Black Label [EN]: Chapter 52

Black Label 51

52. Altered Reputation

That night, around ten o’clock.

Despite it being well past the designated quitting time, the employees remained at their desks, focused on their work.

It had been this way since before the S/S [Spring/Summer] season product launch, but after the launch, working overtime had become quite the norm.

Just then, Jaeseung stood up from his seat and quietly spoke.

“Could I have everyone’s attention for a moment?”

At his words, the employees briefly took their hands off their keyboards and began to look at Jaeseung, who then continued speaking slowly in a gentle tone.

“I have a meeting scheduled with the person in charge of the Kuba Kuba Store regarding a promotion.”

He had asked for their understanding due to work and scheduled the meeting for a late hour.

Kim Minhyuk was just as busy with his schedule, so he readily agreed.

“I think I should head out for the external meeting now. Gwangmin, could you come here for a moment?”

“Ah, yes.”

As Nam Gwangmin approached Jaeseung, Jaeseung took out a few white envelopes from his coat pocket and handed them over.

“This is this month’s bonus pay. I’ve written the names on them, so Gwangmin, please distribute them accordingly. I think I need to leave right away.”

“Ah, yes! I understand, thank you!”

“Jihoon and Seungwoo are sorting things in the warehouse. And I put it on the card table, so order some late-night snacks and eat them.”

“Yes, I understand!”

Just as Jaeseung was about to leave the office, Nam Gwangmin cautiously spoke to Jaeseung.

“Um, CEO.”

“Yes?”

“I’m really grateful, but looking at this month’s pay, you’ve given us quite a lot….”

Given quite a lot? Well? Maybe that’s the case.

Including special duty allowance, late-night allowance, and holiday allowance. He had made sure to include everything that needed to be included, and thanks to that, the employees had each received twice as much as their promised salary.

But it was just that he had taken care of the things that should have been taken care of, as a matter of course.

“The salary is just what I put in according to how much you all worked. Calculated accurately, as is.”

“Yes. That’s true, but usually….”

Just as Nam Gwangmin was about to continue speaking.

“Gwangmin.”

“Yes?”

“Sometimes I think.”

Jaeseung, who had spoken quietly, began to put on the coat he was holding, and then continued to speak again.

“I’m still quite young, so it might be a bit much for me to say this….”

Jaeseung, who had paused for a moment, added the last words in a rather serious tone.

“I feel like the world is a bit strange.”

“Yes?”

“There are so many people who don’t keep the promises they should, so the person who keeps the obvious becomes a great person. Don’t you think?”

“Ah….”

“It’s a reasonable compensation that you deserve, so I hope you can accept it without feeling burdened.”

After finishing speaking, Jaeseung smiled brightly and added, “I’m going in first because of the meeting. Sorry,” before leaving the office right away.

Soon, Nam Gwangmin stared intently at the door that Jaeseung had opened and left through, with a determined expression on his face.

“Haa….”

Judging from the thickness of the envelope in his hand, it was clear that it was a considerable amount.

A question suddenly arose.

Does that young owner designer really know about the power of his words?

About the power of his words that increase solidarity and create loyalty on their own.

Nam Gwangmin, who was standing blankly and looking only at the door, handed over the envelope with Lee Gangjun’s name on it and quietly spoke.

“Gangjun, I’m going to work here for the rest of my life.”

Soon, Lee Gangjun smiled and replied.

“Then we’ll be seeing each other for the rest of our lives.”

* * *

The place where Jaeseung met Kim Minhyuk, the person in charge of the Kuba Kuba Store, was Cafe Haus Ten, located near Jeongbalsan Station.

It was a place he always used as a meeting place when meeting near the office.

“Wow, you look much better.”

Kim Minhyuk, who had spoken playfully, handed over the coffee he had ordered in advance and continued to speak.

“First of all, congratulations on the huge success of this S/S season. Your sales are soaring, aren’t they?”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

“Shall we start with the ‘Promotion’ story?”

“Let’s do that.”

Soon, Kim Minhyuk began to explain the event prepared by the Kuba Kuba Store.

“We plan to give store users discount coupons that can be used immediately. Discount coupons that can only be applied to Wall Flower products.”

