The Man Who Became the Nation’s Talk of the Town
After a few more decoration ceremonies had concluded, the host opened his mouth again.
“And we would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Chairman Lee Jae-yong of Samjung for gracing us with his presence today.”
The camera cut to Lee Jae-yong.
“Building on the wishes of our late chairman, Samjung Group donated more than 23,000 cultural artifacts to the nation in February 2021. It was an unprecedented act, not only in Korea but anywhere in the world.”
The host drew a breath.
“The government wishes to honor that noble spirit and open an era of shared stewardship, where companies and private citizens work together to protect and develop our cultural heritage. That is why we have invited Chairman Lee Jae-yong here today.”
Lee Jae-yong rose from his seat and returned the gesture with perfect courtesy.
“It is an honor to be here on such a meaningful occasion.”
Si-woo watched him with bright eyes.
The man who led Samjung Group.
At a glance, he looked like an ordinary neighborly uncle.
“I would especially like to offer my congratulations to Kim Si-woo. Receiving the Order of Cultural Merit at such a young age is an extraordinary accomplishment, but the acceptance speech I heard earlier left a deep impression on me.”
Chairman Lee Jae-yong looked directly at Si-woo.
“‘Cultural assets are not merely objects, but the breath of our ancestors, testimony of history, and the pride of our people.’ Those words are remarkably similar to something my father always used to say. It gives me great hope to see the younger generation holding such convictions.”
Applause swept through the room.
Si-woo was thrown off by the sudden praise, but he bowed his head and responded in kind.
In fact, he had business with Lee Jae-yong anyway.
Raum was a museum under the Samjung Cultural Foundation.
If the chairman himself said the word, getting Geumgang Uuido into Raum’s hands would be nothing.
Soon after, lunch was served.
Elegant hanjeongsik courses came out one by one.
Seasonal greens, grilled abalone, hanwoo bulgogi, and more.
The spread had been prepared with great care by a chef specialized in the Blue House’s palace cuisine.
Mrs. Gong even seemed nervous about lifting her chopsticks.
“Ma’am. Please, eat comfortably.”
“Where would I ever get treated like this? But I don’t think I’ll be able to eat comfortably, Si-woo.”
Mrs. Gong whispered softly.
Si-woo gave a small nod, as if he understood.
With cameras and security men stationed everywhere, who could possibly eat their fill here?
It was a table full of political and business heavyweights, with the president among them.
Still, he did what he could to help her relax and kept filling in the little things beside her.
When lunch ended, people began wandering from table to table, striking up conversations.
Si-woo read the room.
With everyone’s attention fixed on the president and the others talking nearby, this was his chance.
“Mom, there’s someone I need to greet for a moment. Please wait here.”
“Hm? Who are you talking about?”
“I’ll tell you in a little while.”
He straightened his clothes and walked toward Lee Jae-yong’s table with a polite but confident stride.
It was right beside the president’s table.
The place where the heads of Korea’s biggest businesses had gathered.
Lee Jae-yong was there, speaking with other business leaders.
With his rimless square glasses and gentle features, he looked like a dignified man of calm temperament.
Sensing someone’s approach, Lee Jae-yong lifted his head.
Their eyes met.
“Good afternoon, Chairman. My name is Kim Si-woo.”
He greeted him respectfully.
Lee Jae-yong rose with a faint smile.
“Ha-ha. So the hero who received the Order of Cultural Merit today has come to see me. Congratulations. You’re quite impressive for someone so young.”
His voice was soft and refined, his manners effortless.
“Thank you, Chairman. If it is not too presumptuous, I would like to speak with you for a moment.”
“Please, go ahead.”
He could feel curious glances flickering from all around them.
“I’ve heard through the art world how deeply the late chairman treasured Inwang Je Saek Do. I understand he used to look at Mount Inwang while thinking about the future of the company.”
Inwang Je Saek Do.
It was more than a national treasure; it was almost like a flesh-and-blood embodiment of his late father.
For a moment, Lee Jae-yong’s expression softened into a bitter, wistful smile, as if he had drifted into memory.
“That’s right. My father used to say the painting was like his shadow. Whenever things weren’t going well or his worries grew heavy, he would stand in front of it for a long time.”
There was a trace of longing in Lee Jae-yong’s voice.
“We donated it to the nation in 2021, but to be honest, I still think of it from time to time.”
Si-woo did not let the opening slip away.
“Chairman. Mount Inwang may be gone, but there is another masterpiece by Jeong Seon that can fill that space.”
“......?”
The smile vanished from Lee Jae-yong’s face.
A masterpiece that could fill that void?
“There is a work I recently uncovered and have been discussing with the working staff at Raum Museum.”
“At our Raum Museum... you say?”
“Yes. An undisclosed authentic painting by Gyeomjae Jeong Seon, Geumgang Uuido.”
Lee Jae-yong’s gaze sharpened in an instant.
The eyes behind the rimless glasses sank into a deep, still focus.
He knew art.
His mother had studied applied arts at Korea University.
She had later served as director of Raum Museum.
As a child, he had followed her around to see all kinds of artworks, both domestic and foreign.
His father had also collected so many artifacts that they were known separately as the “Lee Geon-hwi Collection.”
And since Lee Jae-yong himself had studied Korean history at Korea University, he had a fair amount of interest in such things as well.
