They reached the fitting room quickly after that. Room 32 was a big space attributed to the junior in that day showing. LeeEdge, or Jae Minhee, was considered the newby of the bunch, with the showcase being his first big showing. He was also the only reason why Jinsol was even there, to begin with.
Even from outside the room, Miss Kim and her could hear the commotion inside. Sure enough, as they opened the door and stepped inside, they were instantly met with a whirlwind of activity. People running from one part to the other, clothing all around, make-up artist, models, assistant, and their own crew smiling about in the cramped room. The editor scanned the room, her eyes landing on a little group in the corner of the room, where executive editor Mss. Park, chief of photography, Mr. Choi, and another woman she recognized as their marketing director, Kim Narea, stood. They surrounded the stylist.
"What about a stand-in? Can't she take perform instead?"
"She can't make it. Twisted her ankle, and I don't have anyone else on hand." Jiwoo and her overheard the tail-end of what seemed to be a rather negative subject. Even then, there was an obvious ease in the way they spoke to each other. Which, Jinsol guessed, was understandable seeing as they were the ones to launch his career.
Ironically, LeeEdge's debut into mainstream was through getting published in Atypical. Over the years he'd been featured a few times and been able to showcase his design through the magazine, which opened more doors for him. Therefore, Atypical received exclusive access to the backstage of his first headlining of during a major Seoul fashion week event. It was fitting as this was the last event of the fashion week. All that to bring it back to Jinsol's presence. Mss. Wang had insisted she came, so there she was, awkwardly standing by the group's side.
"It's a pity Miss Lucy couldn't come today," LeeEdge commented at some point.
"Yeah, she send her apologies, but at least our new editor-in-chief is here." Mrs. Kim said as the entire group turned to Jinsol.
"Oh, nice to see you there, chief." Mr. Choi joked around. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Miss Park's disinterested gaze before it shifted to her secretary. Jinsol swore she saw her face light up.
Regardless, Jinsol ignored it. She turned to director Choi. "We brought the batteries for the cameras." As if on cue, Miss Kim raised the bag she was holding with the equipment. She handed them to Mr Choi.
"So, I guess I should now head to the office," Miss Kim stated, sounding unsure.
"You should stay." Miss Park was quick to interject. She was soon followed by director Kim in her insistence.
"Sooyoung's right. This is a big day, and you're already all the way here. Why go back?"
"The two ladies are right. The more the merrier." Mr. Choi chimed in. Jinsol stayed silent as the other three basically convinced her secretary to stay there with them.
*clap* Everybody turned back to the stylist as his face read of recognition. "I remember where I know you from." He said pointing at Miss Kim. The rest of them looked between the two, trying to figure out what was happening. "You're the girl from the Nene Chicken ads. The chi-chi-chicken." He brought his fist up, like a cat's paws, and moved them back and forth.
Miss Kim, for her part, looked utterly embarrassed. Flashing bright red at the reminder. "You were in a chicken commercial, Jiwoo-shi?" Director Choi asked her, looking excited at the tidbit.
Before Miss Kim could answer, Jae Minhee beat her to it. "Oh, not only that. She was also in a very popular web drama a few years ago." He excitedly shared. "Love in the Stars, I watched all episodes weekly back when they were being posted."
Everyone turned to Jiwoo with different degrees of surprise etched on their faces. The redhead quickly shook her head, bringing her arms up in a defensive way. "It wasn't really that popular. Decently at best."
"Don't be modest," The style once again cut in. "It might not have had the biggest viewership, but it was sensational. To this day, I and many other fans are still not over the ending. I'm actually a bit hurt that you don't seem to remember me."
"Because I should?" Now, even Miss Kim seemed confused.
At that LeeEdge took his wallet out, digging for a little while before finally seeming to find what he was looking for. He turned the Polaroid towards them. "I was at your 10 million views celebratory fan meeting." While not fully clear, you could still pick Mr. Jae's face amongst the crowd standing under a small podium with a few people on it. And amongst them, a slightly younger Kim Jiwoo stood center. "I still can't believe your character didn't end with Sungbin. They were perfect for each other." He loudly complained as he put the picture back in his wallet.
"Did you know our Jiwoo was a popular actress?" Jinsol overheard marketing director Kim asking editor Park. The latter shook her head, seeming just as taken back by the news as them. Without really knowing why, that fact filled Jinsol with so much glee.
"I know!" Stylist Jae's expression brightened even further as he exclaimed loudly. It was as if the man just got a revelation. "Why don't you model for me?"
"WHAT?" The five of them, Jiwoo included, said in unison.
"You see, I'm missing a model, and the design she was going to wear was inspired by your character on the show. So, who better to wear it than the inspiration herself? Sure, we'll have to do some last-minute alterations since the model is taller than you and all that. But for the rest, I think it could work."
Miss Kim looked at them with clear panic in her eyes as she tried to reject his offer. Or at least find a reason why she couldn't be. At first, she tried the excuse of having never modeled before and being convinced she'd be terrible at it. Statement teh styles easily found rebuttal to. When that didn't work, her secretary used the tried and true method of, "I'm currently working. I mean, that's the whole reason why I'm here to begin with. And I doubt my boss would be fine with me doing this." She said, throwing distress signals Jinsol's way.
Five pairs of eyes turned to the editor-in-chief as she mulled over her decision. On the one hand, she could help Jiwoo out. On the other, she was utterly amused by the whole thing, and the idea of her secretary walking the runway was hilarious to her. That and it was a way to get some payback. So, Jinsol shrugged. "There's no problem for me." Then, turning to face Jiwoo. "I think you'll do great out there."
The murderous glance she received from the shorter woman as she was dragged into the changing room was entirely worth it.