Black Label [EN]: Chapter 126

126. Reason for Choice

Ticking. Ticking.

As always, the clock hands moved diligently.

December had begun, and the first snow fell shortly after.

I had seen white snowflakes fluttering countless times.

I thought I would have become immune to it by now, but my heart still fluttered this year without fail.

It must be because the snow fluttering now is the first snow of the year.

Also, the charm inherent in the word ‘first’ is more than enough to stir the heart.

I stared blankly at the snow fluttering beyond the glass wall of the president’s office for a moment.

After taking a deep breath, I grabbed the coat hanging on the coat rack.

As soon as I stepped out of the president’s office, Director Song, who was talking to a female employee from the CS [Customer Service] department, quietly asked.

“Are you leaving already? Wasn’t the appointment time until six o’clock?”

“That’s right. I’m just leaving a little early.”

“You said it was Gangnam Station, right? Should I give you a ride?”

“No, it’s okay. The traffic will be terrible. I’ll just take the subway.”

Director Song reluctantly nodded a few times, then exclaimed, “Ah!” and added again.

“Don’t forget to get the kids’ autographs.”

Soon, the female employees began to send glances filled with anticipation.

Today’s appointment was none other than with the famous idol singer ‘Kwon Ji-hoon’.

The appointment, which had been postponed repeatedly because their schedules didn’t match, was finally confirmed.

Most of the female employees who heard the news had asked if I could get their autographs.

“Yes. Everyone, don’t worry.”

The female employees finally brightened up. After saying, “Then I’ll be back,” I immediately left the office.

Until the appointment was made, it didn’t feel real, but now that I’m about to meet him, I feel strangely uneasy.

What kind of person will Kwon Ji-hoon be?

* * *

The meeting place was a ‘Japanese restaurant’ near Gangnam Station. It was run by a famous chef, and after a little research, I found out that celebrities often visit it.

The excellent food must have played a part, but there was another decisive reason.

If you use the parking lot elevator, you can go straight to the 3rd floor where the private rooms are located without going through the crowded lobby.

The moment I opened the sliding door of the room that Kwon Ji-hoon had booked and stepped inside.

Kwon Ji-hoon, who was sitting and reading a magazine, widened his eyes in surprise and greeted me.

“Wow, you’re already here?”

I was even more surprised. It might be a prejudice, but I thought he would arrive just in time for the appointment or be a little late.

“Yes. I thought it would be better to come and wait in advance, so I arrived a little early.”

Kwon Ji-hoon glanced at his wristwatch and muttered in a low voice, “There’s still an hour left until the appointment….”

The identity of the dazzling watch on Kwon Ji-hoon’s wrist was, surprisingly, a limited edition product from Richard Mille.

The release price of even the most basic product exceeds 100 million Korean won [approximately $75,000 USD].

It had already been evaluated as ‘hyper watch beyond simple luxury’.

As I was staring at the watch in a daze, Kwon Ji-hoon quietly continued.

“Anyway, it’s really an honor to meet you. I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time.”

“No, the honor is all mine.”

He has achieved great wealth and success at a young age, so I expected him to be arrogant, but surprisingly, he seemed to be well-mannered.

After shaking hands, I was about to sit down when Kwon Ji-hoon’s black coated jeans caught my eye.

“Ji-hoon, by any chance, are those pants….”

As I was about to continue speaking, Kwon Ji-hoon smiled brightly and replied in a gentle tone.

“Yes, you’re right.”

The pants Kwon Ji-hoon was wearing were the black coated jeans, which were Wall Flower’s first product.

Kwon Ji-hoon.

He was one of the leading figures of the Korean Wave [Hallyu] and the person with the most followers among all celebrities in Korea.

In other words, wasn’t it the situation where such a great celebrity was wearing Wall Flower’s product, especially an early product?

Beyond simply feeling new, I felt like my heart was about to burst.

“Jaeseung, do you have any food allergies?”

“No. I eat everything well.”

“Then can I order whatever I want today?”

“Sure.”

While Kwon Ji-hoon called the employee to order, I looked around the room.

It was a place that felt too big for just the two of us to sit.

Also, it was filled with decorations that exuded an exotic atmosphere everywhere.

Starting with the lanterns emitting a soft light, to *Daruma* (達磨: a traditional Japanese doll symbolizing perseverance), *Maneki Neko* (まねきねこ: a beckoning cat figurine believed to bring good luck).

Soon, the ordered food came out, and we started to have natural conversations while eating.

“Actually, I’ve known about the brand Wall Flower for quite a while. I think it was around last summer. I was really impressed by the article that ‘Geraldine Saglio’ of Paris Vogue magazine came to see the show of a new domestic street brand.”

“Ah, yes. I was really lucky then.”

“Well, yes. It may be that luck followed you well as Jaeseung said, but personally, I don’t think such great luck is ever given to just anyone. You have to move first, but as you know, that’s not easy. Anyway, that’s when I started to support Jaeseung.”

After saying “Thank you” once and bowing my head, Kwon Ji-hoon waved his hand urgently and replied.

“You don’t have to thank me. Anyway, I hope we can have a good relationship in the future. I think we can have a positive influence on each other.”

I’ve only talked to him for about 20 minutes, but I was sure that he would be a good ‘Muse’ [inspiration].

The weight of not saying unnecessary things, the humility that doesn’t match his age, the various background knowledge that naturally permeates his tone even if he doesn’t try to show off, and even the brilliantly shining achievements he has made in his field.

In a word, it was because there seemed to be nothing lacking.

Eventually, when we finished eating. A neat-looking employee brought out two cups of tea with steam rising from them.

Soon, Kwon Ji-hoon carefully held his teacup with both hands and began to speak carefully.

