Return of the Genius Photographer

As dusk settled, a black luxury sedan glided smoothly along the orange-tinted road. The southbound lane was congested with cars headed home after work, while the northbound lane was clear, almost as if mocking the stalled traffic below.

I sat inside the sedan, watching the standstill cars through the window.

“We’ll be arriving shortly,” said the young man with slicked-back hair, adjusting his metal-framed glasses as he spoke to me.

If you could shape the word “competent” into a person, it would probably look like him.

This man, who won my piece at the auction for 300 million won, had introduced himself as the secretary to the chairman of Hanseong Group.

He was impeccably dressed, his suit crisp with not a wrinkle in sight, and an air of intelligence radiated from him even in stillness.

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I’ll answer what I can,” he said with a polite smile.

Questions… I recalled the events at the auction. The moment the auction was over, this secretary approached me and proposed a meeting with the chairman.

Now that I think about it, he recognized me as soon as he saw me, as if he had expected me to be at the auction. It felt almost like this meeting had been planned in advance.

“Did you know I’d be at the auction today?” I asked, voicing the question that had been bothering me.

“Of course. I was the one who informed the curator about today’s auction,” he replied smoothly.

“So then…”

“Even if you hadn’t come today, I would’ve arranged a meeting soon enough.”

He answered so quickly, almost as if he already knew what I was thinking. It all made sense—everything had been planned from the beginning.

That only deepened my curiosity.

“Do you normally set up meetings with the photographers who participate in exhibitions?”

After all, Sang-hoon was also at the auction, yet he didn’t seem to be involved in any such meeting.

“Oh, no,” he responded with another gentle smile. “While Chairman Han does have a keen interest in photography, he rarely takes the time to meet the artists. He’s a very busy man.”

The secretary continued with a faint chuckle, “It’s quite unusual, really, for him to take interest not just in a photograph but in the artist behind it.”

If anything, this only fueled my curiosity further.

My initial goal had simply been to raise funds for my study abroad. With my piece sold for 300 million won, that goal was already achieved. Everything happening now was beyond my expectations. And a meeting with Han Gun-ho, the chairman himself? It was hard not to be intrigued.

“Why does the chairman want to meet me?”

My questions came in rapid succession, but unfortunately, that was as far as I got.

“Ah, we’ve arrived. You’ll have to discuss the details with the chairman himself,” the secretary said as we pulled up to the towering Hanseong Group building.

“Please, follow me.”

Thanks to the secretary’s presence, I was able to pass through the heavily guarded entrance with ease.

While waiting for the elevator, I took in my surroundings.

The building was massive, a towering skyscraper reaching 60 floors. Rumors that foreign dignitaries stayed here seemed credible, as I could spot a few foreigners walking around. The entire place screamed luxury, as if an enormous amount of money had been poured into it.

‘Why does it seem like the buildings I visit for work get taller every time?’ I thought, amused.

Looking back, it had been true. From a modest office building for Monthly Photography to the larger TJ ENM headquarters, and then to the VOTUS main office—each visit had brought me to a taller building. Now, here I was, visiting one of the tallest buildings in Korea. I couldn’t help but wonder where I’d end up next.

‘Maybe the Empire State Building?’

I chuckled at the thought, and the secretary, who had been watching me, finally spoke up.

“You seem to be in a good mood. Aren’t you nervous?”

“Hm?”

“Most people here get very nervous before meeting Chairman Han. You’re the first person I’ve seen smiling on the way to see him.”

“Ah, really? Well, I’m curious, but I’m not particularly nervous,” I replied casually.

The secretary couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

‘Does he really not know?’

Who was Han Gun-ho?

He wasn’t just the chairman of Hanseong Group, but a formidable figure with the charisma of a lion and a reputation of iron discipline. It was no secret, both within the company and to the outside world, that Han Gun-ho was a fearsome individual. Anyone who watched the news would know that much.

