I Became A Renowned Genius At My Arts High School - Chapter 249



Only Krnovel

Episode 249. Bridge (3)

“Let’s take a breath, Whitney. Do you know how breathless I was today because of your first love?”

“That’s nonsense. That’s because the mayor likes meetings, not because of me.”

“haha.”

“And if you think about it, this meeting will also be one that the mayor likes.”

Whitney shrugged.

‘what?’

For a moment, Soo-Hyeon’s face became confused.

I have met quite a few people in the art world, but I have never had the opportunity to meet people in politics. I just imagined politicians to have a unique charisma and aura, but Whitney was treating the mayor of New York as if he were a neighborhood uncle.

“This is the Su-hyeon I was talking about. Su-hyeon, say hello. This is our proud Mayor Bloomberg of New York City.”

“Hello. My name is Han Su-hyeon.”

“It’s you. Nice to meet you. Now, sit over here. Make yourself at home.”

He was a young mayor who appeared to be in his late 40s or early 50s.

With his neat clothes and slicked-back hair, he looked like a typical politician.

but.

“If it’s okay, let’s talk over some light refreshments.”

The way he recommended sandwiches and cookies while eating them enthusiastically also felt petit bourgeois.

“I was born and raised in New York. I’ve seen the city change for decades.”

Bloomberg said with a twinkle in his eye.

“It can be a great help in doing market work, but it can also be a hindrance at times.”

“Why?”

“The more familiar you are, the harder it is to gain new perspectives.”

“ah.”

“That’s why I like talking, because when I talk to a lot of people, I realize a part of New York that I hadn’t seen before. I especially like listening to the stories of immigrants who have just arrived in New York.”

And Bloomberg stared at Su-hyeon.

At that moment, Soo-hyun was slightly flustered, wondering if that was a signal to tell her what to say.

“Again, again!”

Whitney spoke sternly, as if scolding Mayor Bloomberg.

“Mayor, please do something about that look in your eyes. Your facial features are already distinct and your eyes are deep, so it’s really burdensome when you look at me with that expression.”

“No, isn’t it too much to judge someone by their looks, Whitney? My eyes are just like my father’s and my grandfather’s.”

“Oh. Anyway, please try to tone down your feelings. Especially not for artists. Artists are a type of people who, if they make a mistake even in the smallest detail, will close their hearts.”

And Whitney shook her head while looking at Soo-hyun.

“It’s a little better now. Some artists, including myself, initially misunderstood that Mayor Bloomberg was approaching us with rational affection. He was looking at us so passionately.”

“Whitney, I’ve told you this many times, but I’m incredibly picky about the opposite sex.”

Soo-hyun smiled awkwardly as she watched the two continue their light-hearted exchange of revelations and self-introductions.

“Okay, Soo-hyun. I want to ask you something too.”

And then, with his smile fading away, Mayor Bloomberg asked Soo-hyun a question.

“You said it’s been just over a year since you came to New York?”

“Yes, that’s right. Because we’re approaching 15 months.”

“What is the New York you see like?”

A brief moment of silence passed.

Su-hyeon intuitively realized that that was an important question.

“It’s warm.”

“yes?”

Mayor Bloomberg tilted his head, wondering why Soo-hyun’s answer was so unexpected.

“At first, I was drawn to the city’s appearance, but gradually I became interested in New York’s people.”

Su-hyeon spoke honestly and frankly about what she felt.

“Isn’t it the people, not the fancy city?”

“Yes. I’ve made a lot of friends here. I’m getting to know New York through them. The atmosphere is very warm.”

“hmm.”

Mayor Bloomberg nodded and checked his watch.

“I’d like to talk to you more, but I have other plans waiting for me. Whitney, isn’t it time for you to go out too?”

“That’s right. I have to go to the airport now.”

“Have a nice trip, Whitney. And don’t worry about your friend.”

Mayor Bloomberg returned to his playful expression and spoke to Su-hyeon.

“And Soo-hyun, how about we meet again next week and talk?”

Su-hyeon looked surprised for a moment, but then nodded.

“Yes, sir.”

***

“It looks like you really liked it.”

“I’m so happy,” Whitney said excitedly as she left the Residence Hotel.

“What is it?”

“I told you we’d meet again. Next week, at that.”

“yes?”

Whitney laughed heartily as she blinked, not knowing what he meant.

“That gentleman may look easygoing, but he’s actually a very picky person. He said earlier that he’s very picky when it comes to the opposite sex. But not only when it comes to the opposite sex, he’s very thorough and meticulous in every aspect of his work.”

Whitney shook her head.

“So that’s camouflage.”

“Gastroenterology?”

“He’s the kind of guy who laughs and acts easygoing, trying to disarm people and scan them.”

“Really?”

“Yes. He is a person who has a tremendous vision and sees through the other person’s very slight attitude or words to the core. Since he doesn’t show it, most people don’t even know that he has been affected.”

