The Calm Before the Storm
The announcement of the special public lecture from Seoul National University spread like wildfire.
Regarding the Proof of the Riemann Hypothesis — Special Lecture by Author Yoo A-yeon
Date: Saturday, October 11th, 2:00 PM
Venue: Seoul National University, Cultural Hall Grand Auditorium
Eligibility: Mathematics majors in master's programs or higher, and related researchers
Application: Inquire at the Seoul National University administrative office or apply via email.
Professor Park Moo-yeol, who had wide connections in academia, had requested the special lecture from Seoul National University in collaboration with an internal professor. Strictly speaking, the university could not host a lecture if the speaker's identity was unclear. However, by framing it as a "professor's personal invitation seminar" rather than an "officially hosted university lecture," they could bypass the rules.
In short, it was structured as "a lecture presented by an unidentified author, Yoo A-yeon, invited by a KAIST professor who was in turn invited by a Seoul National University professor." Such two-tier invitation structures were not uncommon in academia. Thanks to this loophole, it was possible to keep Yoo A-yeon's identity private until the day of the lecture.
Of course, if anything went wrong, the responsibility would fall on the two professors rather than the university. But such a minor risk was nothing compared to the merit of witnessing the proof process of the Riemann Hypothesis.
The news spread rapidly. Mathematics professors both domestic and international could not ignore it.
The proof of the Riemann Hypothesis — nothing else mattered. For mathematicians who had devoted their lives to the field, witnessing the resolution of one of the seven Millennium Prize Problems was a once-in-a-lifetime, dreamlike moment. It might even be rarer than catching a glimpse of Halley's Comet, which appears only once every seventy-six years.
That was why mathematicians were desperate to attend Yoo A-yeon's lecture.
In the lounge of Seoul National University's Department of Mathematical Sciences, professors who had read the special lecture notice were chatting.
"Have you seen it? The special lecture announcement."
A professor in his early sixties specializing in analysis set down his coffee as he spoke.
"I have. You're going too, right?"
The analysis professor answered with an obvious expression.
"Of course I'm going. What kind of opportunity is this?"
"The problem is the seats. It says only mathematics majors in master's programs or higher can enter. Even just our department has quite a few people. If we count those coming from other universities… it'll be tight."
"Sorry, but I'll be going in first. I want to see it from the front row."
"What? What are you talking about? I'm the one going in first."
"Hah. What's your specialty again? Combinatorics, isn't it?"
"What's wrong with combinatorics?"
"Your field is far from the Riemann Hypothesis. Mine is analysis. It makes sense for someone whose specialty is closer to sit in front."
"What nonsense is that? By that logic, you're in partial differential equations. That's far from number theory, which the Riemann Hypothesis belongs to. Don't make strange excuses."
Just then, the lounge door opened and a number theory professor walked in.
"Were you two talking about the lecture as well?"
"Yes. Are you going too?"
"Of course. I'm planning to bring all my lab's graduate students."
"What? Even the graduate students?"
"This might become a historic moment. I have to show it to my students. Even if they don't understand everything, won't they at least feel the atmosphere of the place?"
The number theory professor spoke calmly while pouring himself coffee.
"Ah, by the way, we've already submitted our applications."
At his nonchalant attitude, the other two professors simultaneously stood up, thinking they would miss their chance if they didn't apply right away.
"I need to submit mine immediately too. Including seats for my lab's graduate students!"
"I should as well."
The two professors burst out of the lounge door almost at the same time.
Seoul National University Administrative Office.
The staff were overwhelmed trying to handle the nonstop ringing phones.
"Yes, this is the Seoul National University administrative office."
— I'd like to inquire about the Yoo A-yeon special lecture. This is a professor from Korea University's Department of Mathematics.
"Ah, yes. The Yoo A-yeon special lecture is open only to mathematics majors and related researchers. I'll process your registration application."
— How long will it take to be processed?
