Kang-seok blankly stared at the man who was greeting him
Kang-seok blankly stared at the man who was greeting him.
Arthur. Arthur. Arthur.
Among the famous people who share the name that evokes the legend of King Arthur... there was no one in Kang-seok's memory who resembled the man standing before him.
Not the film director Arthur, nor the Arthur family who donated to the farming community, and the recently noisy painter Arthur wasn't in his 60s?
Who was he?
Kang-seok looked into the man's green eyes.
If he had such distinctive green eyes and was a famous artist well-known even to Director Jin Do-wook, Kang-seok would definitely know him.
Recalling his own past when his practical skills weren't improving and he studied theory tirelessly to keep up, Kang-seok narrowed his eyes.
He was trying to remember exactly who the man in front of him was.
Strangely, it was like a test taker scanning their memory for an answer that wouldn't come, as Kang-seok stared at Arthur. At that moment, curator Jin Yu-mi, who had come as Director Jin's assistant, whispered into his ear.
"Arthur Maynard. He's one of the famous super collectors around here."
Arthur's eyes held a faint smile as if he sensed his own name being mentioned in the whisper.
Jin Do-wook and Jin Yu-mi exchanged awkward smiles as their eyes briefly met Arthur's.
'Arthur Maynard... Why is he even here? And seeing how he's acting familiar with Kang-seok… it seems like he came all the way here aiming to meet Kang-seok.'
Pretending not to be Director Jin, Arthur casually glanced around.
It was strange that no one was around Arthur.
Wouldn't it be normal for him to have an interpreter or an assistant?
As Director Jin silently questioned this, information about Arthur Maynard swirled wildly in his mind.
Arthur Maynard.
Born to an English aristocratic father and a South American immigrant mother, this man was one of the notable named collectors at Art Basel Miami Beach.
No wonder.
'Because the Arthur in front of me is the heir of Nubeia Maynard.'
Nubeia Maynard.
Arthur Maynard's mother, a South American immigrant, was one of the super collectors who made Art Basel Miami Beach what it is today.
Not long after Nubeia Maynard officially announced Arthur as her successor, Arthur's status soared.
Arthur Maynard, who was solidifying his position as a collector and raising his profile, showed up without an interpreter or assistant, casually dressed, to greet Kang-seok.
This raised curiosity that hadn't existed before.
"(Maynard. If you don't mind me asking, what brings you here to talk to the artist we recruited for the Bloom Museum?)"
Contacting an artist who was to participate in a gallery session before Art Basel Miami Beach even started could come off as very rude.
Arthur Maynard surely knew that.
So why did he approach? Nervously, Director Jin subtly shielded Kang-seok. It was a desperate attempt to protect his "gem," Kang-seok.
Arthur swept his brownish blond hair back as if telling them not to be so tense. His face and physique looked like he belonged on a tennis court.
"(Oh, I apologize if I made you uncomfortable or nervous. That wasn't my intention, so please don't misunderstand. Hmm, I came here because I got reliable word that Kang-seok would be here…)"
Arthur circled around his words.
Smiling faintly with his teeth showing, he looked at Kang-seok and said,
"(By the way, are you guys Kang-seok's agency?)"
"(…No. We just…)"
"(Just the Bloom Museum participating in this gallery session booth, a one-time partner in business with Kang-seok to install
Arthur smiled brightly, as if saying, "Isn't that right?"
Momentarily intimidated by how much Arthur knew about Director Jin and the Bloom Museum team, Arthur quietly spoke to Kang-seok.
"(Hey, Kang-seok. Everyone here speaks English well, do you speak it too?)"
"(If it's listening… yes.)"
"(Oh, listening is enough.)"
Arthur nodded and closed the distance between them. Jin Do-wook and Jin Yu-mi quietly stepped aside, leaving Kang-seok and Arthur face to face in a strange standoff.
Just as Director Jin was about to step in and block him again, Arthur cut straight to the point.
"(Have you heard of the International Debutante Ball, Kang-seok?)"
The International Debutante Ball.
A party signaling the entry of upper-class children into society.
Kang-seok nodded.
He'd heard of it.
Recently, after Asian women were invited for the first time, and with the establishment of Cheonghwa Arts High School by the San-gang Group owners' family, it had been widely publicized as a big event...
He recalled the faces of classmates who were excited about the possibility of attending someday. But after a brief thought, a question remained.
'But why is he asking me about the International Debutante Ball?'
Only women were invited to the Debutante Ball—intelligent, accomplished young women under 20 from prestigious families.
They had strict criteria, including height requirements over 170 cm.
Kang-seok frowned thinking about the height requirement.
He did feel taller recently, but having his height as a condition was enough to touch his pride.
