Chapter 67
Chapter 67
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: The Search Goes Global
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Rumors spread far and wide.
It was such a massive deal that the whole world was buzzing with stories about war veterans.
News outlets were scrambling to cover the issue, and the "Find the Veterans!" event had become hugely popular even among ordinary folks.
💬 Comments — Anonymous Wow, it's great and all, but won't that cost a fortune? — Anonymous Like 10 billion won should cover it, right? — Anonymous Nah, could be more. What if there are over 100? — Anonymous Yeah, might find more hidden veterans than we thought. — Anonymous Can a streamer really afford that? — Anonymous How can a streamer handle that much money? There must be a backer. — Anonymous Rumor has it the backer is Kim Do-jun. — Anonymous Kim Do-jun again? — Anonymous LOL just tell Kim Do-jun to run for president. He'd do way better than the current one. Viewers watching Jin-seong's stream started asking about suspicious elderly folks they knew. Wondering if maybe they had fought in the Korean War. Naturally, some real veterans were discovered among them.
— Anonymous Jackpot! Found one in Daegu! — Anonymous LOL report to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and verify on Jin-seong's stream. — Anonymous Holy crap, free chicken without lifting a finger. — Anonymous Nah, delivery coupons are 30,000 won, so chicken isn't even necessary. — Anonymous For real? In less than a week, they'd found 55 more veterans.
And that was just the beginning, or so they said.
One day, a post like this went up.
📰 Post Title Distributing 2,190 Delivery Coupons Passersby on the forum rubbed their eyes. They had no idea what it meant for a title to list delivery coupons—2,190 of them, no less.
What lunatic would buy that many delivery coupons?
But once they read the post, they couldn't help but nod in understanding.
The "Find the Veterans!" campaign, which they'd thought was limited to Korea, had gone international in an unprecedented way.
📄 Post Body Hey there? I'm from New Jersey. I've been living here for 15 years now. You're probably wondering why there are so many delivery coupons in the title. This might be hard to believe, but I found six Korean War veterans here. They came to the US following their families. They still miss their comrades they parted with. I told them about the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and streamer Jin-seong, but they had no idea how to report it. Makes sense, right? They left for the US right after the war ended. They felt guilty for leaving their homeland behind. Anyway, enough intro. I found veterans here. And there are more overseas than in Korea. When I verified with streamer Jin-seong, he offered 2,190 delivery coupons. That's enough to order delivery to my heart's content. But I can't use them. I'm in the US. No use for Korea-only delivery coupons, and it feels like such a waste to just throw them away. So that's why I'm posting this. Guys... One of the veterans I found went back to Korea and, through the Ministry, found the grave of a comrade he fought with. His granddaughter was there, and he shed tears in front of the grave for a while. "I'm sorry..." "I should have found you sooner... I'm sorry it's so late." So yeah, delivery coupons are nice, but let's search with purpose. There are surprisingly many hidden veterans. So many unsung heroes. They deserve compensation from the country, and we should cherish and thank them forever. In the US, veterans are treated amazingly. People clap at the airport when they see one, and soldiers salute regardless of rank. Korea has conscription, sure. But volunteers or draftees, veterans are priceless. 💬 Comments — Anonymous Full of sincerity... — Anonymous Makes you reflect on yourself. — Anonymous Respect personally. No need to find them while living in the US. — Anonymous Yeah, could just sell them? 10,000 won each is a ton. — Anonymous Money aside, such a kind heart. May you be blessed. — Anonymous Hey, I live in New Jersey too. Whereabouts? Views: 4,119,807
Recommendations: 783,263
Comments: 142,555
The story shot straight to the top of the popular posts.
Not content with that, it even earned a gold badge, reserved for only a select few among the hits.
Out of countless posts that year, it dominated the charts.
The story started appearing in the media.
📰 Breaking News [Breaking: A Korean War veteran has been found in New Jersey, USA, by Kim [XX] (28, male). Exclusive footage obtained by KBC.] Not just KBC, the major Korean broadcaster, but SBC and MBS reported it too.
It hit portal site news, and even famous YouTubers with millions of subscribers joined in.
"What kind of guy is this Kim Do-jun?"
For that reason, people started focusing on one particular man.
Kim Do-jun.
His name even made it into heavyweights like The New York Times and The Washington Post, the top dogs in America.
After all, the US had been one of the countries that fought in the Korean War.
📰 News Broadcast [Next up, news from South Korea.] ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I've been living hectic days lately.
