Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 323



Only Noblemtl

Episode 323

“It’s Hayang’s fashion show debut, but I can’t see it in person… … .”

Rika groaned as she stared at the monitor.

The members were gathered around the monitor, watching a live broadcast of Fukuyo Hidaka’s fashion show.

“When will Hayang come?”

For 30 minutes already, Jang Ha-yang had not shown up on the red carpet at the entrance.

It was somewhat worth seeing the world’s celebrities who were invited to the fashion show walk in to thunderous cheers.

Still, I wanted to see Jang Ha-yang quickly.

“Huh? Isn’t this guy a film director? Hey, that French guy.”

Joara said as she looked at the Westerner who entered the red carpet. She pressed her temples and wondered who he was, then suddenly clapped her hands.

“That’s right, that guy! The guy who made a movie about a high school girl beating a bunch of thugs to death with an axe!”

“Joara, do you see that?”

“It’s fun, right? What’s wrong with action movies? I’d rather watch a melodrama that forces you to cry than you.”

“I’ve known since long ago that you have no sensitivity.”

Shin A-reum once recommended a very touching movie to Jo A-ra.

It was a movie that Shin A-reum watched five times, and she cried like a flood every time she watched it.

But Joara was just indifferent.

“No, you just don’t like our country’s movies?”

“What? No, that’s not it.”

“You don’t watch Korean movies because you have a hipster mentality. Then have you ever cried while watching a Korean movie? Or been moved?”

“… … ‘Oldboy’?”

“You’re okay with shooting a gun and bleeding?”

Joara shook her head.

I had no intention of talking to a person who didn’t know the value of action movies full of blood, flesh, revenge, and anger.

Joara spoke softly as she looked at the French director standing in the photo line.

“So someone like that can become an ambassador. It’s not just about being pretty or cool.”

Above all, the fact that a famous director attended a Japanese brand’s fashion show is surprising in itself.

Of the celebrities who have been in attendance since a while ago, most were naturally Japanese, but there were also quite a few from around the world.

“Ha-yang is in a place like that… … .”

Baek Seol-ha’s voice was filled with pride for her younger brother.

And at that moment, Jang Ha-yang appeared.

Jang Ha-yang got out of the sedan provided by Webex, grabbed Sung-pil’s arm, and walked down the red carpet.

“Everyone, look at this!”

The real-time chat window, which had been pushed to a corner, became much more lively than before.

The chat window was filled with people calling out Jang Ha-yang’s name. Hearts and flames filled the chat window, making it difficult to even tell what was being said.

“Unnie Hayang is super famous!”

“Wow, this is the first time I’ve seen anything like this.”

Garo Enter has posted Jang Ha-yang’s fashion show participation schedule on its official schedule.

This live broadcast must have been known to the ‘people’ of Korea as well. However, Korean and English appeared similarly in the chat window.

In particular, Japanese was seen more than Korean and English combined.

“Isn’t it true that we are more famous in Japan than in Korea?”

“Uh, uh, um, maybe… … ?”

It was only natural, since Webex, one of Japan’s three major entertainment companies, gave it a full-fledged push.

Perhaps it would be much better for the Girls’ League to remain in Japan rather than continue its activities in Korea.

Of course, I’m talking about commercial aspects.

“Hehehe, you’re pretty, unnie.”

Rika proudly looked at Jang Ha-yang, who was standing in the photo line.

Behind Jang Ha-yang, the brand name ‘Fukuyo Hidaka’ was written in large letters.

It really feels like I’m seeing a celebrity.

“Atashi (I) will become like my older sister later!”

“Is there any brand you would like to become an ambassador for?”

“It’s Yves Saint Laurent!”

The only Yves Saint Laurent item I own is Rouge.

But for some reason, Rika felt attached to Yves Saint Laurent. Could it be because she was determined to give Sungpil a Yves Saint Laurent T-shirt as a gift after receiving her payment?

‘Oh, if I become a YSL ambassador, I’ll get a lot of clothes, right? Then I don’t need to buy them separately for the CEO, right?’

Rika thought of Sungpil, who was happy, buried in a pile of Yves Saint Laurent clothes.

A smile naturally appeared on Rika’s lips.

While the happiness circuit was burning like that, Jin So-yu appeared on the red carpet.

“That’s a bit too much.”

Shin Areum laughed in vain.

“Why Soyou’s older sister?”

