Black Label [EN]: Chapter 163

163. Muscle Fit & Super Skinny Fit

Having finished all of today’s scheduled tasks, I returned to the office and immediately began to slowly review the resumes that the employees had submitted upon joining the company.

Currently, the Wallflower design team consists of thirty-two designers.

The brand, which started with four or five people in a small office of about ten *pyeong* [approximately 33 square meters, a Korean unit of area] in Madu Station, had come this far.

Without further ado…….

Although there weren’t any specific academic restrictions for hiring, most of the designers currently on the design team are graduates from prestigious design schools such as Parsons or F.I.T.

Even if they hadn’t studied abroad, many had graduated from top-ranked fashion universities in Korea.

The intern, Lee Sang-yoon, who had submitted surprisingly innovative designs, was no exception.

He was a graduate of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp in Belgium, one of the world’s top three fashion schools.

The only notable exception was that he had returned to Korea without graduating.

Looking at the photo attached to the top of his resume, I vaguely remembered encountering him in the office.

Of course, I hadn’t paid much attention to him, and I had been living such a hectic life that I had never had a proper conversation with him.

Nevertheless, there was one thing I definitely remembered: he was extremely overweight.

Just by looking at him, he seemed to be a large man who easily exceeded 130 kg [approximately 287 pounds].

“Hmm…….”

In any case, the men’s ‘Wallflower Muscle Fit’ T-shirt and the women’s ‘Wallflower Super Skinny Fit’ T-shirt submitted by intern Lee Sang-yoon were, in a word, revolutionary.

To put it simply, they used a material with excellent compression as the lining of the T-shirt, which tightly wrapped around the wearer’s body, further emphasizing their figure.

It had the effect of holding in any unsightly flab that might protrude when wearing a T-shirt made of ordinary material.

The men’s muscle fit T-shirt tightly constricted the arm line, further emphasizing masculinity by accentuating the biceps and deltoids that form the shoulder line.

The women’s super skinny fit T-shirt focused on compressing the upper abdomen, creating the effect of making the chest look fuller.

It was a very simple idea, in a way…….

But haven’t many of the ideas that have changed the world been simpler than complex ones?

I thought the same about the designs Lee Sang-yoon had submitted. They had a special symbolism, perhaps even becoming the defining feature of Wallflower’s T-shirt products.

The only question that came to mind was: where did this impressive intern designer come from?

No matter how much I tried to recall, the name Lee Sang-yoon didn’t ring a bell.

I tapped my desk with my finger for a moment.

“Hoo-.”

I let out a long breath and got up from my seat.

The clock, which had been diligently moving without my noticing, was now telling me that it was midnight.

Well, if I meet the person in question and have a few words with him, my curiosity will be roughly satisfied.

* * *

Signs of an unchanging daily life were appearing. The alarm clock started ringing without fail at 5 a.m., and as soon as I forced my eyes open, I took a shower with warm water.

I felt a slight cold, but there was nothing special I could do except swallow two Tylenol pills.

After leaving the house, I immediately drove to Cheongdam-dong. The Porsche sped down the Jayuro Expressway, showing off its exhaust note.

Then I entered the Gangbyeonbuk-ro, and soon I was able to arrive at the hair salon, where I had been spending a lot of time lately.

Throughout the hair styling and makeup, Director Song sat right next to me and chattered on and on about ‘how important today’s schedule is.’ Even while sitting with his legs crossed,

He put the car key ring on his index finger and spun it around.

“I’d like you to pay a little more attention today than usual. Would it be bad to put a little more effort into my hair? Actually, the advertisement we’re filming today isn’t just an ordinary advertisement, it’s a ‘public service announcement’.”

Director Song, who had made a joke to the hair artist and makeup artist, now looked at Jaeseung and said,

“I’m really feeling emotional these days. Now I’m even getting offers for public service announcements? Isn’t that proof that your image has become quite clean? If you think about it differently, it’s also a good opportunity to further improve your image.”

“Can you please leave my hands alone? It’s making me dizzy.”

“Tsk, so prickly. You’re just taking it out on me because you’re nervous, aren’t you? Well, what can I do? I have to understand you today.”

The public service announcement that I was filming today was produced to inform people about the ‘Youth Startup Support System’.

Although it’s embarrassing to say, I thought to myself that I was quite suitable as a model.

Although I didn’t start Wallflower with subsidies from the city, I had become a key example that always appeared when citing success stories of youth startups.

“By the way, what time does today’s schedule end?”

“Why? You’re not already desperate for a break, are you?”

Director Song asked quietly, smiled, and added, “The season hasn’t even started yet, so I don’t think so.”

It was full of bleakness, or rather, it just felt like a clear capitalist smile.

“No. I was thinking of having dinner with Lee Sang-yoon from the design team individually if I have time today.”

“Lee Sang-yoon? Why Lee Sang-yoon?”

“I have a few things to say about the design.”

“Hmm, well? Even if it’s late, I think it’ll be roughly finished around 7 p.m.”

“Okay. Then I’ll keep that in mind and make an appointment.”

Director Song waved his hand once and replied.

