Chapter 637

[The Emperor of LMVH... Shakes New York with a Single SNS Post -Who Is Han Yeoreum, the Actress Who Set Netholics Ablaze?-]

By Julian Bones

Today at New York Fashion Week, you may have witnessed an entirely new and delightful actress. Han Yeoreum of <Seoul Metropolitan City>, the so-called ‘Princess of T-fany.’

With LMVH’s absolute backing, she wore a pink diamond worth around 700 million won around her neck and took the seat beside European billionaire Bernard Erno at the M Jacobs show, effectively firing a warning shot at Hollywood’s leading nepo babies—though of course Vanessa deserves a special exemption! She’s the only one who actually earns her own money—that she would now become New York’s newest icon...(omitted)

And immediately after the after-party ended, a new post appeared on LMVH’s official Youstagram account. The first photo was a two-shot of Bernard Erno sitting beside the Princess of T-fany, and everyone could only be stunned by the fact that the picture had been taken during the fitting rather than at an official event.

The reason was the concise phrase written beneath the photo: “For an entirely new America.” It was exactly the same thing Erno had said at his secret VIP dinner party held after New York Fashion Week.

The meaning behind the new America he spoke of seems clear. He intends to bring an end to the old-fashioned America he has adhered to until now and personally redefine a new America as the center of a new culture created by LMVH capital and global streaming. And he intends to show its beginning through Han Yeoreum...(omitted)

Noah Williams of Hollywood and Bernard Erno of Europe. A K-Drama actress receiving the enthusiastic support of these industry titans. We feel there is every reason to pay attention to Han Yeoreum.

What other astonishing news will she bring us from Paris Fashion Week?

The faces of the Daily Media reporters changed the farther they scrolled down the article.

Some opened their mouths, some widened their eyes, and others shook their heads.

Wi Jaehwi shouted.

“Everyone, get your laptops out, now!!!”

Their practiced hands flew across their keyboards as they frantically began writing articles. At some point, putting Han Yeoreum’s name in a headline had become something they could trust.

A power that guaranteed a spot near the top of the portal rankings.

A veritable cheat code for views.

This was a world that showed you exactly what capitalism meant. And in this world, proof was absolute.

Once again, Han Yeoreum had proven herself.

Youstagram

@midsummer

Followers 20M Following 0

20 Million.

Han Yeoreum’s SNS follower count had broken through twenty million.

* * *

The moment Han Yeoreum’s photo was uploaded, it began spreading at tremendous speed. At the same time, it sent shockwaves through the New York press and the entire fashion industry.

All because a rookie actress in her twenties had twice occupied the seat beside the chairman of LMVH in public—a seat that wasn’t given to just anyone.

The sight of Han Yeoreum sitting beside Erno at the D-ol House, smiling brightly, looked even more natural than it had at the M Jacobs show.

[The Face of Netholics Meets Luxury Capital—Korean Actress Takes the Seat Beside LMVH’s Erno]

[Sorry, Nepo Babies! Why Did Chairman Erno Choose New Face Han Yeoreum?]

And so, although New York Fashion Week had come to an end, a new issue had emerged.

#LMVH

#OnJihwa

#SeoulMetropolitanCity

#T-fany

#D-ol

#PrincessofT-fany

Words related to Han Yeoreum exploded across Tr*tter and every portal site.

And somewhere along the way, people began memorizing a name they had all heard at least once.

#HanYeoreum

On Jihwa from <Seoul Metropolitan City>.

The actress’s name was Han Yeoreum.

Show&pop @popbest

(LMVH official Youstagram photo.jpg)

Retr*ts 32K Likes 67K

-I’m telling you, Erno definitely watched <Strange Tales>! He saw her in traditional clothing and decided to become a fan lol

-Look at the first photo. She looks less like the Princess of T-fany and more like the Princess of D-ol

-I thought Erno could only smile like that when money was involved XD

-Is it really right for a rookie who can barely speak English to sit there just because she hit #1 on Netholics? America is completely finished

?Americans only know how to speak one language themselves, yet they’re always so disgustingly obnoxious about this :(

?One thing’s certain. No matter how good anyone’s English is, Han Yeoreum is the only person receiving Erno's full support right now.