“No. Since Hayang is an idol, she dressed up in an idol-like way. But Soyou… … .”

She was wrapped up in an old-fashioned dress, as if she had come to an awards ceremony.

“Isn’t that rude? Since there are other Korean idols, they should bring out their unique characteristics… … .”

Shin A-reum’s mouth opened.

Everyone wondered why and followed her gaze to a corner of the monitor.

The chat room was so crowded that it was impossible to follow the view. And soon.

“What, what is it?”

The chat window was paralyzed and all the text was erased.

“… … Is this because of ownership?”

The appearance of Kaius brought about a reaction that was incomparable to that of other celebrities.

Of course, it couldn’t be compared to Jang Ha-yang.

* * *

Even after passing through the road lined with reporters and people and entering the building, the barrage of camera shutters did not stop.

There were also reporters inside the building.

Jang Ha-yang held Sung-pil’s arm and moved forward with a blank expression. Cell phones and camera flashes fell like a waterfall toward her.

“Mr. Hayang, this way.”

The staff guided us.

Now it was time for Seongpil and Jang Hayang to part ways.

“Hayang, fighting.”

Jang Ha-yang just smiled. It wasn’t hard to tell just from that how nervous she was.

If it were normal, I would have given a simple answer.

Seongpil smiled awkwardly and gestured for her to go.

“Director.”

But Jang Ha-yang didn’t leave right away.

A man and a woman faced each other amid flashes of light exploding from all directions.

“huh.”

“I will do well and come back.”

Seongpil answered lightly. It was to relieve her of her burden.

“You don’t have to do it well. Just enjoy it.”

“… … .”

Jang Ha-yang nodded with the corners of her lips turned up dryly. Then she disappeared following the staff.

Seongpil saw her off until she was out of sight, then headed to his assigned seat.

‘I’m sorry I’m the only one who came.’

The number of people who can enter the fashion show venue is very limited. It is not a large venue that can accommodate thousands of people like a concert hall.

‘The only people who can come here are celebrities or people with a lot of influence in the fashion industry.’

However, thanks to Tatsuya’s consideration, Seongpil was able to get a seat.

I was so grateful and sorry at the same time.

If it weren’t for Sungpil, there would have been a position for someone in the industry who could help ‘Fukuyo Hidaka’.

Seongpil, who sat down in a confused mood, glanced at the person sitting next to him.

‘You’re a Westerner.’

There was a line of people holding cell phones and cameras in front of him, and they surrounded him and kept flashing their cameras.

The Westerner sat there indifferently, taking all the flashes, as if it didn’t bother him at all.

‘Wow, wait a minute. Is this that guy?’

He is the director of Joara’s favorite movies.

The director of the movie that Jo Ara always chose as her life’s best movie in her previous life. If Jo Ara were here, she would probably faint with joy.

‘Someone like this comes too.’

Seongpil, who had been vaguely feeling curious, suddenly took out his cell phone because an idea came to him.

Seongpil searched for ‘sign’ in French.

‘Ara will like it if you give her her autograph.’

I searched for Autograph in English and translated it into French. It changed to Un Autographe.

‘What? Is the pronunciation the same as English?’

While filming ‘Music for Companionship’, Sungpil followed Baek Seol-ha to France.

I remember that at that time, I spoke to the hotel staff in English as if it were natural, and he seemed offended.

‘I think the French are very proud of their language.’

So, if you ask this film director to sign in English, he might get offended and refuse to sign.

Seongpil put the phone to his ear and pressed the ‘pronunciation’ button on the translator.

[An Autograph]

Mechanical French spread widely in all directions.

Naturally, everyone’s attention was drawn to it.

Of course, the director next to Sungpil, but also the celebrities and fashion people around him, and even the people who gathered to take pictures of the celebrities.

I saw all of Seongpil.

“… … Hehe.”

When someone let out a weak laugh, a soft laughter spread throughout the surroundings.

Seongpil lowered his head, unable to overcome his embarrassment. Then he heard a voice from the side.

“Autographe?”

The director asked Seongpil with a big smile.

“Uh, uh (yeah)… … .”

Seongpil gave Shin Areum the notebook and pen he had received as a birthday present, which he always carried with him.

After a while, Sungpil was given a fancy French autograph. And only after they took a picture together did he get time to chew on his embarrassment alone.

‘I really feel like an idiot… … .’

Still, I didn’t feel too bad when I imagined Jo Ara being happy to receive this autograph.

