Black Label [EN]: Chapter 132

132. Farewell Rehearsal

A column detailing the behind-the-scenes story of the brand?

Even if it wasn’t *Time* magazine, any other magazine making the same offer would have been welcomed with open arms.

One of the simplest and most effective ways for a brand to establish a fixed consumer base, a strong fan base, is undoubtedly ‘storytelling.’

What makes the dedicated fan base even more enthusiastic is the story contained within the brand’s journey.

They are thrilled by the story of Ralph Lauren, born into a Jewish immigrant family, who went from being a salesman at Brooks Brothers to founding the current ‘Polo.’

They are also thrilled by all the changes that occurred after Karl Lagerfeld took command of the premium brand Chanel in the 1970s, when innovation was urgently needed, and the story contained within.

Although it’s a brand that hasn’t been properly running for even three years, Wallflower also has a story that is more than enough to appeal to the public.

And *Time* magazine is a perfect stage, more than adequate to express that story properly.

Once again, I encountered a tremendous opportunity that I had never expected.

After licking my parched lips, I offered my answer to his incredibly attractive proposal.

“It’s a real honor.”

Leo nodded in satisfaction and immediately reached out for a handshake.

It was the friendly hand of guidance that would lead Wallflower to *Time* magazine.

* * *

The next morning, Jae-seung’s apartment in Manhattan was utterly silent.

This was due to the aftermath of the ‘celebration party’ that had continued until dawn.

Wasn’t it a situation that was more than enough to be called a double blessing?

It would have felt much stranger if the celebration party had ended early.

Right now.

Lee Kang-joon, who woke up first among the employees, rubbed his half-closed eyes a few times.

Lee Kang-joon first roughly straightened his disheveled hair and immediately went to the living room.

His throat felt like it was burning from thirst.

He was planning to have a few sips of water and then try to go back to sleep.

Just as he took his first step into the living room, Lee Kang-joon couldn’t help but chuckle, “Pfft….”

It was all thanks to Choo Ji-hoon, who was lying on the sofa in a ridiculous pose, completely passed out.

After picking up the blanket lying on the floor and covering him properly, he immediately opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water.

The water was so cold that it seemed to completely dispel his drowsiness after quenching his thirst.

“Hoo-”

Lee Kang-joon then sat down on the living room dining chair and began to stare intently at the exotic-looking buildings visible beyond the veranda.

Last night.

When the party started, it was definitely enjoyable. No, I was so excited that I might have been more elated than I should have been.

Mark Jacobs, who won the Designer of the Year award, rented out an entire club near Lincoln Center for the party, and a party celebrating the awards of Mark Jacobs, Jae-seung, and Parsons’ old & young duo was held simultaneously.

Bottles of champagne, worth several months’ salary, were piled up on the table, and as time passed, world-renowned designers and even famous celebrities joined the party one by one.

However, the intoxication with the atmosphere was only temporary.

Unfortunately, not long after the party started, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by an indescribable gloom.

‘Farewell, huh….’

It was all because of Jae-seung’s ‘acceptance speech’ that I heard from Choo Ji-hoon.

At the awards ceremony, I couldn’t fully understand the meaning of Jae-seung’s acceptance speech, and I could only vaguely infer its meaning based on the words and tones that were clearly audible from time to time.

Surprisingly, the boss, who was several years younger than me, seemed to have already been preparing to accept the farewell.

Lee Kang-joon sighed again, unable to cope with his complicated feelings, and began to mess up his hair.

‘Lee Kang-joon, you’re such a piece of trash.’

Since when did I start imagining the farewell with Wallflower and the farewell with Jae-seung so often?

The first feeling I had while watching Jae-seung’s unconventional moves from the side was relief.

I was amazed and relieved that the world was recognizing Jae-seung’s talent.

The next feeling I had was admiration. I wanted to be like Jae-seung, who not only had talent that didn’t match his age but also had an impeccable character.

Occasionally, I would even indulge in the thought, ‘If I stay by his side, will I be able to have some similar aspects?’

But as time went by, admiration began to turn into blatant envy and desire.

I want to try it too.

I wanted to experience a wider world and develop my skills.

I wanted to be recognized for my skills by successfully completing seasons, taking on creative positions for overseas brands like Jae-seung.

I wanted to be the main character, not the supporting character, in the reviews of various critics and the columns of editors.

I wanted to establish a wonderful brand like Wallflower, with the values of the owner designer clearly reflected.

Unable to cope with the desire burning fiercely inside, I have been constantly conflicted.

Even though I knew how much Jae-seung cared about me and the employees, and no matter how much I tried to remind myself of that fact, I couldn’t calm my mind.

I went back and forth between heaven and hell several times a day.

I blamed myself and blamed myself again, but it only felt like it was a problem outside of my control.

The reason why Lee Kang-joon was overwhelmed with gloom the moment he heard the exact meaning of Jae-seung’s acceptance speech from Choo Ji-hoon was very simple.

At that moment, instead of feeling grateful, I was secretly cheering inside.

It was something that my unconscious, not my conscious, did.

The moment I realized the essence of the feeling I was experiencing, a wave of self-loathing washed over me.

It was because my appearance was so ugly and pathetic.

“Lee Kang-joon. Let’s get a grip, really….”

Lee Kang-joon muttered in frustration and lowered his head.

There was one fact that he hadn’t realized because he was staring intently at his tightly clenched fist.

Jae-seung was silently watching Lee Kang-joon through the slightly open door.

Right now, Jae-seung was vaguely thinking to himself.

Maybe I’ll be facing a farewell a little faster than I expected.

* * *

That day, around lunchtime.

Jae-seung had another meeting with Leo, the editor of *Time* magazine, at a cafe located 5 minutes away from his apartment.

