Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: And That's It
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A fairly large-scale internet edit shop.
It's a site that picks a single concept and brings in products from brands fitting that concept to sell.
The most important thing on sites like this is the model.
To showcase the edit shop's concept, showing the model is far more effective than just displaying the products.
What body type suits which clothes.
And what vibe they give off when worn.
Showing that clearly.
"What? The person we talked about can't make it?"
So the director handling today's shoot was startled and asked the staff member again.
"Yes... Looks like there was some scheduling snag at their agency."
"Jeez... This is a problem."
If things fell through like this, they'd have to cough up not just penalty fees but hefty commissions too.
But even getting compensated that way, nobody came out ahead.
The shopping mall would face delays and headaches, and the agency would lose trust.
So the director fiddled with his chin beard, his face complicated.
Just then, the staffer who'd broken the bad news glanced at their phone for a moment before looking up again, this time with a brighter tone.
"Ah, Director. We can go ahead with the shoot. Luckily, another model can make it..."
"Another one? Sigh... Tell them it's fine for now. If it were any other agency, I'd cancel outright, but yours is reliable enough."
Yeon Agency.
They had a solid reputation built up.
No-shows like this weren't entirely the agency's fault, but if you dug deeper, it was probably more the model's personal issue.
Tongue clicking softly, the director started prepping the shoot.
'Well, they won't drag in some weird F-lister.'
Like a total rookie.
Or someone with a vibe totally opposite the contracted model.
As the director mulled that over...
"Sorry...!!"
'An actor...?'
He was floored by the model the Yeon Agency president had brought.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ By the time we arrived at the studio, Yeon-a had explained the whole situation.
The original model got hit by a sudden typhoon delaying her flight.
No suitable substitute with a similar vibe available, and the ones who were had packed schedules.
Even scraping talent from other agencies didn't meet Yeon-a's standards.
She also mentioned relying on rivals would put her agency at a disadvantage.
'The president's no lightweight.'
From the story, Yeon Agency seemed pretty prominent in the biz, which must give her even more headaches.
"Yeon-bi. I'm so grateful you stepped in today. But you need to focus—the overall flow and your tasks have to be crystal clear."
Yeon-a's giddy car-ride face, buzzing about outfits, shifted completely.
She started explaining point by point in a firmer tone.
"Today's shoot is for the shopping mall photos. Edit shop—you know what that is?"
"Uh... No."
At work, if you don't know something, admit it upfront.
Pretend you do halfway and screw up? All on you.
'Especially since it's tied to Yeon-a's career, even if it's my gig...'
She trusted me. Time to earn it.
"Got it, I'll explain. An edit shop locks in a concept and stocks clothes that fit it."
Hm. Still fuzzy.
I tilted my head, and she simplified further.
"Easy example: A street-style edit shop pulls 'street' clothes from brands the owner likes and sells them. Beyond street, you've got eco shops or ones just for specific body types."
"Ah. I get the vibe."
Glad it's not rocket science.
"Perfect. Today's spot sells mostly Americaji-style stuff from internet edit shops."
"A-Americaji?"
Not like Americano? Total first-timer, head tilt.
"Americaji. Roughly, American clothes as styled by Japanese folks. Here, pics."
Words alone? No clue.
Yeon-a popped up briefly and returned with photos.
Different outfits, but a clear unified feel.
What to call it...
'Pure Japanese street vibe.'
Never been, but screams media Japan fashion.
'Women's wear, but... not the minis I pictured.'
Skirts, sure—but super long.
Coats I dig too.
Overall: demure base with stylish flair.
'This? Doable.'
"Uh... okay? Looks good?"
Yeon-a eyed me cautiously.
She was itching to doll me up, but my say mattered more.
Adorably checking—couldn't help a chuckle.
"Yeah. Looks fine. Clothes are clothes... face stays out, right?"
"No lies here. Site time."
Phone out, mall loaded.
Barely any face shots indeed.
Some full-face try-ons existed, but she clarified today's weren't those.
"Yours'll be like this."
Eyes to her pointed photo.
