I Became A Renowned Genius At My Arts High School - Chapter 166



Only Noblemtl

Episode 166. Fall Semester (2)

The excitement lasted for a few days. There were things to organize and prepare.

At first, she was nervous just writing down the list in detail, but then she calmed down on her own when she realized that there were surprisingly many things that needed to be taken care of right away. Su-hyeon was focusing on her daily life again.

The biggest preparation was the ‘Expression’ painting that was being exhibited as a series in the ‘Up’ exhibition.

Promising a permanent exhibition for two years, the only work currently for sale at Su-Hyeon’s exhibition is the ‘Expression’ series.

Su-hyeon continued to work steadily, presenting a new painting once every two months.

Now, with just over a year left until the permanent exhibition opens, a simple calculation suggests that six to seven more works should have been revealed.

Of course, thanks to my diligent work, I had about three extra pieces, but I needed to finish four more before I left so that there would be no problems with the exhibition. That meant I would be busy for the next few months without rest.

“I guess I’ll have to prioritize this for now.”

Su-hyeon frowned and looked at the schedule.

There was something else to worry about besides the exhibition itself: preparing a portfolio.

RISA required a portfolio that showcased the student’s work style, which Professor Kwon In-ho said may seem like a ceremonial procedure, but it was actually a meaningful task.

It goes without saying that the professor in charge will be determined based on the portfolio, as well as whether or not to accept the student.

‘I thought it would be good to catch Professor Noah’s eye.’

Su-hyeon nodded.

Professor Kwon In-ho knew that Soo-hyeon had applied to RISA and gave her some helpful advice.

He even gave advice that if you want to grow quickly in New York, it would be a good idea to learn from Professor Noah.

As someone who has put a lot of effort into thinking about the expandability of conversation, it would be good to prepare a portfolio that can be applied to various fields in addition to general conversation works, and that was not a big problem.

Su-hyeon had already expanded her scope of work at Baekhyundai, including advertising, illustration, characters, and posters, and was also uploading experimental works to the website.

But just to make sure, Soo-hyun planned to prepare a few more points that would leave a strong impression.

“Oh, since the portfolio deadline is at the end of November, I guess I’ll have to bring the schedule up a bit. Yes, since I still have some time left for the ‘expression’ drawings, I’ll focus on drawing them during the winter break.”

Su-hyeon calculated the dates again and made a schedule. She thought she would be busy, so she registered for the second semester of her second year with the minimum credits, and now she felt that it was a good decision.

Now all that remained was the budget.

“How much preparation do I need to make?”

Although I received support from Ilseon Gallery every month, I was using a significant portion of it for living expenses and material costs.

Even if I paid my tuition with a scholarship, I still needed a lot of money considering the cost of living in New York.

“I should look into scholarships that support living expenses in addition to tuition. And I can save up some emergency funds by working part-time.”

If you want a part-time job that you can do in a short period of time, something like next year’s calendar part-time job that starts around now would be suitable.

This is a time when people still actively use things like calendars and diaries, so there has been a lot of work related to this since fall.

“Okay. Then I guess we should get moving.”

Su-hyeon, who had made some plans, stood up from her seat.

Although we still have to wait for the first announcement, there were people who needed to be informed of this decision regardless of the outcome.

***

“I agree. I agree unconditionally.”

Director Kang Yu-jin of Ilseon Arts Center, whom I saw after a long time, had a sullen look on her face.

As JK invested and expanded his business, Director Kang Yu-jin was getting busier by the day.

Since Steve’s Hong Kong exhibition, he has been actively advancing into the Chinese and European markets. So, he couldn’t help but be favorable about Su-hyeon’s trip to New York.

According to Kang Yu-jin, the flow of the art market will soon shift to Asia and then to Korea.

Now was the time to prepare thoroughly for that moment.

“The growth rate is also not bad, and the atmosphere is not good. There is more interest in Asian artists than ever before. Asian artists were given a lot of attention at the last London Art Fair. What is encouraging is that they are putting aside the frame of the mysterious Orient and seriously contemplating the spirit and values ​​of Third World art.”

