Return of the Genius Photographer

Jung Woong, the center of attention at the exhibition, was constantly surrounded by people.

From friends like Richard to reporters, and even those who seized the chance to strike up a conversation with him. There were so many people that it was impossible to get close to him.

How long had I waited?

Finally, after ushering everyone away, Jung Woong noticed me and gave a sheepish smile.

“Oh, it’s you. Sorry about that. Seems like more guests showed up than I expected, probably because it’s been a while since my last exhibition.”

“It’s no problem.”

“Shall we find a quieter place? As I get older, getting rid of the crowd becomes more of a hassle.”

Stretching as if tired of all the people, Jung Woong led me out of the exhibition hall, and we sat on a nearby bench.

“By the way, don’t mind what was said earlier.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m talking about studying abroad. Richard tends to be a bit too enthusiastic in expressing himself. You don’t have to take it seriously.”

“I was already planning to decline.”

“Really? I thought you’d be interested.”

He tilted his head, seemingly surprised by my response. Perhaps he assumed I’d have been intrigued by what Richard said.

In truth, I had been conflicted about it. Richard’s suggestion had resurfaced some unpleasant memories from my previous life. But I didn’t feel the need to explain all that to Jung Woong—after all, there wasn’t much point, and I wasn’t sure where I’d even begin.

As I remained silent, Jung Woong shifted the conversation.

“If you’re not interested, that’s actually a relief. I have something else I’d like to propose to you.”

“Something else?”

“Remember our agreement? You held up your end of the bargain, so now it’s my turn.”

His words echoed what had been on my mind. We had made a promise before the exhibition, and now that I had fulfilled my part, I was eager to hear what he had in store for me.

I’d begun to wonder if he had forgotten, but fortunately, that wasn’t the case.

As I nodded quietly, Jung Woong began to explain in a low voice.

“I’ve been invited to do a shoot in Australia, and I’d like you to come along. What do you think?”

“You need a photography assistant?”

“That’s right. I need someone to assist me overseas. Richard mentioned you speak English fluently, so it seems like a good fit.”

His proposal was a bit different from what I had initially hoped for. I had been looking forward to getting straight into the action, perhaps even shooting myself. While I didn’t have specific restrictions, being a mere assistant didn’t seem particularly enticing. However, turning down the chance to work on an overseas shoot was also hard to pass up.

I found myself deep in thought.

As I hesitated to answer, Jung Woong smiled and gave my shoulder a light pat.

“Take your time to think it over. There’s still plenty of time before the deadline, so there’s no rush.”

Reassuring me to consider the offer without any pressure, he stood up.

“Well then, I’ll be off. I’ll be waiting to hear some good news.”

Watching him walk back toward the exhibition hall, I continued to mull over my decision.

***

“To celebrate the successful conclusion of the exhibition, cheers!”

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

The hearty voices of the men rang throughout the BBQ restaurant.

As Jung Woong raised his glass, the assistant photographers followed suit, clinking their glasses together.

It was a gathering to commemorate the successful end of his exhibition.

“You must be exhausted after all that work, Photographer Jung Woong.”

“No, no. It’s you guys who did all the hard work.”

“Honestly, when we were preparing for the exhibition, it felt like it would never end. But once it started, it flew by.”

The studio members were taking turns sharing their thoughts.

I, on the other hand, had only joined the studio a month before the exhibition, so I didn’t know much about the preparation process. But for the others, who had been working on it for several months, their emotions must have run deep.

“I didn’t expect the photos to be sold off so quickly. Now that they’ve all found owners, it really feels like it’s over.”

Minsoo, taking a big gulp of soju, began to speak with a grin.

In fact, there was still a week left of the exhibition.

Since it was a solo show, the exhibition duration was relatively short, but even a week was considered a decent length of time.

Though it wasn’t technically over yet, all the pieces in Jung Woong’s collection had already been claimed. At this point, the remaining work would be handled by curators and agents, meaning the studio members’ role was essentially finished.

“Is this your first exhibition or something?”

