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### Chapter 9 – "Youth"
Kim Seungho visits an art exhibition in Samcheong-dong with Kang Geunseong after receiving two invitation tickets from
his former private tutor. The exhibition, themed "Youth," features six young artists working in different mediums. Since
it's a relatively small exhibition with lesser-known artists, they are almost the only visitors.
One artwork immediately captures their attention: an enormous blue canvas covering an entire wall, with the outline of a
human figure painted in yellow. From a distance, it looks like chalk on a blackboard, but up close, it is actually an
oil painting meticulously recreating the texture of chalk.
Seungho recognizes the artist immediately. It is an early work by Chae Wonjin, someone he knew well in his previous
life.
As if on cue, Chae Wonjin himself appears behind them and casually starts talking to Seungho as though they have known
each other for years. Wonjin jokingly introduces himself to Geunseong as "Seungho's close older brother," confusing
everyone.
Although he acts carefree and eccentric, Seungho knows that Wonjin is actually the heir to the powerful KS Group
conglomerate. Despite his wealthy background, he became an artist and, in Seungho's previous life, secretly supported
Seungho's charitable foundation through anonymous donations.
Wonjin notices that both boys will be entering Korea Arts Gifted School next year and jokingly tells them they're
wasting their youth by worrying about assignments. He insists they should be out enjoying themselves before school
starts because they'll suffer once classes begin.
Soon after, another familiar face appears—Professor Ahn Youngsik, the same professor who had rigorously questioned
Seungho during his entrance interview and who also happens to be Wonjin's university mentor.
Professor Ahn asks both students for their honest opinion of Wonjin's painting.
Geunseong nervously says the massive scale overwhelms viewers and that the faceless figure gives off a feeling of
loneliness, interpreting it as a depiction of modern isolation.
Seungho offers a much deeper interpretation.
He explains that the painting intentionally creates two completely different impressions depending on the viewing
distance. Up close, viewers are amazed by the painstaking recreation of chalk texture using oil paint. From a
photograph, however, it looks surprisingly plain, making people wonder why such a simple work deserves gallery space.
According to Seungho, this contrast is intentional.
He believes Wonjin wants to give people a reason to physically visit exhibitions instead of judging art through
photographs online. In an era overflowing with digital content, the painting challenges people to experience art in
person.
Seungho concludes that this desire to force people back into galleries is Wonjin's own interpretation of "youth."
Professor Ahn is visibly pleased by Seungho's analysis and remarks that Wonjin would have loved hearing such an
interpretation. Unlike during the entrance interview, he speaks warmly and even tells the boys to greet him whenever
they meet again, hinting that Hanyang Arts Gifted School and Korea National University of Arts frequently collaborate.
After Professor Ahn leaves, Geunseong admits he was terrified speaking in front of such an influential professor, while
Seungho simply thinks Ahn is much kinder outside the interview room than his reputation suggests.
More importantly, the visit solves Seungho's creative block.
Watching Wonjin's work and discussing it gives him inspiration for the artwork he must submit before entering school.
Although he still hasn't decided exactly how to express his idea, he finally has a direction.
As Seungho and Geunseong leave to get something to eat, Seungho remembers he still needs to clear up Wonjin's joke about
them being close acquaintances.
Meanwhile, on the third floor of the gallery, hidden behind a partition displaying another artist's video installation,
Professor Ahn is speaking with two girls.
One of them is the cheerful YouTuber from the school orientation.
The other is Lily Carpenter, the British student who originally should have entered the gifted school as the top-ranked
student before Seungho changed the timeline.
While Professor Ahn speaks to them, Lily remains silent.
Instead of looking at the professor, her calm brown eyes follow Seungho's departing figure, suggesting she has begun
paying close attention to him.