Black Label [EN]: Chapter 203

Black Label Episode 202

203. D-day

“The Paris Fashion Week start date is just a day away. Would you mind telling us which brand you are most looking forward to?”

At the reporter’s question, the white-haired old man in a suit sitting across from him made a “Hmm…” sound, then took a thick cigar from his inner coat pocket.

He lit the cigar and began to speak in a very nonchalant tone.

“As a businessman, I would say it’s probably ‘Christian Diom’. The brands under the LVMH Group [a French multinational luxury goods conglomerate] receive my approval from the very beginning stages. And Diom was the brand that gave the most intense feeling among the brands under the group.”

The white-haired old man, who was busy with the interview, was none other than ‘Chairman Ardo’.

Soon, the reporter briefly wrote down his words and carefully asked again.

“Chairman, you started your answer to the question you just asked with the words ‘If I were to answer as a businessman…’ Does that mean that if you look at it from a slightly different perspective, you might get a conflicting answer?”

“Of course. It would be a matter of neglecting my duties, but if I put aside my business thinking and speak honestly…”

“If you don’t mind, perhaps…”

The reporter, who was about to continue speaking, trailed off and began to carefully read Chairman Ardo’s expression.

It was a sensitive question, so he couldn’t easily ask it.

Soon, Chairman Ardo exhaled a cloud of pungent cigarette smoke and answered.

“Wall Flower.”

After a moment of silence in the studio, Chairman Ardo’s secretary whispered, his face pale.

“Ch, Chairman.”

Regardless of public or private matters, an unimaginable amount of money moves according to his words.

It was only natural that his secretary was so sensitive.

However, Chairman Ardo’s reaction was simply indifferent.

“It’s okay.”

Chairman Ardo answered briefly and fell into deep thought for a moment.

Silence fell in the hall in an instant, and the staff were just waiting for his next words, trying not to even breathe.

How long had it been?

Chairman Ardo slowly began to speak in a very indifferent tone.

“Although there is a lack of data on the brand Wall Flower, I think we already have enough data on Lee [referring to Jaeseung]. Some people inside the fashion industry call him ‘the problem solver.’ Even if it’s a brand that’s in a rut or in a slump, once he gets involved, it’s miraculously revitalized. The same was true for Christian Diom, a brand under our LVMH Group.”

“Ah, that’s why.”

“I thought a generational change was necessary, so I made the decision to recruit a new maestro. Lee has done many things beyond the role of a simple director. In terms of money, it seems like it was a large-scale overhaul that required hundreds of billions of won. He brought a whirlwind of overall change, including the brand’s vision and future, the messages and metaphors it contained.”

Chairman Ardo smiled and added.

“Look at Janelle this time. Even the harshest critics are praising Janelle’s collection this time, calling it ‘the best in history.’ People say there is no right answer in art. But Lee is definitely the closest person to the answer among the artists I’ve ever met. He understands the delicate balance between popularity and artistry. What’s even more surprising is that he’s only in his early 20s.”

“However, there are many people and workers who have a negative feeling about Wall Flower’s overly aggressive marketing. What do you think about that?”

Chairman Ardo let out a hollow laugh and answered.

“In my opinion, it seems like a ‘wrong bet’.”

Chairman Ardo, who spoke with conviction, said, “Let’s end here,” and got up from his seat.

When he roughly stubbed out the still-remaining cigar in the ashtray and reached out his hand, his secretary ran up and handed him a muffler and hat.

“Chairman, I don’t think we should cut out the last part…”

“There’s no need to.”

Chairman Ardo answered briefly and said again with a pleasant smile.

“I’m just telling the truth, isn’t it?”

“Aren’t you in a position where you can’t tell the truth, Chairman?”

“Well, if I had to give it meaning, I could think of it as a gift for a close friend.”

Chairman Ardo left the studio and muttered softly.

“Anyway, I’m really looking forward to this summer vacation.”

“Yes?”

“It’s nothing. Let’s go.”

* * *

– Jaeseung, what’s going on at this hour?

Jaeseung smiled faintly at the voice of his mother, Kim Eun-hyung, coming from the other side of the receiver, and answered quietly.

“Isn’t it still daytime in Korea?”

– That’s right. But it’s a late hour there.

“I was just thinking about you.”

Jaeseung, who answered in a gentle tone, smiled contentedly.

