Preparing the Liquor Company & Ha-yeon's Father (2)
Waiting in the conference room were Chairman Jang, Chairman Choi, Hospital Director Park, and Executive Director Hwang Eun-seok, who would be overseeing the liquor business.
"Good day, Chairmen. Oh? Director Park, I didn't expect to see you here as well."
Chairman Jang answered on his behalf. "Ah, I invited him. I figured Director Park ought to know about this too."
"I see, that explains it. Director Park, it's a pleasure."
"Good to see you, Young-hoon. You've been well?"
"Yes, sir. And this gentleman is the father of Ha-yeon, one of our Five Girls members."
"How do you do. My name is Sim Dong-seob, and I work as a researcher at the Korea Central Wine Research Institute. It is truly an honor to meet both Chairmen and the Director of Chunghyo Hospital today."
"A pleasure to meet you. I'm Jang Young-wook — I play with money in Jongno. That old gentleman there is Choi Min-yong, who does the same alongside me. That fellow is Dr. Park Jong-wook, and the other one is Executive Director Hwang Eun-seok."
Young-hoon decided that since he was the one who had arranged this meeting, it was up to him to lead the discussion.
"Allow me to explain why I've brought Dr. Sim here today. My hometown lies in a deep valley of the Taebaek Mountains in Gangwon Province, and in the mountains around it, a number of reclusive Taoist masters live hidden away from the world."
Even as he spoke, Young-hoon found the story hard to believe himself, but he did his best to embellish it as he went along.
"I've known one of these masters since I was a child, and when I went down to my hometown this Chuseok, I happened to run into him again. Perhaps he took a liking to me, because he gave me some elixir powder. He told me to mix an appropriate amount into alcohol and drink it."
Dr. Sim's expression grew steadily more incredulous, but Young-hoon pressed on, forcing himself to ignore it.
"He said it would improve both the taste of the alcohol and one's health. He especially emphasized how good it would be for men. So I tried mixing it into wine as an experiment, and the effects were very real. I then shared it with the three gentlemen here, and they've all experienced the results firsthand."
When the ridiculous tale — like something out of a third-rate legend — finally came to an end, a brief silence settled over the room.
Chairman Jang instinctively sensed that this was the pivotal moment on which the entire liquor venture would succeed or fail. Alcohol wasn't something you could simply produce and expect to sell. In order to obtain a sales license, a body of research data — ingredient analysis charts and the like — had to be accumulated first, and only on that foundation could approval be secured. So Chairman Jang picked up where Young-hoon had left off, adding his own corroboration.
"I know it sounds absurd, but Representative Kim is telling the truth. Chairman Choi and I both drank the elixir he gave us, and we've not only recovered our lost manhood — our medical checkups even show our bodies growing physiologically younger. Director Park here verified all of it personally, so there's no mistaking the facts."
"The Taebaek Mountain Taoist master is so fond of alcohol that he set out to create a drink that would be both delicious and good for the body, and as it happened there was wine on hand, so he experimented with that — and the results were outstanding. Since then he's tested it on many other varieties of liquor as well, and it seems the strongest effects came from wine made from grapes and from spirits with high alcohol content. However, because the master conducted his experiments in a rather haphazard manner, precise research data is what we need right now."
Dr. Sim couldn't get his bearings. Out of nowhere came talk of Taoist masters, then talk of miracle elixirs. If it were anyone other than the people seated around this table, he would have assumed he was being made the butt of a joke.
But the company gathered here today was anything but a laughing matter. Chairman Jang and Chairman Choi were two of the most famous Cash Kings in all of South Korea, and Chunghyo General Hospital boasted a reputation second to none. For a mere researcher like him, these were men he wouldn't have dared so much as strike up a conversation with. He had set aside the time to meet Young-hoon only because his daughter was so fond of the man — yet if the effects he'd just heard described were true, it would be a discovery astonishing enough to win a Nobel Prize.
"If the elixir powder truly has the remarkable effects Representative Kim describes, then it is absolutely worth studying. That said, conducting the research at our institute's laboratories is out of the question. Since it wouldn't be our company's own product, there's a real risk the story could leak out. But if the proper infrastructure for the research can be put in place, I would like to take the lead and see it through myself."
