Meeting of the Liquor Empire
After lunch with the LK Electronics old boys, Young-hoon returned to his office and took a short rest, then headed to Chairman Jang's office to join the two chairmen before they all made their way to the conference room together. The meeting began with the people who had arrived early exchanging greetings with the two chairmen, and once again it was Chairman Jang who got things rolling.
"The reason we've gathered today is to check how the liquor business is progressing and to see whether there's a better way to go about it. So let's discuss this freely."
Young-hoon picked up where Chairman Jang left off.
"My thinking was to allow one to two years of preparation, but looking at how things are moving right now, I'd say we need to finish all our preparations within a year at the latest and launch the new product the year after that. Which means we need to put our countermeasures in place well in advance."
Just as with the meeting with the drama production team, Young-hoon was the star of the show. Chairman Jang and Chairman Choi seemed determined to stick strictly to their roles as advisors, refraining from interference as much as possible and only occasionally tossing out a helpful word or two.
"I went on a business trip to China with Young-hoon last week and secured two major buyers, and this week we're heading to the States to meet more. But our preparations had better not fall short — that's exactly what Young-hoon is pointing out right now."
"In that case, may I ask Executive Director Hwang of the factory team to give his report?"
Executive Director Hwang Eun-seok rose from his seat to deliver his report.
"First, allow me to address the business permit. With the help of Gangwon Province and the Yeongwol County Office, I expect the permit to be issued within the year at the latest. As for the factory site, we've decided to use land within the Yeongwol Industrial Complex — anywhere from a minimum of 500,000 pyeong up to as much as 2 million. Also, there's an abandoned mine within three kilometers of the site, and with only minor repairs it should offer more than enough space to store the raw spirit. The moment the permit comes through, we'll start immediately."
Young-hoon turned to Dr. Shim, the man slated to head the research institute, and asked about his progress.
"And the research team?"
Dr. Shim Dong-seop stood and began his report.
"The team is essentially fully assembled. As for the institute itself, rather than building a new facility, I'd suggest we acquire an existing one."
"Is there a good property available?"
"There's a half-finished research building at the foot of Mt. Umyeon. If we purchase it and put it to use, we could begin research by February at the latest."
"Then that works out nicely. Please conduct due diligence with Executive Director Hwang and move to acquire it as soon as possible."
"I was already planning to visit and inspect it together with Director Hwang. We'll be back with a verdict within the week."
Young-hoon believed the success or failure of this entire venture hinged on securing raw materials. Grapes were grown in Korea, of course, but domestic production would barely cover domestic consumption. If they meant to take the business global, a stable supply of raw ingredients was paramount.
"Then let's hear from the raw material sourcing team."
At Young-hoon's prompting, a man in his mid-forties whom he was meeting for the first time today stood up to report.
"I'm Team Leader Kyung Ki-myung, head of raw material sourcing. Let me start with wine. We are currently in contact with producers across Europe, the United States, and South America — every major wine-producing region. In short, I see no problems on the supply front."
Young-hoon threw a brake on the report.
"Hold on a moment. Just as you say, Team Leader Kyung, purchasing raw wine isn't difficult. But we have absolutely no intention of producing wine alone. So what I need you to do is find a way to acquire a winery — whether in Europe, America, or South America. Which means securing their stock of aged wine as well, doesn't it? That's the only way we'll be able to produce cognac too."
Chairman Choi threw his full weight behind Young-hoon's point.
"I think Young-hoon's right. Let's all keep in mind that our goal is a comprehensive liquor company."
Emboldened, Young-hoon laid out his own plans for the spirits business.
"Additionally, please establish a plan to secure the raw ingredients for globally famous, high-proof spirits such as whiskey and vodka. For reference, we've already secured two suppliers in China."
Team Leader Kyung answered with impressive vigor.
"Understood."
"And if you're short on funds, request as much as you need. These two gentlemen here will serve as your treasury."
Chairman Jang, who had been listening quietly, added a word of his own.
"Like Young-hoon says, we're not men who play this game for a year or two and walk away. Securing ample raw materials from a long-term perspective may well become the most important mission of this business, so make sure you take his words to heart. Ask for whatever funding you need — on one condition: there must be no problems later on. Keep that in mind at all times."
"Just as Chairman Jang says — if we come to hold a monopoly position in the market, there's a very real chance the supplying countries will try to weaponize the raw materials against us. Acquiring our suppliers in advance is precisely our hedge against that day. And please, establish a rock-solid logistics system for transporting the ingredients as well."
"Understood. I'll give it everything I have."
Chairman Jang closed the session with a remark of his own.
"Chairman Choi and I only planned to sit in on these meetings until Young-hoon found his footing. But watching him run the meeting today? I'd say it's time for us old men to retreat to the back room."
"What—? What are you talking about? You two need to stay and help us until everything's on its feet!"
"Don't worry about that. Now, all of you — follow Young-hoon's lead and prepare thoroughly so we can have the new product in production within the year."
Perhaps inspired by the sheer scope of the plan, everyone answered with a resounding, "Yes, sir!"
