Japan Bound: Ramen Factory Recon
The Chilgyejang Bowl Ramen boom from the Japan business trip showed no signs of slowing down even after time passed. Grandpa had even announced through an executive meeting that we were building another factory in the provinces. One Hwanggeum Noodle Factory alone couldn't possibly keep up with the surging demand.
"Phew, this is a real headache."
Kim Bokhyeon let out a massive sigh and grumbled.
"Whether it doesn't sell or sells too well, it's always a problem... Heh heh heh~"
"Still, it's better than not selling, right?"
The factory's annual sales had barely hit 50 million won before. But right after we started producing Chilgyejang, the money pouring into Kim Bokhyeon's pockets multiplied exponentially. In less than half a year, sales had skyrocketed past 500 million—talk about explosive growth. Thanks to that, my own pockets were getting fatter too.
"Grandpa's building another factory. Just hang in there a bit longer."
Even with my consolation, Kim Bokhyeon's sighs didn't let up.
"Building a factory takes time, doesn't it? It's not like we can whip one up with a magic hammer."
"That's why I'm here. Hehe~"
"Oh ho, got a solution up your sleeve?"
"Yep. Fight poison with poison—like blocking money problems with more money."
"With money?"
I was shocked when I first heard the news too. I never dreamed Grandpa would invite me to join him on a trip to Japan. Normally, chairmen take their secretaries or kids on overseas trips, but this time he specifically picked me.
"That's a big deal."
"Yeah, it is."
I'm just a fresh kid who hasn't even graduated kindergarten yet. Sure, what problems could arise traveling with the Hansung Group chairman, my grandpa? I could probably just hang around, sightsee a bit, and call it a day.
"Heh heh, then I'm counting on you. Bring back some top-notch equipment from Japan."
Kim Bokhyeon grabbed both my hands, his eyes pleading desperately for me to solve the factory's crisis pronto.
"Got it. I'll do my best..."
I subtly turned my head away from the president's burdensome gaze.
＊
The person most shocked by my Japan trip announcement was none other than Jeong Haewon from the rival Hyundai family.
"Wh-what? You're going overseas? With your grandpa?"
"Yeah. It'll be about a week."
"Th-that long?"
Ever since I visited her mansion last time, Haewon and I had grown a lot closer. Now she was nagging me every day with cute threats about how she should visit the Hansung house too.
"Hmph! When I start elementary school soon, I'll g-g-go with my g-g-grandpa too, to... to..."
"Sure. Let me know if you go overseas later?"
"Ahem! If I do, I'll tell you. But where are you headed?"
"Japan."
"Japan? The language is different from ours there..."
"I know enough."
"Wh-what! You speak Japanese? You already do English well too?"
"Just basic everyday stuff. But how'd you know about the English?"
Haewon's eyes shook like there was an earthquake. I didn't know it then, but she'd seen me reading an original English book and napping in the playground.
"Just curious..."
"Yeah?"
"Besides Korean and English, what else do you speak?"
"Hmm... Chinese and Russian? A bit of French too. Japanese's a bonus."
"...!"
Haewon's eyes lost their spark again, her face struck with massive shock.
"R-really? That many? N-no way, liar!"
"I'm not great. Just simple greetings."
"Hmph! Well, I can do that much too. Anyway, have a safe trip."
"Okay."
As I left kindergarten, Dad was driving himself for the first time in ages.
"Did you listen well to your teacher, sweetie?"
"Yup~ You had a hard day too, Dad."
"Only my daughter worries about me. Shall we head back to the mansion? I already talked to your teacher."
"Sure."
Riding with Dad, I took in Seoul's streets after so long. They were talking about El Niño driving up global grain prices, but luckily Korea seemed spared the worst. The radio was broadcasting it too. Dad tweaked the volume knob, and static crackled.
El Niño, huh... I knew around this time, the whole world suffered from it.
"Especially around Peru and Ecuador, fishing industries are expected to take a big hit, and it could impact global grain production too..."
Listening to the radio, I asked Dad curiously.
"Dad!"
"Yeah? What's up, sweetie?"
"They said it affects grain production—won't that hit wheat too?"
Dad replied,
"My smart girl. Wheat will take a huge hit for sure."
"Then ramen prices will go up too, right?"
"Hmm, probably not that far. Even if they do, Hansung plans to hold prices steady."
"Really?"
"Of course. Jack up prices carelessly, and consumers get a bad impression—like all we care about is money."
