Chapter 14 Demo Days
Demo Days
Julia
Julia walked from station to station, checking all the products and the notes placed next to them.
Starlight’s New Product Demo Days typically happened before a line went into full production. A few randomly selected volunteers
were invited to sit at beauty stations and test out products, reading all the information about what went into making it and
what it was supposed to do. Then they filled out forms where the feedback would be recorded and sent back to Starlight’s development
teams in case changes were needed because of such things as allergic reactions, unfavorable scents, or the dreaded not as described.
Julia loved Demo Days. Her favorite part was seeing real consumers, not employees of Starlight Cosmetics, test out the skincare,
the body products, the new makeup palettes. And they would always get invaluable information and insight from these consumers.
Julia loved pampering those who came to these events. Champagne, hand and neck massages, a filled-to-the-brim swag bag, and
catered lunch were just some of the benefits. Starlight’s Demo Days had also made it into Refinery29’s “Top Things to Do in LA,” with the caveat if you can get a coveted invite.
“The team did a great job of setting up in here,” Julia said to her product manager, Sarah Im. “It looks amazing.”
“I can’t believe the renovations and build-out got finished in time. There was no way it was gonna happen if it hadn’t been
for Tae. When the general contractor walked out midbuild, Tae basically picked up a hammer and worked beside everyone else
to get it done. He pushed the whole team and made it clear that missing the deadline was not an option.”
Julia took note of the new makeup stations. The room expanded and now had twenty seats, each with its own mirror, lighting,
and storage, compared to the previous twelve. It was designed with warm walnut wood tones, white cabinetry, and brushed copper
fixtures. It might just be her favorite part of the entire office renovation to date.
Julia’s chest swelled with pride. She loved hearing about and seeing what Tae was capable of. She thought back to when they
were kids and he’d always have the best crafts during Vacation Bible School, and his dad was always bragging about something
Tae had fixed or built throughout the years. Julia didn’t understand how Tae ended up working at a desk in an office for a
living when he’d clearly been meant to do something with his hands.
“We made sure everything for today’s event is extra special. We’re so excited you’re finally bringing your family and friends
in for one of these,” Sarah said.
“Really appreciate it, Sarah. Tell your team thanks, and can you give them all a comp day when all is finished? I know they’ve
been pulling long hours to get the product and packaging ready.”
“They’ll love that, Julia. Thanks!”
“Well, don’t thank me yet. My family and friends are a tough crowd. We’ll see how much damage they do by the end of today,”
Julia said with a laugh. “Korean mamas are always a tough sell.”
“Especially for Korean cosmetics, I can imagine,” Sarah added.
Sarah hadn’t meant it in a bad way. But the comment stung. It was a slap of a reminder that Julia still felt like she had
to prove herself to the Korean consumer, people like her mom and her mom’s friends. Many of whom would be here today.
Julia’s mom and grandmother were the reason she’d even considered getting into the beauty industry. Growing up, Julia had
spent hours watching both her halmoni and her mother in their bathrooms, a myriad of bottles and vials and samples laid out
before them, tubes squeezed to their very last bit of product. Julia memorized each step of their skincare routines, the fragrances
of each still fresh in her mind. And it all worked. Her mother looked twenty years younger than her age, and her grandmother—well,
her grandmother definitely didn’t look like she was near dying.
Julia let out a deep sigh. After a few semiheated discussions with the doctor’s office, and one phone call from Jisoo to the
hospital scheduling department, they’d finally nailed down an appointment sooner than the four-to-six weeks they were originally
offered. Julia and her grandmother would go in next week and have the follow-up scan to see what they were actually dealing
with. She was scared. But like Rachel and Tae had encouraged, she wasn’t going to invite worry.
“Julia, they’re here,” Annette said from the doorway.
Julia smiled and waved them into the room, greeting everyone as they entered.
“Wow, it is so beautiful here,” her mother said, eyes wide, mouth open. “I should have worn something fancier.”
Who was she kidding? Julia’s mom was in a St. John knit two-piece that Julia had gifted her for her fiftieth birthday a few
years ago. She’d only worn it a couple of times.
It was her special occasion outfit. She was carrying the Louis Vuitton handbag Julia gave her for Christmas two years ago that she still kept in the box it came in, which usually sat on the top shelf of her closet.
She had the Gucci scarf Julia had included in her recent bribe bag wrapped around her neck.