If you subtract 7 hours from the current time, you can calculate the time difference between Korea and Paris.

It was a very simple calculation, but he thought that his mother was probably the only one who memorized this formula for him.

– That, was it Paris Fashion Week? Is it tomorrow? Son, are you feeling restless and can’t sleep?

“I think so. It’s only a few hours away. Now, I just wish it would all be over soon.”

After speaking, Jaeseung turned his head slightly and began to look out the window of his hotel room.

The city of Paris, visible at a glance through the clear glass window.

From the buildings that are still lit up to the stars that are emitting a faint light.

The start of Paris Fashion Week is only a few hours away.

To others, it may just be the start date of this Paris Fashion Week schedule, but to those who are even slightly related to Wall Flower, it was ‘the day of the decisive battle.’

Because they were in a position to present the collection as the first order on the first day.

Even though it’s late at night, I can’t fall asleep. I keep feeling a strange feeling that I can’t express in words.

Is it because of anticipation? Or is it because of anxiety? These thoughts were intertwined and kept making my heart beat.

So I picked up the phone and called my mother. It was because of a series of expectations that I would feel a little more comfortable even if I didn’t complain about work-related matters.

Result? It was the right answer.

The moment I heard my mother’s voice, I was able to have a mysterious experience as if my worries and anxieties were melting away.

– Son, do well. No. Even if you don’t do well, do your best until the end. Mom will cook you whatever you want to eat.

“Thank you, Mom.”

– Thank you. Mom is grateful that our son grew up so upright and handsome. As soon as I finish the call, I’ll say hello to your father and Seunghee.

“Yes, I’ll finish well and go back.”

After a short phone call, Jaeseung smiled pleasantly.

Yes, I’ve come this far.

I’ve come this far by sincerely longing and working hard as much as I longed. What am I afraid of now?

I looked at the night sky again. A few clouds were half covering the bright moon. The black night sky behind it looked fluffy and cozy.

Is it just my feeling? It must be just my feeling.

But, if you think about it differently, everything in the world looks different depending on your mood, right?

Jaeseung lay back on the hotel bed again. Just as he was about to fall asleep in a good mood.

Thump! Thump-!

I had no choice but to force myself to get up because of the loud noise that started to be heard from the door.

My heart started to beat for no reason. It was because I thought that there was no one who would come to his room at this late hour and knock on the door so violently.

Jaeseung, who was walking carefully to the door, asked quietly, “Who is it?” and a very familiar voice was heard from beyond the door.

“Boss! It’s me, it’s me! Open the door quickly!”

Jaeseung, who took a breath, slowly started to open the hotel room door, and Director Song’s face, flushed with excitement, came into view through the slightly opened door.

Soon, Director Song naturally squeezed into Jaeseung’s room as if it were his own home and asked in a very excited tone.

“Why did you turn off your cell phone? You should have told me about this large-scale project! I almost had a heart attack in the middle of the night!”

“Yes? Didn’t you tell me to go home early today for tomorrow’s big event, turn off my cell phone, and get some rest? By the way, what are you talking about? A large-scale project…”

“What are you talking about? Okay. You didn’t tell me on purpose to surprise me, right? I know everything. I’m surprised enough, so tell me the whole story. LVMH Group, Janelle Group, and even the American Designers Association [a non-profit trade organization of over 500 American fashion and accessory designers]. Official articles have all been released.”

Jaeseung frowned slightly and asked, “Yes? What’s released…?” and started walking quickly towards the computer in the living room.

Director Song, who had been staring blankly at Jaeseung for a moment, frowned and asked again.

“What? Are you really not aware of this? This blatant support, was it achieved without any business dealings?”

“Director, just a moment. I think I’m going to have a heart attack in the middle of the night, so please tell me.”

After speaking, Jaeseung started glaring at the innocent monitor.

Has it ever felt like it took this long for the computer to turn on?

As soon as the power was turned on, Jaeseung sat down and immediately opened an internet window.

Then, he started browsing the large-scale fashion community site set as the default screen.

If it was really urgent and important information, it would definitely be on the main screen here.

Soon.

“What is this?”

Just as Jaeseung was staring at the monitor screen with a blank face, Director Song asked again in an increasingly excited tone.

“Wait a minute. You really don’t know anything about this?”

“Yes…”

Jaeseung, who answered with difficulty, started to scan the titles of the articles posted on the main page of the site one by one with trembling eyes.