Return of the Genius Photographer - Chapter 90

The Arles International Photography Festival.

Held annually in the Arles region of France since 1970, this event is, simply put, a grand festival for photographers.

Alongside “Paris Photo,” which takes place in November, it’s one of only two major photography events in France.

For photographers, it’s a must-visit location—a chance to attend lectures and receive critiques from esteemed photographers and critics.

For a full three months, the city transforms into a massive gallery, making it a celebration not just for industry insiders but for tourists as well. It’s a prime opportunity to meet major players from the global photography industry, a perfect springboard for expanding one’s work internationally.

Of course, I’d be going as an assistant to Kang San, the invited photographer. But with so many activities open to general photographers at Arles, I could practically consider myself lucky to be going—even if I’d had to ask him for the chance myself.

Naturally, I accepted Kang San’s offer.

‘But still… it doesn’t quite feel real.’

With a mix of excitement and curiosity, I thought about the Arles Festival and wondered why Kang San had given me such an incredible opportunity.

This was someone who didn’t even acknowledge me before…

Had he changed his mind after seeing my work? Or was there something else at play?

I had no way of knowing.

*****

The month passed in a whirlwind. I was even busier than when I was taking on projects. Every day was packed, leaving me wondering how the time had flown by.

“Hey! Photographer Woojin! You’re here!”

“Good to see you, Photographer!”

“Right on time!”

I arrived at the Challenge! Supermodel Korea wrap-up party, and the production staff greeted me warmly.

Soon, the rest of the judges, along with photographers Kim Jin-goo and Kang San, gathered in the lively atmosphere.

Glancing around, I spotted Kang San sitting quietly.

‘Maybe he’ll greet me today?’

It was my first time seeing him since learning about his offer through Photographer Jung Woong. With such a generous proposal, he’d surely acknowledge my greeting, right?

“Hello, Photographer Kang San,” I said, deciding to approach him. It was the perfect chance to thank him and discuss the Arles Festival.

But even now, he didn’t look my way.

However… from up close, I thought I noticed a faint nod. Barely noticeable—just enough to make me wonder if it was my imagination.

‘Well, consistency is key…’ I mused.

Compared to the cold reaction when we first met, this was practically a breakthrough. Of course, I didn’t get a chance to mention the Arles invitation, but—

“Photographer Woojin! I really enjoyed your photos from last time.”

“Would you consider working with our magazine?”

“Oh, do you have a business card? I’d love to connect for future projects.”

Several judges I’d met on the judging day came over to offer their praise and exchange contact details. Now that the show was over, they’d be returning to their primary work—as an editor, a fashion designer, and a stylist. It seemed like a great opportunity to forge connections, especially with the friendly atmosphere, except for the noticeably sullen Kim Jin-goo.

“To commemorate wrapping up filming—cheers!”

“Cheers!”

The production staff raised their glasses with a sense of relief.

I’d heard that just the preparation took over half a year, and filming took another three months. Nearly a year of hard work, so they had every reason to feel a weight lifted.

As a high school student, I couldn’t join in the drinks, but I enjoyed the festive mood nonetheless.

After a while, as the gathering continued, the youngest staff member called out energetically, “The show’s starting now!”

With perfect timing, he switched on the monitor mounted on the wall. After a brief advertisement, Challenge! Supermodel Korea began playing.

This episode featured the collaboration mission with a photographer—the one where I’d been featured.

***

The episode began with a scene in the conference room.

Inside the meeting room, the Grey Team’s atmosphere was starkly different from the confident vibes of the other teams.

“This is too much, isn’t it?”

“They’re basically telling us to get eliminated…”

The screen showed my discouraged teammates, already stumbling from the start.

Then, the camera shifted to me, encouraging them.

“If you go into it thinking you’ll lose, you’re bound to lose—even in a fight you could’ve won.”

The production crew laughed as my image appeared on screen.

“Wow, Woojin, you really look good on camera.”

“I always thought you were handsome, but you really come across well.”

“The audience reaction is going to be wild, I’m sure.”

I felt… strangely embarrassed.

“If you trust me and follow along, I’ll make sure we win.”

Did I actually say that?

Then, the shot switched to me ripping the team name off the whiteboard.

“From now on, our team name is Underdogs.”

The production crew and judges chuckled in admiration.

“Impressive…”

“Great line.”

“Did you plan that in advance?”

“Ahem, no, it wasn’t planned…” I replied, clearing my throat.

It was a bit embarrassing, but the show was unfolding exactly as I’d hoped.

My dedication to photography and my mindset during the shoot looked pretty cool. Plus, our team had far more screen time than I’d expected.

My teammates were practically being presented as the main characters of this mission, building their story arc.

After all, the production team already knew the final results, so they were creating a narrative to engage the viewers.

“Woojin, you’re coming off really well in this.”

“Leading the lowest-ranked team to the top… it’s like a complete underdog story.”

Listening to the conversations around me, I smiled. I wondered if anyone here realized that this underdog story they were watching had been my plan from the start.

The scene transitioned naturally, moving to the contestants’ interviews.

After a quick clip of another team’s meeting, it cut to photographer Kim Jin-goo.

“A junior who has no respect,” he sneered, looking down on me.

“You think you can handle this alone?”

Wow, seeing it now, his attitude was something else.

But… something felt off.

Had he really been that harsh in front of the cameras?

