Return of the Genius Photographer

― What do you mean by that?

I explained everything to Chairman Han Gun-ho, who was clearly curious.

Starting with the shady rumors about the Korean Photographers Association that were being whispered about in the industry…

And the things happening to me and the people around me.

“The Korean Photographers Association is targeting inexperienced or rookie photographers, forcing them into contracts filled with threats and predatory clauses that heavily favor the association.”

― Go on.

“On the surface, they claim to support new talent… but in reality, they act solely for the association’s financial gain. And they don’t hesitate to use underhanded methods, leveraging their authority.”

― …

“Photographers who refuse their offers are thoroughly retaliated against using the association’s influence. They even target the people around them to make it unbearable.”

Chairman Han Gun-ho fell silent for a while after hearing my explanation.

As if he was carefully digesting everything…

When I finally heard a soft breath through the receiver, he spoke.

― I’ll need to verify this first.

His tone was firm, as if he had made up his mind.

― And if it’s true…

No, it felt like he was slightly angry.

― I’ll take legal action.

“Legal action?”

― Yes. The money I’ve been sponsoring wasn’t meant to be abused like this… Those who misuse borrowed power as if it’s their own need to understand how heavy that weight truly is.

I felt a shiver run down my arm.

Even though it was just a voice over the phone…

I could feel the intense charisma I had experienced when I met him in person.

Yes, Chairman Han Gun-ho was that kind of person.

― If what you’re saying is true, then they’ve tarnished not just Hansung Group’s name, but mine as well.

As I brushed off the goosebumps on my arm, I recalled the twin lawyers from Hwadam Law Firm who had helped me with Kangsan’s issue.

The kind of people who could resolve legal problems in an instant with just a word from the chairman…

How fiercely would they fight for Chairman Han Gun-ho, who could be considered their ‘master’?

Just imagining it was terrifying.

― And for now, let’s consider the wish thing null and void.

“Huh?”

― I’ll look into this, but if your report is true, this is something I should be thanking you for. It’s an opportunity to get rid of those leeches.

When I asked in surprise, Chairman Han Gun-ho explained as if it were obvious.

― However, if it turns out to be false, I’ll count it as your wish and cut off the sponsorship.

“Understood.”

― I’ll contact you later with the time and place for our meeting.

And with that, the call ended.

As I put down the phone, I let out a small sigh.

‘Good, the biggest issue is resolved.’

Judging by Chairman Han Gun-ho’s reaction, it seemed things would work out better than I had expected.

If Chairman Han Gun-ho was on my side, there was nothing more reassuring than that.

‘Now, what’s next…’

But that didn’t mean I was fully prepared to take on the association.

After finishing the call with Chairman Han Gun-ho, I began drafting an email to my agency, Oswald.

When individual strength isn’t enough to take on an organization, borrowing the strength of another organization is a good strategy.

I decided to seek help through my agency.

I informed them about the unfair treatment I was facing from the Korean Photographers Association.

Soon after, I received a call.

― Kai, we’ve received your email. We never imagined someone like you would face such issues in Korea.

I hadn’t expected such a quick response from them, especially since their headquarters were in the U.S.

― Our agency will do everything in our power to support you.

Oswald Agency quickly outlined their plan of action.

― Our opinion is that this issue should be made public.

“Made public?”

― Yes. After all, the association is still an organization. They’ll be extremely sensitive to their reputation. We’ll report the unfair practices happening within the Korean association to international media.

I felt incredibly reassured.

― So, please send us as much evidence as you can. The more evidence we have, the stronger our report will be.

“Understood. I’ll continue investigating as well.”

― However, please don’t stress too much about it. The dirty fight is our job. You should focus solely on creating great photographs.

Their polite tone showed genuine concern for me.

Getting help was exactly what I had hoped for…

Things were falling into place.

“Thank you.”

After finishing the call with the agency, I continued gathering more information as they had requested.

With the help of Jung Woong and Kangsan, I was able to obtain contact information for other rookie photographers who had been harmed by the association in the past.

I sent the agency all the contact details and recorded testimonies of their experiences.

And so…

The preparations were steadily progressing.

***

‘He must be feeling the pressure by now.’

Shin Youngman, the chairman of the association, leaned back in his plush chair, legs propped up on his desk, and thought about Woojin.

That bold look in Woojin’s eyes when they had met at the Dongbaek restaurant…

How surprised he had been when Woojin, whom he had dismissed as a naive high school student, pointed out the flaws in the contract with a mocking air…

There was a level of shrewdness in Woojin’s eyes and demeanor that rivaled even seasoned photographers.

To Shin Youngman, Woojin seemed more than just a simple genius.