Youngsoo said in disbelief at Minsoo’s comment.
“Photographer Jung’s works are so popular that people barely get a chance to take them home. You shouldn’t be that surprised.”

“Come on, hyung! Can’t you let me have my moment?”

“I’m just saying, don’t act so dramatic. And don’t go around bragging that you’re Photographer Jung’s assistant either—it’s embarrassing.”

“Hahaha!”

Their banter quickly lightened the mood, and the BBQ restaurant grew noisier with laughter.

Watching them, all in high spirits, brought a satisfied smile to Jung Woong’s face. He slowly stood up, as if ready to leave them to enjoy the rest of the night.

“Where are you going, sir?”

“If I stay too long, I’ll just make everyone uncomfortable.”

“Please don’t leave! This gathering is to celebrate your exhibition.”

“No, no. You know what they say, as you get older, you should open your wallet more and keep your mouth shut. Just enjoy yourselves without worrying about me.”

“Then let me at least see you off.”

“No need. Just stay seated. I’m heading back to the studio, and it’s only a short walk from here.”

With a gentle smile still on his face, Jung Woong handed his card to Jinsoo and left the restaurant.

What a classy man, truly…

“Well then… since Photographer Jung said we should have fun… how about we drink to our heart’s content?”

“Today’s the perfect day to go all out!”

“Exactly! We’ve made some money, what’s stopping us?”

The moment Jung Woong left, the assistants, no longer needing to mind their manners, became even more lively, drinking and laughing.

I could understand their excitement. It wasn’t just about the work being over; they had earned quite a bit too.

As mentioned before, all the photos at the exhibition had been sold, which meant mine was no exception.

The work, sold in a limited edition of five prints at 3 million won each, had brought in a total of 15 million won.

I had decided to share the profits fairly with the team. After all, without their help, creating this work would have been far more challenging.

It was the first time their names had been featured in an exhibition. Not only that, but the work had actually generated income. No wonder they were overjoyed.

Perhaps Jung Woong had left early because he understood this too.

Everyone seemed so genuinely happy, and their lively energy filled the room. While I smiled along with them, my mind was elsewhere.

‘Australia… overseas…’

Jung Woong’s proposal kept replaying in my head.

‘I really need to make a decision soon.’

It had been some time since Jung Woong made his offer, and now it was time to give him an answer.

I carefully reevaluated his proposal.

‘The timing isn’t bad.’

Soon, the school holidays would start. That meant I would have about a month of free time, so there wouldn’t be any issues with going overseas with Jung Woong.

‘It’d be easier than going on my own.’

If I were to travel abroad by myself, I’d have to convince my parents, plan out the visa, expenses, and itinerary. While that wasn’t impossible, it was a lot of effort. Considering all the hassle, even if the job was just as an assistant, this seemed like a good opportunity.

But more than anything else, I genuinely wanted to go.

An overseas photoshoot.

Is there any phrase that excites a photographer more than that?

For a photographer constantly seeking new stimuli to fuel creativity, the experience of shooting in a foreign country is invaluable. That’s why so many photographers head overseas, claiming they’re searching for inspiration.

The simple act of shooting in a different world, away from the familiar, is meaningful in itself.

And practically speaking, having an international portfolio could help me stand out from other photographers as well.

“What’s on your mind, Woojin?”

Just as I was nearing a conclusion, Youngsoo interrupted my thoughts.

“Have a drink too!”

His face, flushed red, showed just how much he had been drinking. Holding out a glass, he offered me some alcohol, the liquid sloshing over the rim.

“Hyung, Woojin’s still in high school!”

“Oh, shut it! I started drinking when I was in middle school!”

“That’s not something to brag about, you know…”

“Woojin! I really like you! Huh? I really like you, man!”

“Yes, yes, I know.”

“Thanks to you, I got to take photos. Photographer Jung even complimented me… and I made money from photography…”

Youngsoo, slurring his words as he tried to shower me with affection, and Minsoo, trying to stop him, made for an amusing scene. But I felt it was best to slip away before I got too caught up in their drunken antics.

