Return of the Genius Photographer

After finishing things with Yeongho, I began preparing in earnest to leave for the U.S.

From packing my belongings to declining and wrapping up client requests.

Since this trip was for studying abroad, I wouldn’t be coming back to Korea anytime soon.

‘I’ve mostly packed everything, so what’s left…?’

The preparations were mostly complete.

My only regret was that I hadn’t saved as much for my studies as I’d hoped.

Fortunately, though, I wasn’t too worried, as the Oswald Agency in the U.S. had managed to help me secure a place to stay.

‘I can take on projects through the agency, so finances shouldn’t be a big issue…’

And since there was still some time before applications and admissions…

I was confident I could quickly figure out the tuition.

“Should I leave the rest here?”

In the small studio at Jung Woong’s place, I organized the remaining belongings, leaving behind what I wouldn’t take with me.

Thinking about it, most of these were things I had bought before following Kangsan.

Since I had traveled to so many places during that time, I had treated them roughly.

But I had grown attached and, if possible, wanted to take everything with me…

‘Well, there’s no choice… Without my own workspace, I can only bring the essentials.’

Since I didn’t yet know the size of my lodging in the U.S., nor had I set up a proper workspace, I had to keep my packing minimal.

Originally, I would have had to throw away or store the remaining belongings at home…

But thankfully, Jung Woong had offered to clear out some space.

So I decided to leave them here.

‘I’m really grateful to him…’

When you think about it, keeping this space empty for me, who might not return for who knows how long…

Even before I asked, Jung Woong had readily agreed to let me use it as storage.

‘I’m lucky to have him as my mentor.’

Perhaps it was because the time to leave was getting close.

Standing in the cluttered studio, I thought back to when I had first arrived.

Back then, I never imagined I’d stay this long.

I had already spent quite a bit of time working here—

From Jung Woong’s exhibition to the movie poster and the rookie photographers’ event—big projects and smaller ones too.

If not for the studio Jung Woong had so generously provided, I wouldn’t have been able to continue my work this smoothly.

At first, I had only planned to take on projects I needed…

But looking back, somewhere along the way, we became a real mentor and mentee.

And that fact didn’t feel too bad.

‘It’s the same with Kangsan…’

Both Jung Woong and Kangsan were precious connections I hadn’t had in my past life.

It made me realize how fortunate I was to have such good people around me.

‘Ah, I should go say goodbye to both of them while I’m at it.’

Now that my packing was finally done.

Remembering that both of them were together today, I immediately headed to Jung Woong’s studio.

***

The two were chatting in the studio as usual.

“What are you two talking about so happily?”

I knocked and stepped into Jung Woong’s studio. Both of them greeted me at the same time.

“Good timing. I was just about to call you.”

“Shows up just like that, doesn’t he?”

Jung Woong spoke in his usual calm tone.

Kangsan grumbled but smiled nonetheless.

Realizing that I might not see this combination again, I felt a pang of sadness.

“I’ve finished preparing for my departure, so I came to say goodbye.”

“Already done? That was quick.”

It seemed they felt the same sense of loss.

“You’re leaving tomorrow, right?”

“Yes. I’m going home to spend some time with my parents before I go.”

“Good. That’s a wise decision. It’s a shame you’re leaving, but I’m sure it’ll be a great experience for you. Learn as much as you can.”

“Thank you.”

Jung Woong gave me some encouraging words with a wistful expression.

Kangsan, on the other hand, watched me with a dissatisfied look before finally speaking.

“Hey, did you check if someone from the agency is picking you up?”

“Yes.”

“Did you confirm the location of your accommodation?”

“Yes.”

“Did they say they’ll handle your luggage?”

“Yes.”

“Hah, still don’t feel right.”

Kangsan fired off questions with a look of anxiety, like a parent sending their child off to school.

Jung Woong chuckled at his behavior and asked, “Why are you so worried?”

Kangsan sighed and said, “That little guy knows how to talk back, but he’s not exactly the most careful person.”

“He’ll figure it out.”

“No, seriously, did you double-check about the agency picking you up?”

This could go on forever.

“Photographer Kang, my ears are going to fall off. How many times are you going to ask the same thing?”

“Hey, if you were a bit more reliable, would I be this worried?”

Was he always this much of a worrier?

When we traveled abroad together, he wasn’t like this.

