Return of the Genius Photographer

The counseling session didn’t take very long.

It wasn’t exactly a highly specialized career counseling, being a routine session at school. Plus, I had a clear goal already—preparing for studying abroad. So, there wasn’t much for me to discuss with the teacher.

As I left the session and headed to the studio, I found myself lost in thought for a moment.

‘There’s about a year left until the application deadline. It’s about time to start preparing.’

Yale’s application deadline is usually around November or December each year.

That left me with a little more than a year to prepare. In a way, I might already be late. After all, it wasn’t just any school, but Yale.

Located in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale University is one of the most renowned institutions in the world, alongside Harvard.

Its academic prestige in education and research puts it on par with Harvard and Princeton, but Yale particularly excels in the arts and culture.

It’s even dubbed the most artistic Ivy League university, producing countless influential figures in the arts. Naturally, it’s also the top institution in the U.S. for photography.

But with its reputation comes extreme difficulty in getting accepted.

Last year, out of 35,000 applicants, only about 2,100 were accepted—a mere 6% acceptance rate. And considering the actual number of students who enroll, it’s like threading a needle.

To get into Yale, decent grades are just the start. For international students like me, high scores in standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, and TOEFL are required, and Yale’s expectations are higher than most universities.

And that’s not all.

I’d also need an impressive portfolio and résumé that could captivate the strict admissions officers, along with essays and recommendation letters.

Every single element had to be meticulously prepared.

‘Of course, that’s what it takes to be called the best in the world.’

To prepare everything properly, you’d have to spend all three years of high school strategizing. The preparation for studying abroad is so intensive that without money and ability, it’s often deemed impossible, which is why there are even specialized management academies for it.

But I felt a strong sense of confidence.

After all, preparing for Yale wasn’t much different from what I’d already been doing.

From shooting for online shopping malls to winning the Seoul photography competition, securing an exclusive contract with VOTUS, contributing to the Australia World Trevor magazine, poster shoot, and my photography exhibition experience…

For an ordinary high school student, my achievements were nothing short of extraordinary, and I was certain they would stand out among the other applicants.

As for the TOEFL, I was confident I’d pass with flying colors, and if I focused on the SATs, reaching my target score wouldn’t be a problem.

‘Come to think of it, I have plenty of people to ask for recommendation letters, too.’

I thought about all the connections I had—Photographer Jung Woong, who’s been a great help to me, Professor Kang-sik whom I met at the contest, and other influential figures in the photography industry.

Securing recommendation letters wouldn’t be difficult.

‘I really have worked hard, haven’t I?’

Reflecting on the journey I’d walked so far, I felt as if most of the pieces were already in place.

Looking back, there were times when I was anxious, but now, all I felt was pride.

However, I knew this wasn’t enough.

Just standing out among the other applicants wasn’t going to satisfy me.

I wanted to make a real impression from the get-go, to show more than anyone else when I walked through Yale’s doors.

After all, if I was going to study abroad, I might as well make the most of it by standing out from the very beginning.

‘Alright, it seems like I can handle the application process without much trouble…’

Now the issue was money.

Submitting the application was just the start of this study abroad journey.

As the teacher had pointed out, the biggest challenge of studying abroad was the financial burden.

Yale’s annual tuition alone is around fifty thousand dollars. When you add dormitory fees and living expenses, it easily exceeds a hundred million won.

The cost of living was one thing, but I’d also need to buy new camera equipment once I was there.

If I planned to focus entirely on my studies for two or three years until I was fully settled, I’d need at least three hundred million won prepared in advance.

That was the part I was worried about.

Was this study abroad experience worth such a massive investment?

‘No, when I think about the future, there’s nothing more valuable than studying abroad.’

I reflected on the true value of studying abroad.

Why did I want to study abroad in the first place?

‘If there’s ever a time in my life to learn something, it’s now.’

In both my previous life and this one, I had never received formal training in photography.

Everything I knew came from self-study, experience, and my natural talent.

While that had never held me back, there was always a yearning to learn more. I wasn’t just interested in the practical side of photography; I wanted to explore it as an art form, to understand it academically. I felt that this education could open new doors for me.

If I missed this opportunity now, I might never have another chance to pursue formal learning. Or, it might be decades before I did.

I didn’t want to miss the chance to fill in the gaps in my knowledge.

‘And absorbing the network and infrastructure of Yale’s community would be a huge advantage.’

That wasn’t all.

The students admitted to Yale, like me, would be future leaders in their fields.

Even though we’d all be just students for now, in a few years, many of them would become influential figures in various industries. Building connections with such people wouldn’t provide immediate benefits, but it would be incredibly helpful down the road.

‘If I’m lucky, I might even find financial backers.’

Where else would I get the chance to meet so many potential clients all in one place?

In short, studying abroad would not only fuel my personal growth but also give me access to a treasure trove of human resources.

‘So the main goal is to raise 300 million won within the next year.’

In the end, my most pressing task over the next year was to make money.

I’d need at least 100 million, preferably 200 million, to get by without financial strain.

And if I could hit 300 million, that would be perfect.

‘Now, what’s the most lucrative thing I can do right now?’

Even 100 million was a figure I’d never dealt with before in this lifetime, but I wasn’t worried.

Making money wasn’t hard.

All I had to do was find the right opportunities.

