When I Opened My Eyes I Was a Superstar - Chapter 45

# 45

Our meeting was coincidental (3)

“Brother Lucas?”

Even from afar, Lucas was Lucas.

He was still sticking to his crow-like outfit. If I had met him alone in a dark alley, I would have believed him even if he said he had come to deliver death.

“It’s been a while, Do-wook…”

Director Oh Baek-ho and Lucas seemed to be discussing something, and there were several sheets of A4 paper piled up on the conference room table. There were also photos taken of models wearing clothing.

“Just sit down first.”

Oh Baek-ho sat Do-wook, who was greeting Lucas, at the table.

During KK’s debut promotion, Lucas did really great styling. While highlighting each member’s individuality, it did not harm the stage by creating a sense of unity. Rather, it was a styling that made the stage stand out.

Also, as a new designer with strengths in street fashion, he used a lot of street brands and received sponsorship from various brands.

Thanks to Lucas’ sophisticated styling, KK was able to build an image that was one step ahead in both singing and style.

I also received a lot of advice on the ‘plain clothes fashion’ I wear every day, which served as an opportunity to develop my personal sense. Of course, Kim Won has such a distinct personality that no one can stop him, so he hasn’t made any progress and is still walking around the streets in strange clothes.

“I should start by congratulating you. Mr. Lucas is said to be launching a brand soon.”

“Really? Congratulations!”

“That’s it. Thank you.”

Lucas answered, ruffling his bangs that fell below his eyebrows with his hand. The slit eyes revealed when the bangs were parted were sharp.

While working as a KK stylist, Lucas did not neglect design work. Perhaps thanks to this, a fashion company affiliated with a large corporation contacted me saying they wanted to invest in Lucas’ brand.

It wasn’t that there were no difficulties during the process. We had to gather a lot of people around us and there were a lot of design concerns. There was also friction with investors. However, after much effort, Lucas was about to have the honor of launching his own brand.

‘Is it Keith Lucas…!’

The name of the brand that Lucas will launch is ‘Keith Lucas.’ The diamond shape was the symbol. Dowook thought, recalling the symbol.

Soon, even plain white shirts with Keith Lucas’ diamond-shaped symbol the size of a fingernail would be selling like hot cakes, even at high prices.

“I wanted to invite you to the launch event… I’ve been thinking about it for a long time.”

“I’m grateful!…”

Do-wook looked at Oh Baek-ho, not hiding his joy at the news of the invitation.

“I’m checking the schedule, but I think it might work. “Among celebrities, you were the only stylist, so you couldn’t be left out.”

There were no major difficulties with the schedule, not the activity period. It was also a good schedule to give fans something to eat during the hiatus. Oh Baek-ho said that it would be a lot of help as it was his first time participating in a fashion event.

“Do-wook, and… I want to make you a model…”

“Yes?”

Lucas organized the model photos on the table and held them out in front of Dowook.

Although the only clothes he wore were black, the clothes he actually designed had a refreshing feel that made anyone who knew Lucas question them. Intense primary colors blended well throughout the place, creating individuality.

“cool.”

Dowook muttered as if in admiration. As expected, diamond shapes were studded on every piece of clothing.

Lucas pointed at one of them. It was a photo of a model wearing a bright blue and light gray sweatshirt and dark gray pants.

“I wish you could wear this outfit…”

“Are you really talking about the runway?”

“Uh…”

“How could I do the runway…!”

Dowook asked, genuinely surprised.

“So, that’s right. “Of course it’s okay to be invited, but it can be funny to stand on the runway even though you’re not a model.”

Oh Baek-ho also seemed to have a negative stance on that issue and helped out next to the surprised Do-wook. It was hard to tell what kind of eyes Lucas had because his bangs were down, but his mouth was firm.

The fashion company that invested in Keith Lucas wanted a buzz at the launch event.

Lucas was already a highly recognized designer in the design industry. There were many people in the industry who graduated from the New York School of Design, where Lucas graduated, and many were fascinated by Lucas’s Nordic sensibility, which was rare in Korea. Therefore, a large number of industry figures were already scheduled to participate in the event.

