I Became A Renowned Genius At My Arts High School - Chapter 206
Only Noblemtl
Episode 206. Lisa (1)
Some memories are evoked by smell.
When the face of someone I had completely forgotten and the faint promise that had lost its power a long time ago become vivid with a certain scent, time instantly breaks down its boundaries and takes me back to that time.
So then, after a long time, what will this time be remembered through?
What scent will bring me back here?
Su-hyeon woke up late and lay in bed, blankly staring out the window.
The bright sunlight pouring down.
The season was already the middle of summer.
“Phew.”
Su-hyeon took a deep breath.
The cool air of the shade created by the lush greenery. The smell of patties sizzling and potatoes frying in oil from the burger joint at the end of the alley. The roughness of the dust rising from the dry ground and the smell of people moving busily between them.
Su-hyeon tried to remember the scent of this summer.
Before she knew it, New York was becoming a very important time for Soo-hyun.
Ssuk.
Su-hyeon slowly got up and leaned her back against the headboard of the bed.
It was a long-awaited break.
As soon as I came to New York, I participated in the Big Wave Art Fair, and then I went to Jacqueline’s J-House, met Henry, and drew a picture of a whale. Then I participated in a collaboration with Sasha again and worked with Humphrey.
It was winter when I arrived, but before I knew it, spring had passed and summer had passed.
It’s a happy thing that a good relationship has developed as much as the things that came rushing in, but I also tilt my head because I wonder if I rushed too much in the beginning. Well, that’s already in the past.
“Anyway, it’s vacation for the time being.”
Su-hyeon stretched.
Yesterday, Jacqueline visited the after-party venue and praised the rookies for their hard work and advised them to get enough rest for at least two weeks.
I declared an official vacation.
In other cultures, rest is as important and natural as work, so most people plan ahead.
Perhaps Soo-hyun was the only one who overslept at home, but Soo-hyun was satisfied.
New York’s summers are similar in temperature to Korean summers, but they are not as humid, so they are bearable. There are no tropical nights, so the early mornings and evenings feel a bit cooler. So, I was planning to visit a cafe near my house that turns on the air conditioner for a while when it gets really hot.
That alone was impressive enough, considering that was all I had planned for the day.
“Ah, clothes!”
Su-hyeon jumped up from the bed.
As Soo-hyeon was getting up from her seat after finishing the after-party yesterday, Jang and Humphrey simultaneously handed her a large dust bag.
Humphrey said it was a gift, and Jang said it was a bribe, but surprisingly, it contained Sasha’s next season’s outfit and bag.
“Fortunately, it wasn’t crumpled… … .”
I was so tired that I remembered later that I had fallen asleep in bed with my body draped over a chair, and when I checked, fortunately, there was no damage.
and.
“Wow.”
Su-hyeon took out the contents and looked at them carefully, and was belatedly amazed.
These were not the costumes of an haute couture show that displayed a crazy artistic spirit, but rather designs for ready-to-wear that popularized the show.
The two designers, who were able to easily read Soo-hyun’s body type just by looking at her, made clothes that fit her perfectly without even asking her.
It was a surprising event that stood out for its consideration in many ways. However, since it was an expensive luxury brand, I thought it would be difficult to wear it comfortably anywhere.
“That’s cool.”
Su-hyeon carefully took out her clothes and bag and hung them in the narrow closet.
When something good happens, when there is a day to share joy with many people, I think I should wear it.
“hmm.”
Somehow, I felt proud.
A bonus from two of Shasha’s best designers.
It was a precious gift that could not be priced at the market price.
Knock knock-.
Su-hyeon, who was sitting blankly, heard the sound of her cell phone vibrating.
Since last night, messages of congratulations and encouragement have been coming in from all over.
Taylor’s friends, Steve, Henry, Jacqueline’s newcomers, and even people in the industry who have never met before but are trying to make connections.
These contacts were like a green light for Soo-hyun’s future life in New York.
Su-hyeon quietly checked it, sent a short reply, and sat down at the desk.
I was wondering where to send this good news.
Director Kang Yu-jin and friends in Korea.
Su-hyeon wanted to tell the people who had been her precious starting point and source about what had happened here in detail.
***
“Are you out for lunch?”
As the air inside the house began to get quite warm, I packed my bags and came out, where I met Steve in front of a nearby restaurant.
Since we are local residents, it was common to encounter things like this.
“Uh. You too?”
“That’s good. I was thinking of contacting you anyway, but I held back because I thought you might be catching up on some sleep.”
Steve smiled and stood next to Soohyun.
“Let’s go in. Let’s chat about what’s been piling up.”
Su-hyeon also smiled happily at those words.
A small restaurant selling simple sandwiches, sausages, and coffee.
Steve shook his head as he watched Soo-hyun fussing over the food he had ordered.
“Are you getting here soon?”
“Huh? What?”
“I think it’s time for me to start missing Korean food.”
“Oh, that’s true. I really like spicy food.”
Su-hyeon agreed.
Although I occasionally cheered up with the ramen I brought from Korea, there came a time when I missed kimchi stew, tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cakes) boiled with aged kimchi, stir-fried pork, pork belly, seasoned chicken, and even yukgaejang (a soup I don’t usually eat).
“There’s a good Korean restaurant.”
Steve gave a solution to Su-hyeon.
“really?”
Su-hyeon’s eyes sparkled. There were a few famous Korean restaurants in New York. However, they were either thoroughly localized or were made into high-end restaurants, so the prices were incredibly expensive, and she didn’t feel like going there. Knowing that, Steve’s recommendation prickled her ears.
“It’s a new place, but word of mouth has been getting around. Of course, I’m not sure if it’ll suit your taste.”
