After a grand patriotic performance, a photo session followed.
“Great! Please stand in your designated positions!”
A chilly autumn breeze blew in front of Incheon Airport.
However, with so many people gathered, the air felt comfortably cool.
— Murmuring and chattering
At the photo session site,
high-ranking government officials, national TV station directors,
and curators from major art museums in Seoul were present.
Along with them, their entourages crowded the space.
I was already surrounded by people in suits.
As they approached me, they offered words of praise.
“Haha! You’ve spread the spirit of Korea across the world. We’re so proud of you. Every citizen of Korea has seen your achievements!”
“The future of Korean youth is truly bright! Haha!”
“You really put those Americans in their place!”
“Not just the Americans! You humbled the Japanese too!”
“Haha! Those Japanese fools must have been shocked by Korea’s genius!”
“This is what Korea is capable of!”
Then, they exchanged looks filled with emotion.
“Of course! This is the true strength of Korea! And it’s not just one genius—we’ll see many more like this in the future! Our country is a cultural powerhouse—!”
“Fifty years since the Korean War… The long years of hardship are over. Now, Korea stands tall, a true global power…!”
“The World Cup semifinal miracle! The pinnacle of artistic achievement! Korea is now a cultural powerhouse leading global trends!”
“We need to talk to Chairman Hanul—no, we must inform all arts middle and high schools to significantly increase student quotas! We must produce the second, the third Go Hana! This is the perfect time to transform Seoul into a cultural capital.”
“That’s right. Korea’s artistic heritage and authenticity must be known to the world. Not Europe, not America this land will be the center of the art world. And at its core will be the artistic genius, Go Hana.”
“The minister is absolutely right.”
“If this isn’t patriotism, then what is?”
I trembled in the middle of it all.
‘They have no experience, yet they’re overflowing with misplaced confidence… It’s like a lifelong single guy acting like he just got a girlfriend…’
But reality didn’t concern them in the slightest.
“That’s right! If we don’t rise now, it’s not patriotism—it’s betrayal!”
“If you love your country, you can’t just sit still!”
Ah…
So this is the romance of 2006?
Their eyes gleamed with madness.
If I said anything to dampen their enthusiasm,
I might end up at the bottom of the Incheon sea.
“…”
So I stayed quiet.
‘Gohoh…’
The gathered crowd shouted with confidence.
“With the artistic genius Go Hana, failure is not an option for us!”
“That’s right! Hahaha!”
“Korea is a prestigious cultural nation that will continue to produce countless geniuses!”
“Well, you even crushed the world’s strongest country, America.”
“Hahaha! That’s right!”
‘No, guys! It’s really not that serious…!’
They were making such a fuss that anyone listening might think I had gone and conquered America.
Their brains seemed to have short-circuited while raving about my so-called ‘achievement that mesmerized America.’
“American artists aren’t that impressive after all!”
“Oh, please, it’s our Go Hana who’s amazing!”
“Isn’t she the greatest artist in the world?”
“We should publish a biography of Go Hana as soon as possible.”
“I heard some publishing company is already working on one?”
“They’re also building a ‘Go Hana Special Exhibition Hall’ next to Seoul City Hall.”
Kraaagh…!
I was starting to lose my grip on reality, as if I had taken a shot of the strongest soju ever.
My eyes were tearing up, like I had been hit with tear gas.
‘Stop overdosing on national pride…! That stuff gets classified as a toxic substance in 20 years…!’
Amidst this frenzy,
the photographer raised his voice.
“Alright! We’ll have artist Go Hana in the center, and we’ll start the photo shoot! Everyone, say ‘cheese’ on three!”
“Wait a moment!”
“Yes?”
“Saying ‘cheese’ is too cliché… How about we say ‘genius’ instead?”
“…”
“…”
“…”
A brief silence followed.
But then, one of the more quick-witted government officials spoke up.
“Haha! Oh dear, my stomach! Minister, your sense of humor is unparalleled!”
“!”
“Aha! Since we have an artistic genius here, we say ‘genius,’ right? Wow! Minister, you must be a humor genius!”
“Hahaha!”
The photographer, looking slightly stiff, called out,
“Uh, alright then. On three, let’s say ‘genius!’”
“Yes!”
— One, two, three!
— Ge-nius!
— Click!
“…”
‘Ah, please…’
Thankfully, once the photo shoot and the event ended, I was free to leave immediately.
There was a scholarship award ceremony, but all the minor formalities like ‘corporate sponsorship acknowledgments’ were skipped this time.
