Interlude: The Taesung Group -1-
They say there's no one in Korea who doesn't know the three-letter name of the Taesung Group chairwoman, even if they can't name the president. It's an old yangban family, famous for supporting independence activists during the colonial era. The family fell apart back then, but the chairwoman's mother rebuilt it through sheer grit. And the one who turned that fragile house into the powerhouse Taesung dynasty today is none other than the current Taesung Group chairwoman, Seo Ok-soon.
Even in her seventies, she's still the iron-willed woman shouldering Taesung's crown with unyielding vigor. Some joke she's the shadow power behind Korea's economy. But even someone as formidable as her has an unavoidable worry: raising kids.
The Seo family has always been one short on sons—precious few heirs down the generations. Seo Ok-soon herself barely managed one daughter after years of tireless effort. In a typical chaebol family, the daughter would be eyeing the throne with bloodshot eyes, but Seo Ok-soon's only child—and current Taesung vice president, Seo Kang-mi—is ruthlessly self-aware. Ambitious, yes, but never biting off more than she can chew. So when Seo Ok-soon hinted at retirement, Seo Kang-mi shot it down flat with, "You trying to tank the stock price or what?" It's a famous anecdote among group insiders.
"You're expecting a lot from someone who's barely hanging onto vice president. Mom, you must be getting old—starting to whine and all."
"You little brat! After raising you this far, shouldn't I get to kick back and enjoy some filial piety by now?!"
"Yeah, right—with your personality? Just hand the chair to Hye-mi instead. Suck it up a few more years if you don't want to watch the group stock crash."
"Ugh, you damned girl."
"Remember when that 'damned girl' gave you three granddaughters and you sang her praises as the world's best daughter?"
Infuriating as it was that her daughter never backed down, it was true. In a family starved for kids, three in a row? Impressive, no doubt. And all three were exceptional—more than capable of handling group affairs. The only snag? They might be the last of the Seo line if things didn't change...
The eldest granddaughter was a true successor, poised to take Seo Ok-soon's throne in a few years. Ambitious like a female titan, with the talent and charisma to back it up. But she was a hardcore workaholic, seemingly asexual—zero interest in men since childhood, now openly declaring herself celibate forever. Enough to give her grandmother a heart attack.
The second was a natural in arts over academics. She was steadily expanding into entertainment and fashion with her innate flair. But a childhood injury made pregnancy tough, and her pickiness with men didn't help. Slim hopes there.
Which left the youngest as the last real shot. As a kid, she'd swoon over total losers, worrying everyone. But after a few heartbreaks, she cut off men cold. With three granddaughters, none showing an ounce of interest in carrying on the line, it drove Seo Ok-soon mad. And to top it off, the one who'd never caused trouble went straight through military service unscathed, graduated, then lounged at home jobless—before suddenly declaring independence and running away.
A total headache, all around. Or so it seemed. Turns out, she hadn't run off to torment her grandma—she'd gone to snag a solid grandson-in-law!
"So, Manager Kim. How's our future son-in-law doing?"
At first, Seo Ok-soon sighed, thinking it'd be another dud. But digging deeper, this guy was the real deal.
"Yes. After that stalking incident landed him in the hospital, he got a full checkup. Results say he's in perfect health. And right now, he's probably deep into dates with the young miss."
Manager Kim's report brought a satisfied smile to the elegantly aged face of Seo Ok-soon.
"I've learned with age there's nothing cheaper yet more priceless than health. Whisper to the youngest to get our future grandson-in-law a thorough checkup. If I say it, she'll brush it off as old lady nagging."
"I'll hint it to her subtly. I hear there's couple health checkups these days."
"Heh, couples do everything together now, huh?"
Manager Kim continued his report without a word.
"Oh, and about that building acquisition you ordered. We bought it at about 14.3% over market value. The owner played hardball."
"Those types can't smell big money, but they sniff out pennies like bloodhounds."
From his briefcase, Manager Kim pulled a yellow envelope containing the sales contract for the commercial building housing Cafe Blue Mocha. For a small business cafe, it did decently. Then Yoon Jae-hyun—a handsome, kind part-timer—joined, and sales skyrocketed. The landlord got greedy, inching up rent, gearing for abuse. So Seo Ok-soon snapped up the building. A bit over market, sure, but pocket change for Taesung's chairwoman.
"Not bad location, solid rent. Perfect wedding gift for our grandson-in-law later."
Hm. Too cheap for our precious boy? Seo Ok-soon tapped her wrinkled chin thoughtfully.
"He's diligent and young. Once he marries the youngest and gains experience, you can layer on more then. Isn't doting on kids in old age the best part?"
"Heh heh~ You're right, Manager Kim. Yeah, yeah. Ah~ When will our youngest bring her man to visit this old lady~"
The parties in question weren't even dating yet. But in Seo Ok-soon's mind, her youngest granddaughter Seo Ji-ah and her crush Yoon Jae-hyun were already married, blissful, kids and all.
-2-
We finished souvenir shopping and wandered a bit more, snapping photos. Dinner was simple pasta and salad at an Italian spot in Namsan Tower—late lunch tonkatsu had filled us up.
"So you don't like cream pasta?"
"Yeah, it never sits right. Tomato's my favorite, and oil pasta's fine too."
I skip cream or rose types—they just don't agree with me. Ji-ah unnie listened like it was top-secret intel, nodding earnestly.
"Jae-hyun, over here."
Post-dinner, heading down. The evening elevator was packed. We'd skipped a near-full one already, so Ji-ah unnie sighed and plunged into the crowd. She positioned me against the wall, worried about pervs in the throng. It hit me anew: this is a reverse world. My old-life instincts made it feel weird. I'm built sturdy in both lives, so it was kinda embarrassing.
"Haa, still hot even after sunset. So humid."
Stepping out, muggy heat slammed us. Ji-ah unnie giggled at my grimace and offered her hand.
"AC's blasting in the car. Let's go."
I stared at her hand; she yanked it back, flustered. "Hot!" Probably caught up in the day's fun, acting bolder than usual. Realizing it, she blushed.
I grabbed it.
"J-Jae-hyun?"
"You offered, right? C'mon, it's hot."
She froze at my goofy grin, then sidled up, walking hand-in-hand. Weather was sweltering, but her warm palm felt great—not gross, just happy. A soft thrill bubbled up, silly smiles threatening to spill. Glancing over under the dim streetlights, her skin seemed flushed. The heat? Or something else? Monosexual me wouldn't know, but I wanted to believe it was the latter.