Return of the Genius Photographer

The Results of the 7th Seoul Photo Contest

Judges: Jung Woong (Head Judge), Lee Kang-sik, Kim Se-hyun, Park Sang-ah, Yoo Ho-sung…

Exhibition Venue: Seoul Museum of Art

Exhibition Period: June to July 28, 2007

Photographer Category

Grand Prize: Nam Woojin

Gold Prize: Han Sang-hoon

…

After receiving the text message and parting ways with Young-ho to head home, I immediately turned on my computer to recheck the contest results.

Although I had expected to win the grand prize, actually receiving it made me feel incredibly happy.

It felt like I had taken a big step towards success.

I found myself looking at the results over and over again.

“The award ceremony is scheduled for the start of the exhibition period, so… is it two weeks from today?”

The ceremony is in two weeks.

That means it took about a month since I decided to participate in the Seoul Photo Contest.

I realized quite some time had passed.

“Shall I take a break until then?”

As I had mentioned to Young-ho, I decided to take it easy for a while. I figured I could relax until the award ceremony in two weeks.

Even though I wouldn’t be out taking photos like I had been recently, I still had a lot to do.

“First things first, I should study, right?”

Though I had tried to take photos during weekends without hindering my studies, recently, I had skipped many after-school study sessions and half-heartedly attended classes.

I could tell my teacher was getting increasingly displeased.

Coincidentally, the end of June was also the final exam period. I thought it would be wise to start preparing for exams.

Unlike the midterms, where I had spent most of my time studying from the day I returned, I hadn’t had much time to study recently, so my grades would likely drop.

Still, I needed to maintain a decent level to keep my parents from worrying.

“If I have some spare time, I might as well learn more about photography.”

Studying was just to reassure my parents; it didn’t matter much to me.

So, I thought it would be good to cut down on study time a bit and spend that time reading art books or photography magazines to get some inspiration.

“Come to think of it, what happened with VOTUS? I haven’t heard from them since.”

Wasn’t his name Won Suncheol?

He seemed like he would reach out, but there had been no news since the magazine shoot.

Maybe there hadn’t been any magazine shoots since then.

I expected them to at least send me a copy of the magazine…

If they contact me next time, I’ll raise my conditions significantly out of spite.

It’s been only three months since I returned to the past, and there have already been many events.

Maybe I’ve been too excited.

Well, who wouldn’t be excited to return to the past?

Anyway, I decided to spend some time quietly exercising.

I’ll also attend the award ceremony alone.

I considered telling my parents about winning the contest but quickly dismissed the idea. They wouldn’t remain calm if they knew.

They might even throw a party.

It’s not that I dislike the idea, but…

How should I put it… it’s a bit embarrassing?

Imagine a fully grown man wearing a party hat that even kids wouldn’t wear, receiving congratulations from others.

Even if others didn’t think so, it would definitely be embarrassing for me.

At least that’s how I felt.

Thinking about it gave me chills.

So, I decided to go to the award ceremony alone and keep the news of my win to myself.

I could just ask Young-ho, who was with me when I received the text message, to keep quiet.

I planned to handle everything related to the contest alone without telling anyone.

With that decision made, I checked the date and venue of the award ceremony once more online before lying down on my bed.

Health Management First Rule: Go to Bed Early

Woojin fell asleep just like that.

Thanks to the newfound relaxation and rest, he slept very comfortably and deeply.

But Woojin didn’t know.

Life, as it often is, doesn’t always go as you want it to.

It was a few days later when Woojin realized this undeniable truth of life.

On an ordinary day, just like any other.

The first thing Woojin saw upon coming home from school was a lavish feast on the table, almost breaking its legs.

Ribs, meat patties, grilled croaker, and meat soup — dishes typically seen during holidays, and all of Woojin’s favorites.

Usually, Woojin’s family had simple dinners with kimchi stew or soybean paste stew, which his father liked, along with a few vegetable side dishes.

So, this feast was quite surprising.

“What’s all this?”

A bewildered Woojin asked.

His mother, who was just coming from the kitchen with a plate of japchae, answered.

“We were going to order pizza or chicken, but it’s been a while since we’ve had a proper meal like this, so I decided to cook.”

“Is today a special day?”

“Of course it is. You won an award, didn’t you?”

