Notes and Doodles

Alter Ego

For the past 4 years now, Jungkook has been doing an exhibit of his paintings under his initials JK. It all started when he entered and won a competition anonymously under his initials. As part of his price, he was given a one year contract to exhibit his other paintings and the response was so successful that the owner of the art gallery decided to continue with the partnership. Jungkook agreed only with the condition that his identity will be kept from the public so for the past 4 years even the owner of the art gallery only knows him as JK and the fact that he is still a minor. Since JK is still a minor, he is always accompanied by their family lawyer in every private meeting that he has and those meetings only have 4 attendees, the gallery owner and his assistant then JK and his lawyer. JK's identity and all personal information was kept as a secret with the help of various NDAs and with him being adamant to interview offers that required him to be photographed. JK was only known to the fans of the art world by his paintings and he was never seen by anyone.

Currently JK together with his lawyer is going over the plan of his exhibit, the first one for this year, and so far he doesn't see anything that he doesn't like. Lee, Han-wool who is the gallery owner would usually work with his team in creating the plan of the exhibit and those plans would range from the promotions upto the design of the venue during the period of exhibition. But these plans would only start by the time that JK would decide for a theme of his exhibition. JK is meticulous when it comes to his work that most of the time Han-wool would forget that he is talking to a teenager. Even now while JK is going over the final revision of their plan, the young painter is exuding an aura that can be compared to a veteran CEO. "JK, have you gone over the list of interview requests that were sent to your email? Those were the requests after your Meaning of Love exhibit. It would really be a big boost if you would do a series of interviews as part of the promotional campaign for this upcoming exhibit," Han-wool anxiously asked. He has been pushing for the young painter to accept more interviews knowing that JK only accepts one or two.

"Han-woolssi, I could accept the interview from that famous art magazine but for the rest I'm not comfortable doing it. They can just send me their questions through email and I'll send them the response promptly," JK answered with finality in his voice. "JKssi, I think it would really boost your popularity if you will accept the interview from that famous art podcast program. You don't need to use your actual voice if you're not comfortable," Han-wool persuaded further. "It's not only with my voice being heard that I'm not comfortable with, it's the fact that they can throw personal questions at me which I would surely not answer and we will just end up with wasted time. And I don't need to boost my popularity more since everytime we will review the results of my exhibits, we never have revenue losses," JK stated with full confidence. JK may be young but he is involved in all stages of his career and thus he knows his value as well.

"Wouldn't it be time for you to have a wider audience and wouldn't you want more people to appreciate your art?" Han-wool is still not willing to give up. "I have already donated pieces to institutions such as schools and public museums so that should be enough for other people to see my work. Every year, I create 24 to 30 paintings which in return we make sure as much as possible to not be bought by the same collector which would ensure that more people can have the chance to own a painting of mine. And all the attendees of my exhibits have the option to leave me a letter that I read and respond to personally so I think I have done enough to connect with my audience. It's quality over quantity for me," Jungkook responded calmly.

"Don't you want to earn more? Surely you are planning to study in a prestigious art school abroad and that would mean that you'll need a lot of money." Han-wool can't understand why JK doesn't see the advantage of earning more which can be achieved if he'll get more famous. He can deduce that JK is still a student based on his age, which is the only thing he knows about the young painter, and would surely not say no to more money after seeing the increase in the demand of his artwork. "I think you have to review the contract that we signed Han-woolssi. It would clearly state there that we will continue to have this partnership as long as you will be able to keep all my personal information private. I am aware that the increase in demand to know more about me came from the result of one painting from my Meaning of Love exhibition and it was particularly a painting of a gay couple. What you're suggesting right now may cause my personal information to be known because I can already see them asking me about my gender identity. So if you wish for us to continue with this partnership, I'd suggest for us to stick with what is already working for us. If you need to earn more money and plan to do it through me then I think I have to remind you that I'm not in this for the money. I have clearly stated my limit in our contract which both of us signed. I am expecting you to respect that contract," JK displayed his tenacity with the response that he just delivered. JK wanted everyone to see that he may be young but he can't easily be swayed. He may be a minor but he can definitely handle himself and he may have been bringing his lawyer in all of his meetings but that is solely for his protection. JK is starting to get disappointed with Han-wool because he is starting to get greedy and it may be a sign for him to end their contract. "I don't have any intention of disrespecting our agreement JKssi. I was just not able to understand your situation because I myself barely know you. I just gave those suggestions with the assumption that you might need more money in the next coming years since you will be entering university by then. I apologize if my actions gave you a bad impression," Han-wool hurriedly apologized.

"The 4 years of our partnership should be enough for you to understand my work ethics and personality. So please don't push beyond my limit. I agree with all these final revisions to our plan and I will handle the delivery of my paintings personally just like how we always do. I have to go because I still have another appointment that requires my presence," JK softly said because he doesn't want to be seen as impolite even if his patience was greatly tested today. Han-wool and his assistant just found themselves agreeing to the rest of JK's statement until the young painter left the private room where they held their meeting.

"It seems that Han-woolssi underestimated you Jungkookie. He disappointed me today," Choi Jae-sung, JK's lawyer, stated with a regretful voice. "Could you please investigate for me if there could be other reasons why he is pushing me today? I need more information before I can decide if I'll continue my contract with him," Jungkook freely stated since he is now in the privacy of his own car. "That can easily be arranged. I'll immediately report to you once I find something," Jae-sung stated with full respect towards the younger one. He has been working closely with Jungkook since the start of the young painter's career and he clearly saw Jungkook's potential. "Thank you, Jae-sung hyung. My driver will drop you in your office after he drops me at my school." Jungkook remained silent through the rest of their journey and it was the silence that Jae-sung recognized as the planning silence thus he did not disturb the younger one anymore.

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