Seongpil looked ahead to forget the embarrassing situation that had just occurred.

The fashion show stage was still dark.

‘Is Hayang walking here?’

Unusually, the runway was not above the audience. It was perfectly level with the audience.

Besides, Seongpil is sitting right in front, so when the models walk by, he can observe them from just 1 or 2 meters away.

‘Hayang will do well.’

No, being good at it isn’t the problem.

Seongpil felt deep gratitude towards Hashimoto for giving him this opportunity.

As she began to learn how to walk and pose like a model on the fashion show, Jang Ha-yang was able to discover her strengths.

‘On the first day of receiving a lecture from Mr. Haruki, Hayang looked happy.’

He actually expressed his emotions with tears in his eyes.

I’ve always seen only the things that are worse than others, but I finally found what I’m good at.

Jang Ha-yang shed tears, saying that there is at least one thing she is better at than others.

‘Yeah, being good at it isn’t the problem.’

Jang Ha-yang may find joy, not just pressure, for the first time today.

Rather than being stuck at the crossroads of whether or not you can succeed on stage, you can find a joyful place where you can showcase your talents.

‘Although it doesn’t have much to do with idol work.’

Seongpil had been watching Jang Hayang’s efforts for over three years. Sometimes he wanted to stop her.

Because the level of practice was so excessive, it was not uncommon for people to become exhausted or collapse.

Only one goal, to be the best idol.

And that was also Seongpil’s dream.

‘I might have given Hayang the chains.’

Living as an idol, wouldn’t Jang Ha-yang only feel satisfied within the chains?

Will there ever be a time when we are truly free?

If you push yourself like that… … will you be happy?

Of course, Jang Ha-yang says she is happy because it is the path to her dream. However, Seong-pil hopes that she will find a moment to truly enjoy.

‘I hope you can find a moment where you can feel only joy, free from all the pressure and expectations and the shackles that are placed on you.’

So, I deliberately never told Jang Ha-yang things like, ‘You have to do well,’ ‘I am expecting you,’ or ‘I believe in you.’

Seongpil hoped that his attitude would help Jang Ha-yang.

* * *

“Where did Amelia go!”

“Try walking. Oh, walk there! Understand what people are saying!”

“Oh, what should I do? When I actually look at this, it’s a dud.”

The backstage of the fashion show was a mess.

Designers, staff, and models were all crowded together in a small space, creating chaos.

Jang Ha-yang was in a makeshift changing room with curtains as the walls.

“I’ll fix it.”

The makeup staff applied sticky lotion to Jang Ha-yang, who was in her underwear. Her hands caressed all over Jang Ha-yang’s bare skin, making it shiny.

“Other than this person! Isn’t there another body?!”

Jang Ha-yang flinched at the sound of shouting outside the curtain. Then the makeup artist chuckled.

“I feel uneasy every time I come here. People don’t call me by my name, but rather just ‘body.’ I guess designers don’t even see models as people.”

Jang Ha-yang did not answer.

As the makeup artist finished applying the lotion, the designers who had been waiting outside came in with the clothes.

Jang Ha-yang was quickly dressed by the skilled hands of the designers.

Jang Ha-yang, wearing Tatsuya’s work ‘Black Sea’, felt a strange sense of stability.

“I just made the final decision, but there is no hat.”

“Aren’t you using it?”

During the run-through rehearsal, there was a hat like a veil that Tatsuya had made.

“Yes. Team Leader Mahara just said to get rid of it.”

Jang Ha-yang came out of the dressing room wearing heels that were over 15cm high. Then, as if she had been waiting, another model came into the dressing room.

The models who used the changing rooms were lucky. Many of them took off their clothes in the chaos without a care in the world.

There were even models who showed their bodies to designers wearing only their underwear.

“It’s a mess.”

Jin So-yu, who had come close to Jang Ha-yang, spoke. Jang Ha-yang looked at her and was momentarily speechless.

Jin So-yu expressed a subtle sense of satisfaction upon seeing the reaction.

“How is it, Sister, you’re pretty, right?”

“yes.”

If it were normal, I would have said that the response was dry and asked for something else to say.

But just now, Jang Ha-yang’s expression alone was praise enough.

“Follow me.”

“Where are you going?”

“Let’s check the route one last time.”

Jin So-yu carefully extended her hand.

Carefully.

