I Became A Renowned Genius At My Arts High School - Chapter 207



Only Noblemtl

Episode 207. Lisa (2)

“You know me?”

Su-hyeon asked, completely stopping using her chopsticks.

I quickly rewinded the film, but I didn’t see Ian’s face anywhere. So how did Ian know me?

It’s only been six months since I came to New York.

Although I was busy, I was only busy drawing pictures.

Su-hyeon blinked.

I wonder if they are confusing me with other people? They might think that Asians look similar to them.

But Ian knew Soo-hyun well.

“Big Wave Art Fair. Did you participate in it?”

“Oh, that’s right.”

Su-hyeon was surprised.

“Were you there then? Or with another team?”

I didn’t have a chance to look closely at the other teams because of the chaos at Taylor’s booth, but I wonder if they were participants who participated at the same time.

Since he was a painter who also majored in art, it was highly possible. In that case, he might have seen Ogada Su-hyeon.

But Ian shook his head.

“At that time, I was busy with other things, so I couldn’t go to the site in person. I heard the news through magazines, and I heard from here and there that it was great.”

Like Jacqueline, Ian also said that he learned about Suhyun and Taylors’ activities through a magazine article.

“Anyway, after that I heard the story of Henry’s whale painting, and he said that the main character was the same person. It was very interesting.”

Ian swallowed hard.

“First, let’s eat. And if you have time, I’d like to talk for a bit after eating.”

Su-hyeon nodded slightly with a bewildered expression.

After a while.

“oh my god.”

After the guests had mostly left, Ian brought Soo-hyun and Steve a special dessert while they were sitting comfortably at the table. It was shikhye.

“In Korea, I only ate it during holidays.”

“Try it. Does it taste good?”

Ian’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Su-hyeon took a sip carefully.

“and.”

A truly surprised exclamation erupted.

The shikhye, which even had ice floating on it, tasted just like Korea. Its rustic yet sweet taste and aroma brought back memories.

“As your father said, your skills are extraordinary. Even if you received the recipe, how could you do this?”

Su-hyeon shook her head.

On the first day of my vacation, which I spent without any plans, I was creating some very satisfying memories.

‘You said you were going to Lisa’s.’

Soo-hyun smiled as she recalled the story she heard from Ian’s father.

If you are majoring in conversation, you will encounter this person often at school starting from the new semester.

I have a feeling I might make a good friend. But.

“I knew Soohyun would go to Lisa.”

Ian was the first to bring up school.

Su-hyeon was surprised once again.

I heard from Bruce earlier that Ian was going to Lisa, but where did Ian get the information that Soo-hyun was going to Lisa?

When I looked at Steve with surprised eyes, Steve was already glaring at Ian with narrowed eyes suspiciously.

Ian looked at Soo-hyun and Steve with a playful expression.

“I didn’t know we would meet like this, but it’s nice to meet you anyway. I’m Professor Ian, who will be teaching Soo-hyun’s class starting in September.”

“yes?”

“Huh?”

Su-hyeon and Steve’s mouths dropped open at the unexpected words.

“Are you, professor?”

“Professor?”

Although it is difficult to guess a foreigner’s age by their face, is this really true?

No matter how I looked at him, Ian looked like he was in his late twenties. And it seemed that Steve was the same, because he spoke first.

“You are a very young professor.”

“That’s true. I started preparing in Korea at a young age.”

He, who is now 27, said that he liked drawing since childhood. However, he said that he had difficulty adapting to the Korean entrance exam art system, so he started preparing early to go to an art school in New York.

By the time she was a freshman in high school, she had already received Lisa’s acceptance, and upon coming to New York, her talents were recognized and her scope of activity expanded.

And then, when he turned 25, he became a professor at his alma mater, Lisa.

“Now that I think about it, I misunderstood. Bruce said earlier that his son was in college in New York and that he was busy during the semester, so I assumed he was a student. But that wouldn’t be wrong even if he was a professor.”

But Ian smiled brightly as he watched Soo-hyun, who still had an expression of disbelief.

“Although I have the title of professor, I create classes that breathe together with contemporary artists. In fact, art is not something that can be taught just by teaching.”

Ian also seemed like a passionate genius character.

Even though he was American, he was admitted to Lisa’s school at the age of 17 in Korean age, and became the youngest professor.

Moreover, he wasn’t only obsessed with painting. He said that he also invested a considerable amount of time in studying cooking because he liked Korean food.

Are you just someone with a natural sense of humor?

Su-hyeon shook her head.

The world stage is truly enormous.

I realized it once again.

It was a genius to be able to step here and there. The opportunity to interact with contemporary artists was a joy and pleasure, but it also became an opportunity to realize my own coordinates once again.

But to others, Soo-hyun was also a monster-like rookie with enormous potential.

“Actually, when Su-hyeon’s portfolio arrived, there was a heated reaction within Lisa. Everyone was curious about who this student was. The theme of ‘gaze’ was impressive, and the energy of the work was so great.”

Ian brought up the matter, saying that he personally reviewed Soo-hyun’s portfolio when she applied to be an exchange student.

“Everyone unanimously chose Su-hyeon. They said they wanted to bring her to school right away, not in September. There was even competition among the professors to see who would take charge of Su-hyeon.”

Although he didn’t say specifically how he came to be in charge of Soo-hyun, the nuances made it clear that Ian had overcome fierce competition to become Soo-hyun’s advisor.

