[Interview] Jo Seong-gwan "The Genius' Talent Blossomed, Ultimately Because of People Around Them"

Environment as Important as Talent
Good Encounters Providing Intellectual Stimulation Needed
Lecture Academy 'Genius Table' Expected to Foster Synergy Among Geniuses

Writer Seonggwan Jo is regarded as one of the leading genius researchers in South Korea. After graduating from Yonsei University’s Department of English Literature, he devoted 30 years to the media industry while focusing on genius research. In 2005, during a trip to Vienna, Austria, to cover the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth, he experienced a personal moment when Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 struck his mind powerfully as he made his way through a snowstorm to Mozart’s house. This experience became a turning point. Since then, he has defined a genius as “a person who materially and spiritually benefits and enriches the community and society” and began exploring geniuses worldwide. He personally visited nine cities including Vienna, Prague, London, New York, Saint Petersburg, and Paris to study the artistic worlds of 54 geniuses. The related content was compiled into a series of 10 books titled “Geniuses Loved by Cities,” starting with the 2007 publication “Geniuses Who Loved Vienna.” In 2010, his book “Geniuses Loved by Prague” earned him a Medal of Merit from the Czech government.

Since retiring, he has continued his genius research as a full-time writer from 2018. As part of this, he launched the Genius Table (GT), a genius lecture academy, last year. Starting June 29, GT will be presented in collaboration with this publication. On the 7th, we met with genius researcher Seonggwan Jo at a cafe near Gyeongbokgung Palace.

- How was GT created?

▲ The seed for GT was planted at the end of 2020, when COVID-19 was at its peak. The idea came from lawyer Bong Wook (Kim & Chang), a former deputy prosecutor general. Bong has been a friend who advised and supported me since the first volume of the genius series, “Geniuses Who Loved Vienna.” He encouraged me to open a genius lecture academy, confident that “since the genius content is so original, it could succeed as a lecture program.” After a year of preparation, we created Seasons 1 to 4. From the 54 geniuses, we selected 36 who have deeply influenced Korean cultural life and developed a 90-minute lecture program. Each season studies nine geniuses, with the final 10th lecture summarizing the core points. Seasons 1 to 4 are organized into four groups: writers (poets, novelists, playwrights), musicians (composers, singers), visual artists (painters, film directors, architects), and a combined group of writers, painters, and artists. The geniuses are connected directly or indirectly.

- What kind of people usually apply for the lectures?

▲ About half of the members are CEOs. Others include lawyers, former governors, architects, singer-songwriters, sopranos, artists, and gallery directors. Members vary in age and profession but share a strong intellectual curiosity. Many have already completed various humanities academies or advanced courses at Seoul National University or Yonsei University. I want to emphasize that GT lectures have been recognized by such highly cultured members. To keep the brain from aging, intellectual curiosity must remain alive. Intellectual stamina is as important as physical stamina.

- How does GT differ from other humanities forums?

▲ GT lectures tell stories about geniuses who enriched human society. These are stories we all know a little about but not in detail. GT lectures explain when and through whom a talented person was inspired to blossom into genius. Human talent does not grow automatically. Many people misunderstand this. One must meet someone who recognizes their talent and be in an environment that provides continuous stimulation. The individual must also exert tremendous self-discipline and effort over a long time for the talent to finally bloom.

- You are currently running Season 3. How have participants responded?

▲ The 2022 GT held at JW Marriott Hotel successfully completed Seasons 1 and 2, and Season 3 has been underway since last February. Season 4 will start in August. Participants have shown great interest in how geniuses unleashed their talents. One member registered for Season 3 said, “It’s the first time I’ve looked forward to Monday (lecture day) this much.” Besides talent and effort, environment is crucial. Personally, I believe genius is made up of 1% talent, 29% surrounding environment, and 70% effort. This is why I emphasize that who you meet can change your life. No matter how genius someone is, success is not easy by their own power alone. Good encounters that provide intellectual stimulation are necessary.

Author Jo Seong-gwan's book 'Geniuses Loved by Prague'

- Why is understanding geniuses important for ordinary people? What benefits can they gain?

▲ People who blossomed as geniuses achieved integration in their fields. Coincidentally, integration is currently gaining global attention. Creativity comes from integration. In any field, integration with the humanities can give birth to new creations. I especially recommend this to those who need a leap or turning point. Humans instinctively tend to do only what they have always done. They meet only the same people, eat the same food, and go to the same places. But if you only do what you have always done, you will stagnate and stop growing. Outstanding people are those who have overcome those limits. People who have left remarkable achievements in their fields were always full of new curiosity. Through GT, you can meet such people and become such a person.

- How is the GT conducted with Asia Economy different from previous ones?

▲ The lecture content will not change much, but I heard that the participants are mainly executives working in financial companies in Yeouido. I especially expect GT lectures to be very effective for executives in the financial sector. People in finance may be relatively weak in the humanities compared to other fields, but I believe humanities stimulation and impact will also benefit finance. The way to inspire finance is to infuse it with the fragrance of the humanities. Humanities can be seen as a reservoir that supplies water to all fields such as art, music, and architecture.

◆ Asia Genius Table

- Date & Time: From June 29, every other Wednesday, 6 PM to 9 PM
- Location: Marriott Executive Apartments Seoul, 2nd Floor Meeting Room
- Capacity: 40 people
- Registration Deadline: June 16
- Participation Fee: 7.7 million KRW (VAT included)