Besides, I still had something to discuss with Jung Woong, and who knows what could happen if I stayed in the middle of these drunkards.

Quietly excusing myself from the gathering, I made my way to find Jung Woong.

***

“Photographer Jung, it’s Woojin.”

“Come in.”

As I stepped into Jung Woong’s studio, the first thing that caught my eye was my own work—his portrait from the exhibition.

It was proudly displayed on one of the studio walls. It seemed Jung Woong was one of the five people who had purchased my piece.

“Ahem! What brings you here at this hour, leaving the gathering midway?”

Jung Woong cleared his throat, clearly feeling a bit awkward. His demeanor was different from usual, and it almost made me laugh, but I decided to play along and answered him.

“I’ve come to give you my answer about the proposal you made. I’d like to follow you to Australia, Photographer Jung.”

“Is that so? That’s wonderful news.”

Jung Woong smiled with satisfaction, as if he’d been eagerly awaiting my response.

“We’ll be leaving around mid-August and staying in Australia for about a week. The flight will be to Brisbane.”

“What kind of shoot will I be helping with?”

“I’ll share the details once the project plan is finalized. You’ll know soon enough. In the meantime, make sure you get your passport ready.”

“Understood.”

I had about three weeks left.

Since I didn’t have a passport yet, getting one was my top priority.

Luckily, the timing worked out perfectly with the school vacation, so I wouldn’t have any issues making the trip to Australia.

But…

“Photographer Jung, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

Gauging his reaction, I cautiously spoke up.

“What is it?”

“Would it be alright if I worked on a personal project, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your schedule?”

It would be a shame to go all the way to Australia and not come back with something of my own. I’d complete my tasks as an assistant, of course, but I wanted to use the remaining time to take my own shots.

At my request, Jung Woong tapped his fingers lightly on his desk, looking at me with a curious expression.

“Why not? But I’m intrigued—what exactly do you want to shoot in Australia?”

“I see it as a chance to capture some great photos,” I replied casually to his question. “I plan to build a competitive portfolio with the shots I take there. If the work turns out well, I might even submit it to some contests.”

For a moment, the studio fell into a quiet pause, and I thought I saw a faint smile on Jung Woong’s face.

“Hmm, alright. Go ahead and do that.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

With that, I left the studio, feeling satisfied with the outcome of our conversation.

Meanwhile, Jung Woong sat there, staring at the door Woojin had just exited through.

‘I didn’t expect him to come tonight. The more I think about it, the stranger it seems.’

He tilted his head in confusion. The more he got to know Woojin, the more perplexing he found him.

Tonight’s gathering was meant to celebrate the sale of all his photographs, including Woojin’s.

Woojin had made a profit of 15 million won from his work.

Most people would be overjoyed, perhaps even ecstatic, at such a success. Yet, Woojin had behaved with an almost eerie calm, as though the money was nothing of consequence.

‘At his age, it would be perfectly normal to be intoxicated by success…’

That’s what Jung Woong found most difficult to understand.

It would be one thing for someone like himself, who had grown numb to success after many years in the industry. But for a young person, even the smallest victory should bring excitement, elation, and a sense of triumph.

Life often follows the pattern of being swept up in such emotions, only to experience disappointment later.

Jung Woong remembered how, in his early years, he would often feel like he owned the world after even a minor achievement.

But Woojin…

Woojin treated his recent success as though it were a piece of trash on the street, instead filling his mind with rational and constructive thoughts. He had been the same way when they first met at the contest, when he won the bet against Jung Woong, and even now.

Despite trying not to dwell on it, Jung Woong couldn’t help but keep an eye on Woojin. There was a part of him that eagerly anticipated what the boy would do next.

Lately, it had become a sort of pleasure to watch Woojin’s progress.

‘Ha, what on earth am I thinking?’

Jung Woong let out a small sigh, shaking his head at his own thoughts.

Woojin had mentioned that he didn’t even have a passport, which meant he had likely never been abroad. Surely, he would be excited about his first overseas shoot.

Yet, somehow, it seemed like Jung Woong was the one who was more excited.