I Became A Renowned Genius At My Arts High School - Chapter 251



Only Krnovel

Episode 251. Presentation (2)

“You’ve been thinking about this for a while?”

Bloomberg asked back.

As Su-hyeon had just entered her second year in New York, the idea that it would fit the Korean sentiment better than New York’s automatically occurred to her.

Soo-hyun saw through the question and smiled slightly.

“I told you that Seoul and New York have something in common, right?”

“Oh, that’s right.”

“It has similar good points, but it also has similar problems.”

“Hmm.”

Bloomberg seemed to have a penchant for riddles.

At Soo-hyeon’s words, he raised his right hand to shoulder height to signal for her to stop for a moment, then he started to think hard.

“Traffic congestion? The wealth gap? Or environmental issues?”

“Well, that could be the case.”

Soo-hyun paused for a moment.

“It’s a suicide issue.”

“… … !”

In an instant, Bloomberg’s eyes changed.

“oh my god.”

And then Bloomberg leaned back in his chair and raised his hand.

“I guess I should order another cup of coffee. It looks like this story will be long.”

After a while.

Bloomberg ordered a warm Americano, and Su-hyeon ordered a hot chocolate.

“Korea is going through a very difficult time.”

And Soo-hyun, who had just received her drink, began her presentation in a calm voice.

“In 1997, due to the IMF, many heads of households lost their jobs and many companies collapsed. Many people lost their homes and were left with enormous debts.”

“……okay.”

“National bankruptcy, unequal disaster. I can’t tell you how gloomy the news has been for a while. There was news every day of people being pessimistic about the situation and making extreme choices, and after hearing that, everyone was overcome with depression.”

It was an air that Soo-hyeon had experienced twice but could not get used to.

“In the past, many people considered suicide to be just a personal problem. But now, many people think of it as a social problem. There are also growing voices calling for help for those who choose suicide. I think there are definitely effective methods.”

“So, Soo-hyun, do you think that art can do that?”

Su-hyeon nodded while looking into Bloomberg’s eyes.

“Enough.”

“haha.”

Bloomberg gave a short laugh and continued speaking in a quick voice.

“I’m not a fatalist. But meeting Soo-hyun feels like fate.”

Bloomberg fiddled with his teacup for a moment.

“It was 1999. In the United States, we agreed to view suicide as a public health issue, not an individual issue. Recently, we have begun to establish specific measures for how to recognize and intervene in this issue and what methods to apply to prevent suicide. We in New York are also paying attention to this policy.”

Bloomberg certainly seemed interested in the issue.

If you look at the numbers and information that are quite specific, such as the number of Americans who died by suicide last year being 29,350, which is more than the number of people who died from traffic accidents or diseases such as high blood pressure,

“Last year, 1,132 people died by suicide in New York State. It may be a low number compared to other states, but the increasing trend is not trivial. It is not time to let down our guard.”

“Korea is in a similar situation. We are conducting various research to find a method, and among the data I have seen, there was information that a significant number of suicide deaths had been contemplating suicide for a long time. In the process, many people ask for help from those around them or seek out organizations.”

“Oh, that’s right! You know a lot, Soo-hyun.”

Bloomberg clapped his hands in response.

“The more we dig into it, the more we realize how serious this problem is. There are reports that about 30% of people who have considered suicide have made a plan, and about half of them actually attempted suicide. So what we can read here is that we shouldn’t just look at the actual number of suicide deaths. If we approach it statistically, we can infer that nearly 30 times as many people have attempted suicide as have died. Anyway.”

Bloomberg rubbed his chin with his hand.

“It’s really important to identify the potential numbers and prevent them from committing suicide, but it’s really hard to figure out how to identify their signals. It also requires a transformation of the health care system and a new discussion of clinical approaches.”

“It will take time, but there are other ways to achieve results relatively quickly.”

Su-hyeon shrugged her shoulders and returned to the main topic.

“Yes. So you’re going to approach it through art? What do you plan to do?”

Su-hyeon gave a short answer to Bloomberg’s question.

“It’s a message.”

“message?”

“A warm word. A look of sympathy. A heartfelt prayer. They may seem small, but they are the things that ultimately move people’s hearts.”

“Are you talking about something like a campaign?”

“It will be similar, but different. In any case, I think using media, entertainment, and art as tools to convey messages will be a very good way.”

It was a proven case in the past that Soo-hyun knew about. However, there had been no specific case here yet. However.

“Hmm.”

Bloomberg, who had already fallen for Soo-hyun, nodded quietly.

“Soohyun. Can you spare me some time next week?”

***

Su-hyeon, who broke up with Mayor Bloomberg, crossed the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time in a long time.

Maybe it was because we talked a lot about Korea that day, but the scenery of the Han River suddenly came to mind.

Han River Bridge.

Although it is famous for its splendid night view, the phrase ‘going to the Han River’ also makes many people feel uneasy.

The Han River Bridge was a place often visited by people who were depressed and despairing and about to end their lives.

How often has it been used as a regular material in dramas and movies?

The scene of people who failed in business hanging on the Han River Bridge, making their final appeal for their grievances and jumping into the cold water has long been engraved in the minds of many people. However.

‘There was a way.’

To solve this problem, many experts put their heads together and new attempts were made.

Among them, what caught Soo-Hyeon’s attention was the message strategy.