“Geumgang Uuido... I’m hearing that name for the first time. I haven’t received any report about it yet.”
“I finished a working meeting yesterday, so I imagine they’re delaying the report while conducting a more detailed verification.”
Si-woo smiled with confidence.
“I’m certain it’s the only work that can stand alongside Inwang Je Saek Do. It will become Raum’s new symbol.”
“Interesting. But this isn’t the right place for such a conversation.”
Lee Jae-yong reached into his pocket and took out a wallet.
He pulled out a business card and handed it over.
“Give me a call next time. I’d like to speak with you directly.”
Si-woo hadn’t expected that reaction.
He had only intended to lightly mention the value of Geumgang Uuido and elicit a favorable response.
When else would he ever get to speak with a conglomerate chairman like this?
He had mustered the courage to approach first, and ended up receiving a business card he never could have imagined.
He accepted it and carefully handed over his own card in return.
Their hands crossed briefly.
Click, click!
At that moment, the cameras of the press photographers waiting in the distance began firing nonstop.
The number one figure in Korea’s business world and the youngest recipient of the Order of Cultural Merit.
There was no doubt this single photograph would grace the front page of tomorrow’s newspapers.
After bowing politely, he returned to his seat.
* * *
The moment the reception at the Blue House annex ended and he got home, he put his mother into the car at once.
“Ma’am. Fasten your seatbelt tight. The day isn’t over yet.”
“Si-woo. What’s going on?”
Mrs. Gong asked in puzzlement.
Si-woo smiled and started the car.
“There’s something I want to show you. And something I want to give you too.”
The car stopped at the entrance to an alley in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo District.
He led his mother into the narrow lane.
Before long, a construction site wrapped in protective screening came into view.
The old, eyesore of a abandoned house was gone without a trace, and on top of a sturdy foundation, the first-floor walls of black brick were rising.
“Where... is this?”
Mrs. Gong looked utterly bewildered.
Just then, a polished middle-aged man in a hard hat came out holding blueprints.
It was architect Director Min Tae-hoon.
“Welcome! Kim Si-woo, and your mother.”
“Hello, Director. Is the construction going well?”
“Yes. We’re ahead of schedule, actually. I was waiting because I had something to show you.”
Director Min Tae-hoon bowed to Mrs. Gong and unfolded a bird’s-eye rendering.
“Ma’am, you’re the one who’ll be living here, aren’t you? I paid special attention to one particular part.”
“Living here? Me?”
Mrs. Gong looked at Si-woo in shock.
Si-woo only smiled and nodded without a word.
Director Min Tae-hoon pointed to the inner courtyard on the rendering.
“Director Kim Si-woo specifically asked for this. He said his mother likes growing plants.”
The house in the rendering had a solid fortress-like outer wall, and within it, a courtyard flooded with sunlight.
“We designed the entire first-floor yard and the second-floor terrace as a greenhouse and flower beds. Because it faces south, it gets plenty of sun, so even in the middle of winter you’ll be able to grow lettuce, chili peppers, and even flowering trees to your heart’s content. We’re laying the floor deep with soil as well, so you’ll even be able to plant trees with deep roots.”
“Oh, my...”
Mrs. Gong was speechless.
Her whole life, she had planted lettuce in Styrofoam boxes on a corner of the balcony and repeated, like a habit, that her wish was to “live in a house with a yard and feel soil under my feet.”
“Is this... really our house? You bought it?”
“Yes. I bought it, and I’m building it. Once it’s done, come straight up to Seoul. Live with me, Mom.”
Mrs. Gong dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief.
Then she reached out and carefully touched the still-unset brick with her hand.
“You should save your money for when you get married. Why would you spend it on such an expensive house for me...”
It was a scolding, but her voice was soaked with emotion.
He came up behind her and held out a shopping bag he had secretly brought from the car.
“And this is a gift. Your birthday is coming up soon, so I thought I’d give it to you a little early.”
“What’s this now?”
Mrs. Gong wiped away her tears and accepted the shopping bag.
Inside was a black box adorned with white camellia flowers.
When she opened it and lifted away the dust bag, a Chanel Classic bag with a gold logo emerged in all its luminous elegance.
“......!”
Mrs. Gong sucked in a breath.
She recognized it as one of those brands only wealthy ladies carried around.
“This... isn’t that Chanel? The expensive one?”
“Yes. I went to Cheongdam-dong and bought the best one they had. Representative Shin A-young helped me choose it.”
He took the worn leather bag from her hands.
That bag held the weight of the years she had spent raising a son on her own.
“From now on, in this new house, you can carry this bag and finally let your son treat you right, Mom.”
“Hngh...”
Mrs. Gong finally broke into the tears she had been holding back.
“Thank you. My son... you really have grown up well. I’m proud of you.”
Director Min Tae-hoon watched the scene with a satisfied smile.
* * *
That evening, Korea was plastered with Kim Si-woo’s name.
Lying in bed and scrolling through the comments, he heard his phone ring. It was Representative Shin A-young.
He checked the time.
It was already past eleven at night.
Since Shin A-young usually avoided contacting him outside work hours, he answered, wondering if something serious had happened.
“Yes, Representative. What is it?”
Shin A-young sounded excited.
“What is it?”