Unlike in Japan, I was let go right away.
‘Maybe it’s because I’ve been hanging around with Director Kang since then, and for this exhibition, I stuck with Chief Jung…’
‘Do they already consider me part of the HU Group?’
Without realizing it, Mari’s words ‘Hana is one of our own.’ had actually come true.
*
I took out my phone and sent a message to let them know that I had arrived at Hanul’s faculty office. My homeroom teacher responded with a proud voice.
— Alright, you’ve been through a lot. Take a good rest until this weekend, and you can return to the dormitory at your own pace.
“…Thank you for your consideration.”
Then, I got into the car that the public official had arranged for me and arrived at my uncle’s repair shop. Most of my luggage had been brought over by Chief Jung on a different flight, so I was able to travel light.
‘Now that I’m back to my daily life, that sense of national pride is starting to settle down…’
Wanting to shake off the lingering shock of returning home, I opened the office door. The familiar scent of instant ramen and coffee, which was often made here, immediately filled the air.
I let out a deep sigh of relief.
“…I’m home.”
“Hm? Ah, Hana’s here.”
“Huh? Whoa! It’s really Hana!”
Two voices welcomed me—one male and one female.
“…?”
The male voice, of course, belonged to my uncle. He was sitting in a worn-out chair, sipping his coffee.
Then, I turned my eyes to the woman sitting across from him. It was someone I could never forget.
“Ms. Im Ara…?!”
“Eek! Oh my gosh! You actually remember me!”
She was my homeroom teacher from elementary school, Ms. Im Ara.
The moment I saw her face, a wave of nostalgia rushed over me.
‘So much has happened since Mari’s car accident and my elementary school graduation… but it’s only been two years.’
“…It’s only been two years, of course I remember you.”
Ms. Im Ara stood up from her chair and approached me. Then, with a proud look, she pulled me into a tight hug. A faint scent of sunshine lingered in her embrace.
“Hahaha! Is that so? But wow, Hana, you really haven’t changed at all! Most kids grow so much that I can barely recognize them when they move up to sixth grade.”
“…I did grow a little.”
“I think so too. And your eyes… they’ve become more mature. You were always mature for your age, though.”
“Really? I still feel like a kid.”
“Hahaha, real kids never say things like that!”
Ms. Im Ara laughed and ruffled my hair, showering me with compliments about how cute and pretty I was.
I stayed in her soft embrace, holding on tightly.
“…”
Since my return to the past, I had been held by many people.
But Ms. Im Ara’s embrace was uniquely warm.
‘…It’s different from Mari’s fiery hug. This one feels… comforting.’
My uncle, watching the scene unfold, let out a wry chuckle.
“For the record, Ms. Im Ara, that kid has only grown one centimeter.”
“…Shut it, Uncle. This is a touching reunion.”
“A reunion like this should be with your family, you know.”
“Then maybe you should have been more excited to see me first.”
“I did welcome you as soon as you arrived.”
Hearing our conversation, Ms. Im Ara made an “oops” expression. Then, as if making up for it, she hurriedly grabbed my hand and led me toward my uncle.
“Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. I’ve delivered everything, so I’ll get going now. Hana, you’ve worked hard, and Uncle—”
I quickly interrupted Ms. Im Ara before she misunderstood any further.
“Teacher, it’s just a joke.”
“Huh?”
“It’s just how my uncle and I mess around. So you can stay.”
“O-oh… really?”
She looked slightly bewildered.
“By the way, Teacher.”
“Yes? What is it, Hana?”
“What brings you here?”
“Oh, right! That’s because…”
Ms. Im Ara glanced at my uncle. He then opened a drawer in the office desk, took out a piece of paper, and handed it to her. Ms. Im Ara received it and then passed it to me.
“I was originally going to give this to your uncle, but since you’re here, I thought it’d be better to hand it to you directly.”
“This is…?”
I accepted the paper from her hands.
“Daesan Elementary School Graduation Certificate”
“….”
On the document, my name was written alongside the words,
“Congratulations on graduating from the 6th grade.”
Unlike the one I had received from my early graduation, this was the official diploma in its original format.
“A graduation certificate…?”
“Yes. You already graduated, but the kids who were in your class will be graduating next year. When the school was printing the diplomas in bulk, I thought of you. So I had one made for you too.”
“Ah… it’s already that time, huh.”
I hadn’t been particularly close with my elementary school classmates, so my memories of them were a bit hazy. Still, they were good kids who had congratulated me when I graduated early.
