The Experts' Verdict
The situation was too urgent to continue discussing with the rookie planning team, so they decided to postpone and sent everyone away. Suhyeon and Manager Yoo then checked the comments while turning on the TV to watch Luxury Authentics.
"Haah... Manager Yoo, the hate comments are piling up like crazy."
"Yeah, I'm seeing it too. And your painting hasn't even been featured on the broadcast yet—it's already this bad. The vibe is terrible."
"At this rate, it might've been better if the news hadn't aired at all."
"Hey, hey... what are you saying? That's not right. Haters are everywhere, all the time. You think we shouldn't air good news just because of them? Ridiculous. We'll watch how things unfold a bit more, then handle it at the company level. And you're saying this after years in the industry?"
'Actually, it's only been a few months since I became an idol...' Suhyeon quickly organized the comments he'd read in his mind before speaking.
"Looking at the malicious comments now, they fall into three types. First type: All this is a rigged game between the broadcaster and me—like a high-stakes go-stop match. No matter how good the painting is, selling one for 20 million won screams noise marketing to hype the new drama. Second type: No way someone like me—an idol who hasn't even stepped foot in college—could produce art that valuable. Someone else must've painted it, and I bought it with money. Third type... well, this one's just personal. They hate me."
"Hm. Seems like a lot of misunderstandings... or maybe jealousy since you're on fire lately."
That's when Suhyeon spotted something suspicious.
'Huh? What's this? That doesn't add up...'
Meanwhile, at that very moment, a woman was raging in excitement over the fiasco. Kang Seong-hui, president of Suhyeon's fan club and using the ID ChiMacIsTruth on the BBG fan cafe, couldn't contain her boiling anger. She screamed at her phone.
"Aaaargh! You trash humans... Just praise a heartwarming news story—why spew hate and bullshit? Bullshit! Noise marketing my ass... And those doubting he painted it himself? No common sense? Why risk something that'll get exposed instantly? Investigate, and it'd all come out—who'd do that? Brains full of shit!"
The employees watching worriedly from behind whispered among themselves.
Unable to hear the employees' gossip, Kang Seong-hui kept yelling.
"YK! What the hell are you guys doing? Has Manager Yoo not returned from South America yet? You need to take action!"
Back in the office, just as Suhyeon was about to tell Manager Yoo about the suspicious point, the manager shouted loudly.
"Suhyeon! They're introducing the celebrities' works now!"
Turning to the TV, the Luxury Authentics MC was appraising a female celebrity's piece. After the introduction, the MC walked over to the three appraisers and handed it off.
The panel consisted of Jin Dong-min, the elderly painting expert with white hair and horn-rimmed glasses; Kim Young-mok, the plump-faced calligraphy and ancient books specialist with graying hair; and Yang Ui-sun, the female expert in ceramics and folk artifacts. They took the piece from the MC and began discussing freely.
After a moment, painting expert Jin Dong-min, the panel's de facto leader, picked up the mic.
"The ceramic we just appraised is a unique, highly individual standout piece. We're looking forward to more. Glad to see such fine work."
It sounded like pure lip service to anyone listening. With Suhyeon's turn next, he bowed, picked up the scroll beside him.
"Looks like Suhyeon's brought a scroll—probably a painting or calligraphy."
"Yes. Nothing fancy, just a painting I did myself."
"Humble too, at the peak of your popularity. Alright, let's see the painting our genius Suhyeon claims to have created himself."
As Suhyeon slowly unrolled it, murmurs rose from the appraisers. Fully unfurled, a No. 12-sized ink wash landscape emerged from the left corner, revealing rugged mountains. Groans escaped the panel.
"The appraisers' reactions suggest this is no ordinary piece. Lots of mountains, especially that rocky peak in the center. Suhyeon, care to explain briefly?"
"Yes. It's Insu Peak, the crown of Bukhansan. I've been busy lately, couldn't go far, so I painted from appreciating nearby Bukhansan. Unlike other peaks, Insu is all crags..."
The MC cut him off hastily.
"Appraisers, I'll bring it over soon—calm down."
The camera panned to them: all standing, straining for a closer look. Jin Dong-min adjusted his glasses repeatedly; the others leaned in desperately.
"Text on the side—looks like a poem or sijo. You wrote it yourself?"
"Yes. Nothing complex—just my impressions of Insu Peak using common idioms."
