Black Label [EN]: Chapter 61

Black Label – Episode 60 (61/299)

61. After the Storm

Thud. Thud.

After stepping out of the stairwell, Jaeseung continued walking.

The distance to the escalator, now practically a runway stage, was only about 10 meters.

Was it because he was on the verge of realizing his dream that he had the leisure to reflect on his past?

Suddenly, memories of the past began to surface in a chain reaction.

The black room.

Yes. His past life resembled a ‘black room.’ It was dark, damp, cramped, and unpleasant.

He wanted to escape from it. He groped around like a blind man, trying to find the doorknob.

He got a job at a small shop in the Dongdaemun [a major fashion district in Seoul] clothing town.

Struggling with meager wages, he haunted used bookstores on his days off.

It was to buy textbooks for university students.

He studied, squeezing out every spare moment, and stepped on the sewing machine pedal, chasing away sleep.

Even though he was living by crawling on the dirt, he firmly believed that he would one day soar.

He was a larva, and he believed that wings would one day sprout on his back.

No matter how difficult it was, he could endure it with that one thought.

At least, until he became aware that he was slowly losing his eyesight.

The loss of eyesight was the absence of hope in his life.

At that moment, he realized.

That there was no doorknob in his life, which was like a black room, that there was no escape.

Around that time, he was no longer living. He was just dying day by day.

He consumed just enough nutrients to survive, slept just enough, and worked just enough.

What do you think is the minimum requirement for a person stranded on a desert island to attempt to escape?

Food? Drinking water? Or a sturdy raft? All could be the answer, or none.

At least the answer I think of is the existence of another island.

And most people call it ‘hope.’

There is one thing I want to say to the past me, who was losing hope and slowly dying in the shabby underground workshop in Dongdaemun, where asbestos powder was falling from the ceiling.

“You’ve worked hard. You’ve really worked hard….”

Those times are stained with painful memories.

But conversely, they are also times like good ‘nutrients.’

If it weren’t for that time, I wouldn’t be standing in front of the exit of the black room.

Finally.

The moment he took a step onto the stopped escalator.

Clap clap clap clap clap-.

A thunderous applause began to erupt.

“Ah….”

Jaeseung blankly looked around at the audience below the escalator.

The moment he encountered a fragment of his long-awaited dream, his mind went blank.

He desperately wanted to act nonchalant. He wanted to wave his hand a few times with a relaxed expression like the other designers and then leave gracefully.

But, how could everything in the world go as one wishes?

He could only grit his teeth and hold back the tears that were trying to burst out.

Because of the thought, ‘The world that those I admired so much were looking at was like this!’ Because of the thought, ‘Their world is so dazzlingly brilliant and beautiful.’

Something indescribable keeps welling up from deep inside his heart.

He forced a smile and bowed to the VIPs in gratitude for a moment.

Soon, Jaeseung immediately turned around and began to walk back the way he had come.

Eventually, when he reached the stairwell door again. When he returned to a place where he could no longer be seen.

“Kkeueuk… Hheueuk….”

He finally burst into tears. He leaned against the dark hallway wall and sobbed for a long time.

This is relief.

The ‘dream’ I had was so wonderful. I managed to take at least one step.

I’m glad, I’m really glad.

* * *

As soon as the short finale stage ended, the atmosphere inside the venue seemed quite bustling.

It is no exaggeration to say that everyone invited to today’s show, except for Jaeseung and the employees’ acquaintances and family, were industry insiders.

As a result, as soon as the finale stage ended, coverage naturally began to take place everywhere.

The biggest attraction was, of course, the VIPs from Paris Pouge [a fictional fashion magazine].

“Lee’s minimalism gives me infinite inspiration. Unless there is a major change, the next issue of Paris Pouge will include content related to Lee’s activities.”

Praise was pouring out from everywhere. From ‘Ryu Seung-ho,’ the celebrity who is closest to Jaeseung, to emerging designers with some recognition….

At that time, Jaeseung reappeared in the venue.

With his hair neatly combed up in a ‘pomade hairstyle,’ a white shirt, and black slacks. Finally, wearing loafers that could not be more neat.

As soon as Jaeseung appeared, the reporters’ attention was focused. As flashes of light began to burst from everywhere, Jaeseung continued speaking in a rather serious tone.

“I’m really sorry, but the interviews will be conducted all at once later.”

Jaeseung, who spoke in a gentle tone, slowly began to tour the exhibition space.

He judged that the correct procedure was to first offer greetings of gratitude to the VIPs who came to the show.

First of all, family.

“Oppa [Korean term for older brother used by females], awesome! You were so cool!”

Seunghee, his sister who is stingy with compliments, gave him a thumbs up with both hands.

He stroked her hair and replied, “Thank you,” and his father immediately continued.