When he revealed that his scheduled return date was not far off, Leo rushed all the way here.

He wondered if Jae-seung and the Wallflower design team were slowly preparing for the next season’s products, but he didn’t think so.

It’s still a bit early.

Isn’t there still half a year left until early summer?

Although it wasn’t too early to start preparing for the season, it wasn’t such an urgent time that he had to rush back home to start preparing.

At that time, Jae-seung smiled faintly and replied in a calm tone.

“Actually, I have quite an important task ahead of me.”

He was alluding to the work related to Kwon Ji-hoon’s music video, but Leo seemed to have understood it completely differently.

After saying “Ah!” once, Leo immediately continued.

“I had forgotten for a moment that the command of next year’s Dior House Haute Couture [high fashion, custom-fitted clothing] is in Lee’s hands.”

After finishing speaking, Leo continued to chatter.

“Well, this is your first time formally challenging Haute Couture, so you must be nervous. It seems like a great decision to start preparing as soon as possible.”

I didn’t make any particular clarification.

In the first place, the contract stipulated that the collaboration should be kept secret until Kwon Ji-hoon’s agency, YZ Entertainment, revealed the fact first.

Just in time, the ordered coffee came out. First, after taking a seat at a table in the corner of the cafe, they began to exchange various conversations related to this interview.

“First of all, I would like to ask when would be the most convenient time for you.”

“We are available anytime.”

After answering briefly, he immediately added.

“If possible, I think it would be good to proceed as quickly as possible.”

“Then how about tomorrow evening?”

“We welcome it. But, would that be alright with you?”

Even if I only consider Geraldine Saglio, the senior editor of *Paris Vogue*, who can be said to be the most intimate among the editors, she is always living a life consumed by work, isn’t she?

In particular, I had heard that during *deadline* (the point when the manuscript deadline is not far off) weeks, she couldn’t even go home and stayed at hotels near the *Vogue* office.

However, if she is a senior editor at *Time* magazine, she must be handling a similar or slightly larger amount of work.

I was worried that she might have changed her schedule by force because of my urging.

Leo shrugged his shoulders once and replied.

“If tomorrow evening’s schedule had been a coverage, it would have been impossible to postpone, but fortunately, it’s a personal project. If I just reduce the time I spend in bed a little, it’s a problem that can be easily solved.”

Just as Jae-seung was about to answer “Thank you,” Leo continued to speak.

“Then I think we need to decide on a location now. Do you have any place in mind? If not, we can proceed at a studio that has an affiliate relationship with us.”

“I have a personal studio in Manhattan. Would it be possible to proceed there?”

Leo nodded and readily replied, “Of course,” and then continued to speak fluently.

“If you send me the address of the studio in a message, I will prepare the materials and visit you by 7 p.m. tomorrow. Ah, and please keep in mind that a photo shoot will be taken along with the column.”

It was truly a blitz. From the time the interview request was received, the interview schedule and location were selected in less than 24 hours.

It was the first time that things had been processed so quickly, so I was just feeling dazed.

“Everything was decided so quickly. Leo, thank you so much for your consideration.”

“No, this is just a matter of course.”

After finishing speaking, Leo opened the lid of the takeout cup containing his share of coffee and spoke again.

“Even if the remaining period until Lee’s scheduled return was not tight, I would have scheduled it as quickly as possible. In fact, I am the type of person who thinks that the time of those who work with me cannot be converted into an amount of money. The fact that you are working with me also means that you will be featured in *Time* magazine, the world’s top magazine.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Leo got up from his seat and asked, “Isn’t that right?”

“Anyway, I think I should get up now.”

“Yes, thank you for your hard work on the long journey.”

After shaking hands once, I escorted Leo to the front of the cafe. After watching Leo’s car disappear around the corner, I returned to the cafe instead of going back to the apartment.

Then I immediately called Lee Kang-joon.

After a moment of ringing.

– Yes, boss.

Lee Kang-joon’s voice was heard over the receiver.

It was a calm voice that was no different from usual.

After taking a moment to catch my breath, I carefully opened my mouth.

“Kang-joon, there’s a cafe if you walk to the left from the front gate of the apartment. Could you come over for a moment?”

– Yes? Ah, yes. I’ll get dressed and run over right away.

“No. It’s okay, take your time.”

After finishing the call, I sat back in the seat where I had been talking with Leo earlier.

Lee Kang-joon.

He also had a career in his life before the regression that was no less than my current one.

Lee Kang-joon was also a person who had secured the prestigious career of a designer at Christian Dior, launched a brand called ‘Diamond Look’ in Korea, and showcased his designs at fashion weeks around the world.

The reason why I hesitated to hire Lee Kang-joon when I received his resume was also because I was worried that my relationship with him might hinder his future.

In the first place, if he didn’t have the desire for self-improvement and better work, the Lee Kang-joon I saw in my life before the regression would not have existed.

He is too big of a vessel to be chained and held by my side because of greed.

First, I was going to have a conversation. And I was going to let him go if possible.

Just as there is meeting, there is farewell, and after farewell, there is reunion.

Everyone says that a designer’s life is like a marathon.

Life is too long to be happy or sad depending on the results of one season, and those who have tasted creation once will never forget that sweetness until they die.

Even if I face a farewell with Lee Kang-joon this time, it’s just a momentary thing.

Even if he goes a long way around someday, he will surely meet me again as a colleague.

Jae-seung, who had made up his mind, waited for Lee Kang-joon to enter the cafe with a calm heart.

He tried to cover up the bitter feelings that kept rising up, and he kept forcing a smile.

This was a series of exercises.

An exercise to not show any signs of regret the moment the farewell with Lee Kang-joon is confirmed.