Chapter 176: Chapter 176: Pre-Show Buzz

COEX Convention Center was a city in itself, all glass and steel echoing with the sound of suitcase wheels and barking orders. At the main entrance, banners fluttered for Seoul Fashion Week, paparazzi already prowling for celebrities and the first wave of influencers. Even in the morning, the building buzzed—models and assistants lugging garment bags, stylists wielding coffee like weapons, and organizers sprinting to secure their share of the day’s chaos.

Seo Yura was in full "brand mode." She stood in front of a camera crew, her posture perfect, fielding rapid-fire questions in clipped, unshakable Korean. "Lumina’s vision is always global, always Korean at heart," she said, a cool half-smile for the audience. Off-screen, her phone was blowing up with messages: suppliers confirming arrivals, journalists asking for exclusive quotes, stylists double-checking run sheets.

Inside, Min-Kyung’s world was no less hectic. She’d arrived before dawn with her team, directing the offloading of her entire collection from the hotel vans. Dress bags, rolling racks, boxes of shoes and accessories—it was war, and she was the general. Her assistants, armed with tablets and espresso shots, buzzed around her, barking confirmations to each other. Min-Kyung herself stalked through the racks, inspecting every seam and button for last-minute disasters. She refused to look tired, even as her phone vibrated with new crises every minute.

Across the exhibition hall, the LUNE team made their entrance. Joon-ho led the way, trailed by Mirae—today in full "main character" mode—and Hye-jin, who played the part of no-nonsense manager with an earpiece and clipboard. Their designated waiting room was already humming: two senior makeup artists and three nervous juniors setting out palettes and brushes, Min-Kyung’s second assistant steaming a pair of gowns, and racks of both LUNE and Lumina label outfits lined up for tomorrow’s chaos.

"Morning, everyone," Joon-ho greeted, nodding at the makeup team. Mirae, bright and gentle, went straight to the juniors, asking their names, smiling, telling them they’d do great. One, shaking a little, blushed and whispered to her friend, "She’s even prettier in real life..."

Min-Kyung swept in with a swish of silk, clipboard in hand, ponytail bouncing. "Don’t bother being nervous," she announced to the room. "You’ll have bigger things to worry about if you mess up my dresses tomorrow."

Joon-ho grinned. "Such a motivator."

"You’re lucky you’re pretty, oppa," Min-Kyung shot back, but she winked.

Their phones buzzed almost in unison—a message from Harin, CEO mode, crisp and to the point. "Front meeting room. Influencer team. Now."

Joon-ho nudged Mirae. "Let’s go meet your new rivals for the spotlight."

They threaded their way through the maze of garment racks and TV crews, ducking past the over-caffeinated PR teams and gawking at the early arrivals for the day’s rehearsals. The meeting room was glass-walled and blinding with mid-morning light. Harin stood at the head of the table, three influencers arrayed across from her, all in that nervy, overdressed way of people who knew they’d be filmed.

Harin’s voice was pure business. "You’re here on trial for LUNE. Today, you’ll shadow our team backstage, create content—livestream, posts, whatever you do best. You don’t wander, you don’t interfere with other brands. If you impress us, there’s a contract after Fashion Week. If not, you get good footage and a free lesson in the big leagues. Everyone clear?"

The Parisian-trained Korean influencer, Min-ji, nodded eagerly, a phone in each hand, clearly starstruck by Mirae. "Unnie, I’m such a fan. I watched every episode of Jeju Café. My fan page, we always post about you."

Beside her, Rika, the Japanese streetwear icon, did a playful bow, bright-eyed and already scanning the room for her first selfie spot. "I can’t believe I get to see the legendary Mirae in person! And Joon-ho—my friends are going to die."

The Thai influencer, Bee, with her mix of shy curiosity and confidence, introduced herself in accented Korean, "I’m new, I just moved here. My followers are mostly from Thailand, but they all love Korean fashion. I hope I don’t embarrass myself..."

Harin smiled. "You’ll do fine. Just remember, you’re not here as fans—you’re here to work. And you’re representing LUNE. Understood?"

All three nodded, a little daunted but visibly buzzing with excitement.

Joon-ho and Mirae crossed the room, professional but warm. "Welcome to Seoul Fashion Week," Joon-ho said, shaking each influencer’s hand. Mirae smiled and let herself be pulled in for selfies, one after another.

Min-ji, the Parisian, whispered to Mirae, "Can we post on the fan club page? If you comment, it’ll break the internet. I know the admin—she’s crazy about you."

