Shooting a magazine cover is not an easy job.
Because magazines are purely commercial products, photoshoots come with many industry requirements and restrictions.
For instance, clothing combinations and makeup can't clash with competing magazines from the same period. Poses and hairstyles must not cause offense or be considered plagiarism. Only when all these elements are coordinated to a perfect state can the project move to the printing process.
Odagiri Ryu was a highly experienced photography director at Hoshino Talent Agency. He had been looking forward to shooting the perfect winter cover today, but the originally scheduled male artist had a sudden accident. The man was now laid up in the hospital, completely unable to do the photoshoot.
That's why he had gone to the Hoshino Talent Agency headquarters, hoping to ask some agents he knew if they could find a suitable male artist at the last minute to save the day.
After approaching several people in a row, he remained unsatisfied.
Although the theme for this cover shoot was [Winter Lovers], the more crucial goal was to showcase the brand-new winter couple's accessory line from this issue's sponsor, "SIENA."
This required a model who looked exceptionally fashionable and could effectively style the accessories.
Yuan Chuan You's current flaxen-blond hair had a natural warmth to it. Paired with cool silver accessories, it would create a striking "warm and cool" color contrast, which is incredibly eye-catching in print advertising.
This was also why the moment Odagiri first saw him, he immediately thought Yuan Chuan could save the shoot.
On the other hand, Odagiri had already heard from the client; he needed to send them the first version of the final shots tonight. He simply didn't have time to be picky.
"Congratulations, Yuan Chuan."
Nakahara Kazuya seemed to be in high spirits, a gratified smile on his face. "Odagiri-san is the director who shoots the most commercials and magazines for the agency. If you can catch his eye, this is definitely a huge opportunity for you."
"Yes, I understand."
"Then let's hurry to the studio. Nakahara, you come along too."
"I can't make it right now. I'll have to entrust Yuan Chuan to you, Odagiri-san," Nakahara Kazuya said, shaking his head. "I'm not Yuan Chuan's dedicated agent; I have other people's matters to attend to."
"Hahaha, in that case, Yuan Chuan-kun will just have to work harder! Once you get more famous, the agency will surely make Nakahara your dedicated agent."
The bearded man in the hat laughed heartily and clapped Yuan Chuan You on the shoulder, displaying the hearty demeanor of a big brother figure.
"I'll do my best."
The handsome young man gave a noncommittal response to the suggestion, simply nodding with a smile.
"Let's get going, then. The drive over is about half an hour."
"Okay."
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Pushing open the door to the photo studio, Yuan Chuan You felt a blast of cold air hit his back. He pulled the black down jacket Nakahara Kazuya had just given him tighter around himself. Under the studio's bright lights, his flaxen-blond hair was particularly striking.
The two of them walked in together. A photography assistant waiting just inside the door immediately came jogging up to them.
"Odagiri-san, you're finally here!"
"What's wrong?"
Seeing the assistant's flustered expression, a bad feeling suddenly shot through Odagiri Ryu's mind.
"Odagiri-san, the agency just called. The female model you booked a couple of days ago can't make it to the shoot."
The photography assistant's face was a little pale. He hadn't expected two emergencies to happen at once. It was truly a case of when it rains, it pours.
"Why? Did something happen to Shinonome-san?"
Odagiri Ryu's expression instantly turned grim, and a suppressed roar echoed through the spacious studio.
The next second, the assistant timidly handed him a tablet. The screen displayed a trending topic on Twitter, followed by a burning flame icon.
#PopularModelShinonomeAyanoNightclubScandalExposed#
The image showed the model who was supposed to be at today's shoot, intimately arm-in-arm with a married producer as they left a nightclub. The comments section below was flooded with demands for her retirement and apology.
"Shinonome-san... was photographed by Bunshun coming out of a late-night bar arm-in-arm with a man at midnight last night..."
"Damn it!!!"
Odagiri Ryu ripped the beret from his head and slammed it on the ground. He dug his fingers deep into his short, graying hair and paced back and forth across the studio, his leather shoes making sharp, hurried sounds on the floor.
"The outfits, the location, the lighting—it's all ready! Where am I supposed to find someone at the last minute now?"
He cursed through clenched teeth. After a moment, he suddenly stopped and looked at the expressionless Yuan Chuan You standing behind him.
"Yuan Chuan-kun, do you know any good female artists? Could you recommend someone who's available today?"
"Hmm..."
Yuan Chuan You thought for a moment. The next second, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly as he took out his phone and opened the Line app.
Five minutes later, he looked up at Odagiri Ryu's expectant face.
"I know an artist who happens to be free today. Her name is Kurokawa Akane."
"Kurokawa Akane... Isn't she the actress who was cast in '49' with you, Yuan Chuan-kun?"
"Yes."
"Hmm... Kurokawa Akane... I seem to recall she's a stage actress, right?"
After all, Odagiri Ryu had been in the entertainment industry for over twenty years. He had a good memory and had seen quite a few stage plays, so he had heard of the prodigy from the LALALAI Theater Troupe.
"You've heard of her?"
"If she's a stage actress, she might just be able to handle it..."
Odagiri thought to himself. He had no other options right now; it was a desperate situation that called for a desperate remedy.
"Yuan Chuan, please get in touch with her right away. We don't have much time."
"Okay."
-------------------------------------------------------
Another forty-odd minutes passed before Kurokawa Akane, dressed in a black overcoat, came jogging into the studio.
Her face was slightly flushed and her breathing was a little ragged, clear signs she had rushed over. After coming to a stop, the girl's gaze immediately locked onto Yuan Chuan You, who was standing to the side.
At that, her eyes instantly lit up, like a lake reflecting starlight.
"Yuan Chuan-san, I'm here."
"Yes. Kurokawa-san, let me introduce you. This is today's director, Odagiri-san."
Yuan Chuan You introduced Odagiri Ryu to her with a gentle smile on his face.
"Of course. Hello, Odagiri-san, I'm Kurokawa Akane. Thank you for giving me this opportunity."
She gave a sincere bow. After all, her agency couldn't secure her commercial work like a magazine cover. When she received the Line message from Yuan Chuan You, Kurokawa Akane was genuinely delighted. The exposure from a magazine cover was an excellent resource.
"Not at all, not at all. You're the one helping us out today, Kurokawa-san. I should be the one thanking you."
The middle-aged photography director's demeanor was very gentle. Having been immersed in the entertainment world for so long, he had developed a very sharp eye.
The moment Kurokawa Akane had walked in, Odagiri Ryu had noticed something—the girl's gaze kept circling back to Yuan Chuan You, her bright eyes filled with an unconcealable joy.
And so, the photography director glanced calmly at the handsome Yuan Chuan You standing to the side, and an idea suddenly sparked in his mind.
Hmph, hmph.
You two walked right into this yourselves.
For the couple's cover shoot later, I'll have to set you up in the most effective, intimate poses!
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