Chapter 99

"Hello, this is Amuse Shinchon branch, right? I'm Su-Young Lee, the buyer from HN Department Store. Could I get the owner's contact information, please?"

That's how I set up a meeting with Shin Yu-won.

*

Saint Han River Forest.

A place filled with things that seem both unrealistic and tangible.

Ding--

The moment I stepped out of the elevator, I saw the clean and luxurious lobby, which was no different.

'Is this really my home?'

No, this place looks like a hotel.

How can this be?

As I looked around the lobby, I saw a familiar employee.

It was the person who had delivered the chicken to the front door of my apartment.

"Thank you for your hard work! I enjoyed it thanks to you."

"Ah, no problem. Haha."

I bowed and left the entrance.

Then, the entrance to Seoul Forest and the subway station came into view.

If I turned my head 90 degrees.

Across the street, there were movie theaters, famous franchise cafes, and restaurants.

'...The location is insane.'

Although I wanted to go to Seoul Forest to digest the chicken, my steps were directed towards a cafe.

Because there was someone I had to meet there.

[ I would like to propose a pop-up store. However, I would like to discuss a few things in person. ]

This was also an unbelievable situation.

HN Department Store, especially the shiny Yeouido branch, proposing a pop-up store to us?

I immediately agreed.

The buyer seemed to be in a hurry, saying they would come to my place right away if I was available now.

However, the phrase "a few things to discuss" didn't sound very positive.

I could understand HN's concerns.

Amuse wasn't a particularly famous brand.

It wasn't an old-established cafe.

We didn't even operate a large store.

But.

'It's okay, I can handle it.'

I had no intention of missing this opportunity.

Ramen Young & Rich's symbol.

A hot spot among the MZ generation, known for its young and luxurious image.

'The brand promotion effect is undeniable.'

It wasn't just about intangible benefits.

The daily foot traffic at HN couldn't be less than at Shinchon or Hapjeong Station branches, so it could boost sales.

Most importantly.

'Perfect for a trial run.'

Before opening the main branch in Seongsu.

It was ideal for testing the operation of a large store and large-scale interior design.

Of course, as expected, I was confident.

I had tracked down my university friends who were currently doing well in the industry.

"Thank you for your hard work! I enjoyed it thanks to you."

"Ah, no problem. Haha."

I bowed and left the entrance.

Then, the entrance to Seoul Forest and the subway station came into view.

If I turned my head 90 degrees.

Across the street, there were movie theaters, famous franchise cafes, and restaurants.

'...The location is insane.'

Although I wanted to go to Seoul Forest to digest the chicken, my steps were directed towards a cafe.

Because there was someone I had to meet there.

*

A few days later.

HN Department Store headquarters meeting room.

I arrived earlier than the scheduled meeting time and set up coffee at each seat. It was cold brew from our cafe, which we hadn't served in a while.

And right on time.

Su-Young Lee walked in smoothly, like a ghost without feet.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting. The meeting took longer than expected."

"No, I came early."

"You're diligent. Let's start with what we need to discuss... Oh."

Su-Young Lee was about to dive straight into the agenda without any cushioning words.

"Did you prepare this yourself?"

She was surprised by the coffee I had set up.

"Yes, it's cold brew. I brought it because you said the previous orders failed."

"Ah... I should have done this. I was too busy today."

A small smile bloomed at the corners of her mouth.

"But the taste might be a bit different from the online products. It's freshly brewed in the store."

"Then it's even better. It's more unique."

"Ah, if you like, I can give you this too."

I took out two bottles of cold brew concentrate from my bag.

"Hehe... ..."

Seeing this, Su-Young Lee finally burst into a genuine laugh.

"Does that mean you like it?"

I pushed the two bottles across the table to her.

Su-Young Lee hesitated, fidgeting with her fingers on the table, but eventually accepted them.

"Thank you. This is the first time I've seen such a small and precious lobby."

"No, I understand. It's painful not to be able to enjoy what you like. Actually, I just moved into this apartment, and they don't allow deliveries after 10 PM. I almost died of frustration last night."

"Yes, I can imagine. First, let's talk about the display."

Su-Young Lee immediately cut to the chase and started the meeting.

'This person doesn't like TMI, confirmed...'

The core issue was indeed the display and interior design.

HN hadn't yet decided on the entry, and their main concern and hope for us was our display capabilities.

"Recently, our department store, especially the Yeouido branch, has changed its criteria for selecting pop-up stores. The price per customer is secondary. The primary focus is on content and display."

I nodded.

I had already heard this at the first meeting.

What kind of experience customers can have at the pop-up store, how well it fits the atmosphere, and its potential for SNS impact.

Su-Young Lee took a sip of coffee and continued.

"That's why I hoped the representative would quickly provide a proposal for the pop-up store. Are you prepared today?"

"Of course."

Contrary to HN's concerns, I was confident.

I had tracked down my university friends who were currently doing well in the industry.

"I applied for three additional attendees for the meeting."

"Yes."

Su-Young Lee glanced at the three unclaimed coffee cups on the table.

"They're from the interior design company. They seem to be a bit late. Please wait a moment."

Just as I was about to make a call.

"Hello!"

Three men entered the meeting room.

They seemed to disregard the fact that it was a meeting with a large corporation, dressed freely and casually.

'School had a lot of guys like this.'

Those art school students who claimed to be the Bohemians of Korea, roaming around like a pack of stray dogs.

