Chapter 102: Fateful Connections
*** Athena
[An unprecedented incident has occurred. The so-called big three daily newspapers, including Seyoung, failed to publish.]
[As of this moment, Seyoung Newspaper's stock is trading down 7%.]
An extraordinary situation unfolded where three major media outlets couldn't publish their newspapers. The news channels kept bringing it up nonstop. The market saw it as bad news, and Seyoung Newspaper's stock plummeted.
Kang Min-ho turned off the TV, smiled faintly without a sound, sat down, and spoke to Lawyer Choi.
"Feels like I was sweeping the yard in a good mood, and a bundle of cash just fell from the sky."
"With our competitors naturally out of the picture, we expect The Times circulation to increase even more going forward."
"It'll sell out completely for a while—no doubt about it."
"How about doubling that?"
"We'll talk specifics when President Jo gets here."
Speak of the devil—the door to the conference room opened, and Jo Dong-uk, president of The Times, walked in.
"President, you're here awfully early. Makes me feel pressured."
"Better to get things done ahead of schedule anyway."
"That... uh, do you know about what happened yesterday?"
"It'd be weirder if I didn't."
"I poked around a bit. They say the paper mills and ink suppliers refused to deliver materials, but I'm half-doubting it."
Min-ho knew the truth but smiled slyly instead and asked, "What do you think, President Jo? Does it seem real?"
Jo scratched his chin for a long while before answering.
"All their revenue comes from the newspapers, so something's definitely up... but nothing specific comes to mind."
"They'll be suffering for a while. So, what position should we take?"
"Then doesn't that make The Times the king? How about increasing print runs a bit and boosting the evening edition share?"
"Good. Let's go one step further—how can we grab even more market share?"
Min-ho kept firing questions like a game of twenty questions.
After pondering deeply, President Jo replied.
"We gotta hustle, chase scoops nonstop to sell more copies."
"There's a better way."
"Really?"
"Fix the evening edition as a staple. Make it so people read only The Times, morning or late afternoon—no exceptions. Scoops like you said, of course."
Evening editions typically sold less than morning ones. Right now, The Times' morning print run was selling out before it even hit shelves. The evening one went without saying.
"If we do evenings too, won't we snag more ads?"
"Add an economic paper, weekly, women's mag—whatever's needed. Not hard, right?"
"Not hard at all."
"Then proceed like this."
"Let's shake up Korea's media scene."
"The bigger the dream, the better. Do whatever you want."
Next, Section Chief Cheon Dong-gwan, President Yang Sang-pil, and Team Leader No Jun-hwan entered.
"Perfect timing. No need to wait—let's start the meeting."
Cheon, looking pleased as if something good had happened, handed over materials and began his report.
"First, investment update. Total profits have broken through 150 billion as of today."
"Right on schedule. Time to pull back gradually."
"Start selling tomorrow?"
"Anything else is fine, but for JK Telecom, sell in small batches to avoid tanking the stock."
"Got it."
Min-ho turned to President Yang.
"Blueprints ready?"
"Yes, President."
"Go see JK Construction President Kang Min-seong and talk directly."
"Understood. I'll report back after."
Finally, Real Estate Team Leader No Jun-hwan.
"As you heard, full funding kicks in this month."
"I was sweating over missing good land—this is great news."
"Your eye for land beats mine, Team Leader No. No need for reports—buy on your judgment and go full throttle."
"Got it."
After brief instructions to each team, Min-ho dropped a bombshell.
"Everyone knows about the big three dailies incident, right?"
"Yes, President."
"Explaining would take forever, so here's the punchline: JK Group is acquiring Seyoung Newspaper."
His unexpected words startled everyone. President No gaped like a hippopotamus, speechless.
President Yang, ever the ex-secretary chief with quick profit-loss math, chimed in.
"Any other group might be trouble, but with JK—where we cooperate smoothly—it's good news for us."
"You nailed the key point. Which means there's work we need to tackle together."
Min-ho passed around materials and continued.
"The Times' main ads are from JK Group. Who the corporate model is will affect circulation too."
"You're saying pick an ad model?"
"Any ideas, throw 'em out."
While the others looked flustered by the sudden ad model talk, the ever-serious President Yang pondered before speaking.
"How about Heo Sung-cham? He hosted Family Fun Hall for nearly ten years—no shortage of trust factor."
"Noted as a candidate. Other ideas?"
Section Chief Cheon took the floor.
"Using fresh new faces who aren't overexposed wouldn't be bad. New comedians like Seo Guk-jin, Lee Yong-man, Kang Hee-seok, or actresses like Seo Mi-hwa, Jin Hyo-sil—could work."
It was a trip down memory lane to recall celebs from years back. Min-ho fished for advice in case he missed someone, but no one he liked was mentioned.
"Meeting's over for today. See you next time. Good work."
-Good work.
-Good work.
Once the team left, Lawyer Choi asked slyly.
"Young master, you already have someone in mind, I bet."
"Can't even drink cold water without bad luck. How'd you know?"
"Instinct... that word fits."
"But you won't have even imagined this one."
Min-ho jotted something on a memo pad and handed it to Lawyer Choi.
"Find this person. Tell them JK is sponsoring."