Surprisingly, the restaurant owner said that he was not Korean. It was a restaurant opened by an American who really liked Korea.
It was strange. Although some idol groups were trying to enter the market, the Korean Wave had not yet taken off in the United States.
But the introduction alone was enough to pique my interest: an American who opened a casual Korean restaurant in the heart of New York, not even in Koreatown.
“Shall we go now?”
Steve noticed Soo-hyeon’s mood and started to hurriedly repackage the sandwich.
“Let’s get up and eat this later.”
***
“Wow. What is this?”
As Steve said, the restaurant was popular.
There was a long line waiting outside the store, but the smell coming from inside the store was quite similar to that in Korea.
“This totally smells like a restaurant serving plain rice.”
Su-hyeon swallowed without realizing it. The sweet smell of stir-fried gochujang, fragrant sesame oil, and refreshing vegetable scent were all mixed together with the unique scent of soybean paste.
“I guess I’ll have to wait a while.”
Soo-hyun shook her head at Steve, who was worried at the sight of so many guests.
“I’m fine. You?”
“Huh? Oh, I’m fine too.”
Steve bit his lip and held back laughter at Soo-hyun’s somewhat solemn expression. And then about 30 minutes later.
Finally, it was Soo-hyun and Steve’s turn.
“This is crazy.”
Su-hyeon shook her head.
“Is this truly American craftsmanship?”
It was a perfect Korean meal, including soft tofu stew, stir-fried pork, kimchi, and side dishes.
The taste of Korea, the taste of home, that reminds me of the restaurant I often visited in front of Baekhyundae.
It was surprising that the chef was American, but what was even more surprising was that most of the customers in the restaurant were American.
There wasn’t a single Korean or Asian customer in sight.
I wonder if the restaurant also found that part surprising.
“Excuse me, are you Korean?”
A middle-aged man who appeared to be a chef came into the hall and approached Su-hyeon’s table.
“Yes, that’s right. Korean.”
The man asked again, looking nervous at Soo-hyeon’s answer.
“Do you like the food?”
Soo-Hyeon nodded several times and said.
“Wow. I’m really amazed. How can you reproduce Korean food so well?”
Only then did the middle-aged man smile brightly at Soo-hyeon’s compliment.
“Thank goodness. Oh, my name is Bruce. I own this restaurant.”
“Ah. Nice to meet you. I’m Soo-hyun. This is my friend Steve. He knew I was missing Korean food, so he brought me here.”
“I see. My family lived in Seoul, Korea for about 10 years. We all loved Korea so much that it was hard for us to return to the United States. Then, at my son’s suggestion, we opened a Korean restaurant.”
Bruce continued his story, plopping himself down in an empty seat at the table.
The owner of the friendly restaurant was the epitome of force.
“Actually, my son has a better sense than I do. He really likes cooking, and he’s a very bubbly guy. He also gets recipes from various places.”
“The recipe?”
“I went to Korea when I was 9 and went to elementary, middle, and high school. I was an American boy who spoke Korean well, and I was so fascinated by Korean food that I asked him about it. The restaurant owners seemed surprised and told me many things.”
Later, he said that his father also learned cooking at several restaurants.
Until then, I thought it would just be a hobby, but I had no idea that I would actually open a Korean restaurant in New York.
“Oh, of course I asked for permission. When I told the bosses that I was going to open a Korean restaurant in New York, they were all very happy. They said that their cuisine was going to enter the global market.”
Bruce, with a proud expression on his face, signaled to the kitchen, and the side dish arrived. It was steamed eggs.
“This is a special service. It’s for Korean customers who come to my restaurant for the first time.”
“Wow. Thank you so much.”
Soo-hyun said with her eyes wide open.
The soft, fluffy steamed eggs were just like the Korean style.
“Please come often. My son will especially enjoy it. I was really curious to see what Korean guests would say when they come to our restaurant. He will be very sad that he is absent today.”
“Haha. I guess your son usually works at the restaurant with you?”
“I tend to help out during the holidays. I’m busy during the semester because I’m at school.”
“ah.”
“Are you a student? An international student?”
Bruce asked Soo-hyun’s age, guessing her age from her young face.
“Yes, I came as an exchange student. It’s been about half a year now.”
“Oh, what are you studying here?”
“I draw pictures. I came to New York a little earlier than planned, so I start school in September.”
“A picture?”
Bruce asked in a welcoming voice.
“My son would be happier if he knew this.”
“yes?”
“My son also draws. He is an artist and is attending college in New York.”
At those words, Steve and Soohyun met eyes.
There aren’t many art schools in New York. If there were a lot of coincidences, I could have been a student at the same school as Steve or Su-hyeon.
“We also go to college in New York.”
When Soo-hyeon answered, the man shook his head and said.
“I see. My son is in Lisa, but which school is he in?”
Before he could finish speaking, the restaurant door opened and a red-haired man with a good build who looked to be in his late twenties strode in.
“… … ?”
The man glanced around the hall and headed straight to Soo-hyun’s table.
“Wow, it’s true.”
And a man with a surprised face.
Bruce stood up from his seat, looking at the man with pleasure.
“Who contacted you? Ian, the Korean customer you’ve been waiting for has come to our restaurant. Fortunately, he said he liked the food.”
Bruce looked at Soo-hyun and Steve again and said.
“This is my son Ian, whom I spoke of earlier. Ian? The guests must eat, so it would be better to talk about it later.”
That’s when Bruce tried to make Ian comfortable by taking him to a dinner party.
“I know you. Oh my god. What fate is this?”
Ian looked at Soo-hyun with shining eyes.