Living freely and wildly, yet producing strong and high-quality works, those strange guys.

Sure enough, their first introduction was a spectacle.

They lined up in a row.

"Sorry for being late! I'm Hwa from <Hwahwan>, Hwa-Joon Lee!"

"I'm Sa from <Hwahwan>, Sa-Jin Kwak!"

"I'm Han from <Hwahwan>, Ju-Han Kim. It's an honor to meet you!"

As if they were first-generation idols.

Each of them introduced themselves by spreading their palms.

Even though I had seen this at the first meeting, I felt embarrassed.

'Really... impressive.'

Once you see it, you can't forget it.

Their self-promotion was clear and effective.

'But this buyer...'

Would she like these guys?

I looked at Su-Young Lee with some concern.

But.

"Ah, the company is <Hwahwan>?"

Su-Young Lee asked, surprisingly.

I was about to answer proudly when.

"You know us?"

"We're meeting for the first time."

"Seems we're famous now."

...The three idiots interrupted.

They were like a group of ADHD patients, even at the first meeting.

Su-Young Lee chuckled.

"I know. Every company that inquires about entry claims they're working with <Hwahwan>. It's become a running joke."

"Really, this is our first time with HN?"

"Right. Your names weren't on the official proposal. Please sit down."

"Okay."

They settled in noisily and immediately asked me about the coffee.

"Is this your coffee?"

I nodded without a word.

It turned out the <Hwahwan> representatives were my schoolmates.

I had told them not to call me 'senior' several times, but it didn't stick.

"It's really delicious."

"See, I told you it was good."

The two grumbled, and the other quickly set up his laptop.

"Shall we show you our proposal?"

Among the <Hwahwan> trio, Hwa-Joon Lee was the one I could communicate with the most.

"Yes, please show it when you're ready. But, representative, why didn't you mention <Hwahwan> earlier? If I had known, I would have approved it right away."

I shrugged.

Until yesterday, they hadn't decided whether to work with me or not.

My proposal was so asymmetrical.

Unlimited budget.

But the compensation was minimal.

'I know the habits of designers.'

Usually, designers are in a subordinate position to clients.

But top-tier designers in the industry are different.

The client-boss relationship is reversed.

They can refuse large projects if they don't like them. They are that proud and stubborn.

It's a natural progression for someone who has temporarily abandoned art for commercial success to return to it.

And that was my strategy.

[ Let's create something truly remarkable. Something that everyone will recognize as <Hwahwan>'s work. I'll provide you with unlimited budget. ]

'Unlimited budget' was a clear expression of that intent.

I didn't expect them to really spend it all.

Of course, there was a member who resisted based on potential profits, but one of them pushed to do it.

"Hey, show the screen faster. Why is it so slow?"

It was Sa-Jin Kwak, the most creative member of <Hwahwan>.

When I first called, he had burst in and said, "It's so appealing, let's do it, let's do it," in a slurred voice.

"Shut up. We'll present our proposal now."

The presentation began.

A 3D virtual proposal for the Amuse pop-up store appeared on the screen.

"Amuse's brand concept is retro amusement park, so we focused on that. It was an interesting concept, and we enjoyed working on it."

<Hwahwan>'s proposal was clearly experimental.

There were some obscure objects.

But fundamentally, it was a comfortable and cheerful concept with witty elements.

Su-Young Lee, who was listening to the presentation, was visibly impressed.

"...Impressive. Compared to clothing or accessory brands, cafe pop-up stores can be quite monotonous. This is so fresh?"

It didn't end there.

Perhaps it's true that insiders are insiders.

The lineup of collaborating artists was also impressive.

"Here, the large screen left empty in the proposal will be worked on by interaction artist, Gi-Joo Seo."

"Gi-Joo Seo? Wasn't he the one who participated in the recent Loubiboud pop-up at our department store?"

"Yes. And the display stands will be specially made by artist Mi-Ri Kim."

"Ah, we've worked with her a lot."

Su-Young Lee nodded continuously, wearing a satisfied smile.

The presentation concluded, and Amuse's pop-up entry was almost confirmed.

Su-Young Lee's words made it clear.

"Representative, the pop-up schedule... Could it be delayed by a week from what we discussed last time?"

"Is there a problem?"

"No, with this level of quality, I think it would be better to move the location."

Originally, it was supposed to be on the basement level.

In the food section, a location I wasn't particularly fond of due to the many surrounding restaurants and cafes.

But Su-Young Lee proposed the 5th floor.

A space designed like a garden, where tired customers could rest and relax.

"The 5th floor pop-up is larger and in a location where customers' attention is focused. It's also possible to set up cafe equipment."

"Great. It's perfect. A week is no problem."

The 5th floor had a better atmosphere and fewer competitors.

I had no reason to refuse.

However, <Hwahwan> would have to redo the measurements and adjust the proposal...

"What about <Hwahwan>? You'll need to remeasure the site and adjust the proposal."

But.

The <Hwahwan> members were smiling.

They greedily scanned the photo of the 5th floor pop-up store that Su-Young Lee had displayed.

"Isn't that a sweet spot? Let's definitely go there?"

The meeting concluded.

The last remaining agenda.

"Since it's likely to be confirmed, I'll mention it in advance. The commission is typically around 20% of sales."

"Buyer, is there another way to contract?"

"Fixed usage fee, perhaps?"

"Yes."

There are two ways to lease a pop-up store.