Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: The Shareholder Coup
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At best, all you can hope for is a foreign multinational.
Such a massive American pharmaceutical giant—not even in its home country—pouring significant funds into South Korea had the public in a frenzy.
They were already on edge from the chaebols' scandals.
Guess for every bad thing, there's some good to balance it out.
Every media outlet was covering the story.
📰 Breaking News The American pharmaceutical giant Selig has donated 5 billion won for Korean War veterans... 📰 Breaking News Selig brings a huge gift to children suffering from pediatric cancer, to the tune of... 📰 Breaking News Jin Seol-hwa, CEO, promises comprehensive welfare support for solitary elderly at press conference. 📰 Breaking News Highlighting the importance of the nation's 400+ emergency rooms mired in deficits, Jin Seol-hwa meets with the Korean Medical Association president over dinner and pledges astronomical donations for public safety... These stories were lighting up the stock gallery.
💬 Comments — Anon1 Whoa, how much are they donating? — Anon2 Fuck, this is different from those chaebol bastards. — Anon3 Why is a foreign company helping more than our domestic chaebols lololol — Anon4 Rumor has it Selig's acquiring Mirae Distribution. — Anon5 For real? Even if it's good, a domestic firm getting swallowed by foreigners feels bitter. Isn't this risky? — Anon6 Risky my ass? Better than those idiots running it. Jin Seol-hwa seems beneficial to national interests. — Anon7 Agreed. If they're transparent, worth looking forward to. — Anon8 Should we lift the boycott? — Anon9 Nah. Management hasn't changed yet. Still shit. People were on high alert about Selig's moves. Was it just talk? Another ploy to toy with the public?
But that was a massive miscalculation.
No sooner had it hit the news than Mirae Distribution's shareholder meeting was in full swing.
"How could you do this to me?!"
Yu Kyung-su slammed his palm on the table in outrage.
These traitors had just smashed a massive hammer into the back of his head. Who had kept them fed and alive all this time?
A subtle tension settled over the quiet conference room.
A lavish chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a soft glow, while sharply dressed shareholders took their seats below.
As soon as his voice faded, the room grew even heavier.
"Ahem..."
"Cough..."
"Who's the one who backstabbed first?"
Some turned away sheepishly, while others voiced their discontent openly. Yu Kyung-su glared at the man who'd just spoken.
"Have you lost your mind?"
"Watch your mouth. This is a sacred shareholders' meeting."
"What? After all the money you've taken from me, you screw things up like this?!"
His head throbbed again, and Yu Kyung-su slumped into his seat like he might collapse. Harsh breaths filled the room. The man smirked faintly.
"Isn't it time for you to step down?"
"...What?"
The man didn't back down.
"Who backstabbed us first? We've told you countless times—even if it's your granddaughter, you have to separate personal and business matters."
"!"
"That crazy bitch has caused endless chaos in the company. Do you know how many hardworking employees quit because of her? I can't even count on one hand."
"You bastard!"
"And yet you defended her. I told you over and over—even if it's your one precious flesh and blood that doesn't hurt even if you put it in your eye, you have to cut ties when necessary."
"......"
"And what happened? Drugs, sex scandals... Ha, it's awkward even saying it myself."
Once the dam broke, cracks appeared everywhere.
The room erupted in murmurs.
No one had said it outright before, but most agreed with the man.
Yu Kyung-su wasn't blind to it.
"Fine. If that's how you want it, I have my own plans."
"Plans?"
"What?"
"Haven't you heard the news? About the new major shareholder arriving at the meeting."
"......"
Boom!
Right on cue, new figures entered the room.
Dozens of shadows in black suits.
Earpieces in place, scanning the surroundings intently.
Not just that—they were foreigners with blond hair, not Koreans.
Their bulging shirts showed the grueling training they'd endured.
Gulp!
The heavy air weighed down on them.
Yu Kyung-su's eyes widened in shock and disbelief, as if his mind had frozen. His lips trembled faintly, breath caught in his throat.
"Y-You!"
A young man flanked by bodyguards and two women.
A face he knew all too well.
"Long time no see, sir."
It was Kim Do-jun, the man he'd met just recently.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "How are you here...?"
It must have seemed utterly impossible.
Me, once dismissed as just Yu So-geum's potential son-in-law, showing up as Mirae Distribution's major shareholder.
But did Yu Kyung-su even know?
Who the real owner behind the buzzed-about Selig was.
Who owned DJ Investment, rolling in astronomical sums from the Philippines.
Who led the company shaking up Korea's gaming scene and still growing.
"......"
Yu Kyung-su's mouth snapped shut.
His face pieced it all together.
A hollow groan escaped him.
As I took my seat, the bodyguards encircled the meeting space in a ring. The pressure was palpable.
This room held people who'd devoted their youth to one company.
To win them over, I needed something truly jaw-dropping.
And it wasn't complicated or difficult.
"I'm Kim Do-jun. Some of you may already know me, but I'll get straight to the point."
Countless eyes turned to me.
Wondering what the new major shareholder had in mind.
"I won't hoard it all for myself. I know you've cherished Mirae Distribution more than your own lives to reach this point. Through aggressive investments during the IMF crisis and near-bankruptcy, your company secured dominance in Korea's distribution sector."
"......"
"I won't meddle in management just because I'm taking the helm. As proof, if I oust CEO Yu Kyung-su, I'll appoint Executive Director Im Seok-hyeon as the new CEO."
"!"
"You all just keep doing what you've been doing for Mirae Distribution. Full employment inheritance, of course. And you'll be rewarded fairly for your work through a performance-based system that drives company growth."
The shareholders couldn't hide their shock.
Usually, a new CEO purges and fills with cronies.
But here, assurances they'd keep their seats—no layoffs. And the actual owner promising zero involvement in operations.
"R-Really? Keeping the whole team intact?"
"Has this ever happened?"
"Nope. Even Ilsung Group cut 30% after acquisitions."
"Damn, first time I've seen anything like this."
Murmurs rippled through.
Debating if they could trust it.
Of course, without more, it might all fizzle out.
"Quiet down, please!"
The speaker was Im Seok-hyeon, the incoming CEO.
The same man who'd clashed with Yu Kyung-su earlier.
"I've given 20 years to this company. I've watched countless people join and leave with my own eyes. They were all talents Mirae needed."
"......"
"But what happened? Those talents flew off to other groups. Remember the incident three years ago?"
How could they forget?
Mirae had suffered for a while because of it.
"Major Shareholder Kim Do-jun has made me a promise. Some may doubt it, but please believe me."
"Well, if it's Executive Director Im..."
"Yeah, we can trust him."
No one here didn't know Im Seok-hyeon, who'd devoted 20 years to one company.
Lucky break.
We'd pulled him to our side before the meeting. Without Jin Seol-hwa's efforts, convincing him would've been tough.
'Now one more person knows I'm Selig's true owner.'
Im Seok-hyeon wouldn't betray us.
We'd already put safeguards in place.
"Then, let's vote on CEO Yu Kyung-su's dismissal."
The outcome was obvious.
Over half approved.
Everyone but two raised their hands.
The throne had changed hands.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ South Korea was in an uproar.
People who'd heard Mirae Distribution's owner had changed overnight worried about mass layoffs.
Though it was just needless concern.
📰 Breaking News Who is Kim Do-jun, the man who devoured Mirae Distribution? 📰 Breaking News Unpacking the connection between Selig's Jin Seol-hwa and Mirae Distribution acquirer Kim Do-jun. 📰 Breaking News 100% employment inheritance; New CEO Im Seok-hyeon succeeds Yu Kyung-su after 20 years of service... Gracing the front pages, I quietly set the newspaper down.
Well...
Somehow, the whole nation now knew my face.
No big deal.
I'd already had deep talks with the three women.
A new conglomerate would soon launch in Korea.
Its name: DJ Group.
"Is this just the beginning?"
Even a basement-dwelling hnamja like me was born with balls.
The deed was done—die today, die tomorrow, death's the same.
My mom once said:
Don't need money or fame—just be a boon to people.
The person I respect most isn't Jin Seol-hwa or Olivia—it's Mom.
'I wonder if she's watching...'
If she's looking from above, she'd be proud her son was doing big things.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Meanwhile, chaos erupted at a certain department store.
Detectives burst in and cuffed a woman.
"Yu So-geum."
"W-What?! Do you know who I am?!"
The detective sneered.
Does this wild boar not check the internet or papers?
Or, being an animal, maybe she can't read.
"Yu So-geum, you're under arrest for drug use, embezzlement, and prostitution."
"...What?"
"You have the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney..."
"How dare you lowly scum do this?!"
"Take her away!"
"Kyaaaaaaaa!"
Yu So-geum thrashed like a wild boar.
She screamed bloody murder as the detectives dragged her off.