“No. I’ll pass it on to Lee Sang-yoon… President, you just focus on filming the advertisement.”

“Director, aren’t you being too devoted lately?”

“If your work goes well, my life will go smoothly, so how can I not serve you with all my heart?”

Director Song, who had been stroking his smartphone for a while, patted me lightly on the shoulder and left.

After Director Song left, the silence and tranquility that suited the early morning returned.

I stared blankly at myself sitting beyond the makeup mirror for a moment.

I listened to the soft jazz music flowing from the speakers and closed my eyes.

It was the last time I could enjoy the leisure before another hectic day began.

* * *

After successfully completing the public service announcement shoot, I traveled with Director Song to a Japanese *izakaya* [a Japanese-style pub] located in Mapo-gu.

There was quite a bit of traffic near the Seongsan Bridge, but Director Song didn’t get annoyed and just chattered away in a bright tone.

The main topic was the ‘documentary’ by CNN STYLE that was filmed during the preparation for the last D.Ohm Haute Couture.

The DVD, which had begun production and sales, had sold out not only the first edition but also the second, third, and even fourth editions.

“I heard from the CNN STYLE representative that it’s an incredibly unusual case, considering that the demand for DVD tapes has decreased dramatically?”

“Really? That’s great. As soon as the profits come in, we can add them to the funds for expanding offline stores, right?”

“Add? I don’t think it’ll just be adding. The production company says they’ll keep printing as long as there’s demand to prevent the creation of resellers. They seem confident that it will be an inexhaustible spring for the time being. Furthermore, several cable channels have expressed their intention to purchase broadcasting rights, and negotiations are underway. Do you know what percentage of the amount paid to you will be if the contract is concluded?”

Originally, the profits from the sale of cable channel broadcasting rights were money that I would never get.

However, thanks to the help of ‘Leader Smith’, a powerful American law firm that I had formed a relationship with when fighting against the pressure from the Korea Designers Association, I was able to slightly add a clause for the distribution of broadcasting rights sales revenue just before the contract was signed.

Leader Smith is a place full of people who know not only the fashion industry but also the broadcasting and film industries, and even the complex and difficult contracts of Hollywood.

Thanks to the help of capable lawyers who always open up avenues of possibility if there is even a small chance of additional profit, I was able to make a large profit.

All of this was made possible by a large retainer fee. In other words, ‘money’.

It was a passage that allowed me to once again realize the meaning of the saying that money begets money, and that money begets money again.

Director Song, who had finished speaking, fixed his gaze beyond the front windshield of the car and opened his mouth, saying, “Anyway…….” and continued to say the rest.

“Unless you’re aiming for prime commercial districts like Gangnam or Itaewon, you can easily set up a store with just the documentary revenue. CNN STYLE seems to want to produce a documentary about Wallflower’s preparations for this season as well. First, I’ll send you the contract, so please discuss it and make a decision. Preferably in a positive direction.”

“Well? I don’t know if there’s any more juice to be squeezed from the documentary side, but if the contract terms are right, I’m okay with it.”

While we were chatting, the Carnival vehicle we were riding in had already arrived in front of the Japanese *izakaya* in Mapo-gu, which was the meeting place.

Soon after Director Song finished parking, he opened the driver’s seat door wide and carefully asked.

“By the way, what do you have to talk about with Lee Sang-yoon?”

“I want to know a little about what kind of person he is.”

“Why? Do you like the design?”

“Yes. Seriously.”

Director Song asked once, “Really?” and began to walk into the *izakaya*, adding various explanations.

“I don’t know much because I haven’t had many deep conversations with him, but he’s a friend with very low self-esteem.”

“Why?”

“Maybe you’ll get a sense of it once you’ve had a few words with him yourself?”

As soon as I took a step into the *izakaya*, I began to hear a boisterous noise.

Perhaps because it was an *izakaya* run by a popular Japanese chef from a cooking program that was being broadcasted on the TBC channel, there seemed to be no room to set foot on the outer hall tables.

Following the staff’s guidance, I walked along the hallway. From the soft red lights, the soft music, the *beckoning cat* (*Maneki Neko*: cat doll) waving its hand, and the sake neatly arranged in a row along the cupboard, in terms of atmosphere, it was a place that had nothing to criticize.

Just as the sliding door of the room located inside was opened.

“Ah, hello?”

The intern in question, ‘Lee Sang-yoon’, who had been waiting inside the room, jumped up from his seat and bowed ninety degrees.

Jaeseung responded with a smile, extended his right hand to shake hands, and said.

“I’m sorry for making an appointment so suddenly.”

“No. I’m just honored to be called.”

Lee Sang-yoon, who had finished speaking in a hurried tone, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

What should I say? It felt like he was very nervous at a glance. Soon, the meal began in a friendly atmosphere.

Whether there were any difficulties in adapting to the design team, whether there was too much work given, or whether there were any things he wanted from the company.

Jaeseung asked a series of questions that a typical owner would ask his subordinates, and Lee Sang-yoon repeatedly gave answers that a typical employee would give.

For example, “No. It’s okay.” or “What more could I want?”…….

As the dishes on the table began to empty one by one.