Also, as long as a fashion company affiliated with a large corporation participated, there was no problem with the attendance of celebrities.

However, the company wanted more public attention. These were Keith Lucas products that were mid- to high-priced, not luxury goods. In order to sell, it was important to create a topic that would make the public aware of the brand and to be clearly recognized as a ‘popular brand.’

As part of that approach, the company’s marketing team first suggested having a top celebrity on the runway.

However, Lucas had no desire to feature celebrities who did not fit his image at his brand launch show just because they were famous.

While the war of words was going on, the person Lucas suggested as a model was KK member Do-wook.

Although she was not the top celebrity suggested by the company, KK was the hottest celebrity recently. As suggested by Lucas, he was a person who not only fit the brand’s image, but also met the topicality the company was hoping for to some extent.

“So… I really want you to stand… Unlike a normal fashion show, the concept is to walk down the street… There is no need to model walk… ..”

After listening to Lucas’ explanation, Dowook also understood why Lucas had bothered to suggest him as a model.

Keith Lucas was a brand that was in the spotlight as soon as it was launched and would expand globally. If he stands at a fashion show, Do-wook will also be able to attract attention anyway.

‘Getting attention isn’t everything. If you don’t do well, your image will only be tarnished. Director Oh, I’m sure you’re worried about this too. ‘There are parts where the outcome is unknown… You have to make a good decision.’

Dowook, who was struggling, looked through the photos and asked.

“Please explain in more detail what the concept of walking on the road is like. “I think you need to know first before you can make a decision.”

Lucas began explaining the concept in detail, starting with the overall stage structure. Do-wook and Oh Baek-ho listened to Lucas’ explanation.

***

On the day of the ‘Keith Lucas’ brand launching event.

The event and fashion show were held at a large three-story select shop in Garosu-gil, Sinsa-dong.

A photo wall was installed on the first floor, and there was a photo time as if it were a pre-ceremony event. The fashion show took place on the third floor. After the fashion show, there was scheduled to be an after-party on the second floor.

Each of the KK members wore the Keith Lucas clothes sent by Lucas and styled them in different styles. Lucas sent appropriate items considering the images of the KK members.

Meanwhile, Kim Won said he would wear a bright red handkerchief, a product from his personal collection, on top of the white shirt sent by Lucas, so the coordinators were busy taking out the handkerchief and hiding it.

The group item was Converse shoes with a logo, and everyone was wearing Converse shoes.

Ahn Hyeong-seo opened his mouth as he saw the actress waving her hand and taking pictures at the photo wall. The KK members were waiting for their turn in the back.

“Don’t really do that.”

Although he tried not to appear unsophisticated, Jeong Yoongi also muttered without realizing it. I met many prominent singers behind the scenes. However, it was my first time meeting actors or other celebrities in person.

Fortunately, the excitement of being a life song MC was all they saw from a famous actor.

“That guy…”

Seok Ji-hoon stuttered in surprise, pointing to a middle-aged man standing in front of the elevator to go up to the third floor. Ahn Hyeong-seo was curious as he looked at the man with a dull look.

“Who are you?” “He just looks like an old man?!”

“It’s not just you, bro! He was the chief designer at Louis Bene. “I’ve seen your face on Korean TV often these days.”

It was Seok Ji-hoon, who often watched fashion-related broadcasts. It seemed like they were wearing ordinary clothes, but they were all luxury items. Louis Bene was a luxury brand whose price ranged from several million won to 10 million won per bag.

“Wow.. Lucas has achieved success.”

Hyeong-seo Ahn muttered and looked at Do-wook. Dowook was more reticent than usual.

“There are times when Do-wook gets nervous like that. Dowook, don’t be too nervous! “You’ll do well.”

“That’s right, bro.”

Do-wook raised his eyes to the encouragement of Ahn Hyeong-seo and Seok Ji-hoon.

