Return of the Genius Photographer - Chapter 100

“Achoo!”

Startled by a sudden tickling sensation, Woojin sneezed.

“Watch it! Be careful!”

At that, Kang San flinched, scolding him.

Though his foot had healed considerably, Woojin was still dutifully applying ointment to it.

“Seriously, where else would you find a student who does all this…?”

When Woojin grumbled lightly in response to Kang San’s scolding, Kang San gave a sheepish smile and casually changed the subject.

“Want to have some wine?”

“What? With me? That’s illegal. You know I’m a minor.”

“Have you always lived that righteously?”

“Of course. I’ve lived a very clean life.”

Although memories of secretly making a press pass to sneak into Yongsan and taking photos at a construction site flashed in his mind…

What did it matter? He was clean!

Kang San, however, wasn’t ready to give up.

“Here, wine is like water. One glass won’t hurt. And when an adult offers, you drink it instead of making a fuss.”

Woojin couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Don’t worry, scaredy-cat. There aren’t any cops here, and no one’s going to report you for being a minor,” Kang San added.

Come to think of it, a glass of wine on a day like this wouldn’t be so bad. After all, the past few days had been exhausting.

“You’re buying, right?” Woojin asked.

“You dropped millions of won out of pocket during the Doshuko shoot, but now you’re stingy about buying one drink?”

“Are you seriously expecting a high school student to spend his hard-earned money?”

“Quit whining and just come along.”

Kang San grumbled, but the grin tugging at his lips betrayed his amusement.

Woojin laughed and followed him outside.

The lively festival atmosphere buzzed around them, vibrant and full of energy.

*****

Time in Arles passed quickly.

Word seemed to have spread, as Kang San’s lectures were always packed with people.

While helping prepare for his lectures, I was also coordinating his exhibition schedule.

In short, it was a hectic time.

Ring!

Suddenly, I received a call from the organizers.

—Hello, is this Photographer Kai? We are contacting you regarding your profile information.

“Yes? What’s the matter?”

—It seems the section for your achievements is blank. If you haven’t had the chance to fill it out, could you please send over the relevant materials?

Achievements? What’s this about all of a sudden?

Curious, I couldn’t help but wonder, but I was in the middle of work.

Not wanting to linger on the call, I simply said I’d take care of it and hung up.

“What’s up?”

Inside the exhibition hall, where preparations were almost complete, Kang San asked curiously.

“I just got a call from the organizers. They’re asking for my award history and resume.”

“Really?”

After stroking his chin thoughtfully for a moment, Kang San spoke up.

“Sounds like one of the judges came across your photos and got interested.”

“My photos?”

I asked back, incredulously.

They found my photographs? The ones displayed in a tucked-away alley even I’d have trouble locating?

“No way.”

“You never know.”

Though I denied it, Kang San seemed almost certain.

If that were true…

Could I dare hope for a good outcome?

Honestly, when I heard the news that the photo would be displayed in such an obscure spot, I’d already given up hope.

Still, this uncertainty was better than complete silence. At least it gave me something to cling to.

After finishing my work, I compiled my details and sent them to the organizers.

However…

‘Figures.’

Days passed, and there was no response from them.

I’d waited, harboring a faint glimmer of hope, but…

‘If there’s no word by today, I guess it’s not happening.’

After all, today was the long-awaited announcement day for the winning entries.

The schedule in Arles was nearing its end.

Although the photo exhibition in Arles would continue for two more months, today’s awards ceremony marked the conclusion of all official events.

It was time to return to Korea.

Kang San, whose lectures had wrapped up, had been mostly sightseeing lately.

After the award ceremony, he would likely be heading back as well.

Come to think of it, we’d been abroad for quite a while.

What started as a one-month plan had stretched into over two months because of the volcano incident.

Long if long, short if short.

This journey had given me countless opportunities to take photos and gain experience.

While I hoped for even better opportunities in Arles, everything I’d experienced so far was already invaluable to me.

And on top of that…

“How’s the suit? Does it fit well?”

I looked at Kang San, who had stepped out in a pristine white suit.

He carried a silver cane topped with an eagle head and wore a black bowtie, exuding an air of effortless elegance, like a dashing middle-aged celebrity on the red carpet.

Considering his usual attire of leather jackets and jeans, I thought he might look out of place, but he carried it off remarkably well.

“You look great.”

When I complimented him, Kang San didn’t bother replying, instead asking:

“No, I meant your suit. Does it fit?”

