I Became A Renowned Arts Genius At My Arts High School - Chapter 1
Opening the door and stepping into the unknown world, the woman’s back was so painfully familiar.
<Encounters>.
Even the title remained the same.
If there had been just one, she might have considered it a deliberate mistake…
<Destiny>, <Sprout>, <Dream>.
Every subsequent picture was vivid.
Indeed, meticulously copied.
Soohyun let out a deep sigh.
She had known for a long time that her style and ideas had been stolen.
Nevertheless, she visited the exhibit to confirm the details that couldn’t be discerned from the small pictures in the article.
The essence of artwork is always the most prominent on-site.
Now, Kim Minjun has become a world-renowned artist.
He was praised by everyone for copying Soohyun’s work.
“…Who could have imagined? Kim Minjun stole my portfolio, entered RISA, completed it, got picked up by a New York gallery, and became a world-famous artist.”
Soohyun let out a small sigh.
She deliberately avoided the first day of the exhibition. The opening reception would be crowded with the now-master Kim Minjun, colleagues congratulating him, and juniors and seniors. So she chose a different day when it would be quieter.
She was afraid of being recognized, and didn’t want to experience the situation of having no one on my side again.
Of course, She was worried for nothing.
Soohyun smirked.
Even if she didn’t wear a mask, her hair was unkempt, skin was rough, and her figure was unsightly and bloated. It made her unrecognizable, even if she crossed paths with anyone.
Would they remember her name?
It had been 15 years since she left the art world.
In that dazzling world, more than enough time had passed for her to be completely erased.
Thud.
Soohyun took a heavy step forward.
After turning the corner, even in the next section, if the lost portfolios were convincingly completed and displayed, what should she do? Should she expose how Kim Minjun stole the glory of her shining days?
With a sudden, piercing thought, she coldly shook her head this time.
It couldn’t be done.
The evidence was gone, and no one would believe it anyway.
Above all, it was a talent she had abandoned.
But—.
“Sigh.”
Soohyun’s pupils flickered.
“…This is insane.”
A painting that surpassed expectations.
Kim Minjun had shed his constraints and spread his wings wide, like a butterfly, transcending to an entirely different world.
<Leap>.
It was a splendid piece.
Thud, thud.
Soohyun’s heart raced, then eased in a smooth flow.
A sudden sound. Tears welled up.
“How did I end up here? I used what I possessed, but in the end, I climbed up to this point.”
<Birth>, <An unexpected reconnection*>, <Connection>…
(T/N: 해후 (Hangul: Haehoo) refers to state in which people meet each other unexpectedly after having been apart for a long time. I shortened it as such to follow the format and style)
In the subsequent paintings, Soohyun’s colors gradually faded, eventually disappearing altogether.
Instead, the presence of the artist Kim Minjun grew, almost engulfing the viewer, in an overwhelming way.
It was an entirely different approach from the early days.
Intense strokes erupted with almost suffocating emotions.
The paintings were truly overpowering.
It seemed that Soohyun wasn’t the only one who felt that way; round stickers indicating “Sold Out” adorned every piece.
“…”
Only now did Soohyun realize. In the face of Kim Minjun, who had pioneered and dominated the world, she was nothing but manure.
***
“So, what are you saying?”
“Just another level. Acknowledging that bastard as a world-renowned artist, that’s what it means.”
A regular pub in the neighborhood.
The day drinking session initiated by Soohyun with her high school friend Yoonhee had been going on for three hours.
“Nonsense. Hey, Han Soohyun. You’re saying you’ll now recognize Kim Minjun as a skilled artist? His ideas, his work, which he stole from you? Ridiculous, really. You’ve gone mad, truly. Bless you, really. You are the hope of humanity, hope.”
“Well, whether I acknowledge it or not, the fact is that Kim Minjun has become a world-renowned artist.”
“That’s right. Ah, this is annoying. Just drink.”
Yoonhee, who explosively vented her emotions, alternated between soju and beer, vigorously filling the empty glasses.
“Isn’t the ratio a bit crude? It’s almost one to one?”
“You’re less drunk. Drink up. Today, it’s your unnie’s idea of a good night”
The old fan shook its head, rotating anxiously.
The brutishly large air conditioner, whether out of gas or not, emitted an unpleasant smell.
Christmas lights left untouched until the middle of summer. A menu board with numerous coats of paint, making it difficult to know the prices without a significant markup. A sticky table and flies persistently darting towards the chicken.
“Yeah, this kind of place suits me.”
Soohyun chuckled bitterly, as she swallowed the lukewarm drink.
The daytime exhibition hall was neat and elegant. Like the finest galleries that sequentially hosted solo exhibitions of world-renowned artists, it was beautiful and subtle.
Clack. Clack.
Those strolling through it to appreciate the artwork were dressed formally even in the midst of summer.
They would have taken the time to dress appropriately without worrying about the heat, riding luxurious sedans or casually strolling around cafes and exhibition halls.
In contrast, Soohyun looked shabby.
A sweaty T-shirt from climbing the hill. Worn-out sneakers clattered, and with each step, the discomfort index increased. In the out-of-fashion loose skirt, sticky thighs kept colliding.
What a joke.
She couldn’t believe she was there in such a state, peeking at her ex-boyfriend’s paintings like a stray cat.