Even though she was so busy with work that she lost a lot of weight, Kang Yu-jin was smiling the whole time, seemingly oblivious to the hardships of this atmosphere and flow. And.

“Anyway, it was well thought out.”

Kang Yu-jin once again expressed her agreement with Soo-hyun’s decision.

“I was going to tell you to look into studying abroad next year, but you’re smart enough to look into it first, right? Well, being an exchange student isn’t a bad idea. It might be a good idea to gain some experience for a year and then consider whether to move on.”

“Yes. But we still have to wait for the results. It’s before the first announcement from RISA.”

“Haha. It’s good to be cautious, but isn’t it okay to have that much confidence? You’re so qualified, why should you be nervous about a school presentation? Of course you’ll do it. If you don’t, it’s your own fault.”

Director Kang Yu-jin patted Soo-hyeon on the shoulder and laughed loudly.

“Haha. Yes… … .”

“Do you plan to continue working on your work even after you leave?”

And Kang Yu-jin looked deeply into Soo-hyun’s eyes and asked.

“Yes, of course. My biggest goal is my work. I want to see the works of artists in New York and get inspiration for new paintings.”

“Hmm. Okay. Very good.”

Kang Yu-jin nodded briefly and then opened her mouth while sipping tea.

“If you’re going to do it, hold on. And stay for a long time. At least ten years.”

“Huh? Ten years?”

“It’s still confidential, but Ilseon and JK are preparing a few more projects. The ultimate goal is New York.”

Kang Yu-jin smiled meaningfully.

“… … !”

At the same time, several thoughts passed quickly through Soo-hyun’s head.

New York? What are Kang Yu-jin and JK preparing for?

Earlier this year, JK began in earnest the auction business he had been preparing for a long time.

The event was held successfully as Vice Chairman Noh Young-guk put in a lot of effort and focus, and it changed the market landscape in an instant.

By attracting works and collectors that are difficult to find in Korea, they have shown that they are on a completely different level, and by gradually increasing their scale, they have made it clear that they do not intend to simply remain in the domestic market.

Spring, summer, fall. As the seasons changed, the event became more solid and delicate. So people’s eyes naturally turned back to the Ilseon Art Center.

The fact that Ilseon Arts Center, which has great influence in the primary market, and JK, which has emerged as a new powerhouse in the secondary market, have joined hands has been a hot topic for quite some time.

So, the next moves of JK and Ilseon, which are still shrouded in mystery, have become a matter of great interest. And Kang Yu-jin is now opening up about that.

“I have a very high opinion of the potential of Korean writers. There are many writers who have shown great works, from promising new talents to undiscovered established talents. The problem is how to introduce these writers to the market, how to elicit a response, and how to maintain that response.”

Su-hyeon nodded quietly.

I could vaguely understand it.

An unknown artist becomes known and his paintings become popular.

People who don’t know much about it might just pass it off as the writer’s natural talent, luck, or timing, but there are actually quite complex conditions and calculations involved.

Among artists with similar skills and popularity, the price of paintings by artists with a much larger number of works increases at a much faster rate, or when a work has established a price in the market, the price can rise or fall depending on the timing of the next exhibition and the release of the work. These are things that can only be predicted if you have a deep understanding of the art market. Kang Yu-jin, who has a long history of experience and study, is well-versed in this physiology.

However, since they had no power to push ahead, they had stayed in the domestic market, but now that they had an ally like JK, it seemed like they could try challenging overseas markets.

“We will host an art fair here in Seoul within two years.”

“In Seoul?”

“Yes. Is there a law that says we should go to London, Hong Kong, and New York alone? We will make them come to Seoul. We will exchange ideas here and also let them know about Korean works and writers.”

“I get excited just hearing it.”

“At that level already?”

“What else is there?”

When Soo-hyun asked in surprise, Kang Yu-jin smiled brightly.

