Due to her father being a career soldier, she sometimes exhibited a rigid and conservative side. In particular, she was extremely opposed to wearing revealing clothing.
As stated in her profile, Hye-mi was strongly reluctant to wear revealing outfits.
According to Team Leader Park, when she signed her exclusive contract, she even included a clause that allowed her to refuse any outfit she didn’t want to wear.
Han Seon-ho realized that his assumption had been correct.
That was because Hye-mi slowly nodded.
“……Yes.”
Only then did Jung Su-rim, who had been gauging Hye-mi’s reaction, begin to explain the situation.
The photographer had aimed to create a stark contrast between Hye-mi as a high school girl last year and Hye-mi as an adult this year.
And in doing so, they planned to take a profile photo overlapping last year’s Hye-mi with Jung Su-rim.
It wasn’t a bad concept.
However, the problem lay in the image the photographer had chosen for Hye-mi.
To highlight the contrast between last year’s schoolgirl image and this year, they had opted for a sexy concept.
Jung Su-rim was portrayed with an unmistakably pure and youthful look.
Meanwhile, Cha Hye-mi was framed as a girl who had suddenly transformed into a woman.
Because of this concept, Hye-mi was given revealing clothing.
And she refused to wear it.
That was the full story of what had happened.
After listening to the explanation, Seon-ho thought for a moment before asking a question.
“Hye-mi, you had a profile shoot with this photographer last year as well, right?”
“Yes.”
“Is there anything different between last year and this year?”
“I’m not sure.”
Something didn’t sit right.
Hye-mi’s dislike to revealing outfits had been frequently mentioned in Tomorrow K-Star Season 2.
As a result, the public strongly associated her with a pure high school girl image.
That made Seon-ho wonder if the photographer had chosen this approach solely for the shoot, or if there was another reason behind it.
“Wait here for a moment.”
As Han Seon-ho stepped out of the fitting room, the restless crowd turned their gazes toward him.
Among them, whispers mixed with complaints could be heard.
People grumbling that the atmosphere on set had been ruined because of Hye-mi.
Others muttering about how long they’d have to wait since there was another schedule after this.
Ignoring all of it, Seon-ho approached one of the staff members.
Fortunately, there was no further commotion since the photographer had stepped out for a smoke.
“Excuse me, could I take a look at Cha Hye-mi’s outfits?”
The clothing he received was… puzzling.
This is tricky.
It was revealing.
For an ordinary person, it would certainly be an uncomfortable level of exposure.
But was it excessively revealing by celebrity standards?
Not quite.
Especially considering this was a profile shoot, not a performance outfit.
Really puzzling.
There’s a vast difference between how something appears on media and how it looks in person.
Human perception involves all five senses, but through a screen, only sight is engaged.
That’s precisely why even lesser-known girl groups resorted to wearing extremely provocative outfits to gain recognition.
Even then, once filtered through other media, the impact significantly lessened.
“What’s the big deal? It’s not like she has to walk around wearing it.”
“Exactly. Acting all pure and innocent by herself. What an overreaction.”
“If she went clubbing, this would be nothing.”
“She shouldn’t be a singer if she’s going to act like that.”
Sure enough, murmurs of criticism filled the air.
Not everyone was saying it, but the general sentiment was that Hye-mi was making a fuss over nothing.
Hearing those words, Han Seon-ho pushed open the fitting room door.
Hye-mi was standing there, seemingly frozen in the same position.
“Hye-mi, are these the outfits?”
“……Yes.”
“There were no others?”
“No.”
“If it’s at this level…”
Hye-mi could already predict what Seon-ho was about to say next.
“If it’s at this level, it’s not a big deal.”
“If it’s at this level, isn’t it wearable?”
She knew how she appeared in the eyes of others—someone making an unnecessary fuss.
But the moment she actually put on the outfit, an intense discomfort overwhelmed her.
When she voiced her concerns to the photographer, he initially responded calmly, but eventually lost his temper.
Accusing her of treating him like a pervert.
That wasn’t my intention…
Lost in thought about how she should have reacted, Hyemi failed to catch Seon-ho’s next words.
Or rather, she couldn’t grasp them immediately because they were so unexpected.
“What… did you just say?”
A response that was completely different from the usual.
“I said, at this level, it’s understandable.”
“You mean… this level of clothing is understandable?”
“Yes.”
For the first time, a shift appeared in Hyemi’s expression, which had remained unchanged even when the photographer lashed out.
“Why? Why…?”
“What do you mean why? Because it’s understandable.”
“But everyone wears outfits like this.”
“If someone chooses to wear something, that’s their decision. But if they don’t want to, then they just don’t.”
“But I’m a singer…”
“A singer is someone who sings well. Not someone who wears flashy outfits.”
With a gentle smile, Seon-ho added,
“You did well. Refusing something is a skill too. A skill that’s really difficult to regain once it’s lost.”
Hye-mi, wearing a puzzled expression, asked,
“So… what will you do now?”
“We’ll ask for a different concept.”
“Will that… work?”
At her uncertain question, Seon-ho responded firmly.
“Yes, it will.”
It wasn’t a lie.
Normally, such a request would be outright rejected, but for Tomorrow K-Star, which was currently teetering on the edge, it was possible.
Despite receiving a massive investment, the ratings had entered a decline.
As a desperate countermeasure, Season 2 contestants were brought in.
Among them, Hye-mi had a relatively significant presence.
During the week he spent getting his license, he had monitored all of Season 2, and Hye-mi had been highlighted as a lead role up until the latter half.
Anyway, Cha Hye-mi and Jung Su-rim—if we alternate their versions and push them as the main episode focus, it should work. It’ll also be easy to get enough footage.