A public phone on a bridge with a message asking people to call when they have a hard time.

Small ideas with warm messages written in each section that tell you that you are a precious person.

These seemingly insignificant devices have made many people turn back from their despair to the Han River Bridge and have provided some comfort to their inner wounds.

‘Feeling of alienation.’

A person makes the extreme decision to end his or her own life.

There may be many reasons for this, but Soo-hyun was focusing on the feeling of ‘alienation.’

A life of wandering on the outskirts, unable to fit into the mainstream.

People who don’t get anyone’s attention and have no place to share their difficulties.

They struggle with loneliness and alienation and gradually become helpless.

When there is no way out of the pain, when there is no strength to endure the situation any longer, when all hope for tomorrow is gone, then we decide to give up on life.

‘Interest. And conversation.’

Perhaps what art can do is not a very great area.

It’s not like it can actually cure patients or solve difficult situations.

But it touches the heart.

Raising the temperature of a cold heart. It was clear that he could do that much. And Soo-hyun was already drawing up a method for doing so.

***

“Oh my god. You met the mayor?”

As I confessed what had happened over the past few days, my friends gathered around me with wide eyes. Steve and Henry, Humphrey and Jerome, Park Seon-hwa and Cha Yoon-hee, and even Oh Yu-na.

“But why are you still in America?”

Instead of answering, Su-hyeon turned her gaze to her friends from Korea.

I was so busy that I missed it, but it’s already March. It’s been a week since the semester started.

“He doesn’t care about us like this.”

Oyuna shook her head and raised her chin.

“You should have asked that question at the end of last month.”

“I was so busy with Whitney at the time. Anyway, sorry. I’d be happy for you guys to stay longer, but I’m also worried.”

“Actually, this is also a surprise.”

Oh Yu-na smiled brightly with shining eyes.

“None of us plan on going back to Korea this semester.”

“uh?”

“I’m planning to transfer to New York University.”

When Oh Yu-na tossed the ball, Cha Yoon-hee received it.

“I took a semester off. I’m going all in for the contest in the fall.”

“I’m an intern.”

Finally, Park Seon-hwa revealed her intentions.

“This is already your fourth year. I said that rather than graduating like this, we should all do something.”

“Well, it’s true that Soo-hyun was greatly inspired by you. You’ve already achieved a lot. Even though you’re both students.”

“So everyone will be staying in New York for a few more months?”

“Yes. Aren’t you happy?”

“You’re not going to find it annoying, are you?”

“I’m so happy. But, Seonhwa, you’re an intern? Here, in New York?”

“Yeah. Do you remember the dream I told you about before? I’m going to open a gallery with my name on it. I don’t think just experiencing the Ilseon Art Center is enough, so I’m thinking about doing an internship in New York. It’s a bit unfair, but I got a chance to work at a gallery that has a connection to Ilseon.”

“Wow. That’s really great.”

When Su-hyeon was happy, her friends closed the gap between them and rushed towards her.

“So, now tell me your story.”

“Okay. What kind of work are you planning to prepare this time?”

“The plan is already finished?”

“that is.”

Su-hyeon briefly introduced the theme of the work she envisions and the message it contains.

“However, to effectively demonstrate this message, we need to produce some pretty concrete results. I’m worried about how far I can go on my own.”

A work of art that will change the minds of those who have decided to commit suicide.

Su-hyeon thought a lot about which picture to put on which device.

The problem was budget and coordination.

A lot of work had to be done to maximize the effectiveness of the project, but Soo-Hyeon’s connections and resources were limited.

“Mayor Bloomberg.”

Henry, who had read Soo-hyeon’s worries, slowly opened his mouth.

“Soohyun. Did you tell Jacqueline about this?”

“No, not yet. I think it would be better to talk about it once the outlines are clearer.”

“Then, how about we talk about it now?”

“huh?”

“From last year to this year, the writers who are the face of Jacqueline’s J-House have put in a lot of effort to connect with Mayor Bloomberg.”

A story where you can somehow predict what will happen next.

“I think there were two in-depth interviews, but nothing came of it in the end.”

“Was it like that? How did that happen?”

“There was a mismatch of interests. Rumor has it that the writers suffered a huge blow to their pride.”

“For pride?”

“I guess the city budget is a fixed part, but the production cost was set at a paltry level.”

“Ah. I see.”

There are no secrets on this narrow floor, Soo-hyeon nodded, realizing once again.

“But, I heard that there was a conflict between the writers and Jacqueline during that process.”

“With Jacqueline?”

“Jacqueline was the one who wanted to do the project. She was reading Mayor Bloomberg’s tendencies and policy directions. She probably thought it would be good to somehow establish a connection. That way, she could take the next step, and public art is a very meaningful project.”

“So Henry, what you’re saying is, if I talk to Jacqueline, there might be a way for me to get support?”

“Of course.”

Henry looked straight into Soo-hyun’s eyes and asked.

“Soohyun. How about being a little shameless sometimes?”

“uh?”

“Even though you’re a rookie, you were selected by Jacqueline. This project is also something Jacqueline wants, so let’s use her connections, background, and resources.”

“okay.”

Su-hyeon nodded.

“That’s right. There was Jacqueline.”

It felt like the stuffy parts were relieved and relieved.

I felt like Jacqueline would know how to make the vague ideas I had in mind come to fruition.

In that case, there was no reason to hesitate.