Diamond Dust Novel - Chapter 30

Photographer Shu-shu.

Korean name: Jung Sein.

Cantonese name: Zeng Suiyan.

Both his parents are Korean, and he holds Korean citizenship, but as a Golden Omega from a wealthy family, he completed his education from preschool to high school at the ‘Hong Kong Minturn International School (H.M.I.S.)’, a school known discreetly as the only one in East Asia for Alphas and Omegas, to receive a more stable education. He then returned to Korea and enrolled in H University for modern dance. Afterward, he moved to New York and entered the M.G. School of Dance.

His life as a dancer ended after an injury sustained during practice required Achilles tendon repair surgery, followed by a subsequent accident in daily life that caused the same injury to the same area. The surgical site then became infected, necessitating the removal of the injured part and a graft surgery.

He liquidated his life in New York and returned to Korea.

Two years later, he debuted as a photographer with his first solo exhibition, ‘The Body,’ through Gallery Phantom, operated by Lau WiKun, a long-time acquaintance since his H.M.I.S. days.

Recording sell-outs at every exhibition, he is currently regarded as the most attention-grabbing fine art photographer in Korea. Furthermore, through Director Lau WiKun’s aggressive marketing, he is striving to take a leap toward becoming a global artist, starting with Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan.

He is more often referred to by the nickname Shu-shu, derived from his Cantonese name, by family and close acquaintances, and he now uses the nickname as his artist name. It is known that he also used Shu-shu as his English name since his H.M.I.S. days.

He possesses a large fanbase thanks to his appearance, which is the archetype of a flamboyant yet delicate Golden Omega. While there is positive feedback that he has drawn public interest to the art world, there are also views that he receives exaggerated praise that exceeds his skill, due to his status as a Golden Omega and his looks.

Regardless of the meaning, he is clearly a pivotal young artist in the current art scene, an undeniable issue-maker whom even large galleries cannot ignore.

***

I had been told beforehand, but the scale of the event was different from the previous group exhibition.

A photo wall was even set up in front of Phantom’s main entrance for Artist Shu-shu’s ‘Body to Soul’ exhibition press conference and VIP invitation opening party.

The guests, dressed much more elaborately than at the last opening party, posed sequentially at the photo wall, and about 30 reporters competitively captured their images, flashing their cameras.

Not only art-related media outlets but also cultural reporters from major news agencies were invited, and most of the reporters accepted the invitation. This was proof that news articles about Artist Shu-shu’s exhibition generated significant buzz.

In fact, high-profile actors and models were included in the VIP guest list, making it an opportunity to appeal even to the general public who had little interest in art. Even if they didn’t immediately become gallery clients, public interest could translate into the gallery’s influence.

The temporary parking lot in front of the main entrance was filled with the photo wall and reporters, and there was no more room to set up congratulatory flower wreaths. Beyond the barricades, fans of the invited celebrities and even passersby had gathered, making the scene resemble an event space for a major apparel brand or a movie premiere, rather than a gallery.

In the art world, no matter how famous an artist is, their public recognition is incomparable to that of celebrities who appear on TV. Thus, when celebrities attend such events, an awkward situation where the tail wags the dog can occur, but… Artist Shu-shu was the exception.

Arriving in a darkly tinted luxury sedan with Director Han, he wore a simple black T-shirt and clean jeans, giving the impression of someone who hadn’t dressed up at all.

Stepping out of the back seat, pushing his slightly long, wavy hair behind his ear, Artist Shu-shu gave the impression of a sophisticated artist, even in just a T-shirt and jeans.

They say every individual is the protagonist of their own life, but the moment I saw him, I thought that someone like him must be the protagonist of the world, the protagonist of every story.

A person born to be the protagonist, a person who simply exists.

I didn’t know how else to describe him.

“Shu-shu, look this way, please!”

“Wave your hand, please!”

His appearance, continuously pushing his hair behind his ears at the reporters’ requests, and slightly biting his lower lip as if embarrassed yet seemingly used to the situation, made the impressions of all the celebrities and models who had crossed the photo wall before him blur into insignificance.

As soon as the photo shoot ended, he quickly searched for Director Han with his eyes, and the Director, who was watching from beside the photo wall, led him, and they disappeared together inside the main entrance.

“I love everything about you, Shu-shu!”

Someone beyond the barricade shouted that in English, perhaps bearing in mind his long life abroad (or perhaps a foreign fan). He slightly turned back before completely disappearing inside the door and smiled, waving his hand.