Jang Ha-yang found Jin So-yu’s attitude extremely awkward. If she wanted to hold his hand, he seemed like the kind of person who would confidently grab it at any time.

“yes.”

When Jang Ha-yang took her hand, the smile on Jin So-yu’s face became even brighter than before.

The two stood in front of the poster board.

The models’ photos, route, and catwalk structure were described in detail.

“We’re the opening event so we’re the first ones out. I’m number one and Hayang is number two.”

Yes, Jang Ha-yang is the second.

The first time doing anything is always stressful.

The second one is somewhat better.

But it’s only slightly better, and not much different from the first one.

‘But why… … .’

Jang Ha-yang felt strange.

Like anyone else who has something important coming up, I feel anxious and wish I could delay it for a little longer.

I didn’t feel that way at all.

Rather, I wanted to get out quickly.

At the same time, it was empty.

‘You don’t have to do it well. Just enjoy it.’

The last words I heard from Seongpil struck my empty heart.

The sound made my heart feel even more empty.

“Hayang, look here. It’s fun.”

Jin So-yu pointed to a photo of a model stuck on the casting board. Beneath the photo were short letters written in bad handwriting.

[18 years old. Leg line is killer. Sexy. Small chest. No experience in famous brand fashion shows. Belly button is weird.]

The contents of the evaluation of the model by experts from ‘Fukuyo Hidaka’ were written openly.

Below are the clothes the model had to wear, the designer of the clothes, and the staff’s duties.

Jang Ha-yang frowned.

“It really is a world where what you see is everything.”

Unlike Jang Ha-yang, Jin So-yu looked happy.

“10 minutes ago! Everyone, standby!”

The staff’s guidance was passed on by word of mouth.

The fashion show will start soon.

Before that, Jang Ha-yang asked Jin So-yu what she wanted to ask.

“Are you having fun, Sister?”

“what?”

“I’m going to stand on the fashion show.”

“I don’t know because I haven’t been there yet. But I’m sure it’ll be fun.”

“It seems like you enjoy showing yourself to other people. Being recognized and receiving attention… .”

Tatsuya had told her to just enjoy the runway. Unfortunately, Jang Ha-yang still seemed unable to do so.

That’s why I was jealous of Jin So-yu.

She feels happy just by revealing herself.

“I don’t really need any recognition.”

“yes?”

“It’s just fun when people are amazed.”

Is that all?

“Everyone is looking at me, and that’s so fun. It’s the same on stage. People are following me, cheering, and all that. You can see the feedback immediately.”

“Is there a reason why you became an idol…?”

“I like being noticed.”

Jang Ha-yang slumped his shoulders in despair.

At a drinking party with Jeong Ho-hwan and Seong Pil. At that time, Jin So-yu said to Jang Ha-yang, “I guess you have a sense of calling as an idol.”

I thought it was a fight.

‘But, for this reason, it makes sense for someone who is an idol to think that way… … .’

A sudden outpouring of interest.

That’s just fun.

I don’t want anything else.

To Jin So-yu, people are nothing more than vending machines. Vending machines that express admiration when you show them a performance.

Jin So-yu seems to see everyone, whether they are fans, spectators, or passers-by, as just the same machine.

“Hayang-ah.”

Jin So-yu strengthened the hand she held with Jang Ha-yang. The warmth was transmitted more strongly, connecting the two.

She called Jang Ha-yang and waited even longer.

And he said it with a little hesitation.

“You have to be selfish.”

I had heard this before, when I was preparing for the special year-end stage.

“Live selfishly. Don’t live for others. Or… … .”

“You think I’ll be worse than my sister?”

Jang Ha-yang shook off Jin So-yu’s hand.

Jin So-yu was surprised and took a step back.

“I know, you look at me strangely. But that’s just how I am.”

Jin So-yu was visibly embarrassed.

‘That’s not what I meant… … .’

But now it is certain.

How much meaning does Seongpil have to Jang Ha-yang? It’s much more than what I felt at the drinking party back then.

Jin So-yu cleared her confusion and smiled a beautiful smile that was dizzying.

“Really? But what should I do? I’m the one who shines brighter.”

Jin So-yu brought her mouth to Jang Ha-yang’s ear.

“When we went to do our test shoot, you know, when Director Park Sung-pil and I met in the hallway. That’s when the director said this to me.”

Jang Ha-yang shines more.

Even if it’s on the runway.

“You know that, but that’s a lie.”

Jin So-yu laughed teasingly as she pulled away from Jang Ha-yang.

