Taeha couldn’t help but tilt his head when he first met Camilla Prada in AH Entertainment’s conference room. It was because Camilla Prada flinched and looked surprised the moment she saw Taeha’s face.
‘Why is she surprised? Is there something wrong?’
He thought inwardly, but fortunately, the meeting atmosphere wasn’t bad afterward. On the contrary, Camilla Prada, who had shown a surprised expression, actively led the conversation, making the atmosphere much better.
“I thought it was excellent when I saw it on screen, but the real thing is even more amazing. I feel it was a good decision to come meet Mr. Taeha in person today.”
“The honor is mine to meet Camilla Prada here in Korea. I’m still a bit dumbfounded. Is it really true that you came to see me?”
For reference, the two were conversing in English. Since Taeha had appeared on a parody of foreign talk shows, his English skills were quite excellent. Therefore, there was no difficulty in their communication.
Then Camilla Prada answered Taeha’s question.
“I really came to see you, Mr. Taeha. I happened to watch your work on Netflix recently and was deeply impressed.”
“Ah.”
“And I was extremely surprised to learn that you are the writer who directly wrote it. I was so surprised that I looked up all your other works.”
“To think that Camilla Prada has seen all my works… it’s an honor.”
“No, I enjoyed watching them as well. They were all truly outstanding masterpieces. I’ve heard that you started writing after being an actor. Is that true?”
Taeha pondered for a moment before answering.
“I originally had an interest in writing and used to create works. But it’s true that I made the name Kang Taeha widely known as a writer after my acting debut.”
It was an honest answer, excluding the truth about his past life. However, to Camilla Prada, it seemed to carry a different meaning.
“Ah, no wonder the quality is exceptional. So you had a passion for creative work all along. Now I understand.”
Taeha gave an ambiguous smile—neither confirming nor denying.
Camilla Prada smiled back and changed the topic.
“Shall we now discuss the global ambassador role in earnest?”
“Sounds good.”
Fortunately, the proposal she made was very reasonable. There were no unreasonable demands like Louis Vuitton’s. The best part was that he wasn’t required to promote new products strictly—he could choose freely.
Even the required attendance at events like fashion shows was reasonable.
After reviewing the documents, Taeha nodded.
“These terms are acceptable. I accept the proposal.”
However, the contract wouldn’t be signed immediately. Under AH Entertainment’s lead, it would proceed after proper legal review—an essential process.
“Good. Then I’ll take it that Mr. Taeha accepts Prada’s proposal.”
At this point, the deal was practically finalized. The atmosphere grew even brighter, including among the PR and legal staff present.
Then, unexpectedly, Camilla Prada brought up something new.
“Mr. Taeha, have you ever thought about walking the runway yourself?”
“…The runway?”
“After seeing your work, I came to Korea early and thought about something while sightseeing.”
“Yes.”
“If you were to walk the runway, I would set Prada’s next collection theme as a reinterpretation of Korean culture.”
Taeha didn’t understand immediately—it was too sudden.
Even her accompanying staff looked shocked as they grasped her meaning.
“Surely, you don’t mean just briefly appearing as a model?” Taeha asked.
Occasionally, non-model celebrities appeared on runways for special events. That’s what he assumed.
But this was different.
“Yes. What I want is for you to be the main model for Prada’s S/S collection.”
“…!”
“If you agree, I want to build the entire theme around a reinterpretation of Korean culture.”
Only then did Taeha fully grasp her proposal—and he was momentarily speechless.
After a pause, he asked:
“Why must I be the main model for that theme to exist?”
There were many globally renowned Korean models who could do it.
But Camilla Prada shook her head.
“The reason is simple. I cannot imagine anyone else but you as the main model for that theme.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. If you decline, I’ll have to choose a different theme.”
Her calm smile made it clear she was serious.
At that moment, Taeha understood.
He himself had once changed an entire work because only one person could fit the role.
‘She’s thinking the same way.’
Still, it was astonishing.
She wanted him—a complete non-model—to lead a runway.
“Why me?” he asked again.
Camilla Prada answered honestly.
“When I think of Korea, I think of you. My interest in Korea began because of you. So if I want to present Korea, I need you.”
It made sense.
But it also felt like a burden.
Sensing this, she added gently:
“You don’t need to feel pressured. Just think it over carefully.”
“I understand.”
With that, the meeting ended.
***
Afterward, Taeha had dinner with Camilla Prada at her suggestion.
They avoided heavy topics, instead discussing artistic perspectives.
For Taeha, it was fascinating—his first real conversation with a fashion visionary of her level.
And he was surprised.
Her artistic philosophy felt bottomless.
But she was equally surprised.
What impressed her most was Taeha’s deep understanding of characters—his habit of analyzing even the smallest traits and behaviors.
To him, it was natural.
To others, it was extraordinary.
His immersion-based understanding was beyond imagination.
Deeply impressed, Camilla Prada returned to Milan, asking him to seriously consider the runway proposal.
***
Meanwhile, the drama was achieving record-breaking success:
- Episode 14: 16.1%
- Episode 15: 16.7%
- Episode 16: 17.3%
- Episode 17: 17.9%
It hadn’t reached tvM’s all-time top 5 yet, but with seven episodes remaining and already in the top 10, expectations were soaring.
Media outlets were confidently predicting it would surpass 20% and become the network’s highest-rated drama ever.
But Taeha ignored the hype.
He focused only on what mattered.
And one of those things was the runway proposal.
After long consideration, he finally made his decision.
‘Alright. Let’s do it.’
It was the moment Taeha—who had nearly worn modern reinterpretations of traditional Japanese attire for Louis Vuitton—chose to take on a bold new challenge.
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