It was an ungodly exhausting morning after both New York Fashion Week’s official schedule and the after-party held in the early hours of the morning had finally ended.

New Yorkers hurried about clutching coffee with faces that looked half-dead, and among them, the working professionals of New York’s fashion industry returning to their offices and ateliers all had the same person’s name on their lips.

“Did you see it?”

“Of course I did.”

The Princess of T-fany who had successfully made her New York debut after setting the M Jacobs show on fire. America’s rising icon.

To the people of New York’s fashion industry, who lost all reason whenever something new, interesting, or aesthetically striking appeared, Han Yeoreum was quite literally a sensation.

“I was at the after-party, you know. Vanessa looked like she was about to do something soon. You should’ve seen her expression.”

“I was there too! Who would’ve thought Vanessa would ever lose to someone on a TinTok Live? It was a historic day.”

“At this rate, what the hell is she going to pull out at SS Paris Fashion Week?”

“Damn, I’m so fucking jealous of her life.”

Han Yeoreum’s name was also being discussed in group chats filled with magazine editors and entertainment reporters.

“Looks like she’s going back to Korea today.”

Before long, Han Yeoreum’s real-time movements had begun circulating.

“I wonder how much chaos she’ll cause the next time she comes to America.”

“Who knows? I don’t know about that, but one thing’s certain....”

Just because Fashion Week was over didn’t mean all the work had magically disappeared.

They still had settlements and fitting fees to check, customized trunk shows to hold for VIP clients, buzz metrics to compile and reports to write, not to mention preparations for the next event.

And most important of all—

“News of her becoming a T-fany ambassador should be coming soon.”

They had to put an exclusive ambassador contract for the next season in front of the celebrity who had proven herself unrivaled in generating buzz.

Everyone was certain.

It wouldn’t be long before a new name was added to T-fany’s ambassador list.

* * *

Inside JFK International Airport.

Just because it was over didn’t mean it was really over. The true final blow was waiting here. The departure areas of Terminals 4 and 8 were packed with paparazzi.

Top stars, pop stars, supermodels, even nepo babies from around the world.

They were there to capture the moment all of them left New York at once.

Global paparazzi giants like Betty Images and Shot&Stock, Hollywood tabloids, correspondents from Asian entertainment media, TinTok and Intube streamers.

And even fans who simply couldn’t get enough of their favorite stars.

The drop-off area where VIP vehicles pulled in was so packed with people that there was barely room to set foot.

“Aaaah!”

“Vanessa!”

The flashes went wild as Vanessa, a celebrity currently ranked among Hollywood’s TOP 10 in SNS followers, stepped out of her car.

The reaction from the TinTokers and Intube streamers in particular was absolutely insane.

Vanessa, as though thoroughly accustomed to it, strode forward quickly behind her sunglasses. Phones followed wherever she went. Her face spread across the world in real time through livestreams.

Then the next car immediately pulled in.

“Riley!”

“Rileyyyyyyy!”

A group of TinTokers peeled away from Vanessa at the appearance of Riley, the Billboard pop star who had been releasing hit after hit.

Riley laughed broadly and blew kiss after kiss toward the crowd.

Reporters from Betty Images and the tabloids rapidly hammered their shutters. The closing articles for New York Fashion Week would undoubtedly include praise for Riley’s gracious attitude.

“When is she coming?”

“She should be here any minute now.”

The paparazzi from Betty Images and Shot&Stock were all eagerly waiting for one person.

The actress who had taken first place in buzz rankings yesterday with nothing more than a single two-shot with Chairman Erno at the M Jacobs show.

Then the door of the next car opened.

The instant a small foot emerged through the gap in the door held open by a bodyguard and touched the ground—

“She’s here!”

A wave of flashes swept across the area.

