Chapter 338: Model Debut (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 338: Model Debut (1)
Generally, Spark’s schedule was concentrated around the weeks before and after a comeback. Aside from booking appearances on relevant programs for promotion, there weren't many places for them to go.
However, Spark’s public recognition had now risen significantly. It had evolved from the public simply knowing who they were to "the public having a positive image of these idols."
And what kind of effect does that produce?
"A solo ad offer came in?"
Advertisements start rolling in. From fairly reputable brands, and for individual members.
Choi Je-ho was the one to kick off their first solo commercial. It was a move befitting the team’s center.
Since it was good news, I wanted to congratulate him with a happy heart—or I would have, if the brand offering the contract wasn't so familiar.
"Here."
"What’s this?"
"A birthday present."
It was the brand of the athletic wear my older sister had given me as a gift a few years ago.
The logo of the very store where Choi Je-ho had been a clothing model back then was drawn on the brand’s promotional materials.
‘I guess some things never change, even if a lot of other things do.’
My hand instinctively went to the edge of the documents. I fidgeted with the innocent paper for no reason.
"So? What’s the concept?"
Lee Cheong-hyeon asked as he took the materials from me after asking for permission.
In the past, I think he promoted something like a functional hooded zip-up. Back then, he was also a model for some kind of athletic set.
"Um..."
Lee Cheong-hyeon flipped through a few pages, then his eyes widened as he read the title word by word.
"It says, 'A sexy man’s style begins with his fit'?"
"What?"
It was utterly absurd. When did our "Center Emperor" become a "Sexy Emperor"? Besides, the copy was cringe.
Upon checking, the sentence written on the paper was exactly what Lee Cheong-hyeon had said, down to the last syllable. My hands itched at the thought of updating the Dotion task request page.
The references were also bold. Poses and compositions that looked like they belonged on the cover of a men’s magazine—even though it was clearly a clothing ad, the audacity of showing nothing but sleeves made the essence of the advertisement confusing.
"Are you going there to advertise your abs instead of the clothes?"
Kang Gi-yeon asked while looking at the reference materials. Choi Je-ho just shrugged.
While there was one guy following the same path as his past—albeit with a different vibe—there were others who weren't.
Unlike the past Lee Cheong-hyeon, who first made a name for himself through ionic drink or perfume commercials, the new-generation Lee Cheong-hyeon received a direct offer for a jewelry ad.
The Spark members reacted with confusion at the mention of jewelry rather than watches. However, Lee Cheong-hyeon was still too young to be the face of a watch brand. If the target audience was middle-aged men or young professionals established in society, Choi Je-ho or Jeong Seong-bin would be the right choice.
But jewelry ads require a slightly different focus. Just as it was during the Indenia days, extreme beauty that could showcase the accessories to their fullest was a prerequisite for jewelry commercials.
A face that is pure yet balanced, and glamorous without looking artificial, is rare. Celebrities already exposed to various markets had recognition in a good sense, but they lacked freshness in a bad sense.
And here, a "big fish" had appeared in the free agent market—someone who satisfied all the conditions, possessed both recognition and freshness, and even had a reasonable price tag(...). Who wouldn't take notice?
"You said you’re going to shoot a pictorial for the new collection?"
"Yeah. They said it’s a set with a necklace, bracelet, and ring. Chan-yeong Hyung said it’ll take all day."
"The shooting time must be long. I guess that’s because it’s a luxury brand."
Jeong Seong-bin muttered, sounding worried. He seemed to feel bad for his younger teammate who was being called away for work talks even though they had finally entered their off-season.
"Don't worry, Hyung. I’m a pro at being photographed! Have you forgotten the days we all trained under Iwol Hyung?"
"Right. If needed, I’ll help you practice."
"You heard him, right? I’ll leave behind the pictorial of a lifetime, so don't you worry!"
Lee Cheong-hyeon flicked his hair with his fingertips, acting full of confidence. It was rewarding to see that my daily nagging and practicing how to look great on camera had paid off.
‘I suppose gaps in individual schedules will start to appear now.’
The situation was gradually changing from the days of the one-off variety show My.Singer's.Genre or Unmanned Rest Stop, where the cast was conveniently picked from within Spark. Love calls, by nature, usually target someone specific.
It would be nice if the balance of ads or variety shows was well-maintained, but realistically, that was difficult. No matter how hard the company or the planners tried, it was hard for every member to be chosen by the market.
‘There’s the saying "great talents mature late," so I hope they don't get anxious over the immediate, visible differences.’
I tried my best not to be too conscious of the other three as I skimmed through the catalog Lee Cheong-hyeon had brought. Then, Kang Gi-yeon took the booklet from my hand and spoke.
"Don't worry about us too much."
"Huh?"
"Aren't you walking on eggshells because you’re worried our pride might be hurt by the solo ads?"
"Well..."
"I already talked to Lee Cheong-hyeon while he was moping in the practice room, but aside from thinking I need to work harder, I’m not jealous or anything. We were pushed so much during the full-length album that there’s nothing to be envious of."
