudged eye makeup, it was clear that she was very worried about this performance.

Jaesung stroked her head and said in a gentle voice.

“I’m sorry for making you worry.”

Was it because of Jaesung’s words? Ashlyn couldn’t control her emotions and started to shed tears again.

“Lee, I really thought it was the end.”

“Ashlyn, I’m really sorry, but….”

Jaesung trailed off and pointed to his family with a sidelong glance, then quietly added.

“These are my parents and younger sister. I thought it would be better to say hello first.”

Ashlyn, who unknowingly said, “Oh my god…,” tried to act calm and greeted his family.

“Hello, I’m ‘Ashlyn.'”

His mother started asking the translator questions in an excited voice.

Starting with “Is she his girlfriend?”, “What’s her name?”, “How old is she?”, and “What’s her job?”….

At the end, she even said to herself, “I’ve never thought about having a foreign daughter-in-law….”

On the other hand, his younger sister Seunghee was busy teasing Jaesung with a smile on her face.

“Oppa, how can you make a woman cry?”

“What…?”

“You have to act like a gentleman! Like a gentleman!”

“What do you know, you little thing….”

“Why are you like this? I know everything I need to know!”

At that time, Geraldine, who was watching the scene with a happy expression, spoke to Jaesung.

“It was really the best show. The only thing I thought was disappointing was the performance, but in the end, it was really….”

“You flatter me. Thank you for coming.”

“I’m grateful for being invited. Anyway, you can look forward to this special column.”

In a very friendly atmosphere, while he was having various conversations with them.

This time, all the tailors of the atelier [a workshop or studio, especially one used by an artist or designer], including ‘Michelle,’ ‘Kyle,’ and ‘Philip,’ came to find Jaesung. Surprisingly, they were wearing white gowns, which were like the atelier’s uniform.

“Lee, I think it was a really great show.”

Starting with Michelle, all the tailors of the atelier left their impressions one by one.

Michelle gave Jaesung a flower necklace made of fresh flowers and said again.

“I think all the tailors were able to grow a lot by working with Lee this season. The same goes for me. Although we only spent a short time together, we will never forget Lee.”

After speaking, she hugged Jaesung again and said, “Meeting Lee was a very special gift.”

The tailors of the atelier were the ones who had the hardest time preparing for this season. They were also immersed in their work, working overtime like eating meals, or not eating them.

Jaesung looked around at the tailors and opened his mouth with a sincere tone.

“Everyone, you’ve worked really hard. I think this show was born from your fingertips. Although I drew the diagrams, you were the ones who breathed life into those diagrams so that they could exist in the world.”

After saying that, Jaesung asked again, “Right?” and continued to speak.

“You perfectly reproduced the image I first envisioned. I can say with certainty that it was too much of an atelier for a lacking designer like me to lead. Thank you for giving me a dreamlike present that I can’t even realize.”

Michelle began to stare at Jaesung with teary eyes.

The memories of struggling together while preparing for the season suddenly flashed through her mind.

The other tailors were the same.

They were busy reminiscing about the past with teary eyes.

Is there an easier way to build rapport than spending time together in hardship?

Although they had only spent a few months together, a relationship was formed that was not lacking at all to mourn the parting.

Michelle continued in a tearful voice.

“We will all bless your future.”

“Me too.”

“Will we be able to work together again someday?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll have to wait for that day.”

However, when I come back, my value will be different.

Even if I give a ‘DC’ [discount] in the name of friendship, it would be right to receive at least ten times more.

Without enjoying the beautiful days of a beautiful life, I would have to fall into the swamp of schedules.

“Lee! It’s time.”

Alexander, who had appeared at the end of the hallway, was urging him.

* * *

The schedule after the show was a forced march itself.

After the press conference for the broadcasting companies, he had to conduct interviews with more than ten magazines.

Still, wasn’t it an opportunity to PR [public relations] himself in various places while receiving ‘pay’?

Thanks to that, it didn’t seem to be just tiring or difficult.

Anyway, after finishing all the schedules, the clock was already past 11 pm.

PM 11:54

Jaesung, who took a long breath, stepped into the first floor of the brand ‘Alexander King’ headquarters building.

‘I arrived just in time.’

The time left until the ‘Lookbook’ [a collection of photographs displaying a fashion designer’s new collection] was released was only about 6 minutes. At the same time as the lookbook was released at midnight today, sales of this season’s products were scheduled to begin.

He visited the headquarters building to watch the glorious moment when this season’s lookbook was released with Alexander and the board members.

Soon, when Jaesung entered the center of the headquarters building lobby.

He could find Alexander staring at the smartphone in his hand.

“Alexander, were you waiting?”

“Of course, I have to pick up the main character who will lead the success of this season.”

Jaesung shook his head with a smile on his face, and he pressed the elevator button and asked.

“Have you looked at the columns?”

“Of course.”

Starting with the SNS [Social Networking Services] of influential visitors who attended today’s show, fashion web communities, and official sites of magazines.

He skimmed through the posts posted in various places whenever he had time.

Although it was only a brief look, it seemed that he had succeeded in getting a much hotter response than expected.

Ding-.

At that time, the door of the elevator that had just arrived on the lobby floor opened.

“The reaction is great, how do you feel?”

“Actually, I don’t feel it.”

Jaesung replied in a calm tone and asked quietly as he got on the elevator.

“Alexander, can life change so suddenly?”

In a short time, too much has changed. Only half a year ago, wasn’t Parsons Design School the biggest goal?

But now?

Although he doesn’t know how long the current interest will last, isn’t he receiving the spotlight of the New York fashion world with his whole body?

Alexander King nodded once and replied with a confident tone.

“Yes, if you are a prepared person.”

At that time, when Alexander’s words were finished.

Ding-.

With a cheerful notification sound, the elevator door opened. A darkened hallway welcomes the two.

Alexander got off the elevator first and said.

“Lee, I think it’s better to hurry.”

When he checked the time on his smartphone, it was already only 1 minute until midnight.

Now is the time to receive a much stricter and more truthful evaluation than the evaluations of editors, critics, and columnists.

None other than sales.

Isn’t sales the most rational and intuitive data used to evaluate ‘skill’ in business?

In just a few minutes, this season’s ‘Lookbook’ will be released through the brand’s official website and sales will begin.

From tomorrow morning, sales will begin at offline stores across the United States.

It’s important.

Apart from the contract money, he was in a situation where he would be paid a portion of the sales recorded by this season’s products in the form of ‘Royalty’ [a percentage of revenue paid to the creator or owner of a product or service].

Soon, just as the two reached the door of a spacious office on the second floor of the headquarters building.

Alexander held the doorknob tightly and continued with a voice full of anticipation.

“Lee, it’s the time we’ve been waiting for.”

After a moment of silence, Alexander added one more word.

“Time to make money.”

Squeak-.

At the same time as the door began to open, I had the illusion that ‘maybe time is flowing more slowly?’

In the midst of my heart pounding with unnecessary anticipation, I suddenly remembered what Seunghee had said earlier.

When asked if there was anything she wanted to eat, Seunghee replied that she wanted to eat chicken for every meal.

Pray, Seunghee.

It’s not just about feeding you chicken for every meal, but you might be able to set up a lot of chicken restaurants of all kinds.