Back views, shoe close-ups, pants or shirts solo—product focus.
"Shops with diehard fans prefer product-only over full-face full-body."
"Why?"
"Models boost traffic and vibe-checks, but pricey."
Money talks.
"Plus, these fans know exactly how it'll look on them sans model. Works fine."
"Then... mannequins?"
"Nah, different beast. Humans show design, wrinkles, buttons, shadow tones properly."
Just snapshots? Nah, details ramped my nerves.
Face must've tightened; Yeon-a patted my shoulder with a grin.
"Relax! No face, no expressions. Follow director's cues. Easy peasy."
"Hm... So unnie's role is...?"
"Biggest diff between us—what d'you think?"
Sudden quiz.
Racked brain—blank.
Almost blurted height, swallowed it.
"No idea."
"Here to here. All."
Finger from head to chest to legs.
Unthinking nod.
"Owning that? Kinda ballsy."
"R-really?"
Sheepish head-scratch; her chuckle followed.
"Ballsy is model mindset. Good—prepped. Let's roll. I'm with you, no sweat."
Back pat.
Joke thawed my ice.
My ease softened her too.
"Hm... Yeon-bi in this today, that too. Killer match. Ooh, this slays? Your take?"
Phone-scrolling, hyped chatter.
Maybe just wanted dress-up doll?
"Dunno."
"You'll slay. Shoot chill—all perfect fits."
Sparkly eyes.
Yup. Dress-up vibes.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Good. Skirt whipping sideways like now. Yes~ perfect."
Figured it'd work out somehow. It did.
Lost count of changes.
Swap on cue, pose, snap.
'Models just grinders too.'
No cakewalk.
Wear-and-pose ain't trivial.
"Okay. 30-min break, next outfit after."
"Ugh..."
Live to skirt-up for work? Vowed never—poof.
"Yeon-bi..!! You killed it..."
Shuffled past white screen; coffee-bearing Yeon-a dashed over.
"Ah... Unnie."
"Rough? Rest-shoot-reshoot-done..."
"Long haul left."
Coffee sip, quip—sorry eyes met mine.
Still tugged me to pics.
"But you suuuuper suit 'em, know? Blown away myself."
Camera swipe; me? Blown away.
Manga-caption real.
'This... me...?'
That shocked.
"Feel? Wild from your usual, right?"
Cold hard truth.
Norm-core me skips these.
Fashion blind.
Pretty-wear how-to? Clueless.
No-this-job? Same rags forever.
'Dressing up's fun.'
Sure. Model epiphany? No lifer.
Not my call.
Not soulmate gig.
One-off favor.
Yeon-a gets it.
"Style gem like this again...?"
Tiny mutter aside.
Eh, mood-boost visits fine.
"No contract—pop in casual okay?"
"Duh!"
Time permitting: try-browse. Modeling? Pass.
"Resuming~!"
"Time flies. Final stretch, Yeon-bi."
"Yep."
Sorry-smile received, sauntered to screen.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Done shoot, director grinned nonstop at results.
Model perfection.
'Not sub... upgrade.'
Outshone scheduled.
Green experience worried him, but Yeon Agency delivered.
'Name brands differ.'
Props ace, style devourer.
Acting stiff? Practice polishes.
Face-free shoot, yet stunner—agency prize pupil clear.
Sought exclusive pre-deadline.
"Nah. Stubborn kid—my push for sub today. No more modeling."
Hard pass.
"No more...?"
Weird rejection.
Usual: nurturing own, no exclusive. Or free agent.
Quit cold? Huh?
Director probed pres again.
"Prospect like that... quitting?"
"Yep. Zero interest. Barely dragged her today... Sorry again for near-no-show."
"Water under. Pics aced even. Still... develop her...?"
No direct tie, but future collab hope.
No dice—troubled smiles only.
'Jeez...'
Dream day wrapped.
Later: rookie shots main banner, sales crushed peers.
Pres clamored return; model ghosted industry.
'No poltergeist.'
Amid buzz...
The 'ghost' herself...
"This top's cute too..."
Cheerily carting fresh finds.