“What will happen to our Ha-yang? If that happens to you, the person who is the reason you became an idol.”

Jin So-yu roughly stamped the heels of her high heels and leaned her upper body forward. As if trying to press down on Jang Ha-yang, Jin So-yu looked down at Jang Ha-yang with her superior height.

“How does it feel? That the producer’s admiration isn’t for you, but for another group?”

“… … Ahahaha.”

Jang Ha-yang roughly swept back her hair, which the hair stylist had painstakingly styled.

“That’s right. Director Park can be a bit absurd sometimes. He always says, ‘Cause, Cause, Cause…’ But I never thought I would say something like that.”

Jang Ha-yang raised his head stiffly as if he didn’t want to give in to Jin So-yu.

“Director Park will regret it. When he sees a real diamond in front of him and realizes that he was charmed by a fake diamond made of graphite.”

“… … Fake diamonds? Me?”

“Sister, when you get home today, check out the fashion show video carefully.”

I, Jang Ha-yang, will shine even brighter.

“under.”

What a presumptuous statement this is.

Jin So-yu couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.

‘Hayang, you haven’t changed at all since you used to. Even after coming here, you haven’t changed at all.’

While preparing for the special year-end stage, he even gave me some valuable advice.

Jang Ha-yang still doesn’t love herself. She doesn’t trust herself. The reason she trusts and loves herself is because of Seong-pil.

“okay?”

Jin So-yu asked back.

Jang Ha-yang felt a strong trembling coming from his heart.

‘Why am I so excited?’

There is no need to feel competitive or show it.

It’s not a battle that can be statistically proven like album sales.

It’s not a match that can be judged intuitively, like the level of performance.

It’s something like an event that has nothing to do with idols.

‘The director didn’t expect it, and he never said anything.’

However, Jang Ha-yang felt a strong fighting spirit.

“I see.”

Jin So-yu headed towards the stage without saying anything else.

The show is about to start.

“Then look. Fake diamonds… … .”

A jewel that doesn’t require recognition from others and is content to shine on its own.

“How bright it shines.”

Jin So-yu stepped onto the stage.

At that moment, Jin So-yu’s vision caught sight of hundreds of people surrounding the runway.

At the same time, they all disappeared.

Jin So-yu was standing alone on the runway. And the one in front was… … .

‘It’s visible.’

It was just a mirror reflecting oneself.

Jin So-yu smiled brightly and walked towards the mirror.

‘Fake diamonds?’

There is no such thing as fake or real diamonds.

The moment anything becomes a diamond, it becomes a symbol of eternity that has no second-hand value.

‘Look.’

A jewel that has been granted eternal beauty for a thousand years.

Jinsoyou.

‘and.’

* * *

‘Be amazed.’

Again.

Jin So-yu’s heels hit the end of the runway hard. The clear sound coming from them and the light reflected off the heels struck people’s eyes.

Silent exclamations and camera shutters poured in from all directions.

Jin So-yu felt an endless sense of elation under the intense lighting.

‘you.’

Jin So-yu looked at the mirror right in front of her.

The friend inside was so beautiful.

‘It’s the best. Can you feel it?’

A wave of gaze that shoots without regard to time and space.

Jin So-yu turned back, using the heel as an axis. At the same time, one person stood out clearly in the audience that she had not been paying attention to.

It was Seongpil.

Seeing the ecstasy in his eyes, Jin So-yu felt a rare sense of personal satisfaction.

‘Ah, but Hayang.’

While Jin So-yu was walking backstage, model number 2, Jang Ha-yang, had just come out onto the runway.

‘You’ve been looking at someone else from the start.’

As soon as Jang Ha-yang came out from backstage, she looked for Seong-pil in the audience and looked into his eyes.

And it’s shaking.

Above all, I can’t hide my mental tension after seeing Jin So-yu’s walking and posing just now.

‘If you keep acting like that, you won’t be able to gain confidence.’

The distance between Jin So-yu and Jang Ha-yang is getting closer.

Until the two met, Jang Ha-yang’s walking was merely mechanical.

It’s so shabby considering that it was declared to be brighter than Jinsoyu…

‘uh?’

Jang Ha-yang, who was getting closer to Jin So-yu.

‘… … Are you laughing?’

He laughed as if he couldn’t stand it any longer.

Now I see that Seongpil was smiling too.

‘Why are you laughing…?’