"Pardon? This guy's... a Barcelona Olympics national team marathoner, but basically a nobody. Not even a celeb—planning to use him as a model?"
"I'll explain later. You wouldn't believe it now even if I told you a hundred times. Just meet him first."
"Understood. Then on the way, let me drive you to headquarters."
"No. He's more urgent. I'll cab it—head out first."
Lawyer Choi hesitated, fearing a repeat incident.
"Lawyer, what's the odds of that happening twice in a row?"
"Right. I'll be off then."
***
Lawyer Choi set off to meet the person Min-ho instructed.
Still without a license, Min-ho headed to the main road, waving for a taxi.
A freshly delivered taxi pulled up sharply in front of him. The driver's door opened, and the cabbie rushed over, bowing deeply.
"Huh? Driver Park Sung-hwan, right?"
"Aigoo, honored to see you again."
"Fate keeps bringing us together like this."
This was the taxi driver Park Sung-hwan who'd had a heart attack and barreled toward JK headquarters.
Scratching his head awkwardly, Park replied.
"Truth is, sir... I mean, young master, I wanted to thank you properly. I've been coming around here on purpose whenever I had time."
"You could've struck out. Why bother?"
"You're busy—hop in first. I'll get you there."
In the taxi, Min-ho glanced around the interior.
"Nice ride. Like it?"
"How could I not? Died and came back, life totally changed—wouldn't exaggerate. Truly grateful, sir."
"I didn't save you. No need to thank me."
Park hesitated, then spoke gravely.
"Was out of it, but that moment's crystal clear. Opened my eyes, and there you were, sweating, saying something to me."
"Sometimes distorted memories are kinder. Chairman Kang Jin-gwang saved you, right?"
"Of course. Took my meds, back to full health."
"What happened after?"
"Newspapers, TV interviews everywhere. Reporters at my door constantly."
The two, reunited after so long, chatted away. Soon, the taxi reached the destination.
As Min-ho pulled out fare, Park refused flat-out.
"Can't take money from my lifesaver. World could split in two—I won't charge you."
"Still gotta take what you earn."
"No. Thanks to you and Chairman Kang, I'm alive and driving again—no way."
"Fine."
Min-ho paused, then slipped two 10,000-won bills onto the seat.
"No fare then. Buy your mom some meat with this instead. That work?"
"Aigoo, sir..."
"Stay healthy. Any twinge, pull over and hit the hospital."
"Won't ignore it this time."
"Drive safe."
Closing the door and turning, Min-ho saw Butler Moon waiting with a worried face.
"Butler, you didn't think that'd happen again, did you?"
"Chairman’s orders. Sorry if it's uncomfortable."
"No. Let's head up."
"Yes."
In the elevator, Min-ho brought it up.
"Secretary office could find anyone, right?"
"If alive, yes. Dead's even easier."
Min-ho scribbled on a note and handed it to Butler Moon.
"Park Joo-mi? Sounds like a woman... Mind if I ask who?"
"Can't say specifics. Around twenty now."
"Reason?"
"She'll be our model. Hurry—another company might snag her."
"Got it. Secretary office will handle max speed. This way."
Entering the chairman's office, Myeong-seon waved with a smile.
"My nephew's visiting the chairman's office a lot lately?"
***
JK Construction President's Office.
Kang Jin-gwang's second son, Kang Min-seong, sat calmly reviewing reports.
A knock, and the secretary opened the door.
"President, President Yang Sang-pil is here."
"Yes, bring him in."
"Understood."
Guided by the secretary, President Yang entered.
Kang Min-seong smiled brightly and offered a handshake.
"How long's it been? My old secretary Yang."
"Long time no see."
"Last time was Myeong-dong a few months back, right?"
"Memory's sharp as ever."
"Yeah, come sit—you've got something for me."
The two sat at a table with steaming coffee.
Min-seong crossed his legs, speaking a bit arrogantly.
"Look at me—over ten years calling you secretary, it's stuck in my mouth."
"No issue. Call me whatever's comfy."
"Still, you're a president now. Anyway, sudden visit means a reason—Namdo related?"
"No. Cut ties there."
Min-seong nodded satisfied, clapped.
"That's my Yang Sang-pil—clean break. New company treating you well?"
"One I always managed. Settled in quick."
"Chatting off-topic 'cause it's been ages. Get to the point."
President Yang handed over the blueprints.
"Blueprints... Let's see the scale."
Min-ho's big-mart plan was simple: Build around thirty massive hypermarkets at key Seoul spots. If realized, it'd swallow Korea's distribution whole.
Min-seong expected small buildings, but the unimaginable scale shocked him.
"Hey, Yang Sang-pil—you asking me to build this now?"
"Yes, President."
"Not pocket change. Eyeballing it, over 100 billion easy."
"Any issues?"
Min-seong smirked—clear mockery.
"No way—a newbie paper and one distribution outfit like Athena... doing this? Forget it. Come back when you make money, then we'll build."
"No money worries. 100 billion cash, all ready."
"Building, fine—land? With land, only a handful of firms could afford it."
"All prepped, as discussed."
100 billion cash. Plus massive Seoul land secured. Far bigger than the little newspaper corp he imagined.
"Secretary Yang... I mean President Yang—that true?"
"I'd stake my neck on it. Shall we get into details now?"