【✖︎】 BRAND REVIEW VIDEO: BABYLON
Noeul was not known for being cool, calm, and collected. Growing up, his family had believed that he would become more reserved like his older brother and less inclined to be guided by his whims, but his personality only solidified the older he became. His parents had learnt early on that if he was too quiet, there was something bothering him, or he was up to no good. His parents had less to worry now that he had become more mature during the past few years. Perhaps, pairing his university course load with a part time job and his strict training schedule had mellowed him out a bit. Or, he knew how far he could push his antics before the consequences weren't worth the momentary exhilaration.
Today was one of those days where he felt like a fish out of water, quickly regressing into an uncharacteristically quiet version of himself when he stepped on set. His final commitment for Babylon was to shoot a review video. Besides the review videos that his sister force him to watch, he had no idea where to begin. He couldn't argue that instructions had been clear with some talking points, but still vague enough that he could be able to introduce his own opinion of the products.
However, the possibility of messing up was still very high. He had been encouraged to improvise and be himself. He didn't doubt himself often, yet his inability to sit comfortably in the makeup chair bared his current mood to the entire staff on set. Several of the creative team had teased him and asked if he wanted to run-through his ideas, thinking that would make him feel less tense. Instead, he stepped outside of the building and proceeded to complete a set of burpees.
He returns to set in a much better mood, throwing on the black puffer coat over his sweater. He had run through several ideas of what he wanted to say, but decided on the one that felt the most like him. He steps on the marked spot on the floor, curiously eyeing the clothing rack that displayed the selection of Babylon's clothing items for this season's campaign.
"Ready?" He hears from behind the camera. "Three, two, one..."
Noeul nods his head in response, flashing a toothy grin at the director. He spins around in place, waving with both of his hands to greet the camera.
"Hello, everyone!"
He lifts one of his hands towards his face, utilizing his index finger and thumb to create a v-shape and cup his chin. "I'm Babylon's brand model, Han Noeul. Today, I'll be showing you the collection that Kim Jinyoung-ssi has worked very rigorously to create." He had asked the director to pan to the clothing rack after his introduction, mimicking a shift of a gaze that the viewer would do if they were in front of him.
"But, not too fast—" He playfully steps to the right of the camera, attempting to block the clothing rack from view with his body. He unzips the black vinyl puffer coat, unveiling a black sweater underneath. "Before your eyes wander to the rest of the clothes, let's start with what I'm currently wearing. This coat can get anyone from winter to early spring, but it's really not your typical winter coat. The vinyl material on the outside is perfect for rain, snow, or protect against the chilly air." Noeul touches each spot on the coat that he mentions, ascertaining that keeps making natural eye-contact with the camera. "The inside is lined with a soft material. I wish you could touch it." "
"While the coat is oversized, I enjoy the drawcord that can be adjusted to tighten the bottom part of the coat if you want a tighter fit, or to play around if you are feeling nervous." He confesses with a soft chuckle, zipping up the jacket and pulling on the drawcord to show the viewer how easy it was to adjust the fit. "I prefer the looser, oversized fit like I do with the sweatpants."
The aforementioned nervousness dissipates throughout the shoot, allowing him to focus entirely on the clothing items and the camera in front of him. He only glances up at the director's hand, who gives him a thumbs up and a pleased smile when he finishes recording. He could barely remember how he had started the recording, but the pat on the back he receives from the director when he passes by him to thank him properly tells him that he didn't do too bad.
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Welcome to the Strange World | Maya Chapter
Jieun's first time at the JYP Entertainment building.
October, 2013
''And this is the practice room.''
Jieun and her mother were receiving a small tour of JYP Entertainment by the big boss himself, Park Jinyoung. In a couple of days she will officially start her training here, to become part of their upcoming girl group.
He opened the door to the practice room and they were met with a couple of girls dancing around the room.
When the girls saw the man opening the door, they immediately stopped dancing and greeted him.
''Goodmorning, pd-nim!'' They chorused, standing in a straight line and bowing.
He smiled at the girls. ''Hello, everyone! I want to introduce you all to our new trainee, who’ll be joining you next week.'' He explained to them. He motioned for Jieun to introduce herself.
She bowed to the girls. ''Hello! My name is Kim Jieun, I look forward to working with you all.'' She introduced herself. She tried to sound as confident as possible, not wanting to sound nervous.
The girls nodded at her, taking everything in. One of them raised their hands.
''Yes, Jisoo-ssi?'' Jinyoung pointed at her.
The girl named Jisoo, turned her head towards Jieun. ''How old are you?''
Jieun answered her quickly. ''I’m sixteen years-old.''
Jisoo got excited upon her answer. ''Really? Me too, we’re the same age.'' Jieun found it quite endearing how happy she looked that they were the same age.
''Alright, we'll continue with the tour. Go back to practicing, girls!'' Jinyoung spoke up, guiding Jieun and her mother back to the hall and urging the trainees to continue dancing. The girls bid goodbye to them and put the music back on, as Jieun left the practice room.
''What are your first thoughts, Jieun-ssi?'' He asked her, curious about the girl's opinion.
She gives him a timid smile. ''It's quite different from SM, but I like it here and the girls seemed very sweet.'' She answered him honestly.
Jieun felt very weird about being at the entertainment company. Only the week before, she was still training with all of her friends and now she would be debuting with people she's just met.
The producer sounded content with her answer. ''I'm happy to hear that. You'll fit in perfectly with the group, Lee Sooman spoke highly of you in our meeting.'' He revealed to her.
