Chapter 75
Chapter 75
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Burning Jealousy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ilseong Group.
Employees: 163,000.
Annual sales: 261 trillion won.
With 49 affiliates under its umbrella, Ilseong Group truly lived up to its reputation as Korea's number one conglomerate.
In the past, it had been called the Ilseong Republic for how deeply it permeated every corner of society, and before long, it had transcended the domestic market to claim a seat among the world's elite.
Lee Eun-mi, the youngest daughter of the vice chairman hailed as the next leader of such an Ilseong.
She was in a foul mood at the moment.
The cause was the new student who had just enrolled: Jin Seol-young.
Comparing it to her own score of a mere 70 on the freshman placement test, it was utterly unbelievable.
100 points...
Even her older sister Sun-young, who prided herself as the smartest in Ilseong's family history, had only managed 80.
As the vice chairman's youngest daughter, destined to inherit one of the affiliates, she had lived every day with fierce determination.
It had been when she was nine.
While other kids her age played with dolls or robot toys, Lee Eun-mi took an interest in business.
"Heh, so Eun-mi, you're thinking of going to MIT instead of Korea University?"
Ilseong's chairman said, and Lee Eun-mi beamed innocently.
Her outward appearance was pure and childlike, but it shone with the confidence forged in the ruthless profit calculations and tight networks of the chaebol world. Hidden behind the girl's smile was the inner strength to steer any situation to her advantage.
"Yes. If I'm going to go, I think it's better to graduate from an American university. I believe Korea will depend even more on the U.S. going forward. Even though Ilseong has risen to the top here, we're still reliant on exports in reality. Our sales fluctuate based on the policies and foreign affairs decisions of U.S. power players. Plus, graduating from a top American school makes it so much easier to build connections with those influencers. They call it school ties, regional ties, and blood ties here too."
"Heh..."
A tiny girl not even reaching his waist had pointed out harsh realities. It was no answer from a nine-year-old.
The reason she could give such a response.
Lee Eun-mi had heard it from Lee Sun-young, who ran Ilseong Hotels, and adapted it cleverly to draw admiration from the chairman.
"What do you all think?"
"Eun-mi's so smart. Ilseong's future is bright."
"Oh my, what a fitting response from an Ilseong family member."
"She'll carry on after Sun-young."
Three uncles and two aunts.
All of them, called the royal family.
They gently stroked her hair and showered her with praise.
"Ahem, if someone from our family gets into MIT on pure merit, it'll be the family's greatest honor."
"Oh, should we go brag to Chairman Dae-young?"
"Ahem, isn't it time for a little payback from last time?"
Four years ago.
Chairman Dae-young had been over the moon because one of his grandsons aced the college entrance exam.
Seeing that, Ilseong's chairman had felt deeply envious.
Of course, Lee Sun-young had graduated from a top overseas university, but it paled against the joy of a perfect score. Most chaebol heirs got in with money anyway.
Even Korea University had been bought in.
Top overseas schools often accepted them after padding resumes with volunteer work or the like.
If that failed, cozy up to high-ranking politicians for recommendations.
Lee Sun-young had gotten in on merit, but the chairman still hungered for more.
He'd been waiting for a chance to get back at that sly old fox.
"Eun-mi."
"Yes, Grandpa."
"Alright. If you get into MIT on your own merit, I'll grant you any one wish. Want money? I'll give you enough for ten lifetimes. Want a company? You can have my heavy industries."
"Ah, Father! What are you saying? Eun-mi's only nine. Heavy industries?"
The uncles looked horrified.
Ilseong Heavy Industries covered shipbuilding, steel, and energy.
It was one of the most critical affiliates.
They were stunned at the offer.
But nine-year-old Lee Eun-mi didn't yet grasp its importance to Ilseong.
'Sigh, Grandpa set the bar so high...'
Snapping out of her reverie, Lee Eun-mi clutched at the bitter memories.
When she got into Daehan Middle School, Grandpa had such high hopes.
Her 70 on the placement test and top of the school had him dancing despite his ailments.
But now.
She had to shake off past glories.
A historic perfect 100 had shattered everything.
Daehan Middle School was a private institution heavily backed by political and business elites.
Top performers there got love calls from conglomerates on a group level.
And not just that.
With chaebol kids attending, the public eye was always watching.