And yet, here was this high schooler, walking into a meeting with someone who had just casually spent 300 million won on his photograph, completely at ease. His calm demeanor was baffling.

‘Is it just because he’s young and doesn’t know any better?’

The secretary tried to make sense of it. Perhaps, like a puppy that has no concept of the value of a precious gem, Nam Woojin didn’t realize the significance of the meeting he was about to have. That had to be the reason why he could be so relaxed. No ordinary high schooler, no matter how talented, could be this composed in such a situation.

―Ding!

While the secretary pondered, the VIP elevator had reached the top floor. The doors slid open.

“We’re here,” the secretary said, once again offering polite guidance.

He had briefly let his thoughts stray because of Woojin’s unusual behavior, but in the end, what would happen next was Woojin’s business, not his. His job was to guide him.

“Chairman, Nam Woojin, the photographer you requested, is here for the meeting,” the secretary announced, knocking carefully on the door of the chairman’s office at the end of the top-floor hallway.

With Chairman Han’s approval, the secretary ushered Woojin into the reception room, marking the end of his task.

*****

The first impression of the reception room, as guided by the secretary, was that of a gallery. It was clear how much Chairman Han Gun-ho loved photography. The walls were adorned with expensive-looking pieces and photographs by well-known artists, making the wait for the chairman anything but boring.

“The chairman is coming in now.”

How long had I been waiting? Before I knew it, the door to the reception room opened, and Chairman Han Gun-ho walked in.

“It’s an honor to meet you, sir. I’m Nam Woojin, a photographer.”

“Nice to meet you. Please, have a seat. You’re as young as I’ve heard,” he said.

He was an imposing figure, resembling the kind of dashing gentlemen you’d see in films, making it clear why people got nervous around him. His broad shoulders, tall stature, and distinctive white eyebrows, combined with the intense gaze beneath them, left a lasting impression.

There was a commanding aura about him, one that might have intimidated me had I truly been just a high school student.

I could finally understand why the secretary had made such a fuss earlier.

“Was your journey here comfortable?” he asked.

“Yes, your secretary was incredibly kind, and I arrived without any trouble,” I replied.

Despite the secretary’s concerns, I remained unfazed. I’d met many such people before—wealthy elites and famous personalities during my previous life traveling the world.

Whether they were rich or renowned, they were all just people in the end.

There was no reason for me to feel intimidated. I was here as a photographer who had sold his work. Standing tall was the right thing to do.

“Thank you for purchasing my work.”

“No need to thank me. I simply bought a great piece at the appropriate price.”

“I didn’t expect my work to be valued at 300 million won. It’ll be a tremendous help for my future endeavors,” I added with genuine gratitude.

The price Chairman Han paid for my work was worth far more than just the 300 million won.

In auctions, the sale price of an artist’s first piece often determines their market value. If I were to continue auctioning my works in the future, this sale would set a high benchmark. Collectors and dealers would likely place a higher value on me going forward.

In essence, I had already gotten a huge head start on my career, and this, too, must have been part of Chairman Han’s philanthropic strategy. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone through the trouble of attending the auction himself.

“Haha, you’re a smart young man. I expect it’ll take hundreds of millions to acquire your next pieces. That’s the value I see in you,” Chairman Han said with a hearty laugh, clearly pleased with my response.

His laughter put me at ease, and I asked the question that had been on my mind.

“But may I ask if there’s another reason you called me here?”

“Hm?”

“I asked your secretary earlier, and he mentioned that it’s rare for you to meet with photographers personally. So, I’m curious if there’s another reason for this meeting.”

The doubt that had lingered in my mind since the car ride surfaced. If a meeting with the chairman was such an extraordinary occurrence, then there must be a special reason why he wanted to meet me.

“Hahaha! You’re not only smart but bold! I like you,” Chairman Han exclaimed, clearly surprised that I had broached the topic so directly.

The room echoed with his hearty laughter.

