Black Label [EN]: Chapter 47

Black Label 46

47. The Secret of the Glasses

No sooner had Jaesung stepped into the Double S Team building than he received a call from Professor Kang Hyungrok.

“Yes, Professor. I’ve just arrived.”

– Is that so? Are you in the building lobby?

“Yes.”

– Wait at the entrance. I’ll come to pick you up.

“Yes, I understand.”

After ending the call, while waiting for Professor Kang Hyungrok, Jaesung’s gaze naturally turned to a large electronic display on one wall.

The video being broadcast on the display was none other than runway footage of models belonging to the ‘Double S Team Agency.’

Runway walking videos of top models who are often invited not only to domestic stages but also to prestigious overseas collections.

‘Oh….’

As if proving that they were world-class top models, they all exuded tremendous charisma.

From their eyes to their gait, and even their breathing, the thought that all of these things were due to thorough learning filled him with awe.

‘That industry is really competitive….’

Just then.

“Jaesung. Over here.”

Professor Kang Hyungrok, in a neat suit, was waving his hand in front of the escalator in the distance.

Every time Jaesung saw Professor Kang Hyungrok, he truly realized the meaning of the saying, ‘Men gain charm, not age.’

“Hello.”

As soon as Jaesung greeted him, Professor Kang Hyungrok smiled and scanned Jaesung’s attire.

“You look like a designer.”

“Pardon?”.

“I’m talking about your clothes.”

Just as Jaesung was impressed by Professor Kang Hyungrok’s attire, Professor Kang Hyungrok seemed quite impressed as well.

Neatly combed-over ‘Pomade Hair,’ glasses with the Wallflower logo engraved on the temples.

A Tom Browne dress shirt with the neck button undone, black slacks, neat dress shoes, and finally, a clutch bag in his hand.

It was an outfit that gave off both a neat and stylish feel at the same time.

“Is it okay? I actually put a lot of thought into it….”

He had to go through a meeting, or rather a discussion, with his staff from the morning to choose what to wear today.

As the owner-designer, he couldn’t help but be conscious of the fact that he was going to meet models.

This was also the first time he had held a proper model audition in both of his lives.

“If you exclude the fact that your eyes are severely bloodshot, I think it’s a hundred points. Let’s go downstairs for now.”

Following Professor Kang Hyungrok, he got on the escalator going down to the basement and asked quietly.

“Professor, is the audition being held in the basement?”

“Yes, the academy-related facilities are all concentrated in the basement.”

“Ah….”

“Is there a problem?”

“Actually, I wanted to look around the upper floors too. It’s a shame.”

Professor Kang Hyungrok smiled and replied quietly.

“Don’t worry. I’ll let you look around slowly after the audition.”

“Ah, would that be okay?”

“The Double S Team has an industry-academic cooperation agreement with our Hongshin University. They wouldn’t give you a hard time for looking around.”

After speaking, Professor Kang Hyungrok exclaimed “Ah!” and took out a pamphlet from his coat pocket and handed it over.

“Take a look at this first. It’s a pamphlet containing the curriculum of the academy students.”

“Pardon? The students’ curriculum?”

When Jaesung asked back, as if wondering, Professor Kang Hyungrok nodded and continued.

“As I said before, most of the models participating in today’s audition are graduates of the academy. It wouldn’t be bad to know what kind of education they’ve gone through.”

“That’s definitely true. Thank you.”

Jaesung replied briefly and immediately began to examine the pamphlet he had received.

The curriculum of the Double S Team Model Academy seemed much more systematic than expected.

Starting with basic subjects for becoming a model, such as runway walking and acting, to practical English, makeup and hair theory, magazines, portfolio theory, total fitness, and even audition preparation programs.

It was clear that education was conducted under a systematic and tightly woven curriculum.

Just as Jaesung was deeply focused and carefully examining the contents of the pamphlet, Professor Kang Hyungrok spoke again.

“Ah, that’s right. Come to think of it, the audition applicants are said to be very enthusiastic.”

“Pardon?”

To Jaesung’s question with wide eyes, Professor Kang Hyungrok narrowed his brow slightly and replied.

“Are you really asking because you don’t know? You were trending with Ryu Seungho’s airport fashion this time, right? It even made the real-time popular search terms.”

“Ah….”

Professor Kang Hyungrok put his arm around Jaesung’s shoulder and continued, sounding a little disappointed.

“You should tell me immediately when something good like that happens. I don’t want to hear news related to you from a third party, unless it’s someone else.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve been really busy for the past few days.”

As they were having this and that conversation, they were soon able to arrive on the first basement floor.

Professor Kang Hyungrok said, “This way,” and walked a few steps ahead, continuing.

“You’ll probably be surprised when you see the audition venue.”

“Are the facilities quite good?”

“Of course, they’re good.”

Professor Kang Hyungrok replied briefly and pointed with his chin to the door at the end of the hallway in the distance.

“That’s the ‘Performance Hall’ where the model audition will be held. You can think of it as a runway stage.”

As soon as he heard the words ‘runway stage,’ Jaesung’s expression brightened noticeably.

Professor Kang Hyungrok smiled and added again.

“Is this the first time you’ve seen a runway stage in person?”

“Ah, yes, it is.”

He had gone to see Seoul Fashion Week a few times in his previous life. But well, it’s the first time in this life.

“Anyway, you have to wait in the performance hall until the audition starts. Look around as much as you want during that time.”

Eventually, Professor Kang Hyungrok, who had reached the door, slowly began to push it open.