After some persuasion from Lucas, Dowook and Hit Entertainment accepted the model offer. As Lucas said, it was not a professional model walk, but a runway that could be done with some practice. I was confident that it was an effort.

It was a good opportunity. Dowook had no intention of missing out on a good opportunity. Dowook was now full of confidence.

‘Yes, you just have to do well.’

The runway started about an hour later.

It was the first time Keith Lucas’ clothes were shown at an official event. Lucas was working on the models’ clothes at the back of the stage. Before the show, Lucas’ nerves were extremely high.

There were a total of 35 costumes to wear, and Dowook became the 34th person to stand on stage just before the ending. Compared to other models who had to stand on stage two or three times, Dowook only had to stand on stage once.

Of course, there were models who looked with disapproval at the fact that Dowook, who was not a model, was standing on the runway. It was natural that they had taken their place. Dowook endured the stinging gaze without any problem. It wasn’t his fault, it was just a glance.

On the other hand, there were many models that I didn’t think much about because I thought it was a special model. On the contrary, there were people who were amazed by the appearance of the idol members and wanted to become friends with them.

Lucas’s hands were delicate as he adjusted his clothes with the helper. If you look at the details of the clothes, you can see how much effort Lucas put into them.

‘For the sake of the models standing with me… Above all, for this designer’s sake, I must not cause trouble on the runway.’

As I was making my resolution, Lucas cleared his throat and shouted.

“i look forward to!”

The show began with applause from the models and helpers. Music flowed from the runway in front of the stage.

The busy atmosphere behind the runway was reminiscent of swans on a lake. It was almost a mess with models and staff quickly changing clothes and preparing props.

Dowook, who only had to stand on stage once, stood in the middle of the chaos waiting for his turn.

All kinds of fallen leaves were spread on the stage. The model in front walked while dragging a bicycle. Further in front, there was a model who walked the stage on a skateboard.

The prop given to Dowook was a watch. All Do-wook had to do was walk out naturally, check his watch as if waiting for an appointment, and then come back in.

It was Dowook’s turn.

Do-wook practiced walking thousands of times over several days with help from Seok Ji-hoon, who had acting experience with Lucas and had seen many fashion shows.

In fact, Seok Ji-hoon said that walking naturally and standing still was one of the most difficult parts of acting. This was because it was likely to look awkward. Therefore, among the actors, there were some who were unable to act while standing and had to act while leaning against a wall.

Thinking about that, Dowook studied how to use the body naturally.

‘Naturally, this is a street and I just walk.’

The eyes of celebrities from various fields, including the KK members sitting in the audience, were focused on Dowook.

Dowook’s height is 184cm.

Although he was much shorter than the models, Do-wook boasted extraordinary proportions, and we couldn’t help but admire his appearance, with his hair slicked back and neatly dressed. Every time Do-wook took a step, attention was focused on Do-wook’s next step.

***

The runway ended with the last model standing on the runway. When Lucas came out and said hello, the applause continued. Everyone praised Keith Lucas’ costume. It was a planned success.

After greeting the models behind the runway and changing clothes, Dowook belatedly attended the after party.

There were desserts on display that were so beautifully decorated that it was almost a shame to eat them.

There were so many people mixed together that it was difficult to find the KK members at a glance. It was time to pick up my phone to call and find out which side I was on. The woman who was standing behind Do-wook hurriedly passed by and pushed Do-wook without realizing it.

“Oh!”

As a result, my hand slipped and my phone fell to the floor. The woman was busy going her own way, unaware that she had pushed Do-wook away.

Dowook, who was looking at the woman’s back in shock, was trying to pick up the cell phone that had fallen on the floor.

“Here you go. “Is it okay to treat the cell phone I received as a gift so carelessly?”

There was a slight crack in the cell phone screen. The person who held out the cell phone to Do-wook was a middle-aged man with a dignified feel.

Do-wook, who was about to say thank you, stopped moving. The man was the president of ‘Yuseong Electronics,’ which made mobile phones.