“I was going to take my time, but I see you prefer getting straight to the point,” he said, his eyes gleaming with interest as he began to speak slowly.

“I’m wondering if you’d be interested in continuing your career under our foundation.”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

“To put it simply, I want to acquire all of your future works,” he declared.

It was a surprising offer.

He was proposing that I create photographs for the Hanseong Group Foundation, and they would buy everything I produced. This was a proposal that couldn’t be made unless he had complete faith in my abilities.

I was still just a promising rookie in the public eye. How highly did he think of me?

“If you agree, I’ll make sure you never have to worry about money again.”

Chairman Han Gun-ho locked eyes with me as if to drive his point home, radiating charisma with his intense gaze. But—

“I’m sorry. I appreciate your offer, but I cannot accept it.”

I turned him down without hesitation.

“Do you realize just how good of an offer this is?”

His eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting my refusal. Even the secretary, who had been quietly listening in the corner, gasped in shock.

“Yes, I understand it’s a great opportunity. But still, I must decline.”

I knew how tempting the offer was. Who wouldn’t? When the head of a major corporation promises you a life free from financial worry, it’s impossible not to understand its value.

A life without the burden of money—who wouldn’t dream of that? It might even seem like the pinnacle of success to some. But not to me.

I had a duty to fulfill the dream I couldn’t achieve in my past life, to create a true masterpiece. That’s why, no matter how sweet the offer, I refused anything that could interfere with my work.

Money wasn’t something I chased—it was something that should follow me. To live a life unconstrained by money, I couldn’t allow myself to be tempted by it. How pathetic would that be?

“Ahem…”

Seeing me reject his offer twice with such finality, Chairman Han cleared his throat and then, his expression shifting, asked me another question.

“Then, what do you plan to do with the money you earned from the auction?”

His eyes were filled with curiosity. What could I possibly intend to do after turning down such a lucrative opportunity?

“I’m preparing to study abroad.”

I responded confidently.

“I want to further my education in photography.”

“A young man with ambitions greater than his instincts…”

Chairman Han, who had been listening to me with a serious expression, seemed to be deep in thought. After a moment, he suddenly called for his secretary.

“Secretary Kim, bring me a business card and a pen.”

“What? Chairman, are you sure—”

“Hurry.”

I had no idea what was going on, but the secretary seemed visibly flustered. Nonetheless, he handed me a blank business card and a pen, still looking bewildered. Aside from the thin, embossed Hanseong Group logo, the card was completely empty.

As I held the card with a confused expression, Chairman Han spoke.

“Write this down.”

He then proceeded to dictate a number to me. After confirming that I had written it down, he said,

“That’s my personal number. Call me directly if you ever need help. Just once. Whatever it is, I’ll assist you.”

“Huh?”

For the first time, I was genuinely caught off guard. What he was offering me was essentially a blank check. No, it was more like a wish—a wish that could make anything possible.

I was so stunned, I didn’t even know how to respond.

“It’s time for me to go. I enjoyed our conversation. I hope to see you again,” Chairman Han said, glancing at his watch before rising from his seat without any hesitation.

And just like that, our meeting was over.

‘Is this real or a dream…?’

After the meeting with Chairman Han, I declined the secretary’s offer to see me out and stepped outside alone, needing some fresh air to clear my head.

I still felt dazed.

It was as if I’d just been handed Aladdin’s lamp. I hadn’t realized how reassuring it would be to hear someone say they could solve any problem for me. Coming from a man like him, there was no doubt it was true.

‘I’ll definitely have to use this one day…’

I carefully tucked the business card into my pocket, cherishing it like a priceless treasure. An unexpected reward, one that couldn’t be measured by money alone. I was sure I’d need it someday, even if not right away.

As I started walking, still caught up in the afterglow of the meeting—

―Ding!

A message notification suddenly popped up on my phone.

‘What’s this?’

I pulled out my phone and checked the message, tilting my head in confusion.

‘Where is this?’

It was from an unknown number.