Van Gogh Reborn!

June 28, 2028. 

[France suffers from extremist Muslims]

The terrorist acts of Muslims in France are intensifying. 

According to France 24, 19 people were killed and dozens of others were injured in an explosion at an anti-Muslim protest site in Paris, France, on the 27th (local time). 

The French government said " the unlikely thing happened again" and said that among the dead there were students. They also added "We will definitely retaliate against cowardly attacks that are unacceptable for any reason," adding a strong will to respond.

"Tsk tsk.”

Ko Sooyeol, who was reading the newspaper in the morning, clicked his tongue. 

Refugees from the Yugoslav Civil War in 1991, the Iraq War in 2003, the Arab Democratic Movement in 2010, and the Syrian Civil War in 2011 moved to Western Europe, where security was well maintained. 

European society tried to accommodate these refugees as much as possible, but it was not without problems as it suddenly accepted hundreds or tens of millions of refugees.

Relief policies for refugees could not be well received by the people at a time when the economies of each country were shaking. 

The words to treat refugees humanely to the people who are not even properly paid led to backlash. 

In such a situation, the anger of Europeans reached its peak as extremist Muslims engaged in various social problems such as terrorist acts and killing teachers on the streets. 

There were voices calling for the expulsion of Islam from all over Europe, which wanted to accommodate refugees somehow. 

[China's history distortion] 

A Chinese media outlet is again causing a dispute in the international community, claiming that Mongolia should return China's territory. 

China's Beijing news agency aired a documentary claiming Mongolia was part of China. 

In the past, they introduced Korea's first original children's song, Bandal, as their own folk song, and Hanbok as a traditional Chinese costume.

It is an absurd claim that Korean culture is theirs because it was a vassal of China in the past.

China's cultural looting is taking place not only against Korea and Mongolia but also against Vietnam and Thailand. 

In addition, atrocities with economic power such as interference in Australia's internal affairs, human rights abuses in Uyghur, and armed suppression of Hong Kong protests continue. 

Now is the time to prepare countermeasures on how to deal with the distortion of history and the looting of culture by those who skillfully exploit Korea's position, where trade with China accounts for a large proportion of its economic power. 

In the midst of the economic downturn that has continued since the beginning of the 21st century, all countries are taking a nationalistic path.

The world is on the verge of an explosion. 

China, which continues its cultural and historical exploitation activities against Asia, is advocating de facto imperialism by imposing economic retaliation on countries contrary to its interests, while the U.S. and Western societies have long held such China in check. 

"North, west, and south, there are only crazy things. Tsk tsk." 

Ko Sooyeol turned over the newspaper. 

[Ferdinando Gonzalez, unable to attend Whitney Biennale due to health problems] 

[BAE DOBIN, BEYOND LEGEND] 

[Anish Kapoor, monopolizing the darkest color in the world] 

[Christine Nolan, "[The strange Castle] will be the most visually complete work. Working with Ko Hun is fantastic.”]

[Henry Marceau appeared in Ko Hun's first personal broadcast, controversy over "That's not how you do it."] 

"Huh." 

Ko Sooyeol groaned at the news that his close friend Ferdinando Gonzalez missed the event due to health problems. 

He was worried because he hasn't heard from him since he met in New York. 

Ko Sooyeol, who moved to the next article, admired it this time. 

It was news that South Korean genius musicians Bae Dobin and Na Yun-hee collaborated with Royal Concert Herbau Orchestra and succeeded greatly. 

Ko Sooyeol narrowed his eyes at the next news. 

He doubted his eyes when he read the article titled that the familiar sculptor Anish Kapoor monopolized the darkest color in the world. 

“What the hell.” 

According to the article, a British nanotechnology company has succeeded in creating a paint ‘Vantablack' that absorbs 99.96% of light to camouflage a satellite.

It was news that Anish Kapoor bought and monopolized the authority to use it artistically. 

Ko Sooyeol was so overwhelmed that he was speechless. 

It is said that all artists pursue complete independence, but the fact that one person monopolizes color was absurd.

‘Excessive greed.'

Ko Sooyeol sighed and shifted his eyes. 

It was an article that director Christine Nolan mentioned Ko Hun. 

Ko Sooyeol happily read the article as he watched his grandson draw the concept art painting, including [Bullet]. 

Ko Hun seemed to have been recognized for his efforts, so he was proud. 

‘This guy again?' 

It was news that Henry Marceau appeared on Ko Hun's first personal broadcast and Ko Sooyeol frowned upon reading the article, where Henry Marceau once again meddled in Ko Hun’s business. 

He couldn't watch the first broadcast because he was discussing the retirement exhibition with the Seoul Art Museum, but he felt like he should watch it next time because of Henry Marceau. 

"Good Morning, grandpa." 

While thinking about that, Ko Hun woke up and came out to the living room. 

Ko Sooyeol smiled as he saw his still half-asleep grandson. 

"Hun, there's an article about you." 

"Article?" 

Ko Hun approached Ko Sooyeol, rubbing his sleepy eyes. 

Ko Hun, who checked the article, dropped his head. 