"Common idioms, but I don't recognize them. Let's get the appraisers' take and hear the poem."
The MC brought the painting; the panel rose carefully to receive it. Back in the office, Manager Yoo asked Suhyeon in a startled voice.
"Suhyeon, you painted that yourself? Their reactions are no joke... Those faces say it's legit."
"Even you, Manager Yoo? Yeah, I did."
"With this broadcast, the hate comments will clean themselves up. Top experts reacting like that? No average Joe will dare complain. The noise marketing whiners calling 20 million overpriced? Mouths shut."
"Doubt it. They'll still hate-comment. 'Did he really paint it?' 'Bought it somewhere.' Even if the show praises it, they'll cry rigged. I spotted something weird earlier."
"Weird? What?"
"The news comments being flooded with curses makes sense, but Luxury Authentics' viewer board is too—totally doxxed with hate."
"Huh? That's odd..."
"Right? Young haters might comment on news via phone, but hunt down the Luxury Authentics board to spam curses? It's a show they barely watch. Most don't even have KBC logins—too much hassle."
"So someone's orchestrating this behind the scenes..."
"Someone who hates me guts, or wants to sabotage KBC's drama hit. Similar stuff at the drama press con recently."
"Hm. Can't brush this off... Gotta dig who planned it."
On TV, appraisal done, Jin Dong-min took the mic with a trembling voice.
"An extraordinary painting. Masterwork level. Hard to believe an idol did this—even seeing it. Bold brushwork, subtle ink shading, especially the Insu Peak rock texture: a masterpiece. Calligraphy masterful too. So, if I may ask Suhyeon: you painted and wrote it—what script style? Explain to us."
The testing question came; Suhyeon answered calmly.
"Cursive script."
Calligrapher Kim Young-mok jumped in.
"No, not that—which school?"
"Ah, Ouyang Xun style, mainly."
"Hm... Over Wang Xizhi the Sage or Chusa Kim Jeong-hui's cursive? Why Ouyang Xun?"
"Personally love his poetry reform theory. My style followed. Sorry, haven't studied Chusa yet."
"I see. So you've read the poetry reform theory?"
"Yes."
"Summarize it here?"
"Reject ornate, archaic styles for everyday plain language in poetry."
"Hence your poem uses simple idioms?"
"Yes."
Kim Young-mok, impressed, bowed politely.
"Understood. Fine poem and calligraphy matching the art. Thank you."
Jin Dong-min followed sharply-eyed.
"This painting's style is unique—first for Luxury Authentics viewers. Explain the style."
Suhyeon looked slightly troubled at the barrage; MC intervened.
"No need to explain now, Suhyeon. Not live—talk after recording."
"I'm embarrassed. Before painting, I glanced at famous landscapes. Most famed are Zhe School from 16th century or True View from 18th. 19th had Southern School. But..."
"But?"
Suhyeon thought fast.
'Never seen Zhe or True View in my past life—how could I paint them? Chusa too, post-mortem. Can't say that outright...'
"I'm young, limited painting study—can't do those styles well. Mine follows Ma-Xia School from childhood training, so might look odd."
Jin Dong-min probed.
"Ma-Xia's origins? Features?"
"Led by Southern Song court painters Ma Yuan and Xia Gui. Depicts nature as observed through human senses."
His answer landed; Jin Dong-min relaxed, eyes softening like spring.
"Indeed... Suhyeon—no, Painter Suhyeon—your age?"
"Painter? Just Suhyeon is fine. 22 this year."
"22... Master level just past 20. Incredible. Honored to appraise. Hope for more."
MC pounced.
"Wow, truly elite if experts say so. Even my untrained eye agrees. Now, interpret the poem beside it."
"Sure, it's fun to read..."
Manager Yoo, checking his phone, yelled excitedly.
"Suhyeon! Suhyeon! New news dropped. Perfect—this flips the script completely."
Suhyeon checked, skeptical.
"You approved this, Manager Yoo?"
"What? I've been with you... Didn't you?"
"No."
"Then why's this news out?"
Their phones buzzed simultaneously.
Meanwhile, Kang Seong-hui cackled maniacally at her business, seeing the new article.
"Ohohoho! That's it! Those trash bashers will eat crow. Ohohohoho!"
Stopping abruptly, she muttered.
"Not the time. What we need now? Speed~"
Rushing to her computer phone in hand, employees gossiped behind.