The meeting continued under Young-hoon's direction from there, and before anyone noticed, evening had slipped in. Young-hoon praised the staff for their hard work and led the whole group to a barbecue restaurant. The sizzle of pork belly on the grill was enough to set every mouth watering. They finished the evening easily with a few rounds of drinks, and everyone headed home in high spirits and pleasant fullness.
As for the two chairmen, they left the moment dinner was over. No doubt hurrying off to spend the night with their young lady friends.
About two hours remained until ten o'clock, when the drama's first broadcast would begin. Feeling the awkward gap in his schedule, Young-hoon called Team Leader Park, who happened to be playing billiards for money near the office — so Young-hoon raced over and joined in. They whiled away the hours happily over the table, and around 9:50 he made his way to the specialty coffee shop run by Ki-hyun, where the Girin Entertainment crew, Five Girls included, had already claimed their seats. The Girin family had grown considerably of late — there looked to be well over twenty of them.
After a warm round of greetings, they settled in to watch the drama. Being the premiere, it was packed with all manner of striking scenes designed to hook viewers, but the crowning highlight was, without question, the OST sung by Five Girls — A Loving Heart. The gentle, flowing melody wove together with the leads' onscreen romance until it was like watching a living painting, and perhaps because of that, every line of dialogue seemed to land cleanly in the ear. Even by the judgment of Young-hoon, who knew next to nothing about dramas, the ratings were guaranteed to clear twenty percent.
Not a single person made a sound while the drama aired, and for the first time in ages he found himself glued to a television screen for over an hour. The moment it ended, the coffee shop erupted into chatter.
Su-min, the maknae of Five Girls, was the first through the gate.
"Boss, wasn't it so good? I almost cried when our OST came on."
"Me too. It was so dreamy."
"Young-hoon, that OST absolutely kills."
It seemed everyone's attention was fixed more on the OST than on the drama itself.
"I'd say the ratings will come in over thirty percent."
Leave it to President Lee Jae-man to be the realist. Higher ratings meant higher revenue, so it was only natural that a man of business would care more about the numbers than whether the drama was any good. No doubt Sinabro Production and MBS were sweating bullets over the same question — though the network probably already had a fair idea of the results.
"I thought the drama itself was good too, but our kids' OST was the real showstopper. The cinematography was great, and isn't the editing just insane?"
Hye-in sniffed something out and barreled right in.
"Oppa... are you plotting something with those people?"
"You really can fool a ghost, but never you. As it happens, I am preparing to produce a drama. So listen up — I'm planning to write three or four OST songs for it in February, so plan accordingly."
"Then when will the songs be ready?"
"I'll hand them over by mid-January. Make three songs last you until then."
"Okay. Our old flop songs are charting again anyway thanks to reverse-ranking, so we'll be fine for a while."
"Good to hear. You've got a packed schedule again tomorrow, so head back to the dorm and get some proper rest."
"Got it. Oh — when's our housewarming party?"
"No need to rush that, is there? You're so busy with promotions you're probably not even sleeping enough. Let's do it in January when things calm down."
"Okay! Then we're heading home now. Get home safe."
By the time Young-hoon arrived home, midnight was nearly upon him. Soo-jin seemed to be asleep in her room. He'd have to check the viewer reactions tomorrow morning. He showered and climbed into bed. And so another day slipped away.
The moment Young-hoon woke, he went looking for Soo-jin, who was in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
"Sister, cooking up breakfast, I see?"
"Morning, big bro. You're up? Go wash up. You've got to eat and get to work."
"Soo-jin, did you watch the MBS drama last night? How was it?"
"Oh, you mean Love After Separation? This expert's professional opinion: the ratings will clear thirty percent, easy. That OST at the end probably dragged up another ten percent on its own."
The instant he heard it, Young-hoon's face lit up.
"Big bro, you know Detective Kim's been busy lately, right? Something smells fishy, I'm telling you. A guy who only ever cared about sports on TV suddenly watching a drama, his face going all weird every five seconds... Big bro. Are you dating Hye-in?"
"Hey—! Sister, you can't just say whatever pops into your head. I changed Hye-in's diapers and raised her. Does she look like a woman to you?"
"You've got a point, big bro, but you never know about these things between a man and a woman, do you? Confess now, before you get caught. If it comes out later, know you'll be punished to the fullest extent of the law."
Young-hoon flinched inwardly, but fought to keep his face neutral and offered up his defense.
"What could I possibly be hiding from you? I'm innocent — investigate all you like. See if you turn up so much as a speck of dust."
"That's exactly what makes you suspicious! I know all about people getting extra bold when something's hanging over them!"
"Hey, just eat your breakfast. We both need to get to work."
"Just you wait till I catch you! You won't even get soup out of me!"
And so Young-hoon and Soo-jin bickered their way through breakfast. Under Soo-jin's endless barrage of suspicion, Young-hoon barely registered the food going down. The moment she finally finished eating, she grabbed her bag and hurried off to the hospital as though the building were on fire.