Black Label [EN]: Chapter 48

Black Label 47

48. A Gain or a Loss?

The models participating in the audition were dressed uniformly.

Tight-fitting jeans and equally form-fitting white cotton T-shirts that revealed the contours of their upper bodies.

Although they all wore the same type of clothing, subtle differences were definitely present.

While some models wore plain white cotton T-shirts, others wore ‘Crop T-shirts’ that were cut short to expose their navels.

In any case, the models’ attire was not important to Jae-seung.

After all, it was just a piece of cloth that would disappear if he stared at it for a moment.

‘Good heavens….’

The more he looked, the more transparent the clothes of the models walking the runway became.

However, it didn’t seem to be the ‘X-ray glasses’ that often appeared in adult comics.

It wasn’t like he could see the models’ naked bodies. He could see elegant curves.

Elegant curves that were the product of strict diet, training, and self-care.

Would this be the feeling of seeing a full-body mannequin that could move naturally without the slightest sense of incongruity?

Of course, this was just the beginning.

“Huh….”

As Jae-seung involuntarily let out a sigh, Professor Kang Hyung-rok asked in a whisper.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Although he replied that it was nothing, Jae-seung was currently witnessing a sight that was hard to believe.

At some point, the clothes the models were wearing had transformed into clothes he had designed.

The method was simple.

No, there was actually no method at all.

Around the time the models’ bodies began to look like mannequins, all he had to do was think, ‘What if I put those clothes on them?’ and recall one of the clothes he had made.

Each time he thought that, the models’ clothes began to change as if he were changing the clothes of a character in an online game. And even without a single break, in an instant.

He had certainly expected that there was a special power hidden in the glasses.

There were objects that had served as precedents, and his gut was telling him so.

But.

‘I never thought such power would be hidden….’

Was it because he had developed immunity thanks to the Wallflower pencil and the future magazine? Fortunately, he was able to regain his composure without much difficulty.

He wiped the cold sweat that had gathered in his hands on his pants a few times and took a deep breath.

“Hoo….”

For now, watching the runway walk is the priority.

He could look at the glasses anytime, but he wouldn’t have the chance to watch the runway walk unless it was now.

Soon, the next applicant squeezed through the curtains and took her first step onto the runway stage.

– Applicant No. 9, Lee So-myeong

He seemed to have missed a few people while he was distracted.

After quickly scanning the name tag on the model’s chest, he immediately looked at the model’s face.

Her noticeably light eyebrows were impressive. Her eyes were small, but her nose was extremely sharp.

An excessively beautiful model runs the risk of overshadowing the ‘design’ of the clothes. The model’s excessive beauty undermines objectivity.

On the other hand, applicant No. 9, Lee So-myeong, was attractive, but not to that extent.

It was what he wanted.

A face that could evoke ’empathy’ and ‘hope’ instead of inspiring ‘admiration’ in the public.

‘Her appearance is合格 [gō gé – up to standard], but….’

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

As she began to confidently move to the electronic music flowing through the speakers, Jae-seung began image training again.

Starting with the clothes he had devised, and ending with the clothes made by Lee Kang-joon.

He began to imagine as if he were dressing an ‘Avatar’ one piece at a time.

And then.

“…Found it.”

Jae-seung, who had spoken softly as if muttering to himself, smiled with satisfaction.

* * *

After watching all the runway walks, individual interviews with the applicants were conducted in the conference room on the first basement floor of the building.

In fact, there was already an applicant who had been decided on, but that didn’t mean they could skip the individual interviews.

After finishing interviews with all thirty applicants.

“Designer, have you made a decision?”

Park Min-young, a lecturer at the Double S Team Model Academy, asked, sweeping her hair behind her ear.

Jae-seung hurriedly swallowed the bottled water he had in his mouth and replied.

“Yes. Applicant No. 9, Lee So-myeong, seems to be the most suitable.”

As soon as Jae-seung replied in a tone full of conviction, Park Min-young widened her eyes as if surprised and asked back.

“Lee So-myeong?”

Professor Kang Hyung-rok as well.

Was she not a very impressive applicant to him?

After muttering ‘No. 9…?’ once, he began to scan the profile charts of the models who had applied for this audition.

In any case, the choice is up to Jae-seung. Everyone was showing a lukewarm reaction as if they didn’t like it, but they didn’t say anything to stop him.

“Yes. First of all, I would like Lee So-myeong to be the female model for this S/S [Spring/Summer] season lookbook. I want to talk to her right away, is that possible?”

There were mountains of things to talk about. Starting with the shooting concept that would take place in just a few days, the method of proceeding, the desired feel. Also, from the model fee to the payment method.

Park Min-young smiled and replied.

“Of course, of course.”

* * *

A few days later, in front of a road on the outskirts of Yeonnam-dong. Behind a large van, two Starex vans [South Korean minivan] were lined up.

Soon, people in long padding coats began to get out of each vehicle one by one.

They were the staff who would be put into the filming of this Wallflower’s S/S season lookbook.

Before he knew it, the day of the long-awaited lookbook shoot had dawned.

Soon, Ryu Seung-ho, who had just gotten out of the van, opened his mouth, tightening his jumper collar.

“Oh, it’s so cold today, isn’t it?”

