To be honest, even Seoyeon hadn't thought that Arthur Diaz would participate in *Seoul Escape*.
Above all, Arthur Diaz was already in the United States by now.
Even if they called him, he wouldn't necessarily come.
But.
'The nerve.'
Seoyeon glared at Park Jeongwoo with narrowed eyes.
Under that gaze, Park Jeongwoo subtly averted his eyes.
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Sometimes she thought that Park Jeongwoo seemed to see her as some kind of gorilla.
'Just what did I do?'
A little active in variety shows... though it wasn't exactly a little.
At the various scenes that came to mind, Seoyeon grew somewhat subdued.
Because she was reminded anew of how much effort she had put in to erase the image she had gained from variety shows.
"W-well, how about buying some new clothes first?"
Park Jeongwoo tried hard to change the subject under Seoyeon's unwavering gaze.
Because he felt that if things went on like this, he might really be dragged into the ring.
So he subtly shifted attention to clothes.
Since they had finished talking about *Seoul Escape*, it was about time to buy clothes in preparation for the Viol meeting anyway.
"Sure, I guess."
Anyway, Seoyeon decided to be especially lenient this time.
In exchange.
"Senior, you're buying my clothes today."
"…."
For a guy with so much money, he was really stingy about things like this.
Of course, Park Jeongwoo had no choice but to nod obediently.
If her anger disappeared over a few articles of clothing, it was a worthwhile trade.
***
A leading French luxury brand.
Viol's Creative Director, Nael Arno, looked tired.
'I want to go back already.'
If the Korean luxury market had been even slightly smaller, he wouldn't have come here himself.
But not only was the Korean market by no means small, the momentum of Korean culture these days was extraordinary.
Starting with *Child Game*, even *Gyeongseong Lady*, which had recently been released overseas, had received great acclaim for its artistry.
At first, when they had made Park Jeongwoo their advertising model, there had been many skeptical reactions, but not anymore.
To significantly increase Viol's sales in Asia, a Korean actor was the right choice.
It became an opportunity to realize that yet again.
'Is there really a need to find a new female model as well?'
Previously, Viol's advertising model was Park Jeongwoo.
He was young, in his early twenties, but with his outstanding appearance and the title "genius actor," they had thought he suited the brand's image.
However, there had been no suitable partner to pair with such a Park Jeongwoo.
Models had been changed so many times that rumors had even spread that "Viol has no intention of making a 'Korean female model' their main model."
Of course, that was absolutely not true.
There simply hadn't been a suitable actress.
'But.'
Nael Arno had examined the promotional PV released in Korea.
And the photos decorating the department stores, and the model currently displayed on the front page of Viol Korea's website.
Ju Seoyeon.
He thought that was probably her name.
The Seoyeon in the video had such a dignified, princess-like appearance that even Nael Arno had inwardly admired her.
Likewise, the poster showcased Korea's beauty through the very attire he had designed.
But.
'Will she really live up to expectations?'
There was a possibility that the video and photos had been retouched.
Moreover, before coming to Korea, Nael Arno had also skimmed through various broadcasts Seoyeon had appeared on.
Honestly, she was so different from her image in the Viol ad that he couldn't believe it was the same person.
'She might feel different in person. It could have been a stroke of luck.'
Perhaps it was the ad director's skill.
If so, Nael had even considered bringing that ad director directly to Viol.
The poster and PV were impressive enough to warrant that.
'I particularly hate noisy women.'
Seoyeon's variety show persona was exactly the kind of thing Nael hated most.
If she actually gave off that kind of impression, he planned to reconsider the advertising model offer.
If she really had such a personality, she might make a mistake that could tarnish Viol's image.
There was no harm in being careful.
No, since she would become an advertising model who served as the brand's face, he had to be careful—extremely careful.
"They have arrived."
"Yes. I do hope she is exactly as her advertising image."
Han Jaegwang, the head of Viol's Korean branch, gulped dryly at Nael Arno's pointed words.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, he thought,
'This is bad.'
He couldn't hide his inwardly anxious heart.
He wasn't worried that Seoyeon might make some mistake.
Rather, the opposite.
Han Jaegwang had already made one mistake.
He hadn't informed Ju Seoyeon, whom they were meeting today, about Nael Arno's temperament.
Nael Arno had a very specific model and image in mind.
If she didn't match that, he would reject her immediately.
'But Ju Seoyeon? It would be such a waste?'
If Seoyeon didn't meet Nael Arno's standards, she would be rejected without even getting to talk.
But Han Jaegwang desperately wanted Seoyeon to become Viol's model.
Because if they were rejected again, this Viol model position would most likely go to another country.
'Since they said they'd meet Actor Park Jeongwoo beforehand, I hope she manages somehow.'
With his thorough personality, if there was a problem, he would never leave it alone.
Han Jaegwang tried hard to think so.
"Well then..."
Han Jaegwang rose from his seat and approached the meeting room door.
Originally, managers would have accompanied them, but since Nael Arno disliked fuss, it was a meeting with only the parties involved.
Therefore, they had to be even more careful not to make any slip of the tongue.
'Please...'
He hoped she hadn't worn anything too frivolous.
Thinking so, when Han Jaegwang opened the door.
"…!"
At what he saw the moment the door opened, Han Jaegwang's eyes went wide.
First, surprise.
And the emotion he felt next was joy.
Watching that change in Han Jaegwang from a short distance away, Nael Arno became puzzled.
What on earth had he seen to be like that?
The moment he thought that.
"Hello. I'm Ju Seoyeon."
