RR 50
[050] A Family Without Choices 3.
“The entities that submitted bids for the sale of Hando Steel are Sunyang Group, Daehyun Group, and Miracle Investment. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of the prices and non-price factors submitted by these three, the chosen acquirer of Hando Steel is…”
People watching the TV news swallowed simultaneously.
“…Sunyang Group, with a bid of 2.16 trillion won, has been selected.”
“That’s right!”
“Phew—”
“Thank goodness, Chairman.”
The people gathered in the Daehyun Group chairman’s office smiled broadly and observed Chairman Joo Young-il’s expression.
Chairman Joo also maintained his smile.
“It went according to plan, but… Chairman Jin, that old man is consistently petty. Why did he have to shave off the last digits from 2.3 trillion won?”
“Still, didn’t we push the price quite high? If you hadn’t jumped in, he would have acquired Hando Steel for 800 billion won plus $1 billion.”
Some regrets were exchanged, but ultimately, the objective had been achieved.
Now, Sunyang Group’s coffers were empty.
“Hando Steel was a decent acquisition, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it was. Sunyang didn’t lose out. They’re going to enter the steel business anyway, and Hando Steel will make it easy to start.”
“But, what about that Miracle guy? Thanks to him, we ended up looking like villains.”
“Thanks to him, we were given a justifiable reason to exclude us from the review committee, which made it easier.”
Chairman Joo still couldn’t shake off his skeptical expression.
“Are you investigating?”
“Yes. On the surface, there’s nothing unusual. They invest in IT, film, and also spread money in Japan. It’s extensive… but the investor’s identity is concealed.”
“We need to quickly figure out who that investor is. If it’s just a private equity fund, it’s fine, but the fact that the representative is Korean makes me uneasy.”
“I’ll expedite it.”
“Alright, then, shall we start the real game?”
As soon as Chairman Joo spoke, thick files were placed in front of the meeting attendees.
“In ’91, if someone hadn’t reported the Suseo corruption scandal, Ajin Motors would have been absorbed by Sunyang Motors.”
“Sunyang had bad luck. Of all times for something like that to happen.”
Daehyun Group never imagined that ‘someone’ was a member of Sunyang’s own bloodline.
“Sunyang’s Chairman Jin laid out a good strategy. It’s this report: ‘The Necessity of Restructuring the Domestic Automobile Industry and Government Support Measures.'”
Chairman Joo Young-il glanced at the report and immediately put it down.
“Although it’s the end of the administration, they will give Daehyun one last gift. Hando, Sammi, Jinro, Samlip. A whopping four groups have gone bankrupt. If we demand accountability for the lax management of large corporations, public opinion won’t be bad.”
It was a cruel spring. But it was also an alarm, a red flag for the Korean economy that no one had yet noticed.
However, the subsequent report pleased Chairman Joo even more.
“Ajin is ranked 4th in the business world. This is the result of reckless business expansion. Their internal situation is even worse now than it was in ’91. They’ve given the administration a justification.”
“Even if we don’t pressure the banks, Ajin Motors’ main bank is considering recalling loans.”
“Heh heh heh.”
Chairman Joo’s short laugh frankly revealed his feelings.
“Chairman Jin, that old man… he’s going to be furious. If he has to stand by and watch me swallow Ajin Motors, which he coveted so much, without even having to lift a finger, using a strategy he created… he might just collapse from anger.”
“That’s right. He poured all the money he saved up diligently, like a savings account, to acquire one steel mill… Heh heh.”
The Daehyun Group chairman’s office was filled with mocking laughter.
“Start immediately tomorrow. Call the newspaper people and broadcast people, ply them with drinks and money. Set them up with women too. Shake Ajin Motors thoroughly and make it completely collapse. So it’s easy to pick up. Hahahaha.”
By the time Ajin Motors became the target of public criticism due to the media’s explosive articles, Chairman Joo Young-il would sequentially meet with the Presidential Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs, the National Assembly’s Strategy and Finance Committee, and financial institutions that had long dealt with Ajin Motors.
Dismantling a living cow piece by piece was the job of the subordinates. The role of the chef, serving that meat on the banquet table, would be handled by the political sphere.
Chairman Joo Young-il only needed to pay them a generous meal fee.
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A Marriage Arrangement and Lingering Concerns
“Chairman. It’s been a long time.”
“Oh, Chairman Hong. You’ve aged quite a bit since I last saw you. Seeing you, Chairman Hong, gives me comfort. It’s not just me who’s getting old, huh? Haha.”
“What are you saying? Chairman, you’re still vigorous. As for me, I’m already relying on a cane, aren’t I?”
Chairman Hong of Hansung Ilbo lightly shook the cane in his hand.
“Come, let’s sit. If two old men stand, all the young people will be standing in punishment.”
The hotel suite’s living room was hastily converted into a family meeting place, and the elders from both families began their formal introduction.
It was the best place to avoid the eyes of outsiders.
No rumors should get out before the wedding. If the engagement were to break off, both families would suffer humiliation.
Chairman Jin’s eyes swept over Chairman Hong’s granddaughter, who sat demurely with downcast eyes.
He had learned one thing from meeting countless people over a long time: first impressions only have a slight margin of error and are not significantly different from a person’s true nature.
Hong So-young, as seen through Chairman Jin’s eyes, was a strong woman. Her angular jawline, which even expert makeup couldn’t conceal, her thick eyebrows, and her unwavering composure showed no sign of nervousness.
‘That wild grandson of mine, she’ll be able to rein him in and tame him.’
Feeling someone’s intense gaze on her, Hong So-young abruptly stood up and bowed deeply.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Chairman. I’m Hong So-young.”
‘Her perceptiveness is quite useful.’
“Haha, why so stiff? A granddaughter-in-law should be pampered and show affection to her grandfather-in-law. Take it easy.”
Chairman Jin’s final approval had been given. Now, the marriage would proceed swiftly.
The face of Hong So-young’s father, the president of Hansung Ilbo, brightened immeasurably.
“I don’t know what to say for looking favorably upon my inadequate daughter… Thank you, Chairman.”
The dining table was quickly filled with dishes, and the atmosphere was amicable, but everyone only tasted a little, no one ate their fill. They only exchanged pleasantries.
“Congratulations on the acquisition of Hando Steel.”
“No, no. What is there for me to be congratulated on? Vice Chairman and our Young-jun handled all of this.”
As Chairman Jin subtly glanced at his son, Jin Young-gi spoke.
“It was the first major project our Young-jun took on for the group, and he managed to do his part. I was relieved.”
Jin Young-gi subtly praised his son.
“I see. I heard he had management training abroad for a while. Now he’s taking on such big projects and diligently receiving his successor training. Haha.”
As if echoing him, Director Hong spared no compliments for Jin Young-jun, who would become his son-in-law.
But Hong So-young didn’t miss that very moment.
When the phrase “successor training” came out of her father’s mouth, she saw the elderly Chairman Jin, the dominant figure at this gathering, twitch his eyebrows.
As the meal was about to end, Chairman Hong subtly gestured to Chairman Jin.
Chairman Jin thought it meant the grandfathers should excuse themselves from the grandchildren’s meeting. But Chairman Hong quietly went into the bedroom next to the living room.
The hotel manager, who had been observing them, immediately prepared a car and brought it around.
“Chairman. Strange rumors are circulating these days.”
“What kind…?”
“It’s an exact replica of what happened exactly six years ago. News articles are accumulating, centered around Ajin Motors.”
“Six years ago, if that’s the case…”
Chairman Jin’s eyes widened, and he slammed his teacup down as if throwing it.
“Are you saying someone is targeting Ajin Motors?”
“It’s not certain, but the current situation is too similar to back then.”
“Is Hansung Ilbo also preparing to release articles?”
“For now, I’ve blocked all the desks. I thought it would be best for the Chairman to confirm it directly.”
His throat was parched, but his trembling hands prevented him from drinking tea.
“Is anyone out there? Bring me a bottle of water!”
When an employee entered with a crystal cup on a tray, Chairman Jin threw the teacup that had been on the tea table.
“These fools don’t understand! A bottle, not a cup! Bring me a bottle of water!”
At Chairman Jin’s outburst, the conversations in the living room ceased.
Another employee quickly brought a small bottle of water, and he gulped it down without breathing.
“Chairman Hong. Can you delay releasing the articles a bit?”
“Of course.”
“This, I haven’t even had the wedding yet, and I’m already asking a favor of my in-laws. I feel ashamed.”
“Don’t mention it, Chairman. It’s only natural.”
“And also, please find out where the news source originated.”
“The reporters will have to break a sweat.”
This was not a conversation between in-laws now.
It was a conversation between an advertiser and a newspaper owner.
“Next week, please run full-page advertisements for about three or four days. With content like Hando Steel changing its name to Sunyang Steel and being reborn…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll clear the space for you.”
“Then I’ll trust you and leave first. It seems it’s time for me to break a sweat too.”
As Chairman Jin left, Chairman Hong’s lips curled upwards.
If he pulled on Daehyun Group’s leg, his in-laws would surely take good care of his eldest granddaughter, who was to become their daughter-in-law.
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A Twist of Fate: Ajin Motors and a Group Project
“Uncle. Are there any rumors circulating in Yeouido? About Ajin Motors.”
“Don’t you go to school? How do you get to work here before me?”
“Don’t you read the newspaper, Uncle? The country is reeling. Where would I find time to look at law books at school?”
Oh Se-hyun’s expression hardened slightly, and he sat down in front of me.
“Why? Are you worried about the Southeast Asian financial crisis? Or are you thinking of using the dollars you’ve amassed in America to buy up worthless Southeast Asian currencies during this opportunity?”
“Why would I do something so foolish as to buy waste paper with dollars?”
“Hmm, so you’re worried about the financial crisis.”
It was time to give him a subtle hint. How would he take it?
“Southeast Asia is like hell, and in Korea, four major corporations have collapsed by April. But we’re absorbed in self-praise, calling ourselves ‘The Four Asian Tigers.’ Is there anything wrong with preparing for a typhoon?”
“Preparing for a typhoon that might not even come still costs money.”
“No. It’s because a typhoon is coming, but everyone’s distracted elsewhere.”
“Presidential election?”
“Yes. They started professional basketball to gain votes, and arrested cartoonists to get mothers’ votes. Do you think our country is in its right mind right now?”
“You’re certain about the typhoon.”
“You’re uneasy about it too, aren’t you, Uncle?”
Oh Se-hyun said nothing. He was someone who constantly monitored global financial flows. There was no way he wouldn’t know the precursors of a typhoon.
“Rumors are circulating that Daehyun is targeting Ajin. Ajin’s cash reserves are at rock bottom right now. If a few powerful guys gang up and choke them, they’re dead.”
What a stroke of luck.
History hadn’t changed.
Because my grandfather had been prevented from swallowing Ajin Motors six years ago, history hadn’t changed, but now, six years later, history must change.
I would change the history of Daehyun Group absorbing Ajin Motors into a history where a foreign investment company called Miracle Investment acquires Ajin Motors.
Suddenly, my phone rang.
Hey! Are you really not going to do the group project? No, more than that, you might even fail the semester due to insufficient attendance, you punk.
“It’d be good to fail, wouldn’t it? Get a few more years of university life.”
Is that something to say?! Fine. Let’s say you fail. What about the group project? Are we doing it ourselves?
“Don’t yell and listen carefully. Do your best when I give you a chance.”
What? What nonsense are you talking about?
“Seo Min-young, that girl, she’s in our group, right? If I, who’s tall, handsome, smart, and rich, attend diligently, do you think you’ll get a chance?”
Only silence flowed from the phone.
“Should I go?”
Huh? Oh, no. We’ll handle it ourselves, so don’t worry about the assignment. But pay attention to attendance. Me covering for you is also…
I closed my phone, listening to my excited classmate’s voice.
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