“Ilseon Art Center New York branch, Paris branch, Hong Kong branch, London branch. We have to open them one by one.”

“and.”

Perhaps it was a natural plan. If we were to enter the global market, the gallery would not have to be located only in Korea.

But Su-hyeon had no idea how much manpower and capital it would take to make that a reality.

“It’s been ten years.”

Kang Yu-jin nodded as if making a promise.

“I promise to make it all a reality within 10 years.”

“yes…….”

“So, Soo-hyun, you have to work hard too.”

“Of course. I will do my best.”

That’s why he had been talking about 10 years since a while ago. As soon as he realized this, Soo-hyun began to wonder what he would look like in 10 years.

Kang Yu-jin gave a goal with an expression that guessed his feelings.

“In ten years, let’s have your exhibition at the Ilseon Art Center New York branch. What do you think?”

“An exhibition?”

“Yes, I mean your solo exhibition.”

“Wow, I’m touched.”

“Haha. Yeah. That would be cool, right?”

And Kang Yu-jin smiled strangely again.

“Are you aware that your exclusive contract ends when the permanent exhibition ends?”

“Ah. Yes. I know.”

“If you didn’t have any plans, I would have offered you an extension.”

Su-hyeon tilted her head at those words.

Judging by the nuance, it seemed like he was saying that he would not continue the contract. The answer to the question followed immediately.

“If you go to New York and work, there’s no way you can help out on the front lines right away. The front lines are still preparing to enter the global market.”

Kang Yu-jin continued her explanation with a worried expression on her face, wondering how she could explain it to Soo-hyun so that she could understand without any misunderstandings.

“Of course, if you’re only going to study for a year or two and come back, that’s fine. But if you’re planning on staying in New York, I think it’d be better to let you go for at least a few years. It would be more helpful for your growth to get help from an influential gallery rather than a front-line one.”

“omg.”

Su-hyeon opened her mouth in surprise.

“But I still haven’t paid my debt to Ilseon or JK. I just received it.”

Ilseon and JK have been providing generous support to Soohyun for quite some time.

I was thinking of paying back the investment with my work, but it was clear that if the contract was terminated here, it would be a loss for the investor.

Su-hyeon was concerned about that part first.

“Don’t worry about that. It’s your first exhibition. Expression series paintings are getting more and more expensive.”

But Kang Yu-jin wrinkled her nose and waved her hand.

“After the permanent exhibition ended, I have been receiving constant inquiries about purchasing the remaining works. If I just sell all of those paintings, I will receive more than the support I gave you.”

“Huh, really?”

“Yes. That’s why I want to let you go even more. I want to see how far you can fly if you grow wings.”

At that moment, Soo-Hyeon’s eyes became hot.

If he had been a simple sponsor or investor, it would have been an impossible offer.

Even though the work is selling well and the artist can move on to the next work, they are letting the artist go. The reason is that they lack the ability to support the artist right away. They want the artist to grow bigger and faster.

“I was going to tell you this when you went abroad to study, but I didn’t know it would be this soon. Anyway, it’s simple. You continue your challenge in New York, and when the front line enters New York, we’ll try again. It’ll be at most 10 years, so you can’t pretend not to know when it happens.”

Kang Yu-jin nodded again, urging her to find a gallery that would offer her a bigger opportunity.

“And don’t be nervous, I’m not telling you to start doing it tomorrow without any reason. There’s still about a year left on your contract, and until you, Soo-hyun, get used to living in New York, Ilseon and JK will do their best.”

At this point, Soo-hyun had no choice but to nod.

“Thank you so much, Manager. I will really try my best.”

I felt both grateful and scared.

Could JK and Ilseon be recognized and grow in New York without the umbrella of Ilseon?

As Director Kang Yu-jin said, will I be able to find a good gallery that will attract me?

I still couldn’t figure out anything.

But this road he had never been on still made Soo-hyeon’s heart beat faster.

That alone was reason enough to take the next step.