“I saw it.”

Several emotions were felt in the short words. Perhaps he was even ashamed of this; his father kept looking away.

Next, his mother.

“You’ve worked hard. Our son, you were really cool.”

His mother, who spoke in a slightly trembling tone, soon lowered her head and began to shrug her shoulders.

After giving a look to Seunghee, who kept asking, “Mom, are you crying?” without noticing, he hugged his mother tightly without saying a word.

“Oh my, I’m really being a mess. Why are tears suddenly coming out on this good day….”

As emotions usually do, they are easily transmitted.

Looking at his mother’s eyes, which were full of tears, he felt like the tears he had shed would flow out again.

“Thank you.”

He suppressed the swirling emotions and answered with a cheerful smile.

Unfortunately, the conversation with his family was briefly concluded. There were still many people left to greet.

Jaeseung had to continue touring the exhibition space for quite a long time, and the reporters’ camera lenses followed Jaeseung closely.

The shutter sound subsided, but when Jaeseung had a conversation with influential people, it rang out again like crazy.

Eventually, the moment Jaeseung faced the people from Paris Pouge.

Click- Click-

A barrage of flashes began to pour out from everywhere.

In life, there are times when ‘pretense’ or ‘formality’ is needed. Jaeseung thought that this was such a moment.

“Geraldine, nice to meet you.”

Jaeseung, who spoke in a low voice, immediately brought his cheek to Geraldine Saglio’s cheek.

The so-called ‘La Bise’ [French custom of cheek kissing], a French greeting. Then, he immediately brought his cheek to Melanie’s cheek, who was standing next to her.

“Nice to meet you.”

Soon, Jaeseung looked back at Geraldine and started talking with a bright expression.

“Geraldine, thank you for coming such a long way. Thank you so much for coming.”

As soon as the interpreter conveyed Jaeseung’s words, Geraldine replied with a smile on her lips.

“No, it was a really great show. From the sensual display to Jaeseung’s unique minimalism, everything was new and fun. Sincerely.”

Soon, Geraldine smiled brightly and added again.

“Could we have dinner together tonight? Just to have a simple conversation.”

“Of course. Of course.”

Even while the two were having a friendly conversation with the interpreter in between, the reporters were only busy pressing the shutter.

The shutter sound continued to ring out without stopping, and the flash continued to burst from everywhere without stopping.

* * *

– A 19-year-old genius designer who moved Paris Pouge.

– Special article, character exploration: So who is ‘Lee Jaeseung’?

– Wall Flower 2011 F/W Show, a feast for fashion giants.

It’s already been a few days since the show ended.

As the media usually does, articles were reported with dinosaur flesh attached to fishbone-like achievements [exaggerated and sensationalized reporting].

Although it was not ‘heavily featured,’ articles and columns related to this show poured out like summer showers in internet news and various fashion communities.

Ironically, the main content was somewhat different from the truth.

First of all, the modifier ‘genius’ could not be felt so uncomfortable.

Also, the content that everything was achieved in just three years of self-taught fashion was also included without fail.

I am never a genius, and 3 years? No. It is the result of more than 10 years.

There was no reason or way to protest, so all I could do was watch quietly.

Anyway, there was one thing I learned through this show.

I realized in detail how one choice can change a life.

The number of interview offers that came in after the show was a whopping 12.

Sales were skyrocketing, and employees had to suffer from overwork again.

The change was being felt in this moment as well.

Before the interview with a fairly influential domestic fashion magazine began, he was skimming through related articles on his smartphone.

“Designer, did you wait long? The preparation is over, can we start right away?”

Jaeseung smiled at the question from the young male reporter and replied, “Yes. Of course.”

There was still one thing left to finish.

Should I call it a trivial revenge against Gallery Titi, who unilaterally canceled the lease?

Originally, ‘recognition’ is a good weapon if you handle it skillfully, isn’t it?

As I have said several times, I am careful to use the weapons I have as much as possible.

Soon, the question that the reporter had been waiting for came out of his mouth.

“Unlike other fashion shows, you held the show in a commercial building, not a gallery? Was there a special reason for getting inspiration?”

“No. It’s not a reason for getting inspiration… Actually, there was a funny happening.”

“That’s an interesting story, can you tell me what kind of happening it is?”

He thought he could easily appease me with a few million won [Korean currency], but unfortunately, he chose the wrong opponent.

It wasn’t just because of petty revenge. The will to eradicate this culture itself was also reflected in the choice.

“It was a four-story gallery on the outskirts of Cheongdam-dong [affluent district in Seoul], and I signed a lease contract because I really liked the antique-style interior.”

“I think I already know where it is? As far as I know, there is only one gallery with an antique atmosphere in that area. So?”

Well, shall we tell some stories…?