Blue Water Lilies - Hyunlix

Taking Risks - Hyunjin

— I'm just saying you should learn to take more risks — Chris said as he took a seat across his friend's desk, giving him a mischievous look. His visit was due to the call he had received earlier, asking for help in acquiring new pieces for the museum Hyunjin was the director of.

— That's what you told me a while ago, and today I'm returning the favor. You should apply your own advice in your professional life,— Chris reminded him.

Hyunjin was the director of the Eun Museum in Seoul, a project he started after graduating from the National University of Arts of South Korea. His dream was to create a space for emerging artists in the country, and eventually the world, to showcase their work alongside pieces acquired through a foundation he had created.

—Maybe you're right, but it's not a decision I should take lightly. We already have an audience, expanding our offerings with other visions sounds a bit... commercial?— Hyunjin responded with a mocking laugh.

— Don't give me that hipster crap Jinnie! — Chris joked.

In addition to being his lawyer, he was also a patron of the museum and his closest confidant. Hyunjin could say that Chris was one of the few people who truly knew what was going on behind his serious and distant appearance. He rarely had these spaces to get things off his chest.

— What can we do? I always want to feel special,— Hyunjin retorted in a funny way, but deep down he knew his friend was right. The next step for the museum was obvious: to expand, leave the comfort zone, and seek more funding and new collaborations, but he didn't know where to start from. The mere idea of his dream being turned into a commercial showcase, as had happened with other museums in the city, was unbearable for him.

For Hyunjin, art was so intimate and profound that simply looking for curators for the exhibitions was a difficult and exhausting process. One of his right-hand people had recently left to pursue a career in Paris, and Hyunjin had taken on the work himself in an effort to make his personal vision a reality.

However, Hyunjin always had a desire for connection, empathy, and understanding with those he worked with. Expanding the bubble he had taken years to create felt like an invasion of privacy and personal world, which he had not shared with anyone in YEARS.

— Well, now being serious, tell me something: what would you do in my shoes then, remember it's the project of my life,— Hyunjin asked. His curiosity was honest, in his eyes, Chris was a consistent and wise person like few others.

Chris thought about it well for a few seconds before saying something, not because he was unsure of his words, but because he always estimated the impact they would have. Hyunjin was the type of person who, once convinced of something, did not back down.

—I would start by testing the waters and starting to make more international contacts, UK, US, Europe... I would also urgently hire an assistant to do the work you don't like: networking.

—Heh... You know me that well, do you?— It was not surprising for Hyunjin to hear Chris telling him that he should delegate more, it was something he had been asking him for years. That type of question game was also common between them, a habit to share information but also to vent.

—I'm just telling you this because I know that you could improve your quality of life and could find more time to paint and meet more artists while your project runs in the background, you know, without suffering... And also because I believe I know the perfect person for that position.— Chris was the perfect lawyer, he always had a great piece of advice for him. Many of Hyune's major life decisions had been activated or inspired by his Australian friend.

—Really? Tell me more,— Hyunjin asked with interest while playing with a crystal ball that was on his desk.

—First, I want to make clear that Felix doesn't have a background in arts...

—Then I don't think someone who doesn't know about... — Hyunjin was about to retort, but his friend kept on going.

— BUT he is a very creative, outgoing, and sociable person, — Chris cut her off before Hyunjin could continue with his excuses, — Felix's background is in video game design and he is always on top with the latest trends. If you want to grow the museum, you need someone with vision, and he has it. Besides, he's super handsome and empathetic; you need a magnetic person for that job.

Chris emphasized on this for two reasons, one because it was a fact that Hyunjin needed someone who was charming to help him out promoting the museum, but also because deep down he felt that his two friends could get along very well and Felix's cheerful and fresh presence could lighten Hyune's melancholic tendencies.

— Magnetic? What about me? I am attractive enough, thank you,— Hyunjin had high self-esteem, but he also knew that he wasn't the easiest person to deal with.

—With all due respect, YOU ARE magnetic, but also intimidating, people think twice before dating you... On the other hand, Felix is adorable and charming. You could learn a few things from him.

—Sounds like you're trying to do some matchmaking, — Hyunjin said intuitively.

— I am a matchmaker, BUT in a professional sense, — Chris clarified, this was strictly business.

Jinnie was his friend, but he had only met him once, and it was a long time ago, and things hadn't ended well, so Hyunjin had closed off since then. If he had had flings or brief affairs, Chris didn't know, and Hyunjin wasn't going to share unless it was IMPORTANT. On the other hand, Felix was his longtime friend from Australia, and he would always look out for him.

— Anyway, you asked me a question, and we've come to this point. If you're looking for romantic matchmaking, just tell me your type, and I'll find someone for you. Maybe you need some venting? — Chan said with a mischievous tone.

— Meeeeh... Nobody has time for that, Chris. I'll leave the romantic department to you; you have everyone drooling over you, — Jinnie responded with an annoyed tone. Sooner or later, they always ended up in personal conversations thanks to Chris's efforts to distract him from work. Getting involved with anyone was not among his interests; he already had enough with his museum and foundation. Those were the loves of his life.

— Well, okay! I'm serious!

Chris had a point about having someone to handle the social niceties that he sometimes struggled with.

— Bang Chan, you know I don't make these decisions so easily. Why don't you bring your friend to tomorrow's opening, and we'll see what happens? Let him take it as a job interview... an informal one.

— I'm convinced he'll surprise you. An interview is not necessary; I know why I'm telling you this... But it's up to you...— Chris stood up from his chair and prepared to leave; he had things to do. — By the way, the word 'informal' doesn't suit you.

— You haven't seen me on Sunday mornings...

— Uh... Too much information. I'll see you tomorrow.

Chris said goodbye, leaving Hyunjin alone in his office. It was late at night, one of his favorite times of the day; he could see the night sky from the main dome of the museum.

He left his office after grabbing his coat and headed to the spot. He only encountered one security guard during his walk. Once in the central part of the floor, he looked up and let out a sigh. It was funny how he had created a place for people, but he enjoyed it more when he had it all to himself.

— Taking risks, huh? — He asked himself. There was something about the decisions he was making that felt profound, perhaps due to his steadfast and stubborn nature. It felt like his life was about to change as he entered art school, but this time it was bigger, and he didn't know why.