Episode 11: The Project

The sound of laughter echoed through the hallways of the campus, coming from a group gathered around the bench in the common area. Eunji felt the tension in her shoulders ease as she listened to Rora joke about something that had happened earlier in the week. Hyeri joined in, her dry humor drawing a soft chuckle from Eunji, the first real laughter she’d shared with her friends in a while. It felt good to forget, even for just a moment.

But soon, the laughter faded, replaced by a sudden stillness. The bell rang, signaling the start of class, and the group made their way to the art building.

Inside the classroom, the walls were lined with shelves holding various projects from previous students—paintings, sculptures, abstract pieces—all testament to the talent that filled this space. Eunji settled into her seat, feeling the familiar weight of her sketchbook in her bag. She hadn’t drawn anything new since the gallery, but the idea of returning to it felt daunting, almost impossible.

Rora noticed her distracted state and nudged her lightly. “You okay?”

Eunji gave a soft smile, nodding. “Just thinking.”

Professor Kang entered the room, her presence filling the space immediately. She had a way of commanding attention without raising her voice, and everyone quieted as she began.

“Alright, class,” Professor Kang began, her voice steady and clear. “Today, we’re going to start a project. And I want you to think about this one carefully. It’s going to challenge you.”

Eunji’s heart skipped a beat. She had been waiting for something like this—a project that would push her, make her think in new ways. But that nervousness crept up again. Was she ready?

“The project,” Professor Kang continued, “is about finding a connection between your art and the world around you. I want each of you to explore the theme of influence—how your environment, your relationships, your past experiences shape what you create. The challenge is to create a piece that tells a story beyond the surface. Make it personal, make it real.”

Eunji felt her breath catch. Personal? Real? It sounded like everything she had been struggling with lately. Her art had always been a reflection of her inner world, but the idea of opening it up to others, letting them see the rawness of it—it was terrifying.

Rora leaned over and whispered, “This is going to be fun. We’re finally doing something that isn’t just about technique. It’s about us.”

Eunji glanced over at her friend, nodding slowly. Rora was right. The project wasn’t just about creating something beautiful. It was about making something that had meaning, something that could speak beyond the canvas or the sketchbook.

Professor Kang continued to outline the guidelines, but Eunji’s mind had already started to race. She thought about her childhood memories, the quiet moments with her parents, the times she had felt both seen and unseen in her own home. She thought about the conversations she’d had with her friends recently, about longing, about what was real. The themes seemed to be coming together, and the weight of it all felt both heavy and freeing.

As the class progressed, Eunji couldn’t shake the feeling that this project was going to be more than just an assignment. It was an opportunity. An opportunity to finally show something of herself that had been locked away, tucked between the lines of her sketches.

Rora smiled at her. “You’re going to nail this.”

Eunji returned the smile, but inside, her thoughts were swirling. The project had just become more than an assignment. It had become a chance to explore and express what she had been holding in for so long. She didn’t know exactly what she would create yet, but she was determined to make it count.

The room fell silent again as Professor Kang finished explaining the project details. “I expect each of you to present your ideas in six weeks. I want to see you dive deep into your own experiences. Remember, art isn’t just what you see. It’s what you feel.”

Eunji glanced at her sketchbook again, the empty pages staring back at her, but this time, it didn’t feel so intimidating. The story was there. She just had to find the courage to tell it.

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