Recently, even among the royal-related families, only those passing tough requirements were invited, but those were all women.
Since the ball was originally created to find husbands of similar social standing for women, it made no sense for Kang-seok to be involved.
Why would they ask him about a debutante ball for upper-class ladies entering society? Naturally, Kang-seok wondered.
He was nineteen, soon to be twenty in Korean age, but still nineteen internationally. They wouldn't want him as a husband candidate for those women... so what was this about?
Just as Kang-seok's curiosity deepened, Arthur spoke to clear it up.
"(I came here to invite you to next year's Debutante Ball as a sculptor.)"
"(...A sculptor?)"
He came all the way to the airport to invite him as a sculptor?
Kang-seok gave Arthur a doubtful look. Arthur smiled showing his teeth, a smile that seemed fitting for a golf course lawn.
"(There's one thing I inherited from my mother. It's a feeling. I thought if I didn't speak now, it might not be easy to say this during Art Basel Miami Beach, so I came. If I seemed rude, please forgive me, Kang-seok.)"
"..."
Kang-seok stared silently at Arthur.
The uproar was among the Bloom Museum staff listening nearby.
"Did Arthur just say he wants to invite Kang as a sculptor to the International Debutante Ball?"
"Sounds like it."
"What's the Debutante Ball anyway?"
"Don't you know? The International Debutante Ball…"
Most of the Bloom Museum employees knew about the ball, as the San-gang Cultural Foundation had publicized it widely, including the San-gang Group owner family's children participating.
Anyway, they were fussing because Kang-seok was invited.
The art world.
A market wide yet narrow, moving on money, connections, alma mater ties, locality, and bloodlines.
The easiest way to survive was either to have a lot of money or to be favored by those who did.
And now, that easy world was opening up for Kang-seok.
Bloom Museum was loaning the exhibition
If Kang-seok could break such good news before the opening, it would be the best promotion for them.
As they excitedly talked, Kang-seok sighed wearily.
'International Debutante Ball, huh...'
He looked at Arthur, who radiated upper-class aura, in contrast to his own casual gray sweatpants and white T-shirt.
"What do you want me to make?"
Kang-seok asked in Korean. Director Jin quickly interpreted.
Arthur's face lit up like a light bulb, and without hesitation, he answered.
"(The most glamorous, beautiful, and dignified woman in the world.)"
Arthur added,
"(A lovely piece like
He gestured grandly, praising the work
Thousands of feathers, thousands of butterflies, the woman who smiled brightly amidst the light — that's what he wanted. A piece as dazzling as that, sculpted at the venue where their party would be held, blah blah...
Endlessly talking, Kang-seok asked with a strange look,
"Why me?"
Why should I make it?
Kang-seok looked genuinely confused at Arthur.
Arthur also looked at Director Jin as if asking him to interpret what he said.
But Director Jin's mouth was slightly open, and he didn't move to respond.
"Uh... uh."
Director Jin, at a loss how to interpret this, looked at Kangseok with an embarrassed expression.
At that moment, Kangseok's lips twitched into that same mischievous grin like an old curmudgeon. As the corners of his mouth lifted toward his cheeks, he spoke with a sly tone:
"If you like
"Ahhh."
That was a refusal.
Director Jin unconsciously looked disappointed.
Being officially invited as a sculptor to the international debutante ball would have been a huge promotional opportunity... such a pity.
Art Basel Miami Beach, where private collections of super collectors are revealed, is mostly attended by upper-class visitors.
Famous wealthy people and celebrities attend because it's an event with heavy upper-class participation.
If word got out that the sculptor for next year's international debutante ball attended by upper-class children would be participating with a booth, their attention would naturally turn here.
"Well... Kangseok has always had firm beliefs. He would never display his work on a stage where he's not the main character."
Kangseok was always like that.
He consumed the space with his art.
He was an artist satisfied only when all eyes were drawn to him like the main star causing a whirlwind on stage. He wouldn't put his work at a debutante ball where people have to look at each other instead of his art.
At that thought—
Seeing Arthur chew his lips in frustration because no one was interpreting his words, Kangseok said to Director Jin,
"I think you still don't know what kind of artist I am. Let's talk again after you see my
A counter-invitation!
Refuse, but keep the door open.
Director Jin's face brightened.
If Arthur, a big player at this Art Basel Miami Beach, visited the Bloom Museum's booth, it would stir up another storm.
Director Jin nodded enthusiastically and turned to Arthur.
"...Ah! Yes, of course. Arthur! (Kangseok wants me to tell you that you still...)"
Arthur's face showed growing interest as he listened to Director Jin.
Watching this, Kangseok turned his back without regret.
