Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: My Daughter Is a Genius Painter 020
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Back then, I was always a person brimming with complaints.
A world that didn't see art for what it truly was, but through the lens of money.
I believed artists used paintings as a tool to express their inner visions and personal thoughts.
That's probably why I ended up so twisted.
Thwack! "Ow!"
The swift hand that smacked the back of my head made me yelp without thinking.
"Damn it! Who the hell—" "You wanna die, asshole?"
She raised her hand again, threatening me. I scowled and looked away.
"Ah, what the hell's your problem?"
"Why didn't you show up to class today?"
"Why the fuck should I go to that crap?"
"That crap? You sound like you don't get it. Today's class was major credits. You have to take it."
I clicked my tongue in response.
"That crap's not worth calling a class."
"What's wrong with Western Art History?"
"It's just glorifying poor artists who starved to death and jacking up the prices. Western art history, my ass."
Hyorin didn't back down and kept at it.
"So what? You gonna keep skipping?"
I replied with a bored expression.
"Yeah, I'm skipping. That crap."
Seeing my consistent attitude, Hyorin narrowed her eyes at me before pulling out the materials needed for practice from her bag. As she did, she said to me, "A guy who can't even keep up with that crap thinks he can paint?"
"If you're gonna pick a fight, don't talk to me."
"You think I don't know?"
"Know what?"
I looked up at Hyorin, who gave me a meaningful look as she spoke.
"You think art has to criticize society through paintings. That it's the true path of an artist, right?"
"What?"
"Don't try to hide it. I already know everything. You think I can't recognize your paintings?"
At Hyorin's words that she knew it all, I twisted my face and shot back.
"What bullshit."
I shot up from my seat to leave the studio, but then— Hyorin spoke in a mocking tone.
"Jeon Seogu. That's you, isn't it."
I froze. I halted my steps and glanced back. On the smartphone screen in Hyorin's hand was Jeon Seogu's SNS page. I denied it first.
"That I'm him? You're seriously mistaken. Don't compare me to some big shot like that."
"Big shot?" Pfft! Hyorin stifled a burst of laughter as she said, "Yeah, I get it. He's all about art being destruction and criticizing society to be a true artist—sounds just like you. I can sympathize, but deifying yourself like that? Pathetic."
"What're you trying to say?"
"Come to class tomorrow. Or I'll spread it around that this is you."
I furrowed my brow.
"I'm not him."
"You are."
"I don't know why you're so sure, but I'm absolutely not."
"You must think you can get away with it perfectly, but you can't fool me even if you fool everyone else. This is your painting."
I shook my head and turned away.
"Think what you want. Spread it around if you like. Like I said, it's not me."
Arguing further would just drag out a pointless fight. As I moved to leave the studio again, Hyorin's question made me pause once more.
"Why the hell are you like this?"
"What?"
"Why do you think artists have to be like that?"
Some might point fingers and call it pointless pride. But I believed art had to be this way. It had to criticize the absurd reality through paintings, shout out to the world through them. That was why I studied painting, why I picked up the brush. But there was one person who completely denied this view of mine. Professor Im Hayoung.
"The professor said it—put emotion into your paintings. That's what I'm doing."
"Don't be sarcastic. You know damn well what she meant."
"No, I don't. And I won't now or ever." Slam! With that, I flung open the studio door.
"......"
"So this is why the studio's so noisy. You two at it again?"
Standing right in front of the open door was Professor Im Hayoung.
"Ah, hello......"
I flinched, bowed quickly, and tried to hurry past her. But her call made me stop against my will.
"Kanghyeok, why didn't you come to class today?"
"Oh, class?"
She was the professor, after all—I couldn't tell her the truth. I worried Hyorin might spill it, but luckily, she just stared at me silently.
"Overslept."
"Until 11 a.m.?"
"Yeah. I was painting late into the night."
At that, Professor Im Hayoung smiled brightly.
"Well, back then, you could paint all day and still have fun."
She walked past me into the studio. I tried to slip out again, but— Her next words pulled me back inside.
"I was hoping to ask you two something anyway. Got a minute?"
Something the professor wanted to ask?
"Ah! Sure thing, Professor!"