I flinched inwardly. In my past life, chicken prices got cartelized to 30,000 won a bird. Good thing Dad cared more about public sentiment than profits.
"Hehe~"
Seeing my happy face, Dad's mouth curved softly.
"What? Glad we're not raising prices?"
"Yeah. Ramen's food for beating hunger. If it gets too pricey, it's not ramen anymore."
"Huh, never thought that far."
Chatting happily with Dad, we arrived at the Bukchangdong Mansion before I knew it. Mom came out to greet us. She'd canceled all her busy celebrity schedules upon hearing about my Japan trip with Grandpa. She'd even decided to sleep with us tonight—big parental worry for a simple trip.
"Sweetie? Scared? Want Mom to come too?"
"Nah, Grandpa hates mixing work and family. And what could go wrong with him?"
"Hiiing~ My girl's all grown up. She used to follow me like a duckling..."
I never did that, not once.
Grandpa was waiting in his study to discuss things with me. A massive conglomerate chairman talking business with his six-year-old granddaughter—others might faint hearing about it.
"Is Seoyeon here?"
"Yes, Grandpa. Seoyeon's here."
"Good. Sit here."
Soon, my favorite cocoa and Grandpa's coffee arrived on the table.
"You know you're flying to Japan with this old man tomorrow, right?"
"Yes. To Osaka, I heard."
"Right. We're buying production equipment there. Might as well try Japan's instant ramen while we're at it—the homeland of ramen."
I nodded small, cradling my cocoa mug. Plenty to learn from Japan, for sure. Osaka was home to the top food company dominating Japan's ramen market.
"We visiting a Japanese ramen factory too?"
"We should. Especially Nissin Foods—worth seeing. They're our contract partner too."
"Hee~"
In my past life, I'd visited Japan dozens of times. As a ramen researcher, I couldn't skip the birthplace of instant noodles. I'd go for every new product, taste-test, analyze processes and ingredients—memories still fresh.
"Grandpa, I'm so excited."
"Kuh hah hah, since you love ramen too, you won't be disappointed."
Grandpa smiled warmly at my words.
"Not just tourism, of course. You know that?"
"Yes!"
Don't worry. Japan is the stepping stone for Hansung Food's growth.
＊
We flew into Osaka.
"Yaaawn!"
"How's it feel? Nice?"
"Yeah! Japanese air feels different from Korea's."
"Keh hah hah, funny kid."
Square taxis zipped endlessly on the roads. Shops packed both sides of the streets caught my eye. Ramen, udon, sushi signs felt foreign yet familiar.
So this is what 1980 Japan looked like...
I eagerly took in the sights following Grandpa. Woo Shijang, assisting us, asked casually.
"Chairman, I booked one room at the hotel."
"Good. Better that way."
We headed to the hotel first. Staff in crisp uniforms bowed in unison.
"Irasshaimase!"
Woo Shijang handled all reservations. Surprisingly, he was multilingual like me. After a short wait, he turned back post-check-in.
"Chairman, room's ready."
"Lead on."
"Yes."
Taking the key from the staff, Woo Shijang guided us to the elevator. Peeking inside as doors opened, mirrors everywhere made it feel spacious, soft lighting calming the interior.
Wow, they put thought into this.
The room was huge too, naturally. Fit for the Hansung Group chairman. As the only daughter, I lacked for nothing—could party here for years. Chilgyejang's smash hit netted me nearly 4 billion from Grandpa. Probably no girl in Japan had as much cash as me.
Next day, we arrived at Nissin Foods and met their reps.
"Seoyeon, I'll talk business. Wait here."
"Okay! Have fun."
"Alright."
Once Grandpa and Woo Shijang left, a Japanese female staffer approached cautiously to guide me.
"This way, please."
Her Japanese was crisp and clear. I replied naturally in kind.
"Yes, thank you."
"!"
A Korean kid—no, a six-year-old girl—speaking fluent Japanese left her stunned. Basic for a ramen researcher, though. I continued in Japanese.
"Nissin Foods is Japan's biggest food company, right? Can I tour the factory?"
"Y-yes?"
A little girl wanting a factory tour instead of toys? Sweat beaded on her forehead.
"O-our factory?"
"Yeah~ I really want to see it."
"We can show you the basic tour area..."
"Really?"
Hehe~ Do they know? It looks like innocent kid curiosity, but really, it's recon on their factory layout and production capacity. Perfect timing—Hansung's princess got the green light from above.
"Follow me, then."
"Yes, please."
Out of sight behind her, I smirked. Time to check out Japan's top food giant.