"After review, it takes two days to—"
— Two whole days? What if the seats run out?
"I'm sorry. We're receiving a large number of applications right now—"
— I see… I'll apply right away. Six people from our lab.
As soon as the call ended, another phone rang.
— This is Yonsei University's Department of Mathematics.
— This is POSTECH's Department of Physics.
— This is a professor from KAIST's Department of Mathematical Sciences. I confirmed Professor Park Moo-yeol's name as the person in charge. I'm actually acquainted with Professor Park Moo-yeol. Could you arrange front-row seats?
…
The administrative staff member put down the receiver for a moment and spoke to a colleague.
"Haa… Can we even handle the seating?"
The colleague shook their head while looking at the monitor.
"It's already half full. This is going to be a problem."
Inside a professor's research lab at POSTECH's Department of Physics, the professor was on the phone with a colleague from another university.
"Yeah, I just heard too."
— Is it crowded there? My lab has quite a few people.
"I don't know. Apply quickly. I just booked a train ticket."
As soon as the professor hung up, he called his graduate student.
"Cancel this Saturday's seminar."
"Professor, we've already invited an external speaker."
"Ask for their understanding. Something urgent came up."
"Where are you going?"
"Seoul."
"Why Seoul…?"
The professor was already writing an email to send to Seoul National University.
"The author who wrote the paper proving the Riemann Hypothesis is coming to lecture in person."
"The Riemann Hypothesis…? But our lab is theoretical physics."
"Haa… You do know the Riemann Hypothesis is essentially a physics problem dealing with quantum energy levels, right? We have deeper connections to it than applied mathematics fields. No time for this. I'm taking everyone from the lab. Hurry up and make the list."
"Uh… Everyone? Including the doctoral and master's students? Me too?"
"Yes. You have to see something like this in person. You might never get another chance in your lifetime. If you understand, move quickly."
A phone rang in a professor's office at Princeton's Department of Mathematics. The professor stood up as soon as he answered.
"Is that true? A-yeon Yu? The paper author?"
He couldn't contain his excitement.
"Seoul National University. When?"
"Alright. I'll be there."
The professor hung up and spoke to his graduate student.
"Cancel my conference schedule for next week."
"Professor, you're confirmed as the keynote speaker."
"Cancel it. I'll write the apology email myself."
"Where are you going?"
The professor answered briefly.
"SEOUL."
The professor had already opened the flight ticket search page.
The seating issue at the lecture hall was far more serious than Seoul National University had anticipated. Although entry was restricted to mathematics majors in master's programs or higher and related researchers, excluding the general public and undergraduates, applications flooded in beyond capacity.
Ultimately, within two days of the special lecture announcement, the auditorium's seating capacity was exceeded. Yet as if that didn't matter, application emails from mathematics professors at universities across the country kept pouring in. Not only that — applications began arriving from renowned overseas universities as well.
"S-Sir, this is bad! Applications keep coming in even though it's already full!"
The administrative director sighed heavily.
"Haa, we have no choice. Assign an additional auxiliary auditorium and broadcast the lecture live. We can't turn away applications."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
The media outlets were also bustling with activity. Considering that the venue would be packed, Seoul National University announced that only academic specialty media would be allowed entry for coverage. General entertainment media or mainstream publications were barred. Nevertheless, dozens of media outlets applied for entry under the guise of academic coverage.
Press seats were limited. While Seoul National University was struggling with the arrangements, it was later revealed that one media outlet had already secured a press seat even before the lecture date was officially announced. It was unclear how they had obtained the information, but they had already received permission to bring in camera equipment.
Other reporters protested.
"How did they get in ahead of us!"
"Who gave them the information?"
The Seoul National University administrative staff member had nothing to say. Since permission had already been granted, it couldn't be revoked. In the end, press seating was assigned in the order of reservation. And the reporter who secured the front-row camera position was none other than Lee Dong-hyun.
At long last, the day of the lecture arrived!