Ignoring Director Jin and Arthur turning their heads toward him, he walked away.
He didn't want to let anything else enter his mind.
With a face that looked like his whole body was itching madly, Kangseok hurried his steps. Of course, to others, he appeared nearly expressionless.
"Uh... what do we do?"
The staff watched Kangseok walk away with near-expressionless faces, swallowing their anxiety. It was as if Kangseok was so angry he didn't know what to do.
"Looks like he's mad about Maynard."
"Maybe he heard us whispering behind his back about how much we like it. What now? We should've just kept quiet."
"Did he really hear it?"
Most had only heard rumors about Kangseok.
They didn't know his personality, likes, or dislikes, so misunderstandings could arise.
At that moment,
"I'll follow him. You guys come when the director arrives."
"Yumi!"
"Ms. Yumi!"
"Yumi unni...!"
Amid the startled staff, curator Jin Yumi quickly followed Kangseok's back.
Her role on this overseas trip was to support Kangseok.
When Kangseok borrowed Bloom Museum's Exhibition Room 4 to take on
'Kang Artist doesn't have an agency yet. No personal agent either. That means... how we support him at Art Basel Miami Beach could decide who accompanies him on future overseas schedules. Got it, Yumi? Your role is crucial.'
Jin Yumi thought of the Bloom Museum's overseas corporate card she held.
Her wallet was stuffed. To prevent losing it, she hung the card wallet around her neck and held it tightly with both hands, hurrying her steps.
She instinctively sensed it.
Kangseok wasn't angry as he walked.
Quietly catching up, Jin Yumi cautiously whispered,
"Shall I quickly find a free workshop where you can work temporarily?"
The bright reddish-brown irises of Kangseok's eyes showed the characteristic glow he has when he craves working.
And as if it was the right answer, Kangseok's mouth opened.
"As wide a space as possible."
"Understood."
Jin Yumi pulled out her phone with an excited look.
She felt like an important side character in a movie. She felt like a secretary escorting VIP Kangseok as she took out her phone.
Something was about to begin.
...
Two hours later.
Kangseok and Jin Yumi were on the 4th floor near a beach lined with palm trees. The wide windows gave a strange sensation, as if the salty sea breeze was coming in.
Jin Yumi looked around nervously.
Honestly, it was good to have secured a large workspace alone, but that was all.
No, aside from the wide sky, palm trees instead of street trees, and the distant sea view, there was nothing special about this studio.
Of course, it wasn't something Jin Yumi had stylishly arranged; it was a temporary workspace owned by Bloom Museum, obtained after an SOS to Director Jin Dowook.
Trying to hide her fatigue from jet lag, Jin Yumi muttered apologetically,
"Sorry, Artist. We hurried to get this place, so this is all we have... After returning today, we'll have a meeting with the director to find a better place."
"It's okay."
"Huh?"
"I said it's okay."
Kangseok looked satisfied as he gazed at the sky and sea. Truly content.
"I like it here."
"...Really?"
"Yes, really."
Kangseok nodded.
He slowly walked around the spacious workspace, pondering where to work and where to place things.
Watching him, Jin Yumi snapped back to reality.
Right. Finding a workspace was not the end. Artists always need various materials to work.
She hurriedly opened a mini-carrier and took out paper and a pen.
"Um, Artist, if you tell me what you need, I'll get it quickly."
"Oh, will you?"
Kangseok turned to Jin Yumi with a grateful face.
Jin Yumi brightened as if praised, clicking her pen excitedly.
She was ready to take notes on whatever he said.
"Go ahead and tell me!"
Holding notebook and pen, Jin Yumi shot a gaze at Kangseok. At the same time, Kangseok's lips moved at a steady pace.
"Crozofera tintoria... Ah, that's hard to get now, right? Then 10kg of Indigofera tinctoria, and fadu oil. That is, oil from fadu seeds... and conch shells—oh, the conch shells must have a blue jade color. I think we'll need about a hundred... also forget-me-nots... ashes... indigo leaves... and also..."
Jin Yumi's head gradually tilted. What kind of magical potion ingredients were these? She scribbled quickly.
"Oh right, get conch horns too. Even if not alive, get at least 40kg. And coal slag..."
Kangseok's voice went on endlessly as if chanting a spell.
Pale gray-white walls.
The clear blue sky visible through the wide windows.
Hundreds of thousands of white lights settling and disappearing on Miami's beach.
Palm trees colored dead green like rose leaves.
And Kangseok moving his fingers like conducting, endlessly ordering things, while Jin Yumi wrote them down.
With a heart full of excitement, Jin Yumi took down Kangseok's requests on paper.
It felt like a moment when magic could happen any second.