The Mysterious Art Museum

Chapter 164 (2) - The Mysterious Art Museum

Jeong-hun, who had been watching, quietly looks at Yonghan and then crosses his arms, turning back to the paintings.

“You like paintings?”

“…….”

“I've seen your paintings.”

Yonghan is surprised, not having expected Jeong-hun to have seen his work. Jeong-hun smiles and says.

“I could feel the frustration in your paintings.”

“…….”

Yonghan's shoulders slump, disheartened by Jeong-hun's blunt assessment.

‘Yes, to a real artist, my paintings must look insignificant.’

In the eyes of an artist capable of creating such works, his own must seem mediocre.

Jeong-hun, not looking at Yonghan, but at his own paintings, casually remarks.

“So, step out of there.”

“……?”

What does he mean?

Yonghan lifts his head to look at Jeong-hun. Jeong-hun looks pensively at Yonghan and then says.

“A painting contains the life and emotions of the artist. The frustration embodied in your paintings is not due to lack of skill, but the emotions you are currently feeling. A good artist needs to reflect on themselves.”

Yonghan's eyes widen.

‘He's not evaluating my work.’

It's about the emotions contained in his paintings. And Jeong-hun had empathetically experienced the emotions he felt while creating his paintings and music.

Yonghan is momentarily speechless, staring intently at Jeong-hun.

Jeong-hun glances at Young-ju and then says.

“While it might be difficult to support your singing career, if you focus on being an artist, you're welcome to join the Artist Company.”

Yonghan's eyes widen again.

‘He's willing to accept me? After what I did to him, to that company?’

Jeong-hun glances at Young-ju behind him and adds.

“My soon-to-be wife is so good at her job that the company has grown too big for us to afford to pay your company's penalty. You're welcome to join us after your contract ends or if you resolve it yourself.”

Upon Jeong-hun's statement, the reporters' cameras flash towards Young-ju.

“Hey, this crazy bird…….”

The flustered Young-ju starts to curse as usual but stops herself upon seeing the reporters. Jeong-hun laughs and says.

“So what. We were going to announce it soon anyway.”

Yonghan looks fiercely at Young-ju, who is glaring at Jeong-hun, and then speaks.

"If possible, I would like to sing the congratulatory song."

"Oh, that would be an honor."

"I doubt that would be enough for you, though."

"No, it's more than enough."

"I saw some American singers here earlier."

"What's the use of receiving congratulations from strangers? It's meaningful when it comes from someone who truly means it."

"……"

Yonghan quietly observed Jeong-hun, who spoke as if nothing had ever happened between them.

"Mr. Artist."

The reporters all turned their attention to Yonghan.

Most of the confessions had been made. Once the article was published, YM Entertainment and President Kim Young-min would plummet. It would all be over with just one more decisive statement from Yonghan.

However, the reporters' hopes were not fulfilled, as Jeong-hun interrupted Yonghan's speech.

"Korea is a fascinating country."

"……"

"Everyone makes mistakes. And everyone deserves an equal opportunity to correct them. But there's a profession where you don't have the freedom to correct your mistakes. That's the life of celebrities."

"……"

"You came to my house, didn't you?"

Yonghan was startled.

"How, how did you know?"

"Mom told me. You were lingering in front of the gate and eventually left without doing anything. Twice."

"……"

"You wanted to talk to me personally, didn't you?"

"……I wanted to apologize."

"But you couldn't. It's not your fault. I disappeared without informing anyone of my whereabouts."

"No matter the excuse."

"There are others who deserve the punishment, right?"

"……"

"You came to our house to apologize, and you accepted my invitation here. You smashed the recorder and confessed the journalists' crimes, preventing me from falling into another trap."

Jeong-hun asked the journalists.

"You all saw it, right?"

The journalists gestured affirmatively. Jeong-hun smiled, resting his hand on his waist.

"What should happen to someone who has sufficiently reflected, felt guilty enough, and apologized enough?"

The atmosphere became quiet. Jeong-hun spoke brightly in front of them.

"I said it earlier. Everyone deserves a chance to correct their mistakes."

Jeong-hun put his arm around Yonghan and smiled.

"So, that's enough now."

"Mr. Artist."

Yonghan bowed, tears streaming down his face.

"I am sorry!"

Jeong-hun smiled, patted Yonghan on the back, and helped him stand up.

"It's time to stop. Now it's time to apologize to yourself."

"……"

"Apologize to the part of yourself that you've suppressed and endured, and correct those mistakes. That's enough. Life gives people multiple chances."

"……"

Though silent, Yonghan's face, streaming with tears, showed he understood Jeong-hun's words.

Jeong-hun turned around, putting his arm around Yonghan.

"Now, shall we go see the next painting?"

Jeong-hun led Yonghan to the next painting.

Monica and Irina, watching them, smiled.

"Irina."

"Yes?"

"About Irina's nickname. Don't you think it suits Ban more?"

"Haha."

Irina nodded, looking at Jeong-hun's radiant back.

"Yes, Titan suits him better than the Star of the East."

* * *

"YM Entertainment CEO Kim Young-min Arrested on Charges of Bribery to Media!"

"Yonghan's Tears of Regret and Reflection, and His Exposé!"

"Prosecutors Decide to Investigate Additional Charges of Sexual Assault and Drug-Related Issues Against CEO Kim Young-min!"

"Yonghan Announces Termination of Contract with YM Entertainment, Finds New Home in Artist Company!"

"Jeong-hun's Private Exhibition: All Works Sold Out During VIP Preview!"

"On the First Day Open to the Public, 100,000 People Flock to W Tree Hotel Theater"

"Jeong-hun Announces Marriage! The Partner is Director Seo Young-ju"

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