“Oh… yes, it fits perfectly. Thank you so much.”

Adjusting the bespoke tailored suit Kang San had gifted me, I turned to show him.

A navy pinstripe suit paired with wingtip brown Oxford shoes.

Everything had been handpicked by him.

“Hm… not bad.”

After giving me a once-over, Kang San flashed a satisfied smile.

“And since there’ll be plenty of old French folks at the ceremony, wearing a reverse stripe tie will go over well.”

“Really?”

“It’s common sense.”

With that, Kang San selected a tie and handed it to me.

Though I was genuinely pleased with his gift…

“But why the suit…?”

It felt a little sudden. Sure, it was something to wear to the ceremony, but I hadn’t expected him to gift it out of the blue.

“A man isn’t born; he’s made.”

“Huh?”

“You’ve never heard that before?”

“First time, actually.”

“Well, let’s leave it at that. And don’t make me feel embarrassed. I can’t have you looking like a clueless kid when I introduce you as my protégé.”

Kang San turned his gaze away and deftly folded a handkerchief, tucking it into my jacket pocket.

Wait, I’m not even really your disciple…

Of course, I had learned a lot while accompanying him…

Hold on, could this be a gift for all the trouble I’d gone through?

Surely not…

“Let’s go if you’re ready.”

“Yes.”

As Kang San turned to leave, he paused and added,

“We have an award to receive.”

His tone was so confident it sounded as if it were a foregone conclusion.

“Are you sure about that?”

I asked incredulously, and he shrugged in response.

“They give me one every time I show up.”

His confidence was almost infuriating, but there was a kernel of truth in it.

‘Well, he’s more famous abroad than in Korea…’

Continuing this conversation would only wear me out.

“Let’s go, Photographer Kang. I’m ready.”

And with that, we set off for the awards ceremony, the final event in Arles.

*****

The venue for the Arles International Photography Awards was the Van Gogh Museum, named in honor of the painter who had once lived in Arles.

Much like its namesake, the building boasted a long history and rich tradition.

Every artist whose name had been called within its walls had achieved tremendous glory and recognition.

Outside the museum, a massive crowd gathered—aspiring photographers hoping for awards, along with those eager to witness the winners.

And it wasn’t just them.

Renowned photographers deserving of the title “master” strolled in, as did critics famous for driving artists to the brink with their sharp tongues.

As these notable guests entered the museum, they naturally became the center of attention.

Scanning the scene, I couldn’t help but notice a few gazes drifting in our direction as well.

‘Ah.’

At first, I was puzzled, but the realization quickly dawned.

‘Right, he’s famous too…’

The source of those stares was Kang San.

After all, Kang San was a globally renowned photographer, thanks to his consistent work abroad.

At the entrance, staff members were verifying identities and handing out assigned seating tickets.

When I reached the front, I showed my passport and waited for my ticket.

Meanwhile, Kang San, who had already received his, turned to me and said:

“You’ll probably have to sit apart for a bit.”

“Why’s that?”

“Nominees have their own seating area.”

“Ah…”

I nodded in understanding.

Of course, with the number of categories being awarded, it made sense to have some level of organization.

It also made sense that Kang San, whose victory seemed inevitable, would be seated apart from me.

Honestly, not having to watch him bask in his own glory sounded like a relief.

“Here’s your ticket, sir. Please check your seat number and proceed accordingly.”

Just then, the staff handed me my ticket after verifying my identity.

Watching this, Kang San told about his seat.

“I’m in A-30.”

“Row A? Then you’re definitely on the nominee list.”

“Obviously. What do you take me for? But where’s your seat?”

I looked down to check my ticket.

“Let’s see… Mine says…”

Then I froze.

Thinking I’d made a mistake, I double-checked it, only to have my confusion deepen.

“Wait, what?”

“Why?”

Kang San raised an eyebrow at my puzzled reaction.

I showed him my ticket and replied, “I’m in A as well…”

“Really? A-31? That’s right next to mine.”

Kang San stroked his chin, looking intrigued.

Row A? Did that mean I was a nominee too?

No way…

“Excuse me, is this a mistake?”

I turned to the staff, wondering if there’d been some kind of mix-up.

“Let me double-check. One moment, please.”

The staff verified my identity again and replied firmly:

“No, there’s no mistake. You’ve been listed as a nominee, sir.”

At those words, Kang San and I exchanged glances.