Jin-goo wasn’t a fool; I was sure he’d restrained himself when the cameras were rolling. Yet here, his words seemed almost vicious.

Didn’t he have some connection with PD Jung?

Then came another clip of Jin-goo’s interview.

“I heard Woojin is investing a lot in this shoot.”

“As they say, pearls before swine. Know your place…”

It seemed I wasn’t imagining things. The show was portraying Jin-goo as arrogant and unpleasant, almost beyond belief.

“Good for him. I was planning to teach him a lesson anyway.”

It definitely felt like they’d edited him to come across worse than in real life.

I glanced toward the PD, puzzled, and saw him glancing at Jin-goo with a wary look.

That’s when it hit me.

‘They’ve switched targets.’

Whatever the original plan was, it seemed they’d decided it was too challenging to paint me as the controversial figure. So now, they’d shifted their focus to Jin-goo as the new ‘scapegoat.’

The atmosphere was tense. Even the production crew and judges, who had been joking around earlier, grew silent, perhaps sensing something was amiss.

Meanwhile, Jin-goo, whose face was turning beet-red, started trembling with rage.

“You damn PD!”

He suddenly exploded, shooting up from his seat.

“You bastard, are you messing with me?”

Given his experience in broadcasting, Jin-goo seemed to realize immediately what this edit meant for him.

All eyes turned to Jin-goo and PD Jung. Typically, this was where the PD would apologize and try to smooth things over.

But PD Jung, surprisingly, fired back.

“What are you saying?”

“You piece of shit! You definitely told me…”

Jin-goo, initially enraged, hesitated when he saw PD Jung standing his ground, glancing around as if gauging the reactions of those around him.

“Let’s calm down for now; plenty of people are watching. No need to act like a hot-headed teenager.”

“You, you bastard! You said we were in this together!”

“When did I ever say that? We collaborated as business partners. There’s no ‘same boat’ here.”

“DAMN broadcasters!”

Jin-goo’s face turned a furious shade of red, spewing curses, while the stunned bystanders tried to calm him down.

“Didn’t you consider this kind of reaction when you agreed to appear on the show? It’s not your first time on TV, is it?”

“What the hell did you just say?”

“There are too many eyes here. Acting out like this could ruin your reputation,” PD Jung said, provoking him with a smile, as if he’d been waiting for this moment.

“If you keep this up, you won’t even make it to the studio doors,” he muttered loudly enough for everyone to hear, “He thinks I’m his actual ‘brother’ just because I called him that a couple of times…”

The tension in the room was reaching a breaking point.

Then…

Blasting rock music hit my ears.

-Welcome to the jungle!

Kang San, oblivious to the chaos, was drinking alone, pretending to play guitar and even headbanging to the music

Ah, this man…

He really doesn’t care.

Unable to reach the PD, Jin-goo suddenly turned to me, an unsettling grin forming on his face.

“Oh-ho, now I get it.”

Then, in a flash, he grabbed me by the collar.

Now I was caught in the crossfire.

“Looks like your family has some money. Are you in cahoots with that bastard?”

“What are you talking about…?”

“Admit it! Teaming up with the broadcasting jerks will only leave you in the same mess I’m in! You punk!”

I managed to pry his hand off my collar.

“That’s enough. Please stop.”

But Jin-goo wasn’t about to listen.

“What do you mean, ‘enough,’ you sneaky little…!”

Ignoring me completely, he raised his hand to strike.

But then-

-Smack!

Kang San, who’d been watching from the sidelines, suddenly struck the back of Jin-goo’s neck with the cutlery holder from the table.

‘This is bad…’

My mind went blank for a second.

Assault…?

This was serious.

“Ugh…” Jin-goo groaned, sprawled on the floor, writhing in pain.

The man who’d been barking at me just moments ago was now crumpled up on the ground like a pitiful creature. It was almost tempting to capture the scene.

I’d call it: The Bullfrog Tasered

But obviously, that wouldn’t be appropriate…

“You… Kang San, don’t tell me you’re okay with this brat beating us to first place?”

Instead of responding, Kang San mounted Jin-goo, who was still on the floor, and resumed his strikes.

“It’s completely fine, you jerk.”

“Agh!”

Desperately trying to fend him off, Jin-goo flailed his arms and legs, but his cries were drowned out by the clinking sound of utensils flying out of the holder with each hit.

The production crew started shouting.

“Stop them!”

“Somebody do something!”

-Welcome to the jungle!

And the rock music kept blaring…

It was absolute chaos.

A jungle.

Right.

This was a jungle.

“Stop it, you punk! You’re a public figure! You can’t go around hitting people like this!” Jin-goo, still collapsed on the floor, barely managed to speak.

But Kang San didn’t relent.

“Who said I was a public figure? I’m just a creator, the ones on salary are the public figures.”

“Agh! Agh!”

Unable to withstand Kang San’s onslaught, Jin-goo tried crawling away.

“Why are you defending him so much?!”

Kang San grabbed him by the ankle, preventing his escape, and responded, “Because he’s my protégé, you moron.”

What on earth was he talking about?

Everyone around looked dumbfounded.

“He’s coming with me to France, alright? The Arles International Photography Festival and everything! We agreed to it, punk!”

With that, Kang San delivered another blow, showcasing his resolve.

“He’s my student, and I don’t let anyone mess with my students!”

This place truly was a jungle.