"The fewer people who know about this elixir powder, the better," Chairman Jang said. "Just as Dr. Sim says, if the research were carried out at his company's facilities, there's a real danger word might get out — so setting up a separate research facility is only natural. Above all, what matters is absolute secrecy. If word ever got out that the Taebaek Mountain Taoist master existed, there's no telling what could happen. Promise me that much, and I'll have the research facility set up as quickly as possible."
"Understood. Then I'll take responsibility for assembling the research team out of people who know how to keep their mouths shut. When would the research be able to begin?"
"Chairman Jang and I will push things along as fast as we can so that the facility is up and running by March of next year. That said, I'd very much like Dr. Sim to join our team right away — after all, wouldn't he be the one who has to procure the research equipment in advance? I'd like Dr. Sim to serve as the director of the institute, with Director Park supporting him from the sidelines. Director Park, what are your thoughts?"
"Chairman, my duties at the hospital keep me far too busy, so I'll put my eldest son on the research team instead. We'll need to run medical research in parallel with everything else, after all."
"Then let's say the institute launches in March of next year, and the organization will be built together by Dr. Sim and Director Park's eldest boy. That wraps up the first round of arrangements… Now then, let's talk business. Representative Kim, just what kind of business are you planning to build around this elixir powder?"
Young-hoon first expressed his gratitude for Dr. Sim's joining them, then laid out his vision for how the business would unfold going forward.
"To be honest, I consulted with the Taebaek Mountain Taoist master before coming here today. Fortunately, he's agreed to supply the pure elixir directly for the amounts you Chairmen will consume. After all, elixir powder obtained through artificial cultivation is bound to be far less potent than what's gathered in nature."
At the mention of the VVIP-grade elixir powder, Chairman Jang's interest sharpened instantly.
"And how much of this natural elixir can be supplied?"
"He said he could supply roughly two hundred bottles a year."
"Ah, that's a relief. At that level, Chairman Choi and I can comfortably cover our needs. But would the potency of the artificially cultivated powder really drop that dramatically?"
"According to the master, even a very tiny amount added keeps the taste of the alcohol just as good as ever. The other effects, however, drop to about one-fifth their original strength. Of course, the more powder you add, the better the effects — but since mass production isn't feasible, I'd like to use it primarily to enhance the flavor rather than the potency. I'm hoping Dr. Sim can find the optimal mixing ratio for us."
"So which type of alcohol do you plan to start with?"
"Soju or beer, the value for the price just isn't there. What I want to make is wine — a drink beloved around the world. At wine's price point, I believe the value proposition is more than justified. From there, I'd like to gradually expand into cognac, whiskey, baijiu, and the like."
"And what are your thoughts on pricing?"
"That, I think, should be settled once the research results are in. My own guess is that the flavor will vary depending on where the grapes are grown."
Executive Director Hwang, who had been listening to the conversation for some time, turned to Dr. Sim with a question of his own.
"Dr. Sim, I'll be the one in charge of running the wine factory going forward. Where would be the best place to build it?"
"For wine, aging is everything. It has to mature somewhere where the temperature holds steady between ten and fifteen degrees Celsius year-round, and in my judgment, the best option is storage in a cave or a fully climate-controlled facility. Of course, that costs a great deal of money, which is why I'd recommend making use of a cave where the temperature stays constant all year long. And ideally, the location should be free of pollutants as well."
Hearing this, Young-hoon offered a proposal of his own.
"Then what about the Gangwon region? Places like Jeongseon, Taebaek, and Yeongwol have wonderfully clean air, and there are plenty of caves — better still, there are countless abandoned mines that we could put to good use. If we managed that, it would give the local economy a real boost, too."
Chairman Jang nodded along, clearly in agreement. "Yes, I like that idea. It would even cut down on the operating costs, wouldn't it? Executive Director Hwang, what do you think?"
"There are pros and cons. As you say, Chairman, the costs would be lower and it would no doubt help revitalize the local economy. But logistics are the sticking point. Shipping exports from the East Coast to the rest of the world would be ideal, but there's no port there large enough to handle it. On top of that, Gangwon's population is small, so securing an adequate workforce would be difficult."
"Hmm, those are real concerns. All the same, I stand with Representative Kim on this. As for logistics, couldn't we simply use the rail lines? And the labor shortage will take care of itself once we start paying good wages."
"Understood. Then I will actively push forward with Representative Kim's plan."
