Trauma in the Chairman's Office
[Seyoung Newspaper expressed deep regret over today's incident.]
[JK Telecom has reclaimed the No. 2 spot in market capitalization. Experts attribute it to surging subscriber numbers and stable operating profit margins.]
Thanks to Min-ho's brilliant maneuvers, the thorns in their eyes had been plucked out, and JK Group was riding high. bellies full without a bite, laughter bubbling up unbidden. Chairman Kang watched the news with unprecedented satisfaction glowing on his face.
"That punk who gave me hell as a kid is now filial in his adulthood—looking at Min-ho, it doesn't seem wrong at all."
Butler Mun wasn't sure how to respond to the ambiguous remark and stayed silent. Chairman Kang glanced over with a chuckle.
"No need to be so cautious. Speak your mind."
"Every time I see the young master, it makes me rethink the innate talents people are born with."
"Oh? And what do you make of it?"
"A late bloomer seems fitting."
"Exactly. Great vessels take time to craft."
Chairman Kang stared at The Times on his desk for a long while.
"Handle Seyoung Newspaper within the week—no loose ends."
"I'll see to it promptly."
"By the way, Min-ho should be arriving soon. Check on his whereabouts. And bring that coffee from France."
"Yes, Chairman."
Butler Mun immediately picked up the receiver and left a message for Min-ho. Min-ho always replied within three minutes. But today, after a full five, there was no response.
"He might be in the car and unable to check. Call his vehicle directly."
Butler Mun dialed Min-ho's car.
"This is Choi Jong-hoon."
"Butler Mun here. May I speak with the young master?"
"I'm sorry, but he's traveling separately."
"Is something the matter?"
"He gave instructions, so I'm heading to Taereung Athlete Village, and the young master has departed for headquarters."
"Is the Taereung matter that urgent?"
"I offered to escort him, but he flatly refused."
A bad feeling stirred. Butler Mun probed further.
"Did the young master take a taxi, by any chance?"
"Yes, he did."
"Understood. I'll hang up now."
Butler Mun set down the receiver and turned. Chairman Kang, who had overheard, looked grim.
"Our Min-ho... took a taxi?"
"Yes, Chairman."
No sooner had Butler Mun finished than Chairman Kang bolted from his seat, fumbling into his overcoat in a panic. This was utterly unlike him—his usual composure and boldness vanished, replaced by sheer bewilderment. He knocked over a glass of water on the table; his cigarette hit the floor.
Why was Chairman Kang so rattled? His sole focus, aside from the group, was Min-ho. He thought of his grandson constantly. That grandson had once suffered a major accident. Though unaware, the taxi crash lingered as a trauma in his subconscