RR 14
[014] First Property 1.
“Alright, how is it?”
“This area is designated as the ‘Southern Green Belt.’ It’s restricted as a development-restricted zone.”
“And?”
“It’s a typical rural area with many cucumber and melon fields.”
“And?”
“The transportation infrastructure is poor, making access difficult, and the nearest inhabited area is largely populated by low-income residents. The potential for development is considered remarkably low.”
“Hmm… then making a ranch shouldn’t be a problem.”
“A ranch, what kind…?”
“A place where I can raise horses and ride them.”
“That’s possible. Since it’s only a development-restricted zone, ranches aren’t prohibited.”
Chairman Jin took a sip of water and tapped the map. He appeared to ponder for a moment, but since he had already made up his mind, his contemplation didn’t last long.
“Look into acquiring land in this area as the center.”
“What scale are you considering?”
“It’s a development-restricted area, so it shouldn’t be too expensive, right?”
“That’s likely.”
“Fifty thousand pyeong or more.”
“Understood, Chairman.”
Is his ambition smaller than I thought? Only fifty thousand pyeong? I had expected at least a hundred thousand pyeong, so it’s a bit disappointing.
As the secretary withdrew, Chairman Jin smiled again.
“Now, let’s see. How will the land you chose change?”
“The land will change?”
It’s childlike to feign ignorance even when I know.
“Do-jun.”
“Yes.”
“Listen carefully to what your grandfather is about to say. Oh, and it’s fine if you don’t understand. Just try not to forget it. And remember it when you need it someday.”
Say anything you want. I understand everything. That’s my thought, which I couldn’t utter aloud.
“Land is a living creature.”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“This creature called land is strangely very sensitive to change. Of course, that change is created by humans.”
I was disappointed, expecting a somewhat obvious story, but I didn’t show it.
“The important thing is to create changes that are favorable to you. When the land stirs, you must give it stimulation and impact to make it change surely. Then, land that is merely a lump of dirt turns into a nugget of gold.”
Ultimately, there are two types of land speculators.
Those who obtain development information in advance.
And those like Chairman Jin, who collude with power and directly create favorable conditions like development.
Those who obtain information might fail if they trust incorrect information, but the latter never fails. They always unearth nuggets of gold.
“The land you chose is currently just a lump of dirt. That’s why I wouldn’t buy this land.”
“Why?”
“It will take a considerably long time for this land to turn into a nugget of gold. Perhaps it won’t happen in my lifetime. So, there’s no reason to buy it. But for you, it’s different.”
“Why am I different?”
“Because in 20 or 30 years, this land could turn into incredibly valuable land. You have plenty of life left to see that change. So, consider it a savings and hold onto it.”
“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind, Grandfather.”
Hold onto it for 20 or 30 years? I have absolutely no intention of doing that.
Of course, Grandfather’s mind will change too.
Why?
Because this land will transform into an enormous gold mine called a new city in two years.
I just secured 50,000 pyeong of prime land in Bundang New Town. The food tastes like honey.
.
.
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1988: A Year of Change
The year 1988 dawned, a year that would globally elevate South Korea’s recognition.
Twenty-seven years later, the wildly popular drama ‘Reply 1988’ told a story from a world entirely different from mine.
That drama depicted the daily lives of common people, and I was now living in a world of overflowing wealth, within a chaebol family—the wealthiest of the wealthy.
“Hello, Aunt.”
“Do-jun? I see you often these days.”
I don’t think you’re in a position to say that, are you? If you want to make your husband a National Assembly member, you should be commuting to Yeouido, not frequenting your parents’ home.
“Do-jun, the older you get, the more handsome you become. You’re taking after your mother. By the way, how is your mother doing?”
My uncle-in-law, who was preparing to run for the National Assembly, stroked my head and strode into the study.
That guy gives me the creeps, subtly. Perhaps because of his job as a prosecutor, his eyes are always darting around, trying to dig something up. Especially the way he looks at my mother, there’s always a hint of something red in his gaze.
Well, it’s not just him. All the men in this family have a subtle lecherous glint in their eyes.
My mother is beautiful enough to be an active actress right now. It’s only natural that men can’t take their eyes off her. But because of these men, my mother suffers even more torment from her older sisters-in-law and sister-in-law.
The women’s jealousy of her beauty only adds to their mistreatment of Mother.
Anyway, someday, I’ll pluck out that bastard’s eyeballs.
.
.
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Family Matters and Political Ambitions
“Does Do-jun live here?”
“He’s staying for about a week for vacation. More importantly, why are you here again? And with Choi Seobang?”
“Father-in-law. I haven’t come to a place I shouldn’t, have I? Haha.”
“You came together, so there must be something unusual going on.”
At Chairman Jin’s displeased tone, Jin Seo-yoon pouted her lips.
“Father. Of course there’s something unusual; that’s why we came in such a hurry.”
“What now?”
“Why is my husband’s constituency Suwon?”
Chairman Jin’s irritation flared up.
It was clear she wasn’t asking because she didn’t know. Suwon was where Sunyang Electronics’ factory was located, and subcontractors were concentrated there.
Half the population of this area was connected to Sunyang, so his election was certain. Wasn’t that why it was chosen?
“Father-in-law. Frankly, if he runs in Suwon with Sunyang Group backing him, wouldn’t he win even if you just stood a stick there? Even if I were to wear the badge, I would only be a useless figurehead or a rubber stamp in Yeouido.”
“Stop beating around the bush. What do you want to say?”