“What? How did you…”

For a moment, Woojin wondered if Young-ho had told her already.

But his mother’s answer was completely unexpected.

“You got a letter! I opened it because it looked suspicious.”

She waved the letter in front of Woojin, her tone cheerful and light.

Woojin had thought the award announcement was only made online.

It seemed they also sent out letters.

He had no idea this would happen.

“When did you enter such a contest? Well done, I’m proud of you.”

Woojin, slightly embarrassed, coughed as he took the letter from his mother and read it.

―Congratulations on your award!―

Award Ceremony: June XX

Venue: Seoul Museum of Art.

The letter seemed to be a form letter.

It contained only the necessary information: congratulations, the date and location of the ceremony.

Luckily, it didn’t mention the specific award details.

If his mother knew he had won the grand prize, she would have been even more surprised.

She might have even set off fireworks in the house.

“Your father will be home soon. Let’s have a family party tonight.”

Now that the secret was out, there was no point in hiding it.

Woojin decided he would tell everything once his father arrived.

“Congratulations, Woojin.”

“Congratulations, Woojin!”

In hindsight, it was a good thing that his parents found out about the award.

“Thank you.”

“Come on, let’s eat before it gets cold.”

They seemed proud of the fact that Woojin had won an award all by himself without telling anyone.

*

My parents looked at me with satisfied expressions throughout the meal.

The happiness gently emanating from their faces.

Seeing those expressions made me feel happy too.

What’s a little embarrassment compared to this happiness?

“Woojin, you still need to wear the party hat.”

“But it’s not even my birthday…”

“It’s a celebration. Come on, put it on.”

Even though the ridiculous hat was embarrassing…

―Click!

Even though my mom took a picture with her phone to capture me wearing the hat…

“So you really won the grand prize?”

My dad, who had been watching my embarrassed reaction, asked for confirmation.

“Yes, that’s right.”

I nodded as I answered, the hat bobbing on my head.

I had already explained the details of the contest to my dad after he arrived.

But it seemed hard for my parents to believe I had won a prize worth 15 million won.

“What are you planning to do with the money?”

“I haven’t thought about it in detail yet. I plan to buy some things I need and save the rest.”

My mom, curious about how I would use the money, asked with shining eyes.

Although I had briefly thought about setting up a personal studio with the sudden windfall, the rent and interior costs would far exceed the amount.

I planned to use the money to buy necessary items and save the rest.

I figured I’d always find a useful purpose for the money later, so there was no rush to decide now.

“Honey, let Woojin decide how to use his money.”

“Aren’t you curious about how he’ll spend such a large sum? Woojin, you made a wise decision. Be careful with large amounts of money.”

“Woojin, I’m so proud of you. We haven’t really done anything to help you…”

At that moment, my dad’s voice trailed off, and he bowed his head, looking very apologetic for some reason.

“Dear, what’s with the sudden melancholy? It doesn’t suit you.”

Mom seemed taken aback by the sudden somber atmosphere and tried to console Dad.

She gently clasped his hand.

Following her gaze, I looked at my parents’ hands.

My dad’s hands were very rough, large, and marked with scars from old wounds.

My mom’s hands weren’t much different, with cracked and split fingers showing hardly any unblemished skin.

I hadn’t noticed my parents’ hands around this time in my previous life.

Or rather, I never even thought to look.

Maybe it was the somber mood, but my nose stung slightly.

Is this what parents’ love feels like?

I only wanted to succeed quickly to relieve their burden.

The fact that they felt guilty for my feelings pained me.

“Mom, Dad, you don’t need to feel that way.”

I placed my hand over theirs as I spoke.

“I’m always grateful to you both.”

I tried to sound as upbeat as possible.

“I’m who I am today because of you.”

Wiping my sniffling nose…

I didn’t want to show any tears, no matter what.

After a little while, it was my mom who broke the awkward silence.

“Woojin, when is the award ceremony?”

She asked, seemingly wanting to change the subject.

I was just as eager to change the mood, so I answered brightly.

“In two weeks, on the weekend.”

“Really? Can we come with you?”

“Of course. Let’s go together. I’d love that.”

“Dear, make sure to take time off. We could all tour Seoul while we’re there.”

My dad nodded in agreement with my mom’s suggestion.

Really, it was a perfect day to rest…

I felt like I could relax until the award ceremony in two weeks.