The Mysterious Art Museum

Chapter 160 (1) - The Mysterious Art Museum

"A Child Prodigy Born at the Florence Academy of Art in Italy!"

Article published on 02.27 at 3:30 PM, last modified on 02.27 at 3:45 PM

A young artistic genius, only eight years old, has emerged in Italy, the land of art. The Florence Academy of Art, known as the center of art, proudly announced the early admission of a young girl, acknowledging her exceptional artistic talent.

Pietro Einaudi, the Dean of the Florence Academy of Art, revealed in an interview with local Italian media that the girl has a deep connection with Korean painter Ban Jeong-hoon. It's said that the girl spent time with Ban Jeong-hoon when he visited her village and transformed the entire place into a mural village.

The girl's name is Lea Elena Boschi, originally from Roseto Valfortore, a village that became a tourist attraction after Ban Jeong-hoon transformed it into a mural village.

Monica Rossellini, CEO of Rossellini Corporation, which officially sponsors the young prodigy, expressed her commitment to provide all necessary support for the girl's early artistic education. She believes the time spent with the "master from the East" awakened the girl's artistic sense.

Meanwhile, Monica announced her plans to attend Ban Jeong-hoon's VIP exhibition in Korea in March, along with the young prodigy Lea. Esteemed guests, including world-renowned pianist Irina Sebanova and professors from the Warsaw Music Hall in Poland, have also expressed their intentions to attend.

The VIP exhibition, organized by W Tree Group, will issue 500 invitations, and it's reported that wealthy people worldwide are eagerly trying to secure a ticket. There's speculation that the rising popularity and value of the painter's works are attracting investors eager to pre-acquire his creations.

By Kim Soo-hyun ([emailprotected])

The good news brought by Young-ju in the waiting room ahead of the press conference eases my nervous heart.

"Haha, Lea is called a genius girl?"

Young-ju, watching me through the mirror while I'm getting makeup done in the waiting room, joins the conversation.

"She seemed like an old soul, didn't she?"

What are you talking about? She's such a cute kid.

"Why?"

"The things she said during her interview with the Florence University professor have become quite a topic. Didn't you know?"

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"I just saw this article, how would I know?"

Young-ju clicked her tongue and continued.

"The professor asked why she paints nature, isn't she interested in modern abstract art? To that, an eight-year-old girl replied, 'A good painter imitates nature, but a bad painter vomits it.'"

"......"

"And she said that painting for her is just another way of writing a diary. Oh, and that people can only observe what exists in their minds, but if they can imagine it, then it's already real. Can you believe this came from an eight-year-old?"

I burst into laughter internally.

'That's exactly what Monet said in my dream that day.'

I couldn't stop laughing. To others, Lea's words might sound like those of a genius different from ordinary people, but she was just repeating what she heard in her dreams.

Of course, it's a different story that the kid has artistic talent.

Misinterpreting my laughter as a fond expression for a growing child, Young-ju clicked her tongue and continued.

"This kid is talking a lot about you in the Italian media. They are introducing her almost like your official disciple there. Thanks to her, your stock is rising. Happy? Are you happy?"

"Haha, yeah. I'm happy."

"Is Lea pretty?"

"Extremely pretty, like an angel."

Young-ju pouts her lips and looks away.

Surely she's not jealous of an eight-year-old? Should I tell her she's prettier? But that seems a bit over the top.

While I was pondering, Young-ju handed me a thick folder of papers, meeting my eyes through the mirror.

"Here's the list of pre-arranged questions. Go through them."

"Ah, thanks."

The list of questions the reporters would ask, with notes on how to answer them, handwritten by Young-ju. I smiled looking at Young-ju's writing.

"Your handwriting is still a mess."

"Shit, who writes by hand these days?"

"You sent me letters, though."

"That's why, punk. Who writes letters by hand these days? You know how much trouble that caused me for two years."

"Haha."

"Stop joking and go through the questions. Start from page four."

"Page four?"

Following Young-ju's words, I turned to the fourth page of the list and squinted my eyes at the list of questions.

"There's a lot about Yong-han, isn't there?"

"Of course, that's what the public is curious about."

"Hmm."

"Tear into him, got it? I've been boiling with rage for two years and barely held back. This time, make sure he can't recover, that damn guy."

"Haha."

Just then, a staff member wearing a hat opens the door to the green room and peeks in.

"Painter Ban Jeong-hoon, it's time for the press conference."

I ask the makeup artist with a glance if we are done and then stand up from my seat. Young-ju gives a final check to my outfit.

"Aren't you nervous being in front of the camera after so long?"

"I think I've stood in front of it too many times to be nervous."

"…Sorry. I was only thinking about raising the company's profile and didn’t consider how hard it was for you."

Young-ju bows her head, genuinely apologetic.

I laugh and put my arm around my friend's shoulder.

"Hey, Director Seo Young-ju."

"Huh?"

"I think you're mistaken about something. That’s not your company, it’s mine, right?"

“Why is the director apologizing when I was the one advertising my company? Could it be that you’re plotting to swallow the company behind my back?”

"…"

Yeongju frowns and pushes my arm away.

“Shut up, you jerk.”

“Haha.”

“Hurry up and go, idiot.”

“Okay, I’m off.”

As I leave the waiting room, I look back at Yeongju. Despite her harsh words, the guilt in her eyes hasn't faded. I wink and thump my chest reassuringly.

‘I exist because of you.’

Better keep the cheesy lines to myself.

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