I shrugged and asked Kangsan, who was still fretting, “If you’re so worried, why don’t you come with me?”

His eyes lit up as if he’d been waiting for this, and he replied with complete seriousness, “Really? Can I?”

This guy might actually follow me.

“Of course not. I was joking.”

I waved my hands in panic at Kangsan’s reaction.

Jung Woong shook his head and tried to calm Kangsan down.

“You’re such a worrywart. People might think you’re the overprotective dad of a college student.”

“Aren’t you worried about your student?”

“Woojin will figure it out. Why are you so worried?”

“Honestly, I can’t tell if you care about your student or not…”

Jung Woong and Kangsan bickered like parent birds fretting over their fledgling leaving the nest.

But still…

‘My own parents don’t even worry this much…’

Watching the two of them talk about me right in front of me…

I felt a strange mix of emotions.

“Um… you two, please stop. I’ll be going now.”

Feeling awkward, I tried to get up and leave, but…

“This won’t do.”

“I agree.”

Jung Woong and Kangsan suddenly turned to me and spoke in unison.

“I’ll take you to the airport tomorrow.”

***

I had no choice.

Unable to resist Kangsan’s insistence, I ended up agreeing to ride with him to the airport.

With my parents sitting in the backseat alongside me, a total of five people headed to the airport.

“If anyone tries to belittle you or provoke you because you’re Asian, find something you can use as a weapon.”

Kangsan kept nagging the entire way to the airport…

“Chopsticks, forks, knives—anything works. Just stab them in the back of the hand!”

“But we shouldn’t resort to violence.”

“You have to show those kinds of people who’s boss.”

“Well, those kinds of people don’t listen to reason anyway.”

Jung Woong chimed in from the side, ensuring the car was anything but quiet.

This is exactly why I wanted to go quietly with just my parents.

‘Ugh…’

I shook my head as I glanced at the two in the front seats.

My parents, sitting next to me, spoke up.

“Woojin.”

“Yes?”

“They really care about you a lot.”

“I know.”

Then they tightly held both of my hands.

“You managed to build such good relationships in Korea all on your own. I’m sure you’ll do well in the U.S. too.”

While I thought my mentors were being overly fussy, my parents seemed grateful for how much they cared for me like their own child.

How much of Kangsan’s nagging did I endure?

Before I knew it, we arrived at Incheon Airport, where we exchanged our final goodbyes in front of the departure gate.

“Now that you’re really leaving, I’m starting to worry.”

“Hey, did you really confirm with the agency…”

“Oh, come on. Don’t worry.”

I smiled at the two, who couldn’t let go of their concerns even at the last moment.

“How about the three of us share a hug?”

I spread my arms and approached them, and they reluctantly hugged me back.

“Photographer Jung, take care of your health.”

“You too, Woojin. Take care of yourself, and call me if anything happens.”

“Of course. Photographer Kang, be careful when you’re traveling abroad. I won’t be there to stop you from jumping into volcanoes anymore.”

“Hey, what are you talking about? Don’t worry about me; just worry about yourself.”

The warmth from their embrace was palpable.

Sometimes they felt like mentors.

Other times, like friends.

I had learned so much from them.

“Thank you so much for everything.”

“Next time we meet, come back as a bigger deal.”

“You’re always welcome in my studio, anytime.”

Words couldn’t express my gratitude.

I just hoped that the warmth I felt would be conveyed through the hug.

“Mom, Dad. I’ll be going now.”

“Woojin, make sure to call us when you arrive. We’ll be waiting.”

“The time difference might make it hard to call.”

“Then at least send a text.”

“Okay.”

“Woojin, I’m not worried. Just don’t overwork yourself and come back safely.”

“Yes. And Dad, you’re not fully recovered yet, so take care of yourself too.”

After saying my final goodbyes to my parents, I headed toward the departure gate.

My parents waved until I disappeared from sight.

Kangsan looked sullen.

Jung Woong looked wistful.

Korea, a place I didn’t know when I’d return to.

The thought of not seeing them for a long time made my heart ache a little.

But I deliberately didn’t show it.

This goodbye wasn’t the end.

It was just a comma, a pause until the next meeting.

So what I needed to show here was a smile.

I waved with a smile, then turned around and boarded the plane.

Soon after, the plane began to take off.

And just like that.

I opened a new chapter.