I’ll have to think about it more, but it seems like a solid idea. Last year’s “Autumn Leaf” track did well too, didn’t it?
It didn’t stay at number one for long, but it remained in the top ten for quite a while. And with autumn coming, it’s a fitting theme.
The conversation he had overheard between the main PD and the CP only reinforced Seon-ho’s thoughts.
At this moment, Cha Hye-mi was a crucial card.
Jung Su-rim was also a significant card for Season 3.
With his thoughts sorted, Seon-ho brought over chairs for Hye-mi and Su-rim and spoke.
“Wait a moment. This time, sit down.”
Leaving the fitting room, Seon-ho headed straight for the photographer.
He spotted the photographer in the distance, sitting on a chair with a disgruntled expression.
“We’re done talking.”
“Everything settled? Did you get all your gossiping out of the way?”
“I didn’t gossip, but everything’s settled.”
“What, are you here to kneel and apologize? If so, you should be doing it too.”
“No. I’d like to ask someone else to handle the shoot.”
“Hah! Someone else?”
The photographer scoffed in disbelief.
“You really don’t give up… Do you even know anyone? Did you get permission from the station?”
“Me? No, the photographer should be the one getting permission.”
“What kind of bullshit is that? Don’t you know that if an outsider takes the photos, it creates fairness issues among the contestants? Everyone has to be shot by the same person for a fair evaluation—”
Han Seon-ho cut him off.
“Is Tomorrow K-Star contracting Kim Taesu or Bay Studio for its photography services?”
“What the hell are you talking about? Of course, it’s Bay Studio. And I’m the main photographer at Bay Studio.”
Kim Taesu pointed at himself.
“I see. Then the one who needs to get permission from the station would still be you.”
“This little punk? Why the hell would I need permission?”
“For refusing to photograph Cha Hye-mi and Jung Su-rim’s profile pictures as part of Bay Studio’s assignment.”
“Wha—!”
The photographer’s face twisted in an instant. He had finally caught on to what Han Seon-ho was getting at.
As the photographer fumed, Seon-ho carefully observed the expressions of the studio staff.
One particular individual stood out—someone who showed a distinct look of disdain every time Kim Taesu swore.
That person was Park Taeseok, the second photographer.
Even now, roughly half of the photo assistants were clustered near the main photographer, while the other half were near the second photographer.
Seon-ho didn’t know the internal workings of Bay Studio.
But from the moment he arrived, he had sensed a lack of unity.
When three people gather, a leader emerges. When four gather, factions form.
And Seon-ho was extremely sensitive to such things.
His past environment had made him that way.
Even though his surroundings had changed, that sensitivity remained.
That was how he had picked up on Bay Studio’s discord.
And that was why, the moment he ran into trouble with Kim Taesu, he had already decided to ask the second photographer to handle the shoot.
“Step aside. Unless you’re willing to get permission for another studio to handle the shoot.”
Since they weren’t leaving Bay Studio, there was no contractual issue.
If anyone wanted to make trouble, it would have to be the main photographer, by violating the contract himself.
“Photographer Park Taeseok, if it’s not too much trouble, would you be willing to handle the shoot?”
Seon-ho addressed the man who had been standing at a distance.
Having his work featured on a public broadcast was a significant milestone in a photographer’s portfolio.
Even if the second photographer had a good relationship with the main photographer, it would be difficult to turn down such an opportunity. If they didn’t get along, then there was even less reason to refuse.
“Wait…!”
The main photographer hastily tried to say something, but someone was faster.
A man with a strikingly pale complexion, as if he hadn’t seen much sunlight.
Park Taeseok.
“This wasn’t planned, so I’d like to discuss the concept with the models first.”
He cast a sideways glance at the main photographer and added,
“To make sure we don’t run into the same issues again.”
“Looking forward to working with you.”
With a bright smile, Han Seon-ho walked past the fuming main photographer and entered the fitting room with Park Taeseok.
Inside, the two models were quietly seated.
“Cha Hye-mi.”
“Yes.”
“The new photographer would like to discuss the concept with you.”
Hye-mi’s eyes widened.
While Cha Hye-mi and Jung Su-rim discussed the concept with the new photographer, the shoot resumed.
However, things weren’t over just yet.
There was still something left to do for a proper resolution.
Seon-ho left the studio and headed to a nearby café.
“I’d like the same coffees listed on this receipt… And, does an Americano have no calories?”
“Not completely none, but it’s tiny tiny. Practically zero.”
“Then add ten Americanos as well.”
With the additional orders for the contestants waiting for their shoot, the total came to just under fifty cups.
The part-time worker at the counter asked,
“How are you going to carry all this?”
Seon-ho lifted two baskets he had prepared in advance.
Returning to the studio with his hands full, Seon-ho’s first target was the Tomorrow K-Star contestants.
Especially the Season 2 participants.
“Waiting must be tiring. Have some coffee while you wait.”
“Tsk. Don’t you know we’re not supposed to drink anything before a shoot?”
“It’s plain Americano. I checked—it’s only six calories.”
“Ugh, I barely even drink water… Fine, give it here.”
The reactions weren’t exactly enthusiastic.
Most of them seemed to think that Cha Hye-mi and Han Seon-ho had disrupted the shoot.
As he handed out the coffee, Seon-ho spoke casually.
“Sorry for the trouble we caused. But in the end, I think it helped the shoot.”
“Helped? How?”
Goo Se-hee, a Season 2 contestant receiving a cup, looked at him in confusion.
TL/N : Ngl, this is Interesting and fun ah
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