Once the direction was set, the meeting moved forward without a hitch. Before anyone realized it, the lunch hour had come and gone, and the afternoon was wearing on. Remembering his dinner engagement, Young-hoon asked to be excused and rose from his seat. The remaining four, it seemed, were only just hitting their stride — still deep in a lively exchange of opinions. Something about the sight warmed him, and Young-hoon left the room with a smile.
By the time Young-hoon arrived at the Renaissance Hotel restaurant, most of the guests had already gathered. CEO Joo Young-ki, Screenwriter Lee Na-yeon, PD Kim Pil-joon, and PD Lee Hyo-young were the last to arrive.
Joo Young-ki explained that thanks to Five Girls appearing on MBS Radio to promote Love After Separation, the drama had drawn tremendous attention, and that he had invited everyone to dinner tonight as a token of his gratitude.
The meal proceeded in a cheerful, festive mood throughout, and word was that despite the grueling shoots, the drama production was progressing merrily along — by all accounts, everything was going smoothly. Full-fledged advertising was set to begin the following week, and the overseas broadcast rights had been reclaimed from MBS, with steady inquiries already pouring in from abroad — though no licensing contracts had actually been signed yet.
Much as he hated to dampen the spirits of everyone celebrating around him, Young-hoon was utterly drained from the intense meeting that had run late into the afternoon. Even now, the only thought in his head was of going home and getting some rest.
As the meal wound down and he was finally relishing the prospect of heading home to rest, PD Shin Hye-yoon said she had something to discuss with him, and they agreed to meet separately after dinner. Five Girls had a nighttime event to attend, so they ate quickly and left, while Young-hoon, Hye-yoon, and President Lee Jae-man found themselves a quiet table at the hotel coffee shop.
"There's still nearly three weeks left before Love After Separation airs, but we're already getting quite a lot of inquiries from broadcasters overseas. I suspect it's the effect of the OST that Five Girls performed at the pre-production press conference. The problem is, they're showing more interest in Five Girls than in the drama itself. So the president has asked us to find a way for the drama and Five Girls to create a synergy effect together. What are your thoughts on that, Girin Entertainment?"
"Well, we're grateful that people are showing our girls any interest at all. Still, I never dreamed they'd become known overseas this quickly."
"With the Hallyu wave blowing this strongly, anything that becomes a hot topic in Korea takes off overseas almost immediately — so it's really not that surprising."
"Then perhaps we should take some time to think it over carefully and meet again to discuss it. Nothing is coming to mind for me at the moment — do you have any good ideas, President Lee?"
"I'm of the same mind as Mr. Kim. Nothing much comes to me off the top of my head, either. Let's meet again next week and talk it through."
PD Shin Hye-yoon pulled out her planner and glanced through it. "How about next Thursday, then?"
Young-hoon checked his own schedule for the following week as well; he had nothing pressing.
"Works for me."
Once the conversation had more or less wrapped up, President Lee Jae-man began quietly reading the room. In fact, he had received a text from PD Shin Hye-yoon before coming here, asking him to make his exit at the appropriate moment. And he knew instinctively that now was that moment.
"Oh dear, I just remembered I had something to pass along to Five Girls about their event — and it slipped my mind entirely. Well then, I'll be heading off. You two carry on with your conversation."
The moment President Lee Jae-man hurriedly excused himself, Hye-yoon seemed to steel herself and pressed Young-hoon hard.
"Considering you haven't so much as called me lately, Mr. Kim, I take it you've been very busy?"
"Ah, yes. Strangely enough, work has been piling up these days. Personal matters, company matters… well, you know how it is."
"Couldn't you quit your company job now, Mr. Kim? I'd think running Girin Entertainment alone would keep you busy enough."
"Funny you should mention it — I imagine I'll be quitting before long anyway."
"That's wonderful news. Then I suppose we'll be seeing each other much more often from now on."
"I'm sorry — why exactly would I be seeing you often, PD Shin? It's not as though we have anything particular to discuss…"
"……"
Watching Hye-yoon's expression harden by the second, Young-hoon felt a jolt of regret. Somehow, he sensed he had just made a grave mistake. Hye-yoon's face flushed with anger, and she snapped at him.
"Hmph. Clearly I was mistaken about something. I'll be leaving first — find your own way home."
Young-hoon stared after her as she stormed out in a huff, completely at a loss.
"What on earth did I say wrong? What kind of woman gets sulky over that?"
Truly, no man on earth understood a woman's heart less than Kim Young-hoon.