Chapter 66

Éclat Étoile.

It’s a well-known company for women’s cosmetics.

Although some believe it to be a French company, it’s actually a domestic brand with its headquarters in South Korea.

A brand that has been pushing for a high-end strategy… or rather, was.

“Perhaps it’s about time we find a new advertising model since our contract with Song Hye-bin is nearing its end.”

The brand strategy team at Éclat Étoile had been under pressure lately.

Sales recently dropped significantly due to emerging brands gaining momentum.

To be precise, the competition with other cosmetics brands was growing fierce.

Song Hye-bin, who had been the advertisement model for five years, decided to part ways after this contract.

“Certainly, the news is out that she’s been approached by other cosmetics brands.”

Her popularity skyrocketed recently in a TV drama airing on Mondays and Tuesdays, which inevitably raised her market value.

Of course, she’d be leaning toward contracts that offer more money from brands with higher prestige.

“Gah.”

Team Leader Jung Tae-soo was frustrated.

The brand was lagging behind others clearly and visibly.

“Shouldn’t we hire an advertising model that could boost our brand awareness?”

“Budget is an issue…”

“Yes, but hiring an obscure celebrity would be meaningless, wouldn’t it?”

“True, but if we hire a big name and the results don’t meet expectations, it could be difficult to recover the losses.”

The issue wasn’t merely the contract fee paid to the celebrity. The real trouble would come if the sales dropped due to an underwhelming performance after hiring the celebrity.

They were barely treading water.

After Song Hye-bin’s departure, they had less than a month to find a new advertising model.

“To think they’d talk about extensions, and then this is how it always ends up… these celebrities!”

Team Leader Jung Tae-soo voiced his frustrations.

But what could he do? They didn’t offer better contract terms to begin with.

“Excuse me, Team Leader.”

“Yes, Park?”

“How about her?”

Park showed a tablet displaying a woman from *”A Look Back at the Past”*.

The actress, Seoyeon Joo, who gained immense popularity as the grown-up Princess Yeonhwa, even made appearances on cable shows.

“She does have a good face, I’ll give her that, but doesn’t she lack the recognition needed for an advertisement model?”

“Yes, but isn’t she about to make a big splash?”

“So, you’re suggesting a speculative low buy-in?”

“Exactly.”

Tae-soo sighed as Park nodded.

This is no child’s play. Betting on a vague future?

“Park, when exactly did Yeonhwa Princess happen? Seoyeon Joo has barely appeared in anything else, and did you know? The movie she’s working on now is a thriller.”

“That’s true…”

“A thriller with a female lead probably means a supporting role, and when would her next project even come up? When will her recognition improve? She disappeared for 10 years after being an acclaimed child actor in theater. With such credentials, who is this advertisement supposed to appeal to? Theater audiences?”

Park felt deflated and returned to his seat.

Tae-soo internally realized his tone was too harsh but acknowledged he had little choice.

Advertising ultimately depends on image and recognition.

Seoyeon had an impressive appearance, but that’s different from being an adequate advertising model.

Their cosmetics required the allure and appeal of high-end luxury for women.

“But a report needs to be filed…”

A few top candidates had been chosen.

For the project to go ahead, higher-ups would need to agree to a chosen celebrity.

“A couple of idols and two female actors…”

Each had a reasonable market value.

As he was about to finalize and send off his report, he hesitated over the last choice.

“Well, why not. Seoyeon Joo.”

One quirky choice wouldn’t hurt.

Her face wasn’t bad, either.

She had made some waves recently, hadn’t she?

Jung Tae-soo didn’t ponder much further.

After all, it was merely a filler, nothing more.

A week later…

“Yes, Seoyeon Joo?”

The Éclat Étoile manager arrived at the strategy room.

A bulky man smiled warmly.

“Wow, Leader Jung has a good eye. Let’s go with Seoyeon Joo for this advertising model.”

“Really???”

Why?

He was about to protest but was interrupted.

“It’s *The Moon That Hid the Sun*, Yeonhwa Princess! I was really into it 10 years ago during tough times. I mean, a drama came out then and, poof, it brought my mind back together. I think I mentioned this before, in the summer, 10 years ago.”

For an hour, the manager reminisced.