'Jin Seol-young, Jin Seol-young, Jin Seeeool-yoooung!'
A burning spark of jealousy seized the girl's heart.
That attention and honor belonged to her alone.
And she dreamed of acing MIT to claim Ilseong Heavy Industries.
"I absolutely won't give up!"
In four months, Daehan Middle School would hold a special event, and she'd crush that Jin Seol-young there.
In front of everyone.
'I'll show her what utter humiliation feels like.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A call came from Saudi Arabia.
Welcoming our participation wholeheartedly.
'I need to encourage tech development aggressively.'
Even if it means losses now.
This will become a huge asset for me in the near future.
When the IMF hit in 1997, failed companies shared a common flaw: they'd focused solely on octopus-like expansion, skimping on R&D investment.
In short, all size, no substance.
They relied entirely on imports for parts and tech needed to produce goods. Costs soared, competitiveness tanked, and during the three low seasons, while others profited, these idiots posted losses.
Today's economists blather about global management.
But I know.
That nonsense bankrupted the groups.
'For a group to thrive, engineers and researchers need proper treatment. Not just domestically—we'll poach talent from the U.S., Japan, China, everywhere.'
What does it take to hire talent?
First, welfare.
Good perks naturally attract people.
Second, pay.
Money in the bank fuels motivation.
It's part of welfare but distinct.
Third, vision.
Even with great pay and perks, no future means mass exodus. Show them the group growing, give them that sense of achievement.
A businessman keeping those basics won't fail. I stared at the ceiling before calling Olivia.
"President, what's up?"
"Calling about something I need you to look into."
"Shoot."
"I hear you get intel from around the world on Wall Street."
"Hohoho, I'm honored you'd ask."
"R-Really?"
"Of course. Employees love recognition from the top. So, what's the matter?"
"Look into an energy company for me."
"...An energy company?"
"Yes. Check for decent ones domestically, in the U.S., and Middle East."
"Got it. I'll call when I find something."
"Thanks."
Why energy?
To prepare for the future through new materials research.
Saudi's aggression shows it plainly: whoever controls energy wields massive influence.
Korea unluckily has no resources, a barren land.
But no law says business must stay on the peninsula.
'Might as well cozy up to Saudi.'
Acquire one, expand big in the Middle East.
Pump in investments.
The wealthy cherish even small attentions.
I recalled my days as an internet streaming donor.
With nearly 3 trillion to my name, casually gifting a million Bubble Gifts, tons of people visited streams to send even one or ten.
Less than 1,000 won each.
But that attention felt great, grateful.
They might've just wanted to show support for their favorite streamer.
Intent aside, it boosted my donations.
Win-win.
'Not just Saudi—invest aggressively worldwide. This is my only path to survival.'
Domestic market's tapped out, no empty houses left.
Growth here's hitting limits.
"Seol-hwa, I hear a big landmark's going up in the U.S. lately. Check it out for me. Thinking of investing."
Winning over U.S. politicians can't hurt.
Our home base is the land of the free—'We're investing back what we earned, don't think too badly!' Show of good faith.
Six months ahead.
Precisely, under five now.
Until DJ Group's debut.
'Till then, solidify the foundations with all I've got.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Reporter Cha Se-yeon was reviewing a document.
About Kim Do-jun, none other.
Details fuzzy, but the outline was clear.
'Investing in Saudi? Out of nowhere?'
Good or poison, unclear, but Bi-gang System expanding overseas carried weight.
'Kim Do-jun's behind Bi-gang. Who the hell is this guy?'
Drones out of the blue?
Planning to make weapons?
'Defense industry...'
Lots of reports lately on K-defense exports booming—tanks, self-propelled guns selling well.
Cost-effective gear draws crowds.
Plus, with wars pushing the world into a new Cold War frenzy.
'Definitely helps national interests.'
She'd seen the YouTube clips countless times.
Billion-won equipment exploding like toys to drones.
Hundreds of millions countered by mere millions.
Cost ratio: thousands-fold at least.
No, tens of thousands.
'What does he really want?'
Money?
Fame?
Power?
No clue.
Couldn't fathom Kim Do-jun's true desires.
'A fascinating guy.'
Different from other chaebols.
But one thing certain.
He wasn't just in it for himself.
A solid businessman who gave back to others.