Chapter 298 - Art Exhibition (1) – Part 1
Right after Gun-Ho got off the phone with Jae-Sik Moon, he received another call from President Jeong-Sook Shin.
“Sir, this is Jeong-Sook Shin. I’ve heard that President Min-Hyeok Kim is having a wedding in Korea soon.”
“That’s right. What about it?”
“So, his father-in-law and mother-in-law will come to Korea to attend the wedding, right?”
“Of course. Why don’t you come to the wedding too?”
“Absolutely. I will be there. I just want to talk to his father-in-law who is a painter.”
“Mr. Ding Feng? Why do you want to see him?”
“I am thinking of having his solo art exhibition in Korea. I am talking about the art exhibition of the master of northern school literati paintings—Mr. Ding Feng with GH Media’s name.”
“His solo art exhibition? That could make money?”
“I believe so, and that’s why I am suggesting this to you, sir. Mr. Ding Feng’s paintings are so great that people will like them a lot. You paid 550,000 won for his painting yourself too. We can have his solo art exhibition in Korea, and we sell his painting about the same size for 1,500,000 won. That could be a very lucrative business. I believe we can at least cover the rent for the venue and the fees we charge.”
“I was told that the oriental paintings are not so popular these days. Do you really think people will pay that much for his paintings?”
“It is true that we will have to take some risk. But that’s how we make money in business, isn’t it?”
“Haha. You sound more businessman than I am who is currently running an actual business. Well, I will support you on this. Do what you have to do.”
“Thank you, sir. I think it’s better that you talk to President Min-Hyeok Kim about this first. So he is aware that I want to have his father-in-law’s art exhibition in Korea.”
“No problem. I will do that.”
After getting off the phone with President Shin, Gun-Ho grumbled about President Shin’s art exhibition idea.
“Hey, I heard so many people came to the book exhibition.”
“That’s right. I was so worried that we wouldn’t have enough traffic there. But you can say it was a success. I do appreciate you, President Goo. Distributing the performance pamphlet at the book exhibition was an excellent idea.”
“You’re very welcome, friend. It’s actually a return of your hard work.”
“So many young people came. I didn’t know Korean celebrities are so popular among Chinese youths. It helped our sales too. Chinese cartoon books and romance books were sold substantially.”
“Those books’ publishing companies must be very happy.”
“Of course.”
“Oh, you know what? After visiting the book exhibition, we went to see Mr. Ding Feng’s art exhibition that was being held around the same area. He was having an art exhibition with his oriental paintings.”
“Oh, he did? I do like his paintings. My father knows him personally. I believe I have his painting at home. Oh, isn’t he President Min-Hyeok’s father-in-law?”
“That’s right. You must have seen him at Min-Hyeok’s wedding. By the way, President Shin of GH Media really likes his paintings, and she wants to have his solo art exhibition in Korea.”
“Really?”
“We could get connected with the painter this way because of you, Seukang Li. If it wasn’t for your book exhibition, I wouldn’t have visited his art exhibition.”
“If Mr. Ding Feng’s art exhibition succeeds in Korea, can you let me know? Since I am in charge of the art field in Shanghai, I’d really like to know how it goes.”
“Sure, will do.”
“If his art exhibition is successful, I want to try an art exhibition of Chinese young painters with their modern paintings.”
“Really? That sounds really good too.”
“And also, if Mr. Ding Feng’s art exhibition is confirmed to be held in Korea, please let me know. I will inform the press here that the famous Korean publishing company which participated in our international book exhibition will hold a solo art exhibition in Korea with the Chinese painter—Mr. Ding Feng. And also saying that they discovered Mr. Ding Feng’s fascinating paintings when they visited his exhibition in Shanghai after visiting our book exhibition.”
“Sounds good. I will let you know.”
After getting off the phone with Seukang Li, Gun-Ho was thinking,
‘If we do an art exhibition with Chinese young painters’ modern paintings, that can turn into a lucrative business in Korea. Is President Jeong-Sook Shin aiming it? Because she knows that I have a personal and close relationship with Director Li of the bureau of cultural affairs and arts in Shanghai. If so, she is a very smart businesswoman. Oh, that’s right. I was told that she worked as a curator in an art museum when she was in her 30s.”