“Ah, yes.”

“As I mentioned on the phone earlier, our store will be paying for the discount amount.”

From Jaeseung’s point of view, it was a promotion in a format where he had nothing to lose.

“Designer Lee Jaeseung. You know that ‘Superme’ also released new products this time, right?”

“Yes. They’re coming up from below like crazy, aren’t they? It looks like they’ll take the top spot by tomorrow morning….”

Among street clothes, it is a brand that has a solid fan base to the extent that it can be called the undisputed number one.

That ‘Superme’ had just released its S/S season new products the day before yesterday, and thanks to that, Wall Flower was on the verge of giving up its number one spot in store real-time sales to Superme.

“That’s really amazing.”

“Yes?”

“We’re also watching and expecting Superme to take first place by tomorrow. Superme is always a brand that can’t be sold because there aren’t enough.”

“And?”

“Wall Flower is the first brand to hold the top spot for two days against Superme.”

Soon, Kim Minhyuk smiled brightly and continued to speak.

“That’s why we were able to offer you this promotion. And there’s one more good news.”

“Good news?”

“Yes. This time, Kuba Kuba Store is preparing to launch an offline select shop [a store that carries a curated selection of different brands] near Hongdae.”

“Ah, yes.”

“It will probably open by the second half of this year at the latest. We are reviewing the brands to be featured, and Wall Flower has been nominated.”

At that, Jaeseung exclaimed, “Ah!”

That is, Wall Flower may be featured in the Kuba Kuba Store offline store that will open soon.

It is not possible to open an offline store on its own right now. Especially in the vicinity of Hongdae, where rents are soaring.

If you are featured in the Kuba Kuba Store’s offline store, you will be able to alleviate such concerns. The brand’s position will also change.

“It’s not a confirmed story yet, but I don’t think the odds are absolutely low. The employees are all pushing for it, and the executives mostly seem to like it.”

“Is it thanks to sales?”

“No. Even if we put aside the clothes and sales, the ‘story’ is so good.”

At Kim Minhyuk’s words, Jaeseung asked back as if he was puzzled, “Story…?”

“Yes. Story. The success story of an unknown brand discovered by Kuba Kuba Street Snap Shot. Isn’t this a stimulating material that is more than enough to suit the tastes of the public?”

“Ah….”

“Do you remember the reporter friend who took a snapshot of Jaeseung’s friend in Myeongdong at that time?”

“Ah, yes.”

“That friend’s salary has increased by 500,000 won now. Considering the contribution to store sales, it may not be such a drastic treatment.”

Soon, Kim Minhyuk took a sip of the Americano in front of him and continued to speak.

“Maybe if the offline select shop is confirmed, a few related articles may be reported. We also plan to publish a few special columns. First of all, the store is discussing how to make the most of this case.”

“I see.”

“Yes. But there probably won’t be anything that will harm Wall Flower. Rather, you will be able to reap the marketing benefits. I can assure you. It’s a win-win for each other.”

“Thank you so, so much for your concern.”

When Jaeseung spoke with sincerity, Kim Minhyuk laughed once and replied.

“No problem. I will tell you about the offline select shop as soon as it is confirmed. The review period is long, so the results will probably come out around the time you start preparing for the F/W [Fall/Winter] season.”

“Ah, yes. I’ll be waiting.”

“And about the ‘Designer’s Night’ event I mentioned earlier.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know a bar called ‘BaraBang’?”

‘BaraBang’.

It was the name of a bar that he had heard several times since his previous life before regression.

It’s a bar without even a sign, but it’s a pretty famous hot spot for fashion people.

It is also the place where famous fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld held an after-party after putting on a show in Korea, and it is a place that overseas celebrities who come to Seoul visit at least once.

But there was no need to pretend to know.

“No? It’s the first time I’ve heard of it.”

“It’s a place that domestic and foreign designers often visit. The interior is unique, the music selection is good, and it’s full of energy.”

“Yes. And?”

“It’s a place that holds a ‘Designer’s Night’ event every year. I’m worried that Jaeseung is a minor, but since we’re completely renting it out for that day anyway, I thought it would be okay if I attended with you as a guardian.”

