"Are you making decent money?"
"Haha, it's way better than working at a company."
"Boy, stop this nonsense and get a real job. People need to work."
"What are you saying? This is a job nowadays. Many people make a living off it. You're not that old, but you seem out of touch with the times."
"So you're just getting by?"
"Getting by? Thanks to you, Teacher, I'm thriving. Of all my friends who came with me that day, I'm the most successful. All thanks to you, Teacher. And you won't even accept my gifts. That hurts."
"Hurt? Talking about a Rolex as a gift with your finances?"
"No, Teacher! I'm telling you, I make good money. And this watch."
Junyoung showed the watch on his wrist. He was wearing it because I refused it, the very gift he intended for me.
"I got this after contacting the company directly as a token of my gratitude. You can't even find this in stores. Do you know how much this watch is worth? A whopping 40 million won..."
"Forget it, boy. Who would dare wear that out, fearing someone might cut off their wrist? You keep it."
"Haha, Teacher, you really don't care about money."
It's not that I don't care.
Even now, I check how much comes in from MG Electronics, how much from Rosellini, the net profit of the company, every month.
I could afford to buy a watch like that every week with the money I make, so it's easy to be indifferent. Who can be completely free from the devil of money?
I glanced at the T-shirt Junyoung was wearing and smiled.
"Do you like that outfit?"
Junyoung, taking off his coat, stopped and looked down at his T-shirt.
"Do you like it? Should I buy you one?"
"Nonsense."
"Why? It's expensive. It's Rosellini, an Italian brand that's been really hot since last year. This isn't from their cheaper line; it's a genuine black label T-shirt, costing over 2 million won. But if you ask, Teacher, I'll gift you the most expensive one."
“Wow, the guy who used to crash at my place because he was broke is now strutting around in a T-shirt that costs 2 million won?”
“Haha, all thanks to you, sir. But if you really like it, just say the word. It’s tough to buy these days since there’s not much stock left, but I know someone at the department store who can set aside some for me as soon as they arrive in Korea. They're so popular that they raised the price by 20% two months ago, yet they still sell out.”
Monica, you’re doing great too.
I smiled wryly and shifted my gaze away from the small black lotus emblem on his T-shirt.
“I’ll pass.”
“No, sir, I really can get one for you.”
Kid, I'm friends with the store owner.
If I want one, I should just ask them directly. Why pay for it? They'd give it to me for free.
As I refocused on my work, he silently watched me paint for a while.
When it was time to wait for the paint to dry, he finally spoke up.
“But sir.”
“What.”
“Have you really not thought about an interview?”
“……”
“The media is calling me ten times a day, asking who you are. How can you not give at least one interview? Advertisers contacting me are also curious about your identity. Do you know? Those photos of your artwork? I took them. They often appear in Korean art magazines.”
“……”
The media. Tiresome.
They swarm like bees when it's sweet and turn vicious when it's not.
“Forget it, I'm not interested.”
“Ah! Someone like you should be out there in the art world, it would inspire the younger artists.”
“I’m busy enough taking care of myself.”
“Hmph.”
He looked frustrated, scanning the yard, then suddenly asked, “Wait, sir. Why do you have fewer paintings? When I last came, there were nearly 300 pieces in the warehouse and yard. Where are they now?”
“Sent them away.”
“Where to?”
“It’s cramped here. Sent them to a friend.”
“What! Which friend? Is it someone trustworthy? Not some crook who’ll run off after selling your paintings? Sir! You have to be careful. Especially someone like you, who only knows about art, is a prime target for scams.”
Crazy kid, I sent them to Yeongju.
One of the few people I trust besides my brother and mom.
“Mind your own business.”
He kept asking, seemingly worried.
“300 pieces? That's enough to fill a small museum. Do you realize how high your reputation as Painter A is? Look at this.”
He showed me his SNS.
Someone had commented on a photo of my painting, and it had over a million likes.
[StrongDragon94]
Art provokes various interpretations, and interpretations create meaning.
But Painter A's work needs no interpretation.
Beautiful nature and people. The desire to be among them.
A simple, primal pleasure for the eyes. That's all.
I glanced at Junyeong after reading the comment.
“Who’s StrongDragon94?”
Someone famous enough to get a million likes.
Junyeong grinned and gave a thumbs-up.
“Ever heard of Yong-han, the singer who got an invite to the UK for contemporary art?”
“……”
“That’s his SNS account. He's a fan of Painter A and often DMs me to ask if he can post my photos. Thanks to you, I get to interact with such famous people. With this level of fame, you should really cherish your work more. Is it okay to just send them off to any friend?”
I chuckled at his words.
Yong-han, huh? I wonder what kind of expression he would make if he knew that I am Artist A.
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He should do a live press meet and he should shave his beard and reveal himself just as yong-han is middle of his glazing session
ReplyDeleteGo bite him!!! Hahahaha
ReplyDelete