I Was Michelangelo in My Past Life

* * * *

[Project In-Corpo: Create 3D materials based on human anatomy! "We ask for your enthusiastic interest."]

[Hanyang Arts College's School of Fine Arts and Sangkang Medical Center launch the 'Human Anatomy Project – In-Corpo']

[Massive support! Sangkang Bio Public Welfare Foundation to fully fund all necessary production costs…!]

[Commander of the Human Anatomy Project In-Corpo is Professor Park Ji-yeop of Hanyang Arts College?!]

[Park Ji-yeop's human anatomy… "A hope for the art and medical worlds to step forward together into a changing world."]

Last January.

Sangkang Bio Public Welfare Foundation, a subsidiary of the Sangkang Group, and Sangkang Medical Corporation's Medical Center joined hands with the School of Fine Arts at Hanyang Arts College to launch a new project.

The Human Anatomy Project: In-Corpo (體).

It was a project in which current students at Hanyang Arts College's School of Fine Arts would receive support from hospitals affiliated with the Sangkang Medical Center to create 3D materials heavily informed by human anatomy—an initiative aimed at promoting mutual progress in anatomical studies and the medical field.

A higher level of medical advancement without the sacrifice of life.

That was the shared goal among the three institutions. Or more accurately, it was the guiding philosophy of the Sangkang Bio Public Welfare Foundation.

The Sangkang Medical Center's role was more passive—they would simply bid among their affiliated hospitals if they liked any of the final products.

As for Professor Park Ji-yeop of Hanyang Arts College's School of Fine Arts, he was simply thrilled to be given a generous budget to create anatomy-related materials.

His goal? That this project would open a new frontier in anatomical studies.

In short, he hoped the project would be so successful it would receive favorable reviews and transition from a short-term initiative into a semi-permanent one.

To make that happen, they had to create high-quality 3D materials.

However, the current skill level of the fine arts students was unsatisfactory. January had been a miserable month for Park Ji-yeop.

Eventually, after numerous attempts to convince the Sangkang Foundation and the Medical Center, he secured permission to bring in participants from outside the school. Still, he had trouble finding the right talent—until he met Kang-seok.

* * * *

Clatter.

"Kang-seok!"

The moment they entered the seminar room at Seoul Sangkang Hospital with Hwang No-min, the first person they saw was Professor Park Ji-yeop from the School of Fine Arts at Hanyang Arts College.

"Hello, Professor."

"Of course it's good to see you. Of course it is. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Park Ji-yeop's eyes were bloodshot. His shirt collar was wrinkled, his tie undone—he looked quite haggard.

According to Hwang No-min, he'd been awake for three straight days preparing for class and this project. Even without being told, his appearance spoke volumes.

"I really wanted to attend the exhibition opening… It's a shame I couldn't make it. But Noeul is going to be displayed until the end of your solo show, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"I'll make time to visit before it ends."

Park Ji-yeop expressed his regret and began walking. It seemed he didn't yet know that Glass Peony had been newly installed at the entrance of Peony Gallery.

It might upset him, so Kang-seok decided not to mention it. Then again, Glass Peony wasn't related to human anatomy, so maybe Park wouldn't be interested either way.

As he was about to follow Park Ji-yeop, Kang-seok felt eyes on him.

Who was it? Not Hwang No-min, who was still gazing at the back of Park Ji-yeop's head, silently wishing the professor would notice him.

Kang-seok glanced over his shoulder.

Everyone in the seminar room was staring at him.

"Quite a crowd."

Despite the surprise, curiosity, and even jealousy in their gazes, his first thought was simply that there were a lot of them.

"Is that him?"

"Professor Park never buys art, but apparently he ran straight out after class wanting to buy that guy's piece."

"But didn't he end up not buying it?"

"Who told you that?"

"No-min oppa."

He had expected maybe four or five people at most, since it was supposed to be a small-scale project, but there were over a dozen.

So, these were all from Hanyang Arts College.

At dinner the other day, Park had said that everyone involved—aside from Kang-seok—was from that school.