It was a dignified voice.
He couldn't understand what was being said, but it was a voice that strangely made his heart flutter.
'The one from the PV.'
The female model's voice from the video.
Hearing it in person was more shocking than he had expected.
And the important thing was, it wasn't just the voice.
Her appearance.
Black hair and striking sunset-colored eyes.
'Colored contacts? No, no.'
At first he thought they were lenses, but they weren't.
Those eyes, shining like jewels, couldn't possibly be fake ones made with lenses.
Then was she of mixed blood?
Perhaps.
Her skin was exceedingly fair, and her appearance was so shockingly beautiful.
Beside her, Park Jeongwoo wore a strangely stiff expression, but since he looked exactly as he had before, it was deeply satisfying.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Nael Arno, Viol's Creative Director."
The interpreter sandwiched between the two quickly translated their greetings.
'Creative Director?'
Seoyeon couldn't help but be startled when she realized who he was.
In other words, he was the general manager of Viol's advertising creative department.
Also, he had worked as a designer for Viol in the past.
The limited-edition products made for each country using the traditional cultures of various nations as imagery had been his idea as well.
In other words, he was someone with formidable power even within Viol.
'So this is why Senior was so concerned.'
She had heard he was coming from Viol headquarters, but she hadn't expected him to be this important.
Normally, Seoyeon would have simply nodded, but the current Seoyeon showed quite a bit of emotion on her face.
With one hand covering her mouth and her eyes wide open, she looked exactly like a surprised young lady.
'Is this truly the same person?'
Of course, Park Jeongwoo beside her averted his eyes from such a Seoyeon with effort.
Though he had been the one who requested it, honestly watching it right before his eyes wasn't easy.
Of course, not in a bad way, but in a slightly complicated way.
About two hours ago.
Park Jeongwoo had said this to Seoyeon.
"You didn't properly receive word about who was coming today?"
"No."
"...Just how do they handle their work?"
So it was understandable that Seoyeon had come in her school uniform.
He had told her separately, but he had thought headquarters would have contacted her too.
'Perhaps the contact went through, but there was no additional guidance about who was coming.'
Of course, he knew Viol's Korean branch was busy.
Since they heard headquarters was coming, there must have been many things to worry about.
But was there any use in not conveying something this important?
'Or perhaps headquarters intentionally informed them late.'
That way they could understand the Korean branch's situation more clearly.
Well, either way was fine.
"Basically, people from Viol headquarters care a great deal about the 'brand image.'"
"That makes sense."
"It's more than you think. They don't just look at ads or posters—they look at your usual behavior too. Like, your personality and such."
At Park Jeongwoo's serious words, Seoyeon nodded.
If she caused an accident due to personality issues, it might deal a severe blow to the brand.
There were quite a few brands whose images had plummeted because their advertising models did drugs or alcohol.
"So... it's best to show them your appearance from the ad as much as possible."
"You mean... the way I looked in the ad?"
"Yes."
Hearing Park Jeongwoo's words, Seoyeon looked at the clothes she had chosen in the mirror.
'Then these won't do.'
Should she give a casual impression fitting her age?
Or should she give a more refined impression?
She had been worrying about that, but somehow the latter seemed better.
"Which of these two is prettier?"
"You're asking me that?"
"Then who else would I ask?"
Park Jeongwoo slightly lowered his sunglasses and looked at the clothes Seoyeon had picked.
One was the black top and skirt Seoyeon always wore. Especially the top was an off-shoulder sweater that slightly exposed her shoulders.
The other was a one-piece dress with a houndstooth pattern.
Comparing the two...
"The one-piece."
"Hmm... as expected."
"Why?"
"I had a feeling you'd pick this."
"...What do you mean?"
"Well, I mean exactly what I said."
Seoyeon uttered those words calmly and disappeared holding the one-piece.
In other words, she meant she was going to change.
'This feels somewhat strange.'
He somehow felt like his taste in women had been exposed to the whole world.
Thinking that a girl three years younger than him had seen right through it made the feeling even more subtle.
"You two get along very well."
"...Not really."
As he sat there thinking that, the shop assistant said so, winking one eye.
For reference, this store inside the department store was a place Park Jeongwoo frequented, so they were somewhat acquainted.
If that hadn't been the case, he wouldn't have come, since there was a chance of an unnecessary scandal.
"Is something the matter?"
"No, it's nothing. Rather..."
Is she done changing?
The moment he turned around saying so, Park Jeongwoo was at a loss for words.
The atmosphere of the girl, which had been so lighthearted before entering the fitting room, had completely changed.
"Hehe."
Sunset-colored eyes.
Beneath the white hand gently covering her mouth, a soft smile was faintly visible.
'Again...!'
Park Jeongwoo squeezed his eyes shut.
He hadn't even said anything, yet she was doing this again.
'Of course, it was necessary this time, but still!'
Since he had asked her to show the appearance she had in the ad, Seoyeon must have roughly figured out what he meant.
He wanted her to act not as ordinary high schooler Ju Seoyeon, but as the dignified Lotus Princess from her younger years.
And Seoyeon was faithfully carrying out Park Jeongwoo's request.
"Oh my, didn't you say something like this to me before?"
A voice swaying like the spring breeze tickled Park Jeongwoo's ears.
"That you weren't so gullible as to be fooled... by this kind of acting of mine."
A voice filled with mischief.
At those words, Park Jeongwoo couldn't help but let out a deep sigh.
'She's going to milk this for quite a while again.'
This was all because of Taeseomdal.
Park Jeongwoo was truly frustrated.