According to Whitney, Mayor Bloomberg has a great eye for people.

It’s amazing how accurately you can understand someone just by having a brief, trivial conversation.

“So you’re saying that you can figure out what kind of person someone is just by having a few conversations?”

“That’s right. That’s Bloomberg’s ability. In fact, if you’re in that position, there are probably a lot of people who approach you with ulterior motives rather than good intentions. But he has the ability to coldly see into their dark intentions.”

Whitney briefly shared a few anecdotes and then smiled.

“Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you in advance. But if I had told you that Mayor Bloomberg would try to read you from your attitude and words, you would have been very burdened, and the mayor would have noticed that I had made a comment.”

“Well, it’s okay. I was a little surprised, though.”

“Anyway, this is a great sign, Soo-hyun. Mayor Bloomberg’s interview was hard enough to pass, but even if we made a promise to meet again, it would be a month at the earliest, and I suggested to you, Soo-hyun, that we meet next week, right?”

“But, we didn’t have anything special to talk about today.”

“Hey. It’s the same for everyone else. We just have a quick chat about what to eat for dinner tonight and then we part ways.”

“Oh. Okay.”

As Soo-hyun nodded, Whitney tapped Soo-hyun on the shoulder.

“I came to New York as an immigrant, but in two weeks I will become a citizen.”

“Oh. Is this something to celebrate?”

“Yes. Usually, it takes several years after obtaining permanent residency to obtain citizenship.”

“Yes.”

“But everything was resolved in two years. The reason why everything was done so quickly was because I proved that I was an artist that New York needed. It’s embarrassing to say it myself.”

“It’s true.”

“Haha. Anyway, I’m not suggesting that Soo-hyun become a citizen, but if you want to become a writer who is recognized and active on the world stage, it would be good to use the New York City mayor card well.”

“yes?”

“Mayor Bloomberg is different from the last mayor.”

Whitney spent all her remaining time telling Soo-hyun everything she knew.

“Mayor Bloomberg, a native New Yorker, is someone who really loves New York. He’s someone who thinks seriously about how this city can become more vibrant and expand. And.”

Whitney said, looking into the distance.

“Can you see that?”

It was a statue standing in the heart of Manhattan.

“yes.”

“Mayor Bloomberg is very interested in public art.”

“Is that so?”

“Last fall, we tripled the size of the Public Art Fund, which was expected to be dissolved soon. And we put it in charge of running the park exhibition program. We plan to change the city’s appearance, remodel the parks, and make New York a more advanced city. It’s only natural that the city’s affiliated organizations are busy. Oh, Su-hyeon. Do you know about Percent for Art?”

Percent for art.

A law enacted in New York City in 1982.

‘For all construction projects that receive city funds, 1% of the budget will be spent on public art.’

Even Soo-hyun, who doesn’t know much about New York’s legal system, had heard about Percent for Art. Later, she saw a case where it was applied in Korea.

The problem was that there were no particularly memorable works.

“I’ve heard of it.”

Whitney smiled brightly as Soo-hyun nodded.

“It’s a law that applies to other cities too, but there’s something special about New York.”

“What is it?”

“Most cities tend to give their funds to local artists, but New York is more open to minority, immigrant, and non-mainstream artists.”

He said that Mayor Bloomberg’s influence was greatly influenced by that direction.

“They say they’re going to do 300 projects this year alone. Can you believe it? 300 art-related projects alone. And that’s it.”

Whitney swallowed hard.

“Mayor Bloomberg has announced that he will personally select the writer who will take on the project.”

“yes?”

Su-hyeon’s eyes widened.

“Sir, are you also well-versed in the arts… .”

“Well, he’s very knowledgeable about the workings of the art world. As I said before, he has a really good eye for people. At least he has the ability to distinguish between a fraud and an artist.”

Whitney checked her watch and then raised her hand to hail a taxi.

“I would like to stay up all night and talk to you, but it’s really a tight time right now. Anyway, Soo-hyun. This is the end of my role.”

“Role?”

“I can introduce you to Mayor Bloomberg, but it’s entirely up to you to please him. It’s also your job to propose projects to him and get the budget. But… … I don’t feel uneasy.”

Whitney said as she opened the taxi door in front of her.

“I have a feeling that when I come back, you will have something really fun and good to tell me.”

“Thank you, Whitney.”

Su-hyeon bowed and expressed her gratitude.

I still hadn’t quite figured it out, and I couldn’t tell how big of an opportunity this was.

But it was clear how much effort Whitney had put into creating this space.

Su-hyeon was very grateful for the consideration.

“It’s nothing compared to what I received.”

“Let’s go. We’re really going to be late.”

“Yes, Soo-hyun. We keep in touch often.”

The taxi carrying Whitney left downtown New York.

Su-hyeon, left alone, looked around the streets of New York for a moment.

And then a few more days passed.