‘I used to think the age gap was too big for us to even have a proper conversation… But thinking about it now, the kids at Hanul aren’t much different from them. Maybe I should’ve tried talking to them more.’
Just as I was feeling a bit of regret, Ms. Im Ara pointed to the back of the diploma.
“…Actually, I asked the class to write you a rolling paper.”
“A rolling paper?”
I flipped the diploma over.
The back was covered in doodles and messages.
‘Genius artist!’
‘Go Hana, you’re the best!’
‘I used to have a crush on you.’
…Wait.
What?
“…”
『Go Hana, I loved you.』
『Beautiful princess, may you always be happy.』
『Park Chansu liked you! – Ma Ilchan』
『Ma Ilchan liked you too. – Park Chansu』
“…”
The crooked and clumsy handwriting of the boys.
I was at a loss for words when I saw it.
“No way…”
“…”
Teacher Im Ara chuckled.
“Do you know that the kids cried for a while after you graduated? They didn’t say it outright, but they really liked you, Hana.”
“I… didn’t know that.”
“Hehe, anyway, they were quite honest when they wrote this at the end. That’s why I wanted to give it to you.”
“Is that so?”
“I’m glad I could hand it to you in person like this.”
“…”
Hugging my diploma, I spoke.
“Thank you, teacher. Now, it really feels like I’ve graduated.”
“Does it?”
“When I graduated early, I was so busy preparing for things that I didn’t really feel it.”
“I thought you had become such an incredible person by now that something like this wouldn’t make you happy… but I’m relieved.”
“By the way, teacher, are you busy today?”
“Huh? No? I just came after work. I was about to head home.”
I grabbed Teacher Im Ara’s hand.
“Uncle! Let’s have dinner with the teacher!”
“Oh, sounds good.”
“Huh? Eh? Ehh?!”
“Teacher, what do you like? Chinese food? Japanese? My uncle’s rich, so you can order anything.”
“Wa-wait! I-is that really… okay? Wouldn’t that be rude…?”
Teacher Im Ara glanced at my uncle.
He grinned.
“It’s fine, teacher. This is the first time she’s ever begged like this.”
“…”
“It’s an honor to have a meal with such a wonderful teacher.”
“…”
Teacher Im Ara’s ears turned bright red.
“Th-then… I’ll take you up on that…”
“Oh!”
In the end, she smiled bashfully.
“I’ll be in your care.”
“Great.”
And so, the three of us went out for dinner. The TV in the restaurant was broadcasting news about something happening in New York, but we didn’t pay attention. Instead, we reminisced about our elementary school days.
*
The PR employee from the TV company beamed with a wide smile.
“Thank you so much! It’s all thanks to you, writer!”
“No, it’s all thanks to you for making such a bold investment.”
“Really… Who would’ve thought that photos of thieves stealing our company’s TVs would spread across the internet like that?”
What more needed to be said?
It was that meme one that had even been used on <The Jaden Johnson Night Show.>
A picture of rioters stealing TVs, with the brand name of that particular TV clearly visible. Thanks to this, the company had unintentionally pulled off an incredibly successful noise marketing campaign.
“Sales in the U.S. have skyrocketed by over 200%! Even our executives wanted to personally express their gratitude.”
“Huh? Oh, no. There’s no need for such busy people to go out of their way…”
“You really are as humble as the rumors say.”
The employee spoke with a determined expression.
“As decided in our executive meeting, our company will provide unconditional support for your creative activities from now on. If you ever need displays or new products, just let us know.”
He stood up and bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle.
“Thank you very much.”
I hurriedly stood up and bowed in return. Thanks to this mix of patriotic marketing and unexpected publicity, I had reaped some unexpected benefits.
‘Getting famous really does happen in an instant… At this rate, even if I just take a dump, people will celebrate it.’
It’s just like that famous saying, ‘Become famous, and even taking a dump will earn you applause.’
…Though, Andy Warhol never actually said that.
‘And there’s no way my reputation can go any higher than this. I should be careful about how I use these free perks.’
*
The heavy silence was palpable.
“…”
“…”
“…”
The judges of the Venice Biennale, one of the most prestigious art exhibitions in Italy, were solemnly selecting candidates.
“……Next is the review of candidates to invite to the Korean Pavilion in the art section.”
At the very top of the candidate list they were watching was a photo and name of a young girl.
Despite being the youngest among the candidates, there was no denying her place at the top of the list.
“It seems we must prioritize her selection.”,
“It seems she is a new artist who is also highly regarded by the Korean government.”
They unanimously passed ‘Go Hana’ through the selection process.