The bursts of light and the sound of shutters filled JFK Airport.

Han Yeoreum moved forward surrounded protectively by bodyguards, with people crowding her on both sides, in front, and behind.

“Jihwa!”

“Yeo-reum!”

“Han Yeoreum!!!”

There wasn’t a single person there who didn’t know her name.

A rising star who had become one of New York’s hottest names in a matter of days.

And just like that, the new wave departed after throwing an enormous sensation behind her, leaving ripples that still lingered in everyone who had witnessed it.

* * *

Jegal Rok received the report with satisfaction.

The paparazzi shots of Han Yeoreum taken at JFK International Airport had once again generated tremendous buzz.

A rising Korean star standing shoulder to shoulder with pop stars. There could hardly have been a more dramatic statement.

With this, Han Yeoreum’s mainstream appeal in America was practically guaranteed. Even those in their teens and twenties—the generation that created trends—were now focused on Han Yeoreum.

Just one project.

She had successfully entered the American market with a single drama, and with her previous work also settling into the TOP rankings, Han Yeoreum had made her name known with only two projects.

Jegal Rok thought about the works and brands Han Yeoreum currently represented in America, then leaned back in his chair. With deep dark circles hanging beneath his eyes, he crossed his arms and raised the corners of his lips.

<Seoul Metropolitan City>, <Strange Tales>.

One was entertaining, while the other was traditional.

Which meant Han Yeoreum’s image had not yet been overexposed in America.

Unlike in Korea, her previous works could be gradually released through OTT platforms and coordinated with upcoming projects, allowing her image to be rebranded.

Ultimately, once she gained recognition for her artistry in America, they could reconstruct the actress known as Han Yeoreum even within Korea.

Everything was going exactly according to plan.

It seemed LMVH’s Erno had recognized Jegal Rok’s calculations as well. The sponsorship proposals that had recently reached Jegal Rok were not limited to just one.

He looked at the necklace displayed on his monitor.

“Who exactly is heading this?”

The necklace wasn’t the pink diamond Han Yeoreum had worn at New York Fashion Week. It was much smaller, with a classic design.

A cross pendant from a classic line set with diamonds.

[<Code Name: Time Seven> T-fany Sponsorship Proposal]

It was the piece Im Ria would wear in Han Yeoreum’s next project.

“Erno made the decision personally. Nothing like this has ever happened before, and it likely never will again.”

When Jegal Rok’s suspicion proved correct, he felt a thrill unlike anything he had experienced before.

With Erno himself at the helm, they had been able to bypass every procedure at once.

A Korea-only broadcast, sponsorship inserted midway through filming, and global distribution still unconfirmed.

Despite those three major disadvantages, Erno had effectively invested in the project solely because of Han Yeoreum.

LMVH’s high-jewelry brands regarded any dilution of their value as the gravest possible concern. Their standard guidelines imposed three conditions.

First. Worldwide exposure had to be guaranteed through simultaneous release on a global OTT platform.

Second. The PPL contract had to be signed from the earliest planning stage so that the lead character’s narrative could be perfectly integrated with the brand’s story.

Third. The production company’s financial strength and the lead actor’s status had to be guaranteed.

Netholics’ <Amelie With Paris>, which had become a massive success with LMVH’s active support and investment, had satisfied all three conditions.

In contrast, <Code Name: Time Seven> could barely satisfy just one.

Third. /The production company’s financial strength and the lead actor’s status had to be guaranteed.

For LMVH to enter midway through a Korea-focused drama that was already filming was practically the same as saying the head of LMVH had lost his mind.

There had probably been several emergency meetings, and he must have faced considerable opposition.

But his opponent was Bernard Erno.

He had begun a gamble in the name of investment. And Jegal Rok knew that his gamble would succeed absolutely.

Ja Sokhwan’s next project, Han Yeoreum as its protagonist, and D-sney’s new OTT platform.

It wouldn’t be long before the curtain rose on a new era.

Nor before it was proven that Erno had placed his investment in exactly the right place.