I was surprised by his unexpectedly mature remark. Did the system give Kang Gi-yeon "actual maturity" instead of just "mature charm"?
"Though I don't know what Seong-bin Hyung or Ju-woo Hyung think."
"No, I’m the one who went on My.Singer's.Genre alone!"
Jeong Seong-bin waved his hands dismissively. Every member’s gaze then turned toward Park Ju-woo, who had never appeared on a solo variety show and had yet to film a solo ad.
Park Ju-woo spoke in a small voice, his cheeks flushing.
"I’m satisfied enough with the members practicing instruments for me..."
It was an incredibly humble statement. When no one could find the words to respond, Park Ju-woo made an ambitious declaration as if trying to show a bit more greed.
"Since we all practiced together, I hope we can stand on stage together someday...!"
Oh, Ju-woo. Please, have a bit more greed than that...
Until the day of the ad shoot, Choi Je-ho worked out like his life depended on it. This was because I nagged him incessantly. Because I was being so hard on him, no one else—not the company, not the managers—said a word like, "Je-ho, you need to get in shape before the shoot!" It probably helped that Choi Je-ho’s self-management cycle hadn't broken even once.
As a result, the current Choi Je-ho was...
"Wow, I really have to hand it to you."
...recognized for his physical beauty by the 19-year-old Lee Cheong-hyeon, his former roommate and current teammate, who had seen his bare chest at their vacation spot.
Lee Cheong-hyeon kept clapping and giving thumbs-up, making noises like an old man. He tapped Kang Gi-yeon’s forearm for no reason and said:
"Before, your body was like a sculpture, Hyung. Now, it’s like an embossed leather seat."
"Doesn't that mean it was better before?"
"No way. A sculpture is just hard, but with an embossed leather seat, you can imagine the cushiony feel beneath that firm surface, you know?"
"You really have a way with words."
Kang Gi-yeon looked disgusted. Regardless of what his friend thought, Lee Cheong-hyeon patted Choi Je-ho’s back and chattered away. "How does your body get even better from here? Hyung, you should have been an athlete! But then our team wouldn't have a center, so stop working out now!"
"Hey, do I need to lose more weight?"
Choi Je-ho asked me. His voice was full of irritation.
"We didn't aim for weight loss in the first place. Haven't you built enough muscle? You look better than when the offer first came in, so I don't think there will be any complaints on set."
"I’m hungry."
"You’re working hard."
It must be incredibly tough for a guy who used to eat three bowls of salad to cut his intake by two-thirds. There was absolutely no expression on his face as he chewed his chicken breast.
"Eat something after the shoot. Or should I order something in advance?"
"Forget it."
Choi Je-ho leaned his head back against the sofa.
Still, Choi Je-ho had really changed a lot. In the past, he wouldn't have even noticed his younger teammates walking on eggshells around him while he was dieting. These days, when it was mealtime, he was actually the one! Himself! To speak up first! Telling them not to mind him and just go ahead and eat. Kang Gi-yeon’s eyes had nearly popped out of his head.
Despite saying he was hungry, Choi Je-ho packed his bag, saying he was going to the gym because he felt stressed. I clearly remember him working out at dawn, too. I have no idea what kind of algorithm is running in his brain.
Basically, everyone was receiving PT, but recently, a new person had been added to the gym sessions with me and Choi Je-ho. Not counting Kang Gi-yeon, who occasionally stayed behind to join, or Park Ju-woo, who was forced into "remedial" sessions—a member had joined as a near-regular.
"You guys really work out a lot, Hyung."
"The strength to work comes from physical stamina."
"I suppose that’s true."
Jeong Seong-bin had officially joined as a new gym-goer as soon as promotions ended. He had made a firm resolution to shed even more body fat this time.
At first, I was against it. Among Spark, Jeong Seong-bin was the type who didn't build muscle easily. If you lose fat the wrong way, you can end up looking haggard and old, so I didn't really want to encourage it.
"Won't your body look too frail if you lose more weight?"
"Hyung, haven't you seen the clips from the Music Grand Festival ending stage where they cropped just us?"
"..."
I had seen it. The clip where "King Cute Baby Rock Kang Gi-yeon" was standing next to another group and suddenly became "A Portrait of a Young David," "Owner of Boulder Forearms," and "A Young Duke Returning from Slaying Monsters." And that was the evaluation for Kang Gi-yeon; Choi Je-ho was being treated like a "Human Metasequoia."
Since the situation wasn't much different for Jeong Seong-bin, it seemed he was trying to at least reduce the circumference of his frame...
"Seong-bin."
"Yes, Hyung."
"We’re just not meant to be a 'skinny' group."
...Not a chance. Don't try to fit your blessed frames into someone else’s standards.
At my words, Jeong Seong-bin complied without a single act of rebellion. Then, he set off on a long journey to find an empty spot to do some weights. The way his shoulders were proudly squared instead of hunched was actually quite funny.