And she had on her black patent Ferragamo low-heeled pumps with the square gold buckle.
It was like a designer brand-name swap meet threw up on her mom.
She’d basically put together a hodgepodge of all of her nicest stuff and shown up to impress at Julia’s place of work.
Julia was touched.
Behind her mother, a flurry of small Korean women entered: Aunt Linda, Aunt Sharon, Aunt Janet, Mrs. Kim (Tae’s mom), Chung
Samonim (the church pastor’s wife), Jisoo’s mom, and Julia’s halmoni. Sonia came in next along with her mother, and rounding
out the bunch Rachel stood at the doorway, obviously trying to stifle her laugh. She was here for comedy hour apparently.
Julia bowed and greeted the crowd and listened as they marveled at the setup of the room.
“This looks like the spas in Gangnam,” Aunt Linda said.
“Sulwhasoo Spa is in Gangnam. I hear it is amazing there,” Aunt Sharon added.
“Sulwhasoo is chaego,” Aunt Janet said, much like she had at her grandmother’s birthday party.
And so it began.
“Jisoo is so sorry she couldn’t make it. She had a shift at the hospital today,” her mother said.
“Please take a gift bag for her home with you, Mrs. Kang,” Julia answered.
After greeting each person individually, Julia’s staff led the attendees to their stations. Each station had ten products
displayed for testing. Julia had also had the product cards and the feedback cards translated into Korean. Each staff member
worked with an attendee on trying the products.
The room was noisy and spirited, and people seemed to be enjoying themselves. Music was playing in the background, an upbeat pop tune with an angelic voice singing in Korean. Julia liked the sound of it. She’d have to ask what it was.
“It looks incredible in here,” Rachel noted. “Having IU playing in the background for the ajummas was a nice touch.” Music
by IU, noted.
“Yeah, apparently Tae helped put it together. I’d asked him to step in where he could with renovations, and I’m hearing from
my team that he’s basically been a godsend.”
“Interesting.” Rachel drew out each syllable of the word.
Julia rolled her eyes.
“I know I don’t have to ask you this, but make sure to be honest with the product feedback.” Julia thought twice. “Maybe not
too honest, though,” she added.
“Whatever. I’m a Starlight fan. I’m sure I’m gonna love everything. You guys only make the highest-quality stuff,” Rachel
said.
Julia smiled and felt proud of her friend’s assessment. Rachel was loyal, but she wasn’t a liar.
Julia scanned the room, making sure everyone was enjoying themselves and the products. Her staff was incredible, answering
questions and putting up with the small demands. They seemed to be having a good time as well. Champagne flutes were topped
off, and trays of finger foods were passed around.
Julia looked to the last station and saw her grandmother. She seemed to be swaying in her chair. Julia looked more closely.
That was odd. Suddenly, her grandmother’s lolling head fell forward to her chest. Julia’s heart stopped as she was gripped
with worry and fear, and she rushed over to see what was wrong.
She looked to the staff assigned to her halmoni, a fresh-out-of-college Korean girl named Esther, and quickly asked, “What
happened?”
Esther’s face looked panicked as she shook her head. “I don’t know. I only turned away for a minute.”
Julia grabbed her grandmother’s shoulders and shook her gently. “Halmoni?” She was unresponsive. Oh my God, was she was having some kind of episode now because of her deteriorating health? The music was loud and the women so focused on what they were doing, no one even noticed Julia’s grandmother.
Julia looked to Esther and said in a panic, “Go and get Annette.” Annette would know what to do. Should she call 9-1-1 right
now? Julia’s hands shook. She grabbed her grandmother again, this time a little less gently. “Halmoni,” she called out.
Her grandmother remained motionless. Julia’s heart raced. She looked around for someone to help. Julia thought she could hear
a low buzzing noise near her grandmother. She leaned in closer. It got louder. It was coming from her grandmother. Her grandmother was . . . snoring? Julia grabbed her one more time and shook harder than before. Halmoni
suddenly raised her head, opened her mouth as if gasping for air, and let out a loud burp. She slowly opened her eyes and
looked sleepily at Julia.
“Oh, sorry. Champagne makes me so sleepy,” Halmoni said with a hiccup.
Annette rushed into the room followed by Tae. What was he doing here? With all the commotion, all eyes turned to Julia and
her halmoni.
“What’s wrong? What happened?” Tae said, taking a look at Julia’s grandmother to make sure she was okay and then at Julia,
doing the same once-over.