But still…

At the end of the day, he was just a high school student who happened to be good at photography. There was nothing he could do against the association.

‘Hehehe…’

Shin Youngman smirked sinisterly.

By now, Woojin must be realizing just how painful it was to reject his offer.

Not only had he cut off all of Woojin’s work related to the association…

But he was also suppressing the work opportunities of Jung Woong, Woojin’s mentor.

‘I’ll show him what it means to go against the association.’

On top of making life difficult for Woojin and those around him…

He was planning to release negative articles about Woojin soon…

It would undoubtedly be a huge blow to Woojin.

And even if the damage wasn’t severe, the psychological toll would surely affect his work.

Once Woojin surrendered, Shin Youngman planned to exploit him thoroughly under the association’s control.

No one could match Shin Youngman when it came to these kinds of schemes.

He was certain of his victory.

‘People like him are so predictable.’

No matter how strong-willed someone is, they can’t bear to see the people around them suffer because of their own actions.

It was clear to Shin Youngman that Woojin would soon come crawling back, crying and begging.

―Ring ring!

‘Already?’

Just then, Shin Youngman’s phone rang.

Having just been thinking about Woojin, he half-expected it to be him, but…

The name that appeared on the screen was someone he hadn’t anticipated at all.

‘Chairman Han Gun-ho?’

It wasn’t entirely strange.

Chairman Han Gun-ho was the association’s biggest sponsor.

To the association, he was practically a VIP.

What was surprising was that Chairman Han rarely made calls unless it was something important.

He wasn’t one to reach out casually.

‘What’s this about?’

Naturally curious, Shin Youngman answered the phone…

And a commanding voice came through the receiver.

― Let’s have dinner together. It’s been a while.

“Huh?”

Caught off guard by Chairman Han’s directness, Shin Youngman stammered in response…

― I have a friend I’d like to introduce to you. And I’m curious about how the new talent discovery efforts are going.

Shin Youngman, who always felt uneasy whenever Chairman Han contacted him, was relieved that the matter seemed trivial.

“Of course, Chairman! You’re always welcome!”

― Then let’s meet now.

And with that, the call ended.

‘What? Now? Even for him, this is too sudden…’

Shin Youngman frowned and glared at his phone.

‘He really thinks he’s the boss, huh?’

The subtly commanding tone rubbed him the wrong way.

How many people treated him, the chairman of the association, like this?

For a moment, he felt annoyed…

But what could he do?

It was Chairman Han Gun-ho, after all.

“Hey! Secretary Park, what are you doing? Get the car ready! The chairman is calling!”

Shin Youngman vented his frustration by snapping at his secretary.

The secretary, used to this, nodded calmly but then asked with a puzzled tone, “Yes, Chairman. But isn’t this a bit strange?”

“What’s strange?”

“In all these years, he’s never once set up a meeting like this on such short notice.”

“Maybe the old man’s losing his mind.”

Shin Youngman shrugged nonchalantly and continued.

“Before he completely loses it…”

A sinister smile crept onto his face.

“I should try to squeeze as much as I can out of him for the association.”

He immediately headed to where Chairman Han Gun-ho was waiting.

The place Chairman Han Gun-ho had chosen was the Dongbaek restaurant.

As Shin Youngman entered the room, guided by the staff, he found Chairman Han sitting there like a mountain, waiting for him.

“It’s been a while.”

“C-Chairman, how have you been?”

Though he had been summoned abruptly, Shin Youngman hadn’t expected Chairman Han to already be there. He greeted him with a 90-degree bow, his expression bewildered.

Chairman Han gestured for Shin Youngman to sit with an impassive expression.

Then, their eyes met.

Shin Youngman felt like a mouse staring into the eyes of a tiger, unable to speak, frozen in place.

For a moment, silence filled the room.

Then, as always, Chairman Han got straight to the point.

“Let me be direct.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“I won’t be sponsoring the association anymore.”

“Huh?”

Shin Youngman’s eyes widened in shock.

His eyes bulged as if they might pop out of his head, and he stammered, trying to say something.

“But first, the friend I mentioned has arrived. Let’s talk once he’s here.”

Slide—

As Chairman Han spoke, the door opened.

“Chairman Han, it’s been a while. Nice to see you again.”

“Yes, it’s good to see you.”

The man who entered and bowed to the chairman was…

“Chairman Shin Youngman, we’ve met before, haven’t we?”

It was Woojin.

“You… How…?”

The timing was uncanny.

Shin Youngman, quick to catch on, immediately realized something was off.

“Chairman Shin, you don’t look so good.”

As Shin Youngman’s eyes trembled, unable to respond, Woojin smiled faintly and continued.

“This is just the beginning.”