Jieun's move to JYP Entertainment was a mutual decision between all parties. Certain people were spreading that she was kicked out or that she left, but she just moved companies. The board of directors and producers at SM Entertainment saw her more as a solo artist than a girl group member. It was Jieun's dream to be part of a girl group, that's why she became a trainee in the first place. So when the oppurtunity came to change companies and debut in a girl group, she took it, even if it meant leaving all her friends behind.
''The group now consists of five other girls. Lena, Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Jisoo and Cecilia.'' He informed her about the group.
''Jisoo? Is that the girl from the practice room?'' She asked him, recognizing the name.
He nodded his head. ''Yeah, she's been with us for a long time, you two will get along great with each other.'' The confidence in his voice made Jieun and her mother less nervous about the entire transition.
''Do the trainees treat the newcomers well?'' Her mother asked him. She had been worried about Jieun's switch, knowing her daughter's exterior cold demeanor could be mistaken for arrogance.
Jinyoung eased her mother's nerves. ''They're very welcoming. We want all of our future artists to represent kindness and that starts at the training process. So that's the last thing you need to worry about.''
Jieun liked the man. He seemed very invested with the trainees and was confident when it came to them.
''Jieun-ssi, I need to discuss some things with your mother in my office,'' he remembered, ''you can wait here or explore a bit on your own, we'll find you afterwards.'' Her mother squeezed her hand and the two adults walked away towards his office.
For a couple minutes, Jieun just looked around the hall, not moving an inch. The silence was interrupted by distant whispers. She looked over from where it came from and saw a group of guys looking at her. When they realized she was looking at them, they quickly stopped talking and turned around. Jieun also turned around, being a bit uncomfortable with the whispers and stares.
She heard some more whispers and she turned back around to see the group pushing a guy towards her direction. Jieun was not impressed, if this was a way to flirt or to get her number, they weren't going to get it.
''Euhm, excuse me.'' The guy in front of her looked the same age, but he was a bit taller than her. He seemed nervous, fiddling with his hands and not being able to make eye contact with her.
She looked at him, quite done with him already. ''Yes?''
''Are you the new trainee from SM?'' He asked her, eyes full with curiosity.
She slowly nods her head at him, still quite uncomfortable with the whole situation that was happening. ''Yeah, I start next week.''
His mouth opened and he let out a gasp, turning around and nodding at the group of guys. Suddenly, the 3 other guys ran up to them, scaring the living shit out of her. Out of reflex, she took a couple of steps back. The guys, realizing they are scaring her, slowed down and apologized to her.
''It's okay, I just didn't see that coming.'' She laughed it off, not wanting to make a bad impression.
One of them pointed at her. ''Are you really from SM?'' He asked her. The guy next to him slapped his hand away and scolded him. ''Yugyeom, don't point at her, that's rude.''
He bowed to apologize, but still looked at her, waiting for a response.
''Yes, I used to train at SM.'' She didn't quite understand the commotion about her being from SM, the guys were also from quite a big company.
''That's so cool! Do you want to be my friend?'' He responded to her, pulling out his hand, so she could shake it.
She just stared at his hand. ''Can I know your name first?'' She was quite amused by the dude's bluntness
His hand stayed where it was. ''I'm Kim Yugyeom''
Jieun, who's more comfortable now knowing his name, shakes his hand. ''Nice to meet you, I'm Kim Jieun.''
Yugyeom turns to the guys standing around him. ''This is Youngjae, this is BamBam and this Mark.'' He introduces them to her, pointing at each member each time.
''How long have you guys been training here?'' She asks them, making a bit of small talk.
Mark starts off. ''Me, BamBam and Yugyeom have been here for about 3 years.''
''I've only been here for a couple of months.'' Youngjae awkwardly laughs and puts his hand on his neck.
She nods at their answers. ''We're actually debuting soon.'' BamBam excitedly tells her while doing a jump, that makes her laugh.
''Really? That's amazing!'' Seeing other trainees debuting always gave her that extra motivation to work harder. ''Yeah, with three other members.'' Yugyeom adds.
''How long did you train at SM?'' Youngjae asks her, turning the conversation back to her. ''I've been training for about 5,5 years.'' She answers him.
The eyes of the entire group widen. ''Wow! How old are you then? Cause you still look young.'' Mark asks, being quite confused.
''I'm sixteen, I started when I was eleven.'' She replies, finding it amusing how shocked the guys are.
BamBam jumps again, along with Yugyeom. ''We're sixteen too!'' He yells, while pointing between himself and Yugyeom.
Jieun can already tell she's going to get along great with them, especially BamBam and Yugyeom.
''Great!'' She laughs out loud, she finds BamBam absolutely hilarious.
Mark checks the watch on his wrist and groans. ''Guys, our break is done. I'm sorry, Jieun-ssi, we have to back to practicing.'' He announces, frustrated they have to go back to rehearsing. The three other guys have similar reactions to the older one.
''That's okay, I'll see you guys next week.'' They bid each other goodbye and she watched them walk away to one of the practice rooms.
-
''What did you think of it, Ji-ah?'' Her mother asked the moment they stepped into the car.
She shrugged her shoulders. ''I liked it, they're very nice people.'' She answered her.
Her mom nodded at her words, glad that her daughter liked the new place. ''Although I liked SM better, I think JYP is a greater fit for you. They're going to take good care of you there.''
''I miss my friends, though.'' She'd spent years with most of them, dancing and singing with them everyday.
Her mom grabbed her hand. ''I know, honey. But SM couldn't give you what you wanted, with JYP you're going to make your dreams come true, just think about that.'' Her mother always knew what to say. At first, she wasn't very fond of the idea of her daughter becoming a celebrity, but seeing her daughter's talents and potential changed her mind.
''You're right, mom.'' She smiled at her, squeezing her hand.
Her mom laughed. ''I'm always right, never forget that.''
''I won't.''
Taglist: @stopeatread
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