Chapter 9

Chapter 012. Do you know me?

National Electrical Safety Poster Contest.

The grand prize is the Minister of Education Award.

'I’m going to receive that award.'

Seeing my name, 'Seo Jun,' written as the winner, I felt a sense of disbelief.

Of course, I had aimed for an award, but to actually win one...

I, who had no connection with such grand-sounding awards, was surprised.

'I never thought I’d receive an award like this in my life.'

Given the name of the award, the minister must present it personally, right?

It’s a bit disappointing that it’s not a manga contest but an elementary school art contest.

“Seo Jun, let me give you a hug!”

My mother hugged me tightly, patting my back and saying, “You did a great job.”

She was clearly pleased and told me to dress neatly, but when she saw the date of the award ceremony, she looked disappointed.

“I wish I could take you, but I can’t because of work...”

It was July 17th at 12 PM, a weekday morning, so my mother had to go to work, and I had to go to school.

Fortunately, attendance was optional, and if I didn’t attend, the award would be sent by mail.

‘I don’t necessarily have to attend, but it’s also a good opportunity to gain experience.’

Having never been to an award ceremony, I decided to attend alone.

“I’ll go by myself.”

“Are you sure? It says they’ll give you a frame, so take a good photo!”

Then, my mother seemed to think of something and lightly tapped her palm.

“Oh, by the way, your teacher said she didn’t know you had talent in drawing. Should I send you to an art school?”

My mother said this with a smile, as if it was no big deal.

But I knew, as well as my mother, that our family couldn’t afford it.

We had moved frequently because we could barely afford the rent.

“No, that’s not necessary. If I feel the need in the future, I’ll let you know. And the prize money is 1 million won. You can manage that. Raising me must be tough.”

“Tough? When did you become so mature, Seo Jun?”

She hugged me again and patted my back.

‘I’ll make sure you never have to worry about money again, so please wait a little longer.’

I reaffirmed my determination to succeed.

* * *

On the day of the award ceremony.

I attended only the first period at school.

After listening to the teacher’s instructions, I headed to the subway station.

“...”

“...”

With Park Eun-jeong.

“Since you’re in the same school and the same class, you shouldn’t get separated and should stay together!”

the teacher had said, so what could we do?

We boarded the subway without much conversation.

The subway was very empty on a weekday at 10 AM. I sat with Eun-jeong in the remaining seats.

“Congratulations on winning.”

I broke the silence first.

“You too, for the grand prize.”

Two winners from the same school in a national contest.

I won the grand prize, and Eun-jeong won the excellence award.

Eun-jeong continued, sounding puzzled.

“I can’t believe it.”

“What can’t you believe?”

“That you, who never won an award before and was just an ordinary student a few months ago, won the grand prize in a national contest.”

“It just happened. Learning from Uncle Jin-ho helped too.”

I answered naturally, like a snake climbing a wall.

Changing the topic.

“Uncle?”

As expected, when I mentioned Uncle Park Jin-ho, Eun-jeong’s expressionless eyes sparkled.

“Is it fun learning manga from Uncle?”

“Well...”

“Tell me about what he does.”

She asked with such curiosity that I couldn’t ignore her.

“When Uncle gives me a manuscript with only characters drawn, I draw the background according to his instructions.”

“Like buildings or trees?”

“Yes. Uncle gives me reference materials, so it’s not too difficult.”

I also briefly explained other tasks an assistant does.

“Does Hyewon-ssi do the same work as you?”

“Hyewon-ssi is also an assistant like me.”

“Sounds nice.”

She seemed to envy the work.

Of course, with Eun-jeong’s current skills, it would be impossible now, but in five years, it might be possible.

“How long have you been working at Uncle’s place?”

“About two months.”

“Will you continue working there?”

“Unless something else comes up, I think I’ll keep working. I like Uncle’s studio.”

While chatting with Eun-jeong, time passed quickly.

We arrived at Yeongdeungpo Station.

“Wow...”

The art hall in Yeongdeungpo.

The building was impressively large, and the interior was beautifully decorated, making the scale of the award ceremony seem larger than expected.

There were elegant tables and a buffet.

Many parents and teachers were chatting noisily.

With 50 winners, it’s no wonder there were so many people.

‘This is quite grand for just an elementary school award ceremony.’

While looking around the crowd, Eun-jeong tugged at my collar.

“Let’s sit here.”

Eun-jeong sat down on an empty chair, as if her legs were tired.

Since there was still time, I wanted to observe the surroundings rather than sit at the table.

“You stay here. I’ll walk around a bit and come back.”

Remembering where Eun-jeong was sitting, I wandered around the art hall.

While wandering, I found some delicious-looking food.

Just as I was about to take a bite from the plate,

“Are you Seo Jun?”

A middle-aged man with wavy hair, wearing a black suit and jeans, approached me.

From the context, he must be related to the contest.

“Do you know me?”

“Of course, I do. I was one of the judges, so how could I not know? I’m this person.”

He handed me a business card from his chest pocket. Reading it, my eyes widened.

‘Professor of Animation at Sejong University?’

Professor Im Yang-gyu.

He was relatively young for a professor.

He was a former Hollywood animator and the first domestic Disney animator.

Such a person was a judge for this contest.

“Animation is a new field, right? It’s a newly established department this year. You probably don’t know much about it yet, right?”

‘Established this year?’

I never thought the best animation department in Korea would be born this year.

“Hmm, how should I explain it? Have you ever thought that it would be nice if more interesting animated films came out in Korea?”

“Who wouldn’t like that?”

“Our department is where we study to create such a future. Do you understand?”

I already understood.

Sejong University’s animation department would become the best in the country within a few years.

So many aspiring animators and webtoon artists aimed for it.