Jaeseung clasped his hands together and carefully brought up the main point.

“Actually, there are a few things I’m curious about with Sang-yoon.”

“Ah, yes. Please tell me.”

“Looking at your resume, it says you dropped out of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp in Belgium.”

Lee Sang-yoon, who had replied once, “Yes. That’s right.” began to roll his eyes left and right anxiously.

He looked just like an elementary school student who had remembered the homework he had forgotten just before submitting it.

However, Jaeseung did not pay any attention to his reaction and acted quite persistently.

“If it’s the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, it’s a good place to get a degree no matter what, right? I’m asking because I’m curious if there was a special reason for dropping out.”

After a moment of silence, Lee Sang-yoon looked at Jaeseung and Director Song once each and carefully opened his mouth.

“You might think it’s funny, but to be honest…….”

Lee Sang-yoon, who had gulped down his share of water, continued to say the rest.

“Actually, I suffered from racism and bullying throughout my life in Belgium. The nickname my classmates called me at school was Yellow Pig. I had to endure abusive language such as being told to my face that I smelled or that I was disgusting to look at. They were lenient with other Asian classmates, but such things happened frequently only to me. I also know the reason. It was all due to my appearance.”

Jaeseung let out a sigh, saying, “Hmm…….”

Even though he said it in a short summary, it was obvious that it was quite serious if he had given up his degree from a prestigious design school.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that most of the students attending fashion schools regard decorating themselves as their destiny.

It was the same when I looked back on my experience. Students in fashion-related departments tend to value appearance when making friends.

I have often seen them evaluate their classmates with childish standards, such as ‘Is he handsome enough to be proud of when walking around together? Or not?’

It was just putting the decision into action, but I didn’t feel very good because it was like I had arbitrarily revealed the other person’s weakness.

I was wondering whether to comfort him or just pretend to be indifferent.

Lee Sang-yoon continued to speak.

“It was the same when I returned to Korea empty-handed without even getting a degree. Among countless brands, there was not a single brand that would accept me. Even if I sometimes passed the document screening, I was often subjected to personal attacks when I showed up at the interview.”

“I see.”

“When Wallflower’s job posting came up, I just thought it was too good of an opportunity to miss without even trying, so I applied. I really didn’t expect to be hired.”

Now, the puzzle pieces in my head seemed to be falling into place one by one.

Why I had never heard the name Lee Sang-yoon in my previous life, why I had never encountered the innovative technique called Muscle Fit…….

“Sang-yoon. Among the world’s leading designers, there are several designers with similar tendencies to Sang-yoon.”

“Yes? As far as I know, there probably aren’t any…….”

“I’ll be direct. I don’t mean any harm, so I hope you don’t feel bad.”

“Yes. Please tell me.”

“Some gay designers. What is the reason why they can make extremely beautiful clothes? It’s simple. It’s because they have a longing and fantasy for femininity that they can never fully embrace.”

Jaeseung, who had finished speaking, stared at Lee Sang-yoon and said again.

“I think Sang-yoon is probably a similar case. I think you have a stronger longing for beauty and coolness than anyone else.”

“…….”

“Prejudice and discrimination due to appearance may have been difficult, but from my point of view, it’s quite a fortunate thing.”

Was it because it was a statement with a lot of room for misunderstanding? Not only Lee Sang-yoon but also Director Song began to stare with wide eyes.

Jaeseung smiled and said.

“I was about to have a gem-like designer stolen from me by ignorant brands several times, but everyone kicked him out on their own? Thanks to that, I finally got him. I saw a clear potential in the design that Sang-yoon submitted this time.”

“D, Designer…….”

“I think I should start getting to the point. I want to pursue an exclusive designer contract. I can give you the contract fee as you wish, but there is one condition.”

“A condition? What……?”

“I want to register the patent rights for the Muscle Fit and Super Skinny Fit that Sang-yoon designed under joint ownership.”

This was just a choice to prevent the worst-case scenario in which Lee Sang-yoon would not be able to use Muscle Fit and Skinny Fit when he left Wallflower and became independent in the future.

Because it was a sensitive matter, I expected some resistance. I also expected that it would take a long time and effort to persuade him.

However, the reaction that came back was so favorable that it was almost absurd.

“……Thank you.”

Lee Sang-yoon, who had replied in a violently trembling voice, covered his face with his large, dark hands and began to shed tears.

It just seemed that he was overwhelmed with an uncontrollable amount of emotion just by the fact that someone had recognized his value.

I didn’t know about other parts yet, but it was clear that he was the type of person who was just right to be taken advantage of.

Jaeseung looked at Lee Sang-yoon with pitiful eyes and added one word quietly.

“Sang-yoon. Wait, just wait a minute. There’s one more condition.”

“Yes?”

“You know the saying that a fat man is an un-scratched lottery ticket, right?”

“…….”

“Let’s work together and scratch it from time to time.”

It was not a clause that I had in mind in advance, but an impromptu addition.

Although it would require a lot of effort, I felt a sense of duty to help him spend his physical prime beautifully.

Anyway, it was the moment when the contract was verbally concluded.