Black Label [EN]: Chapter 82

82. Can You Handle It?

How much time had passed? It was Director Kim Geun-tae who broke the silence that had stretched on for quite a while.

He frowned deeply, a sneer playing on his lips, and spoke deliberately.

“How long do you think I’ve been in this industry? Designer Lee Jae-seung, you’re nineteen now, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I’ve been in this industry for well over twenty years. How many guys like Designer Lee Jae-seung do you think I’ve seen during that time?”

He paused, taking a breath, then shifted his gaze to Director Song and added quietly, “Guys who get intoxicated by insignificant success and lose their judgment.”

Unlike just a few minutes ago, his tone was now chilling. Well, it was a reaction I had anticipated to some extent.

Having failed to soothe and appease me, it seemed he was now resorting to ‘threats’.

“I understand. I really do understand. You’re still young, so you can make mistakes.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“How do you think I could have guaranteed Designer Lee Jae-seung’s success?”

When Jae-seung remained silent, simply staring at him, Director Kim Geun-tae continued without missing a beat. “It’s all because of the solid ‘Network’ that’s in place. I told you I was in the design department of the SPA [Specialty store retailer of Apparel] brand, ‘Double Eight,’ right?”

When Jae-seung confirmed, “Yes, you did,” Director Kim Geun-tae continued in a triumphant tone. “I’m telling you this because you don’t seem to know, but ‘Double Eight’ is a SPA brand launched by Hanhyung Corporation’s parent company, Hanhyung Trading’s fashion division. You know how big Hanhyung Group is, right?”

“Yes, so?”

“Not only me, but the members of the association’s board of directors have also been working in the design departments of large corporate SPA brands for a long time. Now, let’s think about it again.”

Director Kim Geun-tae, wearing a bitter smile, slightly raised the corners of his mouth and continued. “Starting with the SPA brands under large corporations that the association’s board of directors can reach, I also mentioned that there are several designer brands that already maintain a close relationship with the association, right? In addition, there are fashion magazines and media companies that have been building relationships with the association for over a decade….”

Director Kim Geun-tae, listing his forces one by one, glared at Jae-seung and asked, “What do you think will happen if you turn them all into enemies? Do you think you can handle it?”

As soon as his words ended, silence fell again.

Turning his head slightly to glance at Director Song, I saw he was just glaring at Director Kim Geun-tae with a displeased, hardened expression.

‘Korea Fashion Designer Association’….

It’s truly disgusting.

Is it because they want to destroy what they can’t control?

He is now foreshadowing the ‘mud fight’ that frequently occurs behind the scenes in the fashion industry.

This is reality.

When a promising young person appears, the established powers first think about how they can exploit their youth.

It’s a confrontation with those who have already taken root in the industry. The odds of winning are inevitably very low.

Is it right to accept reality, then?

No, absolutely not. If I become a puppet of the association and move accordingly, that life will be no different from my past life.

Turn them all into enemies, and can I handle it?

“Hearing it, it certainly sounds difficult. There would be countless ways for the directors, including you, to put me and Wallflower in trouble.”

Immediately, Director Song, who was sitting next to me, widened his eyes and rebuked in a low voice, “Hey, Lee Jae-seung!”

He seemed so surprised by my sudden display of weakness that he inadvertently spoke informally.

At that moment, Director Kim Geun-tae let out a hearty laugh, “Hahaha-!” and immediately continued. “It seems like you’ve changed your mind a little? This is why conversation is necessary. Okay, good. Then again….”

However, you should always listen to what someone has to say until the end.

“No, that’s not what I meant….”

“Yes?”

I tried to make the most sinister expression I could and continued.

Trying to express blatant hostility in a voice without even a hint of inflection.

“I just said it would be a tough fight, but I never said I would lose, did I?”

Immediately, Director Kim Geun-tae suddenly jumped up from his seat and shouted, veins popping out of his neck. “You stupid-!”

His wide eyes seemed slightly bloodshot.

It was truly an ugly sight.

He continued, unable to hide his agitated emotions, in a voice that trembled violently. “Since you don’t seem to understand what I’m saying, I’ll explain it in concrete terms so you can understand. There are countless ways to harass Designer Lee Jae-seung.”

The explanation of all sorts of underhanded methods continued fluently.

First of all, he said that I wouldn’t even be able to dream of standing on the ‘Seoul Fashion Week’ stage.

He said that even finding models would be difficult. Furthermore, he said that every season, a series of negative reviews would pour out from various magazines connected to the association.

He even threatened to file patent infringement lawsuits for every piece of clothing I released.

He also added that if I didn’t apply for patents for every piece of clothing I released each season, I would spend much more time in court than in the office.

That was certainly a hassle. Applying for patents for hundreds of pieces of clothing every year was practically impossible in terms of cost and time.

After pouring out words fluently for a long time, Director Kim Geun-tae glared at Jae-seung with trembling eyes and added again. “I’ll make it clear, it’s nothing to ruin a fledgling brand. And this is not a suggestion. Designer Lee Jae-seung has only one option. Now, this is your last chance. What are you going to do…?”

Immediately, Jae-seung nodded a few times and quietly uttered his answer.

“If you’re confident, go ahead and try.”

“What?”

“I won’t just sit back and take it.”

If I can’t stand on the Seoul Fashion Week stage?

I can aim for the world’s four major fashion weeks, such as Milan, Paris, London, and New York. If it becomes difficult to use domestic models due to the association’s machinations?