Missed calls: 687.
Texts received: 1,207.
From elementary school classmates I barely remember.
To texts from people I met once by chance, checking in.
All sorts of acquaintances were reaching out.
At first, I answered them all. But most ended up asking ridiculous things like, "Can you lend me some money?" When I said no, they yelled, "How could you do this to me?"
"I'm not an ATM or anything..."
So I changed my number.
Coming from Hanam, not many people had it anyway.
Guess my veteran search plan really spread overseas.
Not just the US, but unexpected places like Europe and unfamiliar countries had veterans too.
Probably from other nations that joined the Korean War...
"Ethiopian Korean War veterans will visit Korea in July at the government's invitation."
"From Ethiopia?"
"Yes. Their foreign ministry wants to meet with CEO Do-jun..."
"..."
This is bad.
Mountains of work, and now it's spiraling out of control.
I knew internet broadcasts had reach, but once it hit SNS, it went global.
Well, even if they're not Korean, I'd like to help anyone who fought in the war. It'll come back around someday. And that boomerang will boost the soon-to-launch DJ Group.
"Prepare an additional budget. No issues, right?"
Olivia replied.
"It's a drop in the bucket compared to DJ Investment's funds. The stocks we invested in skyrocketed."
"Really?"
"Over 700% returns. Feels like heaven's gift to our do-gooder CEO."
"!"
That's a relief.
If we'd overextended, it'd be awkward.
Helping others at the cost of our own flesh isn't sustainable.
"Throw in another 50 billion won, then."
"Got it."
Phew.
I've done what I can.
Now the team will handle the rest.
Hanmyeong Construction is mobilizing everyone to remodel veterans' homes or build new ones if needed.
Not fancy mansions.
Plans tailored for their convenience, considering disabilities.
No stairs or slopes for those with leg issues.
Hired help for hand impairments.
Even presidents get security and pensions for 10 years post-term.
"When's the meeting with Daehan Middle School's chairman?"
"Sometime next week."
Another headache.
The chairman of Daehan Middle School reached out.
Wants to meet before enrollment.
His intentions are obvious.
"Lots to prepare now. First impressions matter."
On blind dates, 99% success hinges on that first look.
Even a great guy in jeans and flip-flops? Instant turn-off.
"Eh, I'll just build him a building."
For Seol-young, nothing's too good.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Daehan Middle School is hugely prestigious.
Not just because chaebol kids attend, but for top academics and global education.
One famous rumor: They don't use Korean here.
At certain times, everyone—teachers and students—speaks only English. Babble in Korean, and you lose points.
Accumulate too many, no promotion.
Clear rewards and punishments.
"Hoho, I'm Chairman An Ho-won."
"Kim Do-jun."
The office was filled with luxury furniture fit for a chairman. Hmm, that's 5 million won, that one's 20 million.
I've developed an eye for brands now.
One wall had trophy cases packed from some competition or other.
"Your daughter..."
"My sister."
"Ah, your sister. Jin Seol-young, right?"
"Hello. I'm Jin Seol-young."
Seol-young introduced herself politely to Chairman An.
He smiled, pleased with her manners.
"Hoho, such a well-mannered student. Yes, that's how it should be."
Seems he has his own headaches.
Makes sense—kids of top chaebol heirs and elite officials. Not getting bullied is average.
The haves are harder on each other.
Except me.
Scrutinizing the application, Chairman An murmured to Seol-young.
"I heard you were sick. Are you okay now?"
Sudden English.
My head turned instinctively.
A clear, soft voice replied.
Seol-young's.
"It hurt a lot, but I'm okay now."
"Hoho, living in the US has made your English native-level."
Sometimes even I get surprised.
Oddly, her voice rings clearer than her sister Jin Seol-hwa's. Maybe not imagination. Could be Seol-young's special talent.
"You could work as an interpreter."
"...That good?"
"Yes. Better pronunciation than most pros. Music to the ears."
Reason?
Her first English teacher worked at a federal court.
"Whoa, someone that fluent at a federal court? Probably at an immigration court under the DOJ."
"Immigration court?"
"With all the immigrants, each area differs. Need top interpreters to understand them."
"You know the US well."
"Hoho, I lived there once."
I see.
Basically her mentor.
Should thank them if we meet.
Anyway, unexpected situation.
Didn't know my precious sister was this much of a genius.
"No way..."
Not just English—hope she's good at other subjects too?
```