“Then shall we slowly start talking about work?”

As soon as the word ‘work’ was mentioned, my excited heart seemed to calm down.

As soon as I replied quietly, “Of course,” Kwon Ji-hoon began to list various explanations.

“As I told you on the phone before, I want all the costumes and props that appear in the music video for this new song to be standardized with Wall Flower products.”

Filling the music video with products from one brand.

There is no precedent in Korea yet, but it is something that often happens overseas.

Mainly, rappers from the slums of the ‘West Coast’ gained wealth and fame, and then filled the music video with products from brands that command expensive prices.

However, when I think about it calmly, Wall Flower didn’t seem to be at that level yet.

This kind of production is virtually a device to appeal to the meaning of “My life is so successful that it is filled with only products from this brand.”

So, naturally, brands with a long history and ultra-high prices were often selected.

As I was immersed in such thoughts, Kwon Ji-hoon began to continue speaking again.

“Anyway, the most important thing is Jaeseung’s opinion, right? First, I’ll send you the contract along with the music video storyboard produced by the production side.”

“Okay. If I get the job, can I make the costumes and props according to the contents of the storyboard you sent me?”

“Yes, that’s right. There’s no limit to the cost of making costumes and props, but I want the quality of the products to be the highest.”

It’s a really fascinating condition.

I’ll have to look at the detailed contract terms, but I wanted to do it even without pay under these conditions.

I guarantee that it will definitely be a collaboration that will be talked about for a long time.

It will not only be a good experience, but also a chance to do effective marketing throughout Korea and Asia.

However, there were some problems and questions.

“Um, Ji-hoon. First of all, thank you so much for suggesting such a meaningful project. It seems like it will be a unique experience, it seems like it will be a good opportunity, it seems like there will be positive synergy effects in many ways, and it’s definitely a project I want to participate in somehow….”

As I trailed off, Kwon Ji-hoon tilted his head slightly and asked, “But?”

“Actually, there’s one problem. I can’t start working on it right now.”

“Then, can I ask when you can start working on it?”

“I think I can start in earnest around the end of December. There’s an important awards ceremony around the middle of this month.”

Wasn’t I selected as a nominee for the Haute Couture category at the American CFDA [Council of Fashion Designers of America] Awards?

The awards ceremony was scheduled to be held around the middle of December, and there were some issues to be resolved before the schedule.

At least until the awards ceremony schedule was completely over, I couldn’t devote myself to the music video work.

After adding an explanation about this, Kwon Ji-hoon nodded once and replied in an indifferent tone as if it were not a big deal.

“I don’t think that much delay will be a problem at all? The music video shooting date hasn’t been set yet. I think I can start around March.”

When I thought about it, the fact that I had to move breathlessly due to the year-end awards ceremony schedule also applied to Kwon Ji-hoon.

No, rather, it was clear that Kwon Ji-hoon would be spending several times more hectic.

Of course, not only the awards ceremony, but also the year-end performance schedule will be full.

Anyway, it was a fortunate thing to hear.

“Thank you. First, can I briefly review the contract and contact you again?”

“Of course. Can I send it to the official email address posted on the web?”

After answering briefly, “Yes, that’s right,” once. After a moment of consideration, I carefully opened my mouth.

“Ji-hoon, can I ask you one more thing?”

“Anything.”

“Why Wall Flower?”

As Kwon Ji-hoon asked back as if he was wondering, “Yes?” I explained what the question implied.

“There are many other premium brands in a much higher position than Wall Flower in the choices given to Ji-hoon. But I’m curious as to why you chose Wall Flower.”

If it’s a celebrity like Kwon Ji-hoon, it was clear that he could proceed with collaborations with famous premium brands without difficulty, even if it wasn’t Wall Flower.

Apart from his personal recognition, the power of the management company he belongs to, and even his personal capabilities, were at a level that could be done.

Even if it’s not opening hours, the store that Kwon Ji-hoon visits will open urgently.

He has an ‘*American Express Black Card*’ (a card with no limit that can only be issued if you spend more than $250,000 a year), which is one of the symbols of true wealth, and his friendship with the owner designers of overseas premium brands is also quite strong.

But why would you choose Wall Flower?

After a moment of silence.

Kwon Ji-hoon shrugged his shoulders once and replied.

“Because Wall Flower is the best right now.”

“Yes?”

“That’s all.”

Was it because an unexpected simple answer came back?

I felt like I was at a loss for words.

Soon, Kwon Ji-hoon raised his eyebrows once and continued in a sly tone.

“Even if someone doesn’t intervene, the Wall Flower craze will happen soon. I just want to speed up that time. Also, I want to be the leader of the craze if possible.”

Before I knew it, I let out a groan, “Ah….” Has someone’s words ever been such a strong motivation?

At that time, Kwon Ji-hoon put his hand in his backpack and slowly began to continue.

“First of all, shall we get up now? Actually, I made time today with difficulty, so I have to go back quickly. Let’s see each other again soon.”

Suddenly, the faces of the female employees flashed through my mind.

Just before getting up from my seat, I was about to ask for a few autographs. Kwon Ji-hoon took his hand out of his bag.

In his hand was a spring notebook and a Montblanc fountain pen.

Soon, Kwon Ji-hoon asked again in a very careful tone.

“Jaeseung. If it’s not rude, can I get an autograph before I get up?”

After sitting blankly for a while.

“Of course. Can I ask for a few too? The female employees in the office are waiting for Ji-hoon’s autograph.”

The time given is short. I had to finish the music video offer in just about three months and move to ‘Diom House’ in France.

This music video offer will be a heavy blow before showing Christian Diom’s haute couture.

That’s also an excessively heavy blow.