The son-in-law signaled to his daughter. He was clearly about to bring up a difficult matter.
“Father. Even as a first-term, having the power of a veteran politician is also advantageous for you.”
“Again! Again, you’re beating around the bush.”
“Please use your influence to have him run in Jongno.”
Jongno, known as the number one political district in Korea.
Even for a first-term assemblyman, winning in Jongno carries different weight. Considering his background, he would literally have the gravitas of a veteran.
Chairman Jin opened his mouth without hiding his displeasure.
“Choi Seobang.”
“Yes, Father-in-law.”
“I paved the way for you to become Prosecutor General, but you kicked it away. You know that, don’t you?”
“I truly apologize for that.”
“I’m not bringing that up to argue, but I’m curious about your goal after going to Yeouido. What’s the real reason you specifically want Jongno?”
Jin Seo-yoon quickly answered on behalf of her husband, who had lowered his head.
“Father. Once he enters politics, of course it’s the presidency. Imagine if Choi Seobang becomes the owner of the Blue House. That means our Sunyang would literally become South Korea itself.”
Although the word “president” was uttered, as if he had already guessed the answer, Chairman Jin showed no surprise.
Instead, his gaze, which looked down on them with contempt and pity, only grew heavier.
“Choi Seobang.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t be presumptuous.”
At the completely unexpected reaction, both their eyes widened.
“Ah, Father.”
“Father-in-law!”
“Both of you, shut up and listen to me carefully.”
At Chairman Jin’s cold demeanor, the two fell silent. They knew well that if they argued now, it would be irreversible.
“Jongno? Do you know who the current National Assembly member for Jongno is? Do you know how much money I poured into nurturing that friend? That friend will jump out of bed if I make a call—no, if a secretary makes a single call. Why should I abandon that friend? He’s practically dying to follow my word, more than you, my son-in-law, are?”
There’s a political saying: you don’t change a horse that runs well.
These two were not unaware of this meaning.
“You said it yourself, didn’t you? If you carry the name of Sunyang Group on your shoulders, you’d win even if you just put a stick there. That’s precisely why I put you in Suwon. It barely costs any election funds.”
“Fa-Father-in-law.”
When it became clear that he thought it was a waste of money to spend on him, fear overshadowed the son-in-law’s disappointment. No way?
Was he being abandoned for defying his father-in-law’s intention to make him Prosecutor General?
“Father. That’s too much. How can you say such things…”
Jin Seo-yoon, who had been silent while her husband was being belittled, bristled.
“Why? Did I say anything wrong?”
“He’s not someone who deserves that kind of treatment! He’s from Korea’s top legal family. Even without our Sunyang Group’s name, he’d easily win in most places. He’s the zero-priority target for recruitment, regardless of party affiliation!”
“Korea’s top legal family, you say… Do you think so too?”
“……”
Seeing Chairman Jin’s sneering expression, it was hard to answer confidently.
“A family that produced a few chief prosecutors and a few chief judges, so they’re prestigious? Honestly, it’s absurd.”
“Dad!”
As her husband and in-laws were completely disregarded, Jin Seo-yoon inadvertently blurted out her pre-marriage way of speaking. But Chairman Jin only glared at his son-in-law and continued.
“I got your father to the position of chief prosecutor. With my power and my money. Is there anyone in your family of judges and prosecutors who topped their Judicial Research and Training Institute class? Do you think they, with their mediocre minds, could have ever dreamed of holding important positions? If it weren’t for the in-laws, if I hadn’t exerted my influence, these people who wouldn’t even have sat in a department head position, would dare to…!”
As Chairman Jin’s anger grew, the two’s heads dropped further and further.
“I raised your family. Do you know why? I raised them to be loyal dogs that protect our house, Sunyang Group. Your role, just as it has been until now, is to be the dog that protects our family. The only thing that changes is the location, from the Prosecutor’s Office to the National Assembly. Remember that.”
At the mention of his family being called dogs, his face flushed with shame and rage. But what could he do? It wasn’t wrong.
The son-in-law gritted his teeth and his shoulders heaved, but Chairman Jin spewed even sharper words.
“And another thing, president? Honestly, it’s unbelievable… That the idea of being president came from your mind, it couldn’t have. Who was it? The one who put such empty ambition in your head? Was it your father?”
Seeing the two instantly flustered, Chairman Jin understood everything at once.
He took a deep breath to calm his anger and delivered his final, sharp remark.
“Choi Seobang.”
“Yes.”
“Get rid of your empty ambitions and discard your useless thoughts. Just live by sucking the honey I give you, like you do now. And make sure to tell your family members: if they harbor vain ambitions, they will ruin themselves. Do you understand?”
“…Yes.”
The answer came out with difficulty, due to shame. With one phone call from his father-in-law, his relatives in the prosecution and judiciary would be immediately sent to the countryside.
And the family’s cash cow, the law firm, would also collapse. Don’t profitable clients all do business because of the Sunyang name?
“You may leave. And Seo-yoon, you stay.”
As his son-in-law left, shoulders slumped in dejection, Chairman Jin’s demeanor became even more aggressive.
“This, this woman…”
“Ah, Father. It’s not that…”
Ultimately, a book that had been on the massive desk flew towards Jin Seo-yoon’s head.
“How many times have I told you it’s enough! Are you defying my will to be content as a department store owner?”
Jin Seo-yoon knew well what to do in such a situation. It was simply to lie low until her father’s anger passed.
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