Jung Tae-soo didn’t know it then, but Baek Min-chan, the Éclat Étoile manager, was a die-hard fan of *The Moon That Hid the Sun*.

“But, sir, doesn’t Seoyeon Joo lack some recognition…”

Carefully broaching the subject, Jung Tae-soo spoke.

“Ahhh, recognition! You know, not all advertisements rely on hiring celebrities whose brands are booming. Sometimes, we buy low, remember? We lock them in at a low contract early.”

“…”

“Hmm. Maybe it seems risky, but you know I have good intuition. That actress, I saw her 10 years ago, and I thought she was going to explode onto the scene. And now, look how stylishly she’s come back. It’s certain; her value will skyrocket within a year.”

Though Jung Tae-soo thought of about ten counter-arguments—like how Seoyeon was only a high school student, how hiring untested talent was risky, etc.—he remained silent. Baek Min-chan had a track record for success. His ‘success instincts’ had proven sharp. After all, he was one of the people who built the business from a tiny one-bedroom apartment to what it was now.

“…Understood.”

Despite the doubts, Tae-soo complied. After all, he was merely an employee.

Two weeks passed…

At Éclat Étoile headquarters…

“Hello, my name is Seoyeon Joo, and I’m a new actress from Nova Entertainment.”

Thanks to the strong backing of Manager Baek, an actress arrived.

***

‘Cosmetic advertisements.’

Seoyeon was deep in thought about this matter.

Cosmetics were still a complicated subject for her.

She didn’t avoid makeup entirely—it wasn’t that. Her skin, naturally flawless, didn’t require any maintenance. It was resilient, even against harsh sunlight without sunscreen.

But despite her natural radiance, her mother, Sua, couldn’t stand for her not to take care of herself.

“At least practice basic makeup, dear.”

“…”

And thus, she managed to apply foundation, minimal lipstick, and eyeliner out of necessity, even though she lacked skill.

Besides, professional makeup artists often handled the heavy lifting when it came to big appearances.

Ultimately, makeup was something actors inevitably get used to.

‘But advertisements…’

Cosmetic ads were almost synonymous with female symbolism.

Accepting or rejecting one was as important as self-respect for female celebrities.

Even the famous Jiyeon did a BB cream commercial at one point.

Thinking about how proud she was at the time…

“Oh, Seoyeon! You’ve got an offer for a cosmetic ad? Éclat Étoile, the brand I use too! You see, my judgment was impeccable!”

Indeed, Sua used this brand. Though it was pricey and not something she used frequently, she valued the lipstick’s vibrant color.

Of course, all this was rather distant for Seoyeon.

Thus, she ultimately couldn’t turn down the cosmetic advertisement. It was a good opportunity.

“Hello, my name is Seoyeon Joo, and I’m a new actress from Nova Entertainment.”

At Éclat Étoile headquarters, the company lived up to its high-end cosmetics reputation with shimmering opulence.

‘This company seems reputable.’

Seoyeon felt slightly surprised that they had chosen her.

Even her manager Park Eun-ha seemed tense.

“This is Team Leader Jung Tae-soo and…”

“Vice president Baek Min-chan from Éclat Étoile.”

The vice president himself was present.

Did they always bring out the vice president?

Seoyeon, having worked in corporate life in her previous life, knew that higher-ups generally avoided events like this.

Even a team leader showing up was unusual.

Or was this normal for entertainment contracts?

“Hmm, I’m just here to keep an eye on things. Don’t let it worry you.”

Baek Min-chan reassured her.

Still, why had he come? Though she had questions, they left unasked.

“We’ve discussed a tentative outline. Éclat Étoile would like to propose a one-year exclusive contract with Miss Seoyeon Joo as our official advertisement model.”

“One year?”

“Yes, of course there is a possibility for an extension, and additional renewals. The terms will certainly improve.”

Setting initial contracts was crucial. Raises could happen here, but reductions wouldn’t.

Though Seoyeon didn’t mind, she had assumed her offer would be on the low side due to her lack of recognition.

But…

“One-year exclusive modeling contract for… 400 million won.”

400 million? What?

“400 million?!”

For Seoyeon, 400 million was a number typically seen in video games. Even movies she’d

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