After mulling it over for a while—

‘Yeah, that could work…’

A good idea popped into my head.

***

Arriving at Jung Woong Studio, a place now as familiar as home, I immediately turned on the computer.

There was something I needed to look up before the thought slipped away.

The computer whirred softly to life.

Click, click―

A few quick searches later.

‘Found it.’

I quickly located the information I was looking for.

—Exhibition for Emerging Korean Photographers—

Hosted by: Hanseong Cultural Foundation & Korean Mecenat Association

The Emerging Korean Photographers Exhibition was part of a mecenat initiative, where corporations supported culture and the arts.

It was a sponsorship event that offered an opportunity for the most outstanding emerging photographers of the year to showcase their work.

Although the title included “Korean,” this exhibition was organized by a foundation under the giant conglomerate Hanseong Group.

Not only did the exhibition serve as a showcase, but the photographers’ works were also put up for auction through Korea Auction House, where the pieces were priced.

In other words, there was a good chance to make a substantial profit.

And, that’s exactly why I was interested in this exhibition.

Of course, auctions were unpredictable, and high prices weren’t guaranteed. However, given that the event was backed by a sponsorship initiative, and the exhibition itself held significant prestige, even a modest amount would’ve been much more than what a typical emerging photographer could expect.

While the prices of artworks varied greatly, considering that the most prominent pieces from previous years sold for anywhere between 100 and 200 million won, it seemed worth aiming for.

And when it came to photography, I had always been confident.

There was also a rumor that the chairman of Hanseong Group was deeply interested in photography and didn’t hesitate to support the photographers he admired.

Of course, that level of support only went to those deemed worthy. Not just anyone could apply, and only a handful—at most five, sometimes as few as three—were selected each year. With so few slots, the competition was fierce.

It was no wonder. Although it was labeled as “emerging” photographer exhibition, it was practically a search for rising stars among professionals.

However, even with the stringent application requirements, I didn’t see anything that could pose a challenge for me.

After all, I wasn’t just anyone.

‘Eligibility: Contest awards and at least three major achievements. Selection based on portfolio review… Easier than I thought.’

A small smile crept across my face as I read through the application criteria.

At my age, who else could boast a career like mine?

Youngest grand prize winner at the Seoul Photography Contest.

Contributor to Jung Woong’s photography exhibition.

Exclusive contract with VOTUS and published work in World Trevor.

Even excluding the smaller accomplishments, my résumé was already quite impressive.

While I always felt I could do more, that was just my personal standard. To anyone else, my achievements were beyond impressive, bordering on unbelievable.

And unlike most photographers, who often focus on a single niche, my work spanned a broad range of genres—fashion, art, documentary.

It would be hard to find even an experienced photographer who had as diverse a portfolio as mine, let alone a high school student. I was the perfect candidate for this “emerging talent” search.

No way they wouldn’t pick me, right?

I was so confident that I was certain I’d be selected.

‘Time to fill out the application.’

Having read all the application details, I downloaded the form and began filling it out.

In no time, the form was brimming with my achievements.

I attached the link to my personal website and sent off my portfolio file via email.

With that, my application was done.

All that was left now was to wait for good news.

***

Hanseong Cultural Foundation Office.

With the call for photographers open and preparations for the exhibition in full swing, the office was busier than ever, resembling a battlefield day after day.

It was no surprise, considering the overwhelming number of photographers who applied every time the recruitment opened. The sheer volume made one wonder where all these photographers were hiding the rest of the year. Some even applied despite not meeting the eligibility requirements, hoping for a miracle. For the staff who had to sift through each application, it was a nightmare.

While frustrating, it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible. For emerging photographers with no other avenues to showcase their work, an exhibition hosted by a powerhouse like Hanseong Group was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Just being selected allowed them to display their photography to a wide audience, and even modest praise could lead to auction listings, potentially alleviating financial struggles. Such opportunities were rare.

So, many applied even when unqualified, and the staff were always on edge to ensure no eligible candidate was accidentally overlooked among the disqualified ones.

This is why Shin Sang-moon, the head of the Human Resources Department at the Hanseong Cultural Foundation, was furious.

“Are you an idiot?”

“What?”

“I asked if you’re an idiot!”

Shin yelled, pointing at the subordinate with the document in his hand.

“How could you miss this applicant?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t see it…”

“Come on, this is ridiculous…”

And he had every reason to be upset. What they feared had happened—an eligible photographer had been missed due to an oversight by a staff member.

“How could you almost miss such a gem of a newcomer? You must be blind.”

“I’m really sorry. I’ll be more careful…”

“If I hadn’t double-checked, this photographer wouldn’t have even made it onto this year’s shortlist!”

To make matters worse, this wasn’t just any ordinary photographer. The one that had been nearly missed was someone who was frequently mentioned as a top contender and one of the hottest names in the industry right now.

“Just a glance at the first page, and you’d know. The youngest grand prize winner of the Seoul Photography Contest, someone who has exhibited with Jung Woong himself! How could you not see that?”

“I truly apologize…”

“Ugh, whatever. Just go. And be more careful next time.”

After giving his subordinate a stern lecture, Shin finally dismissed him. Then, he carefully tucked away the application that had almost been lost among the rejections.

It was time to finalize the candidates and present them to the higher-ups.

At the top of the stack of papers Shin had gathered, there was a smiling headshot of Woojin, beaming confidently from his application.