Jae-seung, who was busy looking over the shooting plan, nodded in agreement and asked back.

“How’s your condition?”

“Great.”

“I’m sorry. Because of me, as soon as you arrived….”

“No. What do you have to be sorry about?”

Ryu Seung-ho, who had replied briefly, smiled and continued.

“First, can you show me the lookbook shooting storyboard?”

“Ah, yes. Here you go.”

Thanks to the sample of the product coming out much earlier than scheduled, the lookbook shooting date was brought forward a lot. They couldn’t just waste the floating time.

Thanks to that, Ryu Seung-ho was the only one who suffered. He had to take a nap on the day of his return and was immediately put into filming.

“I definitely like it.”

“Really?”

“It starts in Yeonnam-dong, then moves to the Hongdae area, and then to Myeongdong, right?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

There were no major changes to the shooting plan. As planned in advance, the shooting was to proceed with a street snapshot feel.

Starting here in Yeonnam-dong, touring the Hongdae area, and finally the three-way intersection in front of Myeongdong A-Land.

The plan was to visit places with a symbolic meaning and proceed with the shooting sequentially.

The Yeonnam-dong and Hongdae area shoots were scheduled to take place during the day, and the Myeongdong A-Land three-way intersection shoot was scheduled to take place at night.

Soon, Ryu Seung-ho nodded in satisfaction and opened his mouth in a gentle tone.

“Let’s try to create a good picture.”

“Thank you. I look forward to working with you.”

At that time, Lee Kang-joon appeared with a paper carrier bag full of Americano coffee in both hands.

“President, Ryu Seung-ho. Have a cup first.”

“You bought it to match the number of staff, right?”

“Of course.”

Lee Kang-joon’s own designed clothes were also scheduled to be included in this S/S season ‘Look Book’, so he was considerate enough to allow him to watch the filming site.

Soon, Jae-seung took a sip of the coffee he had just received and asked carefully.

“Kang-joon, where’s So-myeong?”

Lee So-myeong. A graduate of the Double S Team Academy who was selected as the female model for this lookbook shoot.

Lee Kang-joon, who was constantly rubbing the hot pack in his hand, pointed to the Starex vehicle parked far away and replied.

“She’s changing into her shooting outfit in the car right now.”

“Okay. When So-myeong comes out, I’ll give her a brief briefing and start shooting right away.”

Jae-seung said quietly and slowly looked around at the scene unfolding before his eyes.

The photographer from the filming company, who was carrying a crossbody bag that looked quite heavy on his shoulder and setting the aperture of his DSLR camera.

The staff checking various props. Ryu Seung-ho and his manager, who were constantly looking at the storyboard and having various conversations.

It was quite a plausible sight. Also, looking at such a sight made his heart flutter for no reason.

‘Now the S/S season preparations are almost over….’

No matter how long the shooting takes, it will definitely be over before midnight today.

After the lookbook shooting and correction are finished, they plan to start preparing the quantity and pre-release a few photos through FTV magazine.

Once the quantity is ready, all the lookbook photos will be released through the Cubacuba webzine, and sales of S/S season clothing will officially begin.

What’s next?

Then, all he has to do is wait. Evaluation and reaction to the clothes, and income.

Just as Jae-seung was lost in thought.

“Designer, I’m sorry. Am I too late?”

Lee So-myeong, who had just gotten out of the Starex, approached Jae-seung hesitantly and said.

As he had felt when they had the meeting earlier, she seemed to have a rather passive personality, unlike the appearance she had shown on the runway.

Or maybe she was intimidated by Ryu Seung-ho, who she was filming with.

Soon, Jae-seung scanned her appearance up and down and replied quietly.

“No. It’s not easy to change clothes and prepare in a van.”

She was currently wearing the ‘Difrent or Die’ hoodie designed by Lee Kang-joon, with a padded jumper over it.

Perhaps because of the sharp wind, her slender body was trembling like an aspen.

Soon, Ryu Seung-ho, who was looking at the shooting storyboard not far away, spoke in a rather cheerful tone.

“You’re So-myeong, right? I’m Ryu Seung-ho, who will be filming with you.”

“Ah, I’m really honored….”

Gratitude was evident on her face. Well, it was a natural story. This is her first shoot that she can make a career out of, and the other model is Ryu Seung-ho. It would be strange if that expression didn’t come out.

“Have you looked at the storyboard? There are a few things I’d like to discuss with you before filming.”

While Ryu Seung-ho and Lee So-myeong were having various conversations for a while. Jae-seung quickly looked around at the surroundings, which had become noisy.

People walking along the street stopped and were watching this way with interest.

Because it was quite well-equipped and Ryu Seung-ho was standing there, it was not at all lacking in arousing the curiosity of passersby.

“Huh? Isn’t that Ryu Seung-ho?”

“Who’s next to him?”

“I don’t know? Looks like a model?”

Because it was a weekday morning, not many people gathered. Most people watched with interest for a while, then went on their way.

“Wow, Ryu Seung-ho drinking coffee is also a complete pictorial. I have to upload it to Facebook.”

“Huh? Me too! Me too!”

Jae-seung, who had been listening to the conversations of the passersby silently, narrowed his brows slightly.

‘What? Facebook…?’

It feels like the 판 [pan – situation/scene] is getting bigger in an unexpected area.