Rika the streetwear queen piped up, "Isn’t that @unholynuna? She’s famous for her loyalty and her savage comebacks! My followers love her drama threads."

Bee looked between them, confused, but eager. "I want to learn all the secrets!"

"First secret," Mirae laughed, "Don’t let Min-Kyung scare you. She’s only mean because she cares."

Harin finished her briefing with a warning. "Keep your streams professional. You’re about to be dressed by Korea’s top designer. That’s not an everyday TikTok."

She led them through the backstage maze, cameras and lights following their every step. When they entered LUNE’s prep room, the effect was instant—Min-Kyung’s name rang out.

The Parisian and Thai influencers stopped in their tracks, wide-eyed. "Oh my god, that’s Min-Kyung!" Min-ji gasped in English, then switched to Korean. "She’s huge overseas—my Paris friends always talk about her looks, her attitude. She’s, like, a legend!"

Bee nodded, filming herself in awe. "I saw her show in London last year. My friends never shut up about her."

Min-Kyung gave a modest little smile, acting cooler than she felt. "Glad to know my reputation beats me to the door."

Rika, more plugged into the Korean scene, snapped a selfie with the designer. "You’re famous in Japan, too. My fans say you’re the ’unreachable unnie.’"

Min-Kyung tried not to blush. "Well, you’re reachable today. Come here—let’s check your sizes."

The influencers hesitated, unsure what was happening. Min-Kyung and her assistant began measuring hips, bust, waists.

Mirae leaned in, whispering, "Surprise. You’re getting the full treatment. Custom dress, professional hair and makeup. You’re not just covering Fashion Week—you’re walking it, in Min-Kyung originals."

All three influencers blinked, disbelief turning to wild excitement. Phones went up, live feeds began, comments exploding with jealousy. "No way!" "Dream come true!" "Unnie, take me with you!" flooded the screens.

Bee spun in circles, already picturing herself in something dramatic. Min-ji and Rika gushed in three languages to their streaming followers, sharing every second.

Min-Kyung directed her assistants, pulling select dresses off the racks. "These aren’t just samples. I want you to look the part. But if you spill anything, you’re dead."

Harin stepped in, practical as always. "You’ll be paired with our junior makeup artists—today’s your first rehearsal. We want to see if you can keep up. Stream, post, show your audience what real Fashion Week is like—but if you break the rules, you’re out."

The junior makeup team, trembling with nerves, started their prep. Min-ji filmed as blush was dusted over her cheeks, Rika did an impromptu Q&A about skincare, and Bee narrated in Thai and English for her fans. The comments poured in—"This is insane!" "So jelly," "Min-Kyung dresses, for real?!"

Mirae and Joon-ho watched, amused, as the influencers were swept into the chaos. Mirae leaned in, whispering, "You think they’ll last the week?"

Joon-ho shrugged, a teasing glint in his eye. "Depends if they can survive Min-Kyung."

Alina, Natty, and Yumi poked their heads in, checking out the new arrivals. Alina, ever the flirt, winked at the influencers and declared, "If you get nervous, just copy me. I’m always right."

Natty grinned, snapping a photo of Bee and herself together for social. Yumi, still shy, beamed at Mirae and the juniors, then took a selfie for her own quiet fan base.

The dressing room became a hive of activity—dresses zipped, shoes changed, makeup and hair spun into place, live feeds crisscrossing the internet. Min-Kyung barked her orders with love: "Don’t slouch, chin up, no phones on the runway!"

Rika whispered to Min-ji, "This is real, right? Not some prank show?"

Min-ji giggled. "It’s real. My hands are sweating."

Bee panned her camera around. "This is more intense than any trip I’ve done. But I love it!"

By late afternoon, the influencers were transformed—each wearing a piece of Min-Kyung’s collection, faces glowing under perfect lighting. They spun for the cameras, posted photos, laughed with Mirae and Alina, and even got a group shot with the full LUNE team, "V for victory" fingers flashing.

Harin called for a quick huddle. "Remember—this is your audition. Play it smart, play it loud. Show us and the world why you deserve to be here."

Joon-ho added, "Tomorrow’s the real test. Rest up, stay sharp, and enjoy every second. This is your stage, too."

As the sun dipped outside COEX, the day ended in a flurry of content, behind-the-scenes giggles, and the breathless hope that something unforgettable was about to begin.

Fashion Week hadn’t started, but for this crew, the magic already was.