"Hehe. Are you sleepy?" 

"Un,” 

“I’ll read it for you. It says that Nolan seems to take good care of you. He said he'd make some videos of you painting…” 

“…is this also an article about me?”

Ko Hun asked, pointing to the article about his work with Henry Marceau. 

"Yes. It shows how much the media is interested in you." 

“I hope there are a lot of stories about my paintings.”

Ko Sooyeol was proud of his grandson’s desire to be mentioned as a painter rather than as a celebrity. 

"Then you have to draw. Your exams are over, and after we come back from America, let’s go to a quiet place and draw. There's a good place on the east coast." 

"Yes." 

⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩

"Again?" 

Cha Sihyeon asked back with his eyes wide open when I said I was going to California this weekend. 

"I have to clean up my parents' house." 

"Okay." 

He didn't say anything, but his face shows that he was trying to endure it. 

It's not unreasonable because I promised to draw a watercolor painting together after the test. 

"Grandpa said it would take about a week. I'm going to drop by New York to sort things out.”

“Okay.” 

“Do you want to hang out when I get back?” 

“Where?”

Sihyeon’s expression quickly improves. 

"There's a grandpa's villa in Samcheok. Let's play for a few days, draw and play." 

"Really!?" 

The guy who answered suddenly narrows his eyes. 

"What?" 

"Will you keep your promise this time?" 

He seems to have lost trust due to unintentional schedule twists and turns.

I showed my little finger. 

"Promise." 

He smiles contentedly after making a promise with his finger on mine. 

"But I have to ask my father and mother." 

"Of course." 

I picked up the Haute tart that Sihyeon's father made. 

There are two flavors, chocolate, and cheese, and I'm attracted to cheese. 

The chocolate flavor will be stronger, so it would be right to eat something less stimulating first. 

When I opened the wrapper, a long stick-shaped pie appeared. 

It smells good. 

“Did you talk to your father?” 

“What?” 

“About your grandfather.”

MUNCH 

"Uh-huh." 

It smells similar to cheesecake, but it has a more mellow texture than pie. 

It is located somewhere between cake and pie. 

The sweetness is not as strong as the Mon Cher, but remains subtle and becomes mournful after swallowing. 

I think I'll have to try this one more time to know the taste. 

I opened one more. 

"Why? Wasn't he in the mood to talk?" 

"That's not it. I don't know how to start. Daddy told me a little bit about why he fought with grandpa last time. I thought he'd never make up with him." 

I think it'd be better if the cheese scent was stronger, but I think it was intentional because my hands kept going because of this disappointment. 

"So I thought about it." 

MUNCH

"Wouldn't Daddy and grandpa understand my heart if I drew a tree that grandpa liked in the color blue that daddy likes?" 

Two is not enough. 

I should eat one more. 

“Are you listening?” 

“I'm listening.” 

It was a snack that was not enough to eat alone, so I passed it onto Sihyeon's mouth. 

“I don't think that's a good idea.” 

“Why?” 

Sihyeon asked back, mumbling. 

"It's usually not difficult to convey your feelings. To do that, you'll have to draw incredibly well." 

"Okay." 

"And your father said he really hated your grandfather’s paintings." 

"Yes." 

"And wouldn't it be more shocking if you drew something similar to your grandfather’s painting? He might think you painted that picture because of your grandfather and make things worse." 

“Then, what should I do?” 

I shrugged. 

I don't know everything about the situation, and even if I did know everything, I can't judge the relationship between the two. 

From what I heard, it seems clear that Sihyeon's grandfather did something wrong, so there would be room for improvement in relationships only if he opened his heart to apologize first. 

If not, there is no particular answer. 

"I think my house is a little complicated, too." 

“Yours too?”

“My great-grandfather and grandpa had a fight, my grandpa and mother had a fight. Grandpa regretted a lot after mother’s death, and I don't think he's going to make up with great-grandfather." 

"…Adults are too complicated." 

Sihyeon sighed while thinking. 

No one can solve family problems unless the parties involved talk to each other, but even having a talk becomes difficult as time goes by. 

Just as I couldn't restore my relationship with my uncle and father forever.

I regretted it after their death. 

I know I'll regret it, but I couldn't do it because of my pride or because of my position. 

In my case, my love for painting was more precious that I couldn't restore my relationship with my father. 

"Still, they need to talk." 

“How?” 

“You can be honest. It's rather bad to add or rephrase something because you're worried. And don't say it too hard.” 

When I think of the past I think I may be a reason why many of my painter friends broke off their ties with me.

Now that I think about it, maybe because I didn't know how to communicate, I might have gotten away from people like Anthon van Rappard and Paul Gauguin, and I might have only been close to people who accepted me as I was like Émile Bernard and Toulouse Lautrec. 

TRIVIA

Anish Kapoor: An Indian-born English sculptor. He became famous in the 1980s and represented the UK at the 1990 Venice Biennale, winning the Primio du Mila Prize, and the following year, winning the Turner Prize in 1991, he established himself as an artist. He caused controversy by monopolizing the artistic right to use the darkest color ‘Vantablack'.

(To be Continued)

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