Squeak-.

The performance hall, darkened by the darkness, revealed its appearance through the crack in the door.

As soon as the two entered, Professor Kang Hyungrok fumbled along one wall and turned on the lights in the performance hall.

Click-.

At that moment.

At the same time as the lights turned on, the appearance of the ‘Performance Hall,’ which had been veiled, was revealed as it was.

The first thing that caught Jaesung’s eye was the long, protruding runway stage.

The velvet curtains installed like screens in the passage leading to the backstage, and chairs placed on both sides of the runway stage.

Although it wasn’t equipped with the proper accoutrements like the runway stage of a prestigious collection, it was definitely a clean stage that could be used for a show right away.

“How is it?”

At Professor Kang Hyungrok’s words, Jaesung smiled and replied.

“Well, I think I’m getting excited.”

“That’s an interesting assessment.”

It felt like an emotion that he couldn’t express in words was boiling in his heart. It was because he felt like he was getting closer to his dream.

The runway stage.

It was a place he had longed for since his previous life. He wanted to hold his brand show here.

After the runway of wonderful models was over, he wanted to stand on the stage himself at the finale scene.

He wanted to receive the exploding confetti and personally thank the VIPs who came to the show.

Just as Jaesung was immersed in his emotions, Professor Kang Hyungrok stood next to Jaesung and spoke in a gentle tone.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“It’s amazing to see it in person….”

The reason why he felt so new was simple. It was because he had hope that he might be able to stand there now.

The place he had vaguely looked at with admiration no longer felt so far away.

“Amazing. If you keep doing what you’re doing now, wouldn’t you be standing there several times in the future?”

Jaesung smiled and replied quietly.

“Yes. I really hope that’s the case.”

He will work with the determination to die and stand on the runway stage several times.

Until standing on the runway becomes an everyday occurrence. He will definitely make it happen.

The feeling that had been boosted by the recent small success seemed to sink at once.

It was because he thought that he, and Wallflower, had only just begun to sprout.

* * *

As the audition start time approached, Professor Kang Hyungrok and Jaesung were sitting on the chairs on either side of the runway stage, chatting.

“What? Ryu Seungho has decided to become a male model? You should have told me about such a major change in advance!”

“Pardon?”

“No, if you had, we could have had at least a new model, even if it wasn’t a top-class model….”

Professor Kang Hyungrok narrowed his brow and continued, but Jaesung smiled awkwardly and replied quietly.

“No. There will be someone among the students who is comparable.”

What Jaesung wanted from the S/S [Spring/Summer] season lookbook model this time was not difficult.

Street sensibility.

In simple terms, he wanted a model with a common impression that could be easily seen in downtown areas.

If possible, a model with an ordinary impression that could draw ’empathy’ rather than ‘longing.’

That’s why he thought he could easily pick it out. There was another hidden meaning as well.

“Ryu Seungho gave me a chance, right? I want to be a chance for someone else too.”

“Well, it would be a great career boost for the academy students….”

Professor Kang opened his eyes wide as if surprised and nodded a few times.

“Professor Kang, it’s been a while.”

A sweet voice was heard from the entrance of the performance hall.

Professor Kang Hyungrok turned his head and greeted the woman who had just entered the hall.

“Oh, Minyoung.”

Professor Kang then whispered to Jaesung.

“Double S Team Academy instructor, Park Minyoung. It’s obvious, but she’s a former model.”

At those words, Jaesung jumped up from his seat and immediately greeted Park Minyoung.

“I’m Lee Jaesung from Wallflower. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Park Minyoung, an instructor at the Double S Team Academy. Please take good care of our kids today.”

Park Minyoung smiled after speaking.

She is currently an instructor who teaches academy students, but she was also a professional model who had walked the runway several times.

Not to mention her figure, her two eyes, which were slightly upturned, were quite attractive.

What should I say? It was like Eastern and Western beauty were properly fused together.

Jaesung barely regained his composure and replied in a very polite tone.

“No. I’m the one who should be asking for your help.”

Park Minyoung handed two files she was holding to Jaesung and Professor Kang Hyungrok, one each, and continued.

“These are the profiles of the students who applied today. Should we show you the kids’ runway walking first? They’ve been working really hard.”

“Ah, yes. Please do.”

“I’ll fade in the music as soon as it’s ready. Please wait while looking through the profiles.”

Jaesung adjusted his glasses and slowly began to scan the A4 [standard paper size] papers in the file.

The number of students who applied for the S/S season lookbook model audition this time was a total of thirty. It could be said that there were far more applicants than expected.

‘This must be thanks to Ryu Seungho….’

Jaesung, who had been scanning the applicants’ profiles for a long time, smiled without realizing it.

It was because he felt like he had become a fairly prestigious designer as he sat cross-legged and looked through the profiles of the models who had applied for the audition.

“Do you have a favorite friend [applicant]?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“Okay. Let’s watch the runway walking first and think carefully.”

At that moment, the lights in the performance hall suddenly went out, and music began to flow from the speakers.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

It was electronic music that was often used in actual fashion shows.

“It looks like it’s starting.”

At Professor Kang Hyungrok’s words, Jaesung turned his head and began to watch the beginning of the runway stage, the curtain part, carefully.

The trembling of the first model audition and the tension of unknown origin. Two heterogeneous emotions were mixed together.

And then.

The moment the first model appeared on the runway.

“Huh….”

Jaesung exclaimed without realizing it.

It was because the secret of the glasses, which he had not been able to reveal for a while, had been revealed.