I can just use foreign models.

It wasn’t like I didn’t have connections with foreign model agencies, so there was nothing to worry about.

Also, no matter how many negative reviews domestic magazines poured out, they would disappear like bubbles if I received positive reviews from foreign magazines.

Furthermore, I had already formed a close relationship with ‘Paris Pouge,’ hadn’t I?

And didn’t I already have several domestic magazines that were maintaining friendly relationships?

I didn’t think I needed to worry too much about this either.

If they really filed patent infringement lawsuits indiscriminately, it would be quite annoying, but I could just hire a proper law firm and respond accordingly.

It might also be possible to exploit overseas legislation by bundling designs and applying for patents.

To summarize, the association’s influence is limited to domestic matters.

If ‘overseas expansion’ were just a pipe dream, it might be threatening, but Wallflower is currently on the verge of expanding overseas, isn’t it?

It just feels a bit absurd.

Yeah, if you can, go ahead and try your best. But you should be prepared.

Because the insults and threats you’re throwing around now will come back as an even fiercer storm.

Before long, you’ll bitterly realize you’ve messed with the wrong opponent.

After giving a brief reply, Jaeseung stood up and said quietly, looking at Director Song.

“Let’s go back.”

Soon, Director Song immediately got up and muttered, “Yeah, let’s go. It’s a terrible day….”

Director Kim Geuntae, who had been blankly watching the two, reached out to Director Song and said.

“Wait! You said you’re Director Song?”

“Yes. Why?”

“You have the management rights of Wallflower?”

“Yes. So?”

Director Kim Geuntae forced a smile and continued with difficulty after Song’s low voice.

“I think we might be able to work together….”

At that moment.

“No, do you have that much money?”

“…Excuse me?”

“You must have heard this before.”

Director Song, after briefly speaking, let out a sneer and quietly asked back.

“Have you ever heard that you can fill the sea, but you can’t fill human greed? I wonder if our director is confident in satisfying my greed, which is wider than the sea?”

“Well, let’s sit down and talk….”

Soon, Director Song raised his palm as if to stop him and began to speak in an eerie tone.

“No, you said you have a lot of money, right? Wouldn’t it be better to spend it valuably and enjoy life? Wipe your butt with money, blow your nose with it….”

“What the-?!”

“Let’s be reasonable. You’ll really go to hell if you live like that. What sin do powerless young people commit? Is it a sin to dream?”

After finishing speaking, Director Song bowed politely and said in a low voice, “It’s a bit late, but I hope you repent even now….”

At that moment.

Director Kim Geuntae, who was busy glaring at the two with wide eyes, said in an infinitely eerie tone.

“We’ll see. You’ll both regret it bitterly.”

Soon, Director Song, who had reached the door of the waiting room, put his arm around Jaeseung’s shoulder and said.

“Anyway, what about today’s filming?”

“I should tell them we can’t do it together.”

“Okay. If things don’t go well, let’s go eat gamjatang [spicy pork bone stew].”

“Gamjatang sounds good, are you buying, Director?”

Just before the door of the waiting room for performers closed.

Director Song looked at Director Kim Geuntae, who was still sitting in his seat, unable to control his anger, and said quietly.

“Seriously, the rich are always worse….”

* * *

In the end, the educational program recording was canceled.

When they expressed their intention not to proceed with filming unless it was exclusive, the PD [Production Director] in charge expressed his difficulty and made the decision to cancel the recording with great difficulty.

Thanks to that, I was able to spend a leisurely time eating gamjatang with Director Song.

Director Song, whose cheeks were flushed red from a few shots of soju [Korean distilled beverage], stirred the gamjatang with a ladle and opened his mouth.

“At first, I just thought he was a moderately crazy guy, but after listening, I realized. He was completely insane.”

Director Song, after speaking as if complaining, took another shot of soju and frowned, asking back.

“Anyway, you’re surprisingly feisty, aren’t you? I was really surprised.”

“I didn’t like him from the beginning.”

“Anyway, what do you think? Will he really bother us?”

“Maybe he will? Well, it won’t be a big deal anyway.”

Director Song tilted his head slightly and asked, “Huh?” Jaeseung began to eloquently elaborate on the thoughts he had previously had.

In short, the idea was to target the overseas market, which is beyond the reach of the association.

“After all, the association’s influence is only in the domestic market, right? I don’t think it’s that threatening anyway.”

“Yeah. Oh well, I don’t know. What could happen?”

Soon, Jaeseung began to stare intently at Director Song’s face.

It was because he suddenly remembered his rough remarks to Director Kim Geuntae.

This is why I was so fascinated that I wanted to be with him in my second life.

“What? Why are you staring so intently? We’re going to fall in love.”

“It’s nothing.”

After finishing speaking, Jaeseung smiled brightly.

Of course, it’s not just Director Song.

There are plenty of people around who protect me.

I have to act wisely for their sake.

I have to achieve an efficient victory by any means necessary.

Soon, Jaeseung took out his smartphone and began tapping on the screen.

Director Song, who had been watching Jaeseung for a while, asked with a puzzled look.

“What? You’re suddenly contacting someone while eating?”

“Just….”

Jaeseung slightly blurred the end of his words, then raised his head slightly and replied.

“I’m going to use all the cards I have.”

Can you handle it?

I want to ask back.

Can you handle it?