“Anyway, I was expecting to see you in September, but I was so happy to learn that Soo-hyun was the one who had been making a big noise in the New York art world since the beginning of this year. And the fact that Soo-hyun was the first Korean customer to visit our restaurant. This is surprising in many ways.”

“I have high expectations for Lisa, too. I never thought I would be greeting you like this, but it’s really nice to meet you, Professor Ian.”

“Haha. Please take care of me in the future. Let’s talk a lot in the future. About art, Korean food, and culture. I really, really like Korea.”

Ian wanted to hold on a little longer, but he said goodbye again, considering Soo-hyun’s position.

Just like a typical Korean restaurant owner would do for a regular customer, he even wrapped up a bottle of shikhye separately.

As she left the restaurant, Soo-hyun muttered to Steve.

“I really liked this restaurant… … .”

“uh?”

“Isn’t it a bit much to frequent the professor’s restaurant? And he’s my advisor.”

Steve quickly answered Soo-hyun’s concerns.

“If it’s uncomfortable, should I find another place? Is this the only decent Korean restaurant in New York?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I wish American culture was cool about this kind of thing. Then they’d come here often and pretend not to notice.”

Su-hyeon stuck out her lips. The food tasted fantastic, and there was a menu item that she had decided to try next time.

“I wanted to try bulgogi and bibimbap too.”

Su-hyeon looked at the store sign with a faint smile, smacking her lips.

***

The vacation was quickly over.

Henry was furious at the news that they were spending their long-awaited vacation at home, so he invited Soo-hyun and Steve to his summer home in the Hamptons.

Su-hyeon spent ten days there, attending parties every day and going to barbecues until she was sick of them.

Thanks to that, my skin has a pretty healthy glow. I also took several photos to remember the happy times.

After returning home, I started preparing for the start of the new school year in earnest. J-House also told me about the schedule for the second half of the year.

There was nothing urgent.

He said that the projects to be carried out in the second half of the year will be individual rather than joint, and that the choice of what to do will be left up to the discretion of each person.

The gallery only wants to see the results and achievements.

So, Soo-hyun could have uploaded the tasks that Lisa was working on to a new project.

Even if you participate in external events, such as contests, rather than school events, you may be recognized as an achievement.

“ha.”

So far, everything has gone smoothly.

A project in New York that I ran towards without any hesitation.

From the Big Wave Art Fair to Shasha, Su-Hyun has been fortunate to have had successes both big and small. She has made contacts with key figures in the New York art world, and the rewards have followed.

The financial rewards were also significant.

The payment for the whale painting was deposited, and the project with Sasha was scheduled to receive differentiated incentives based on the performance of the next season.

Since we can already feel the popularity of Black Snow, we can happily wait for the harvest.

6 months ago.

I suddenly remembered how shocked I was by the murderous prices of goods here when I first came to New York.

Even if I could cover part of my tuition and living expenses, I was worried about whether I could make up the rest with part-time jobs every month. But now, I can afford to stay without worrying about money, not only during my exchange program, but for several years afterward.

“210,000 dollars… … .”

Soo-hyeon opened her bankbook and muttered in surprise at the numbers printed on it.

Some of the money brought from Korea and the price of the whale painting alone was approximately $210,000.

At the current exchange rate of 1,260 won per dollar, it would be equivalent to 264.6 million won in Korean currency.

Here, Shasha’s incentive will be added as early as this winter, or at the latest, early next year.

“If this continues, I might end up buying a house in New York.”

Su-hyeon shook her head.

I thought that one day I might have a Manhattan loft as my studio like those successful Soho writers.

Of course, Soo-Hyeon’s goal was not focused on that, and her thoughts quickly drifted elsewhere.

“What should I do in the second half of the year?”

Su-hyeon frowned.

The Taylors were slowly getting ready for the Rockefeller Art Fund. They seemed to be desperately hoping that guest member Su-hyeon would join them this time too.

Rockefeller Center Plaza, in front of the GE Building.

A place where installation art by famous contemporary artists is erected.

This splendid stage has always been given to famous writers with big names, but this year, there was a gap between the two projects. The news that the door to a mini-project to fill the gap was wide open was stimulating newcomers.

It was sure to be a fiercer competition than ever, with so many hungry newcomers from New York rushing to compete.

It was enough to stimulate her spirit of challenge, but Su-hyeon was somehow hesitant.

I never felt like this was perfect.

“Isn’t there a project that is a little more active rather than passive?”

After drawing pictures on demand a few times, I felt like I wanted to create something from scratch, without any intervention or intention. I wanted to design the board myself.

“Wow, I’ve changed too.”

Su-hyeon muttered.

I was someone who constantly doubted myself.

I always lacked self-esteem and confidence.

However, as she returned to her early days and became absorbed in art, Su-hyeon steadily developed her own world. She gradually came to know and accept herself.

He was also influenced by the people he met along the way. In particular, he helped people like Humphrey, who had not realized their own talents and had been stuck, and Soo-hyun reflected on himself.

Humility is necessary, but doubt is only Germany. Moving forward somehow. Believing that you will improve.

That was Soo-Hyeon’s new resolution.

“Okay. Let’s not wait for the right thing, let’s find it ourselves. If it doesn’t exist, let’s make it.”

Su-hyeon nodded.

Even though she knew the easy way out was to replace the J-House second half project with a school assignment, Su-hyeon chose the long and arduous path again.