At Kim Minhyuk’s cautious words, Jaeseung nodded once and replied in a rather clear tone.

“Yes. If I can attend, I would definitely like to attend. I’m also curious about what other designers are like.”

From the beginning, it was said that owner designers who would attend the party would be selected based on sales.

Although it is limited to brands featured in the Kuba Kuba Store, owner designers with some recognition in Korea are bound to gather.

In his previous life, which ended miserably, he had gained fame, but it was only fame in the shadows.

He had never attended such a gathering, so he was actually a little excited.

Soon, Jaeseung tilted his head slightly and asked.

“You said this weekend, right?”

“Yes.”

“Can I bring one of our official designers with me?”

* * *

That weekend, Jaeseung left the office a little early to participate in the ‘Designer’s Night’ event. Of course, Lee Gangjun was with him.

On the way to Itaewon [a district in Seoul known for its international atmosphere] in a rented car, Lee Gangjun kept expressing his burdensome feelings.

“Ha, CEO. Can we stop by a convenience store on the way?”

“Yes?”

“I think I need to eat a Cheongsimhwan [a traditional Korean herbal medicine used to calm nerves]. They sell Cheongsimhwan at convenience stores, right?”

“Well, I don’t know. I would have had to buy it to know.”

Jaeseung, who smiled, continued to comfort Lee Gangjun.

“Don’t worry too much. They’re all the same people anyway.”

He said it in a nonchalant way, but Jaeseung was also feeling nervous.

But he couldn’t say to Lee Gangjun, “I’m so nervous too. What should I do?” so he was just pretending to be as nonchalant as possible.

“Looking at the list of participating designers, there are a lot of big-name designers coming….”

“We’ll probably be sitting in separate seats anyway, right? Usually, those people gather together and hang out before leaving, right?”

As they talked about this and that, they were soon able to arrive in front of ‘BaraBang’, the meeting place.

As soon as they said ‘We came from Wall Flower’ to the guards at the entrance, they immediately helped them enter.

After going down the gloomy stairs for a while.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

The electronic music, which was so loud that it was even magnificent, began to hit the eardrums. Looking at the interior, it was closer to a club than a bar.

People who looked like designers at first glance were sitting in their seats and having in-depth conversations.

Some couldn’t control their excitement and went up on stage to dance.

‘I didn’t expect it to be this kind of atmosphere, but it’s a relief….’

The atmosphere is much more chaotic than expected. Anyway, it didn’t seem like attention would be focused on Jaeseung and Lee Gangjun.

It seemed like everyone didn’t even know that the two had set foot in the place.

Kim Minhyuk had told him that there were many designers who were curious about him, but it seemed like he had just said that to make him feel good.

Just as Jaeseung and Lee Gangjun were looking around like boys who had just come to the city from the countryside.

“Oh? You’re here?”

Kim Minhyuk, who had been waiting at the entrance, greeted Jaeseung happily.

“I’ll guide you to your seat first.”

Following Kim Minhyuk, a table with the nameplate ‘Wall Flower’ appeared.

As soon as Jaeseung and Lee Gangjun took their seats at the table they were guided to, Kim Minhyuk disappeared, saying, “Please wait a moment.”

At first glance, Lee Gangjun was busy looking around like someone who had secretly come to someone else’s party, biting his fingernails.

“Gangjun, you look like a very suspicious person right now.”

“Ah, was that so….”

“Relax a little. Everyone seems too busy partying anyway.”

It seemed like there would be no exchange, let alone a word. It seemed like people who knew each other were sitting together, but to Jaeseung, they were all strangers.

‘Okay. I’ll just think of it as taking a break and talking with Gangjun before leaving.’

Jaeseung was relieved by the atmosphere, which was quite different from what he had expected, when.

Beeeep-.

The electronic music that was playing suddenly stopped, and an unpleasant microphone howling sound began to spread. Just for a moment.

– Ah, ah, microphone test.

Kim Minhyuk, who had just gone on stage, carefully continued to speak, bringing the hand microphone he was holding to his mouth.

– Lee Jaeseung, the designer of Wall Flower, whom many of you have been waiting for, has just arrived!

As soon as those words were finished, cheers began to erupt from all over the place.

What? This is a completely unexpected situation?