Kang-seok had a hunch. Even if their academic years differed, most of them were likely from the Department of Fine Arts. Sometimes, artists can tell someone's major just by looking at them. These people gave off that vibe.

"You can sit here, Kang-seok. We'll start once No-min gets here…"

"Professor, I'm already here."

"…? Oh. You are?"

Park glanced at Hwang No-min, who had been silently trailing him with unwavering eyes. With a sigh, No-min sat beside Kang-seok. That was his way of saying: "I'm here, so let's get started."

"Alright then, let's begin."

With a final look at Kang-seok as if to say "See you later," Park walked to the podium. Though clearly meant for Seoul Sangkang Hospital's medical staff, Park looked perfectly at home up there.

The white lighting made the silver in his hair shimmer.

"Hello, everyone. You've probably all been briefed, but the reason we're gathered here today is the Human Anatomy Project – In-Corpo. If you came expecting a simple anatomy illustration project, you might be surprised. This is a collaborative effort between the Sangkang Bio Foundation, the Sangkang Medical Center, and Hanyang Arts College's School of Fine Arts to create 3D materials."

With a friendly smile, Park began explaining the project.

3D materials. Not exactly the easiest subject for fine arts students. Most were more used to drawing—anatomical illustrations, watercolor figures, sketches. This felt like an entirely different assignment.

Still, meticulous Park had briefed them all before orientation, so it wasn't as shocking now.

And Kang-seok was no exception.

In fact, he was more comfortable with 3D than 2D to begin with.

"As you heard, the project officially starts today, February 17th, and runs through April 7th. But since the unveiling will coincide with Sangkang Medical Center's event for Health Day, the submission deadline will be April 5th."

Park repeated the April 5th deadline for emphasis.

49 days.

That's all the time they had to create these 3D materials.

It may not have seemed much to Kang-seok, but for others, it was a tight schedule—especially for unfamiliar anatomy-based 3D work. The students, already aware, grumbled about how demanding the schedule was.

Park looked mildly troubled—but then firmly addressed the complainers, his voice suddenly colder.

"You shouldn't be complaining. Where else will you find a project that pays you three million won per month—regardless of work hours—for three months straight? Payments are made on the 26th of each month."

The students nodded in agreement.

"True that."

"Guess it was kind of shameless to complain just now."

But Kang-seok had a different perspective.

It sounded generous at first, but considering they were being summoned mid-February and expected to complete anatomical 3D works by April, it was essentially an invitation to work late nights continuously.

Naturally, it would cost more money, and it would be difficult to calculate and pay for each hour worked, so it was only reasonable to assume they had gone ahead and given them a lump-sum inclusive of overtime pay.

Of course, Kangseok never brought this up aloud. Art, by nature, wasn't something where hourly wages meant much. He hadn't joined the project just for the 3 million won a month, anyway.

And that was true not only for Kangseok but for most of the students at Hanyang Arts College. Professor Park Jiyeop was a renowned expert in human anatomy that anyone would want to collaborate with at least once.

As for material costs, they said that if you submitted receipts through the Sangkang Medical Center, the Sangkang Life Public Foundation would reimburse them in bulk on the 15th of the following month.

So essentially, you could buy supplies using the 3 million won stipend or even out of pocket in February and get reimbursed later—meaning, in practice, there was hardly any actual cost.

"Of course. This isn't the end,"

Park Jiyeop said with his usual kindly-looking smile.

Not the end?

The eyes of the Hanyang Arts College students widened behind him. Park stepped away from the podium slightly and spoke in a tone as if sharing a secret.

"There's a reason we need to make these 3D anatomical models really well. On April 7th, Health Day, the works you make won't just be donated—they'll be auctioned off as a form of sponsorship."

Kangseok glanced over at Hwang Nomin beside him. Nomin's eyes sparkled—it was as if he were saying, "See? I told you so."

"Sangkang Medical Center has three hospitals—two in Seoul and one in Busan. On April 7th, staff from all three hospitals will be divided and attend the event. The 3D anatomical models will be sold to them at auction. So it's not just about providing materials; it's better to tailor your work to each hospital's preferences."

"What about the profits from the auction?"

