I Became A Renowned Genius At My Arts High School - Chapter 155



Only Noblemtl

Episode 155. Festival (1)

“good.”

Su-hyeon nodded after carefully checking every page. A homepage with a few images.

It’s still in its initial stages, but if you consistently upload work, it seems like it could become a pretty worthwhile site.

-I checked. Everything went up well. Thank you for your hard work.

Su-hyeon sent a confirmation message to the person in charge of designing and producing the website.

To create a homepage, you need to know how to use programs like Photoshop, Dreamweaver, or Namo Web Editor, but since Su-hyeon only had experience with graphic software, she hired a good person in charge and outsourced the work.

The concept was already there, and the worker’s sense matched it to create a neat and cool homepage. But, most of all, I was proud that I was able to secure the homepage address ‘grunote.net’, which included the activity name ‘Gru’.

In a few months, a platform that will become extremely popular will appear, allowing anyone to create a mini-homepage and ride the wave, but what Su-hyeon is aiming for is not an activity to share personal friendships, but rather a wider range of interactions.

For that, an author homepage was absolutely necessary, and since I was going to start a homepage and communicate and interact, I decided it would be better to use a stage name instead of my real name.

I chose the stage name ‘Gru’ because I thought it was pretty but also difficult to guess the gender or nationality.

“This should be enough.”

Su-hyeon checked the image posted on the homepage once more.

In the work section, I uploaded unpublished works other than the paintings published by the artist Han Su-hyeon, and there were several reasons for that.

Firstly, I wanted to see what kind of evaluations and impressions people would make of the paintings without any preconceptions.

Secondly, I wanted to continue my work on paintings that were outside of traditional painting, that is, paintings that could be used in advertisements, books, and other fields, as I experienced at Baekhyundai.

The third and final reason was Michael’s request.

Michael, who had recommended several helpful books and a website of his own, gave Soo-hyeon a way to repay her gratitude.

Even at this very moment, there are countless artists working all over the world and creating works, but it is unfortunate that there are few opportunities to see them, so he asked Su-hyeon to interact with him.

I was confused at first.

‘You’re making this suggestion without even looking at my painting?’

All I’ve given you is that I’m an art student, but you’re asking if I can show you my work and communicate with other artists. Are you an incredibly open-minded person?

From the moment he started replying to my emails, I could tell he had a proactive and enthusiastic personality, but as we talked, that first impression became even stronger.

Michael was a man of pure passion.

He dreamed of a world where artists who love art could share their work, exchange opinions, and develop together, and he convinced Su-hyeon that modern artists could gather through the web just as the Impressionist painters gathered at the Café Guervois in Paris.

In order to reach more viewers beyond Korea, a website was necessary.

For those reasons, Su-hyeon created a personal homepage and told Michael the address.

Although it had its own justification, if Soo-Hyeon had a strong desire to be lazy, she would not have spent time working on the homepage at this time.

However, Su-hyeon lived each day diligently as always, and a few years later, she came to think that it was a really good thing that she did not ignore her heart’s voice and started operating a homepage under the stage name ‘Gru’.

But Soo-Hyeon had no idea what kind of influence her homepage and stage name would have or what kind of future it would bring.

***

“Oh my! The juniors are here. Please sit over here! Come in quickly!”

Two days later.

All students in the conversation department received instructions and gathered in the second-year practice room.

“Okay, everyone worked hard on the midterms.”

The one who gathered the students and announced an important story was the new student body president, Seo Ji-hoon.

“When I was a student, I thought the world would end if I just got into Baekhyun University of Fine Arts, but now you know. Baekhyun University of Fine Arts is amazing, right? Getting good grades isn’t easy, right?”

The students agreed with Seo Ji-hoon’s words and burst into laughter.

Telepathy.

Struggling with homework and intense classes, most students have had the experience of feeling like they’ve been turned into someone or somewhere else, a mindless zombie.

“But after all the hardship there is joy, and for those of you who have finished your midterms, a sweet festival awaits you!”

Seo Ji-hoon announced the start of the spring festival in a very excited tone.

“And our painting department has to show something at this festival!”

University festivals are usually held in the spring or fall, but the Baekhyundae Festival was held in May.

Last year, Su-hyeon was busy preparing for her solo exhibition and couldn’t properly enjoy her first university festival.

While I was busy going back and forth, I did take a quick look at the events and games, but there wasn’t anything particularly impressive. But seeing Seo Ji-hoon getting excited today, it seemed like this wasn’t an event to be passed over lightly.

“Last year, our conversation department’s bar ranked 9th in sales.”

“oh.”

“and.”

As some people who couldn’t read the mood let out exclamations, Seo Ji-hoon narrowed his eyes and shot a laser.

“It’s not a total sales ranking. It’s 9th out of 11 art departments! It’s the third from the bottom!”

For a moment, the kids who had been chattering loudly shut their mouths and just looked around.

Some people even smiled bitterly, wondering if they remembered the events at the festival well.

“Last year was a year of opportunity for our painting department. The freshmen won first place in the freshman orientation game, and received great privileges from that. The bar’s location was in the center that everyone coveted, and the operating expenses were also high. However, we failed to attract customers, and our results were dismal. Of course, we received positive responses to events other than the bar, such as the festival’s exhibitions and events, but the failure of the bar was very painful, you can say.”