‘But the industry will collapse in 2003, right?’

The end of domestic animation.

The failure of the highly anticipated ‘Colorful Days’ in the movie market would be the catalyst.

Frightened investors would cut off support for animation, causing the industry to lose all momentum.

It would shift to children’s animation, take on overseas contracts, or occasionally release short films in theaters.

While it wasn’t all bad, it would be far from the dreams of [Japanese animation] or [X-Disney].

“First, I was deeply impressed during the judging. I felt hopeful that such talent exists in our country.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

I bowed in response. Professor Im laughed and continued.

“Just a drawing, but I have a good eye. I can say this with certainty. You have talent. If you’re interested in animation, you could play a significant role in the future. You could become the second Walt X-Disney. The bigger the dream, the better, right?”

At that moment,

Peng, Lapis appeared, smiling meaningfully.

“Seo Jun is quite popular? X-Disney, I’m jealous to hear such words from the best animator professor in the country.”

Yes, being recognized by someone who plays a significant role feels good.

‘Animator, huh.’

As Professor Im said.

I have the potential to become a legendary animator by shifting to animation.

‘But I want to be a manga artist first.’

I had ambitions to grow the Korean culture market, but it didn’t have to be through animation.

I could achieve it as a manga artist.

“If you’re interested in making animation, I can help a lot. What do you think? Will you consider it?”

‘Why me specifically?’

The fact that the professor wanted to nurture me with his own time.

“I’ll nurture you and recruit you.”

It was an honorable offer.

“Have you said this to other students?”

“No, only to you. Right now, I can only see you.”

“What about financial issues?”

“Haha! You’re already worried about money, kid. Don’t worry. Since I’m the one making the offer, I won’t charge you.”

All education would be free.

If I were an aspiring animator, I would have accepted the offer without hesitation.

But.

‘I have to take a different path.’

The goal is the same.

Just a different starting point.

He’s an animator, I’m a manga artist.

“Thank you for your offer. I’ll think about it carefully. I’m not sure right now.”

“Of course, you should. The future should be considered carefully. If your mind changes, feel free to contact me.”

Professor Im winked and disappeared into the crowd.

Lapis asked me casually.

“Seo Jun, don’t you find such an offer attractive?”

“Learning from such a great professor would be a valuable experience, but I’m a manga artist. I’ll consider it after I achieve something with manga. It’s too early right now.”

If the time comes, we’ll meet again. But not now.

Let’s not think about it anymore.

I picked up two plates and filled them with various foods.

‘This should be enough.’

I placed one full plate on the table where Eun-jeong was sitting.

“Are you hungry? I brought a bit of everything since I didn’t know what you like.”

“Thanks.”

While we were eating at the table, the lights went out.

Only the stage lights were on.

“Hello, everyone!”

The host was already on stage, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Did you enjoy it? Let’s start the award ceremony for the National Electrical Safety Poster Contest!”

Applause filled the hall.

“First, we have a message from the Minister of Education to the winners.”

“Hello, children.”

The minister, dressed in a suit, gave a long speech. When it started to get boring, the award ceremony began.

The names of the consolation prize winners were called out.

“Congratulations!”

In the same manner, the names of the excellence and grand excellence winners were called out, and finally, the grand prize.

“The grand prize goes to... Seo Jun from Baegseok Elementary School, 6th grade! Please come to the stage!”

I walked to the stage amid applause.

I felt a bit nervous but then calmed down.

The man standing awkwardly and smiling was the Minister of Education.

The minister took the microphone from the host and read the award.

“Grand prize, Seo Jun. This student’s poster for the National Electrical Safety Contest...”

A slow but powerful voice.

“...for which this award is given. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

Loud applause and camera shutters clicking. I felt a sense of overwhelming emotion.

Click, click!

A photo was taken of me shaking hands with the minister as I received the award.

“With this, the award ceremony is concluded! All winners, please come to the stage for a group photo!”

The children gathered on stage.

Eun-jeong was already standing next to me, facing the camera.

When the children were in position, the photographer shouted.

“We’re taking the photo now! One, two, three!”

Click!

* * *

The serialization of ‘Reverse Police’ had already passed the 8th episode and the first volume was released.

‘First volume sold out in two days! Second printing started!’

The uncle was starting to become a popular author.

And the summer heat arrived.

Squish, squish.

The lazy sound of cicadas.

It was already a scorching summer.

While the Earth was getting warmer every year due to global warming, 2000 was no joke.

I lived with a fan, but I couldn’t escape the heat.

Finally, I made a decision.

‘If I win the contest, I’ll buy an air conditioner.’

If I only win a consolation prize, the prize money won’t be enough.

Today is July 25th.

‘I feel lazy because it’s summer vacation.’

It was the first day of summer vacation, and there was still a week until the results of the Jump contest were announced.

‘A week already.’

It was a tense period.

Even though I was a manga artist who had debuted, I couldn’t help but be nervous about the results of a contest with hundreds of competitors.

‘If I don’t win, it’s a total loss...’

If my rejected manuscript is submitted to another publisher, it’s fine.

But there’s no guarantee I’ll pass the contest again, and the uncomfortable feeling is hard to shake, so I want to pass in one go.

‘Please, I hope it works out.’

While rolling around in bed and doing my summer homework early, I heard my mother’s voice.

“Jun! Answer the phone!”

“Yes!”

It seemed to be a call from a friend inviting me to play soccer.

It would be good to go out and play for a change.

Just as I was about to run to the phone, my mother whispered to me.

“Jun, what were you doing? Why did someone from such a place call?”

“Huh? Who called?”

After hearing my mother’s next words,

I felt a chill run down my spine on this hot summer day.

“It’s a Seoul publishing company.”