Hyorin rushed to her side, gesturing for me to join with a sidelong glance. In the end, I stood awkwardly beside the professor, asking with an uncomfortable look, "What're you curious about?"
Ignoring my expression, she kept smiling.
"Hey, you two know who Jeon Seogu is?"
"Yes."
"Yeah."
My heart nearly jumped out of my chest from the shock.
"No, I heard about him recently from an acquaintance. Not sure if he's an alum or current student, but there's this Jeon Seogu active out there—unofficially, I mean."
Who the hell told the professor? The question flickered briefly.
"I figured you two might know, so I wanted to ask. Do you know Jeon Seogu?"
I hurriedly shook my head side to side. But unlike me, Hyorin paused a bit before asking, "Why are you looking for him?"
"Oh, Jeon Seogu."
"Yeah."
"No real reason. Just... I wanna meet him, I guess."
"Meet... him?"
As she answered, Hyorin glanced at me.
"No, why? Why do you wanna meet him?"
Frustrated, I asked, and the professor widened her eyes in reply.
"Because I'm curious, obviously."
"Yeah?"
"Honestly, don't you two think he's amazing? Criticizing and satirizing modern society through art—anyone can see that's no small feat. Especially embedding the artist's ideology into the work and spreading it... It's genius, nothing less."
Genius.
"Our school's got an alum like that? Of course I'm curious. Seems like he's only been active a short while, but if he's a student with skills like this, it's innate talent. If an alum... probably one of the famous painters out there."
At the professor's words, Hyorin glanced at me cautiously before asking, "Wh-why would someone like that hide themselves? M-maybe they just mentioned the school in passing?"
"Hmm, I thought so too at first, but it's stirred up quite the debate. Subjective work laced with the artist's ideology, you know. Some say it could badly influence growing kids or whatever."
That made me snap irritably.
"Who's saying that crap?"
"Huh? No way, Kanghyeok—you know Jeon Seogu or something?"
Shit. I realized my mistake too late. I quickly made excuses to the professor.
"No, just got pissed hearing it. Bad influence on kids? I'd like to ask if other works are all positive then."
"Hmm, sure, there are plenty of works with positive influences."
Positive influence works.
"Whatever they are, I think Jeon Seogu's are better."
"Why? Why do you think that?"
"Well, obviously......"
I thought I was speaking for Jeon Seogu, but somehow it came out like I was him.
"I-I don't know."
"Hmm... Sure, some people love Jeon Seogu's work, but it depends on the viewer. The meaning changes completely based on perspective."
I mulled over the professor's words. Seeing me lost in thought, she smiled and asked, "Why'd it piss you off that someone badmouthed his work?"
"No, I don't even know the guy. Why would I care?"
"Well, sure. Nobody likes hearing their favorite get trashed. But reality's different. He doesn't even show himself."
"Probably has some reason to hide."
"Probably. But people don't see it that way. Humans always wanna uncover the hidden. So, Kanghyeok."
Her expression shifted suddenly.
"Yeah?"
The abrupt mood change startled me, but then she made an offer I couldn't refuse.
"You know you've skipped three times total, right?"
I nodded.
"One more and it's an F. You know that."
Even if I hated it, I knew I was in the wrong.
"Do one assignment I give you, and I'll change the absences to tardies."
Change to tardies. That meant no F. Hyorin was the most thrilled by the professor's words.
"I-is that for real, Professor?"
"Of course. But you have to complete my assignment."
"Whatever it is, we'll do it! I was just chewing him out over the skips."
The professor beamed at Hyorin's words.
"You two really suit each other. Like a married couple."
"Ah! Professor!"
"No way, that's not it."
At our flustered reactions, the professor chuckled shyly.
"Heh, cute. I had times like that too. Anyway, enough chit-chat. My assignment won't be too hard."
"What is it?"
What assignment could make her change absences? As curiosity peaked— The professor said, "My assignment is this......"
"So curious!"
"Ah! Professor!"
"Ugh, what is it? What's the assignment?"
"Ah! I'm dizzy! Tell us quick!"
As all three of us reacted intensely—
Daeun quietly rose from her seat, sneaked up to the professor, and brought her mouth close to her ear.
Then, in a loud whisper,
"Tell it to Daeun only. Daeun keeps secrets good!"