"The creators probably keep all of it. Professor Park Jiyeop isn't the type to obsess over money. He joined this project because he genuinely wants to create high-quality anatomical models."

That hallway conversation flashed through Kangseok's mind. For some reason, Hwang Nomin seemed eager to give him useful information, as if trying to win his favor.

Or, more realistically, maybe he just wanted to show off how much he knew.

"They're going to be sold?"

"So basically, you get a base of 3 million won, and if your model sells, you earn even more on top of that."

"But… will they actually sell?"

"From what I've heard, probably. Sangkang Hospital is loaded. Especially Seoul Sangkang Hospital—they even run a VIP ward and are swimming in money. So the staff there aren't even pressured about performance."

The students' hushed whispers floated through the air. It was mostly murmuring—nothing clearly distinguishable.

"All right. So, everyone—just focus on creating great work. Nomin."

"...Yes?"

"Nomin."

"Ah! Yes!"

Hwang Nomin quickly stood up and began handing out papers he had been clutching carefully. So that's what he had been doing wandering the halls—he'd gone to print something.

"Write down your concepts on the paper and feel free to visit my lab anytime. The sooner you decide, the better—it's always possible something might fall through midway."

The atmosphere buzzed. Everyone was talking over each other, excitedly discussing what they might make.

"It's better to make what each hospital wants."

Kangseok fell silent and thought.

Something anatomical—yet desirable. Something that would fetch the highest price. Irreplaceable. And something he would want to make.

"49 days total. If I aim for one piece every 7 days... yeah, doable."

He gripped his pen tightly. Without hesitation, he began scribbling out a proposal. The words flowed effortlessly. By the time he put the pen down—

"You're already done?"

Nomin, now seated, asked.

"Yes."

"Mind if I take a look?"

Nomin asked cautiously. After all, ideas are sensitive things. But just like when he had started writing, Kangseok nodded without pause.

With Kangseok's permission, Nomin leaned over with pure curiosity. Unnoticed until then, Professor Park Jiyeop had also come up and was now peeking over Kangseok's shoulder.

Both of them looked up at Kangseok with a surprised expression the moment they read it.

The proposal began:

[Seven Types of Body Specimens]

The dark hallway glowed with a dim orange light.

Kang Chaeyoung was climbing the stairs. Her heavy backpack dragged on her neck like a weight. I need an elevator... she thought, holding her breath as her thigh muscles strained.

The hallway wasn't soundproof. Even a single gasp would be heard throughout the whole villa floor.

She clenched her teeth and pushed up the stairs. Just as she reached the fourth floor—beep, the door opened.

"You're back?"

It was Baek Myeonghee. Kang Chaeyoung nodded enthusiastically and stepped inside.

"I'm hoooome!"

"How was the library?"

"Mmm-hmm. It was good."

"No troublemakers today?"

"There were. One guy kept walking around, sticking Post-its everywhere at every little noise... Ugh, why doesn't he just go to a study café? Why come to a free reading room and be like that? Ughhh. I'm wiped."

She kicked off her sneakers and flopped down by the shoe rack, pressing her cheek against the floor. She rolled around dramatically.

Thanks to Kangseok setting up pest control, she could now roll around freely without fear of ants—so her flopping was even bolder than before.

Roll, roll.

She rolled along the narrow floor, nearly reaching the kitchen wall.

Rustle. Tap.

Something bumped her. That didn't sound right. Was there always something here? She opened her eyes and blinked. Slowly, she sat up.

"...What is all this?"

The whole house was filled with large black plastic bags. At least 50 liters each—crowding the entryway, kitchen, under the table, even in front of the bathroom.

"Oh yeah. Seok said he ordered them. He's moving them to the studio tomorrow with Jo Dongbeom."

Chaeyoung tilted her head, rummaging through one of the bags. Her expression shifted as if she'd seen something strange.

Seok ordered all this...?

She slowly started pulling out the contents.

BB cream. Silicone. Alginate. Flocking powder. Liquid latex. Gelatin. Cream foundation. Skin wax pads... the list went on.

Chaeyoung stared around the room in stunned silence.

What on earth is he planning to do with all of this...?