Seo Ji-hoon’s eyes flashed, and every time he did, his predecessor, Lee Kyung-min, shrugged his shoulders.

The Baekhyun Hyundai Festival is particularly extravagant and lively on the art side.

Of course, competition within art schools is fierce. Considering that, 9th place in sales at art schools isn’t that bad.

This can be seen as a result of falling down the rankings due to the strong competition.

However, Seo Ji-hoon, a man who is more serious about entertainment than Lee Kyung-min, was sharpening his knife to achieve the number one spot in bar sales at this year’s festival.

“… … .”

“… … .”

The enthusiasm was understandable, but everyone present was somewhat skeptical of the goal.

The conversation department, which won first place in the orientation game last year thanks to Soo-hyun’s performance, received many special privileges but had disappointing results.

But this year, he was eliminated early even in the orientation game, and instead of receiving any special benefits, he had to start from the bottom.

But, you’re aiming for number one in bar sales?

This naturally led to concerns that Seo Ji-hoon’s greed was too much.

‘I guess we’ll be inevitably entangled.’

Su-hyeon, who was observing the atmosphere in the practice room, let out a small sigh.

Seo Ji-hoon is the type of person who, once he gets hooked on something, sees it through to the end.

If he said no, it would be counterproductive, and since everyone would want to come together as one, it would be difficult for Soo-hyun to quietly slip away.

“So, the reason we’re meeting today is to decide on the concept of the conversation department’s bar.”

Seo Ji-hoon wrote in large letters on the blackboard in the practice room, “Conversation Department Bar Concept Meeting.”

And below is a brief description of each subject.

Sandigua – Club

Joso-gwa – The Mysterious Door

Oriental Painting – Tavern

Print Shop – Souvenir Shop in parallel

CD Department – ​​Large Screen

The characteristics of the other bars I had seen last year clearly came to mind with that note.

What makes the art school pub stand out from other college pubs is its clear concept and character.

Sandiqua created a structure reminiscent of a large dome and installed gorgeous lighting inside, creating a space resembling a club, stimulating curiosity.

The sculpture gallery had a large sculpture of a gate, and it was the perfect photo spot, so customers kept coming in to take pictures.

The Department of Oriental Studies decorated its tavern with a Joseon Dynasty inn style.

They brought a table that they found somewhere and set it up in the center, and tried to differentiate themselves by playing geomungo and gayageum music as background music. They also sold makgeolli.

The print shop has captured the hearts of women by opening a cute prop shop. The route has been designed so that customers can quickly move on to the bar after looking at the props.

The CD section had a large screen showing cool music videos and commercials, and in the evening, there was no other bar as fancy as that.

In any case, these were the top departments in the art school, and based on their experience of success, they maintained their ranking by improving and developing little by little the following year, so it was difficult for other departments to suddenly rise up.

For example, last year, the painting department, which had ambitiously promoted face painting and portrait drawing, was coldly ignored by the Sandi Club and the Oriental Department’s bar, and the materials it had purchased were piled up in the warehouse as inventory and distributed as souvenirs to the freshmen who entered this year.

“Well, we need to compete with a solid concept that surpasses these top tier bars. We can’t just draw attention with a drawing event. We need to create something that will attract attention, even if it costs money. So please feel free to give us your opinions.”

Seo Ji-hoon looked around at the painting students with glaring eyes.

“What if we sold cocktails?”

“In fact, the concept is a problem, but last year, we didn’t sell many side dishes because we were short on kitchen staff. In addition, the kimchi pancake and seafood pancake that we chose as menu items didn’t taste good, and since it overlapped with the Oriental Studies Department next door, the response was low. I think we should go with a simpler menu this time.”

“I agree. And if you want to increase sales, how about selling something like iced coffee during the day? Just mixed coffee with ice cubes floating in it.”

I worked hard to come up with all sorts of ideas, but none of them were groundbreaking enough to make people slap their knees.

Seo Ji-hoon nodded, but his brows furrowed. If things continued like this, there was no telling when the meeting would end.

‘Let me give you a hint.’

It was really annoying to come out, but it wasn’t good to spend time tied up like this.

Su-hyeon thought about it for a moment.

I have never been interested in or experienced anything like business, but since I have lived in the future, I know what works, what is popular, and what becomes a trend.

Since we weren’t opening a real store, but rather a pub that would open for three days during a college festival, there wasn’t much to worry about.

Su-hyeon raised her hand slightly.

“Hey, Han Soo-hyun! Do you have any opinions?”

Seo Ji-hoon asked with a smile,

“You’re saying that we need to increase sales while maintaining the identity of the painting department?”

Soo-hyun asked a question, summarizing the main point.

“Yes. We need to create a tavern that will gain a favorable response while showcasing the strengths of the fruit.”

Seo Ji-hoon focused on Soo-hyun’s words, expressing his anticipation.

Su-hyeon smiled brightly.

“Then, I think the problem can be solved if we strengthen the menu as suggested earlier.”

“uh?”

Seo Ji-hoon blinked.

I had high expectations, but this was an idea that respected the petty opinions that had come out before. But at the same time, I looked at him with a look of faith that this wouldn’t be the end.

Fortunately, Soo-Hyeon did not disappoint expectations.

“Let’s look for hints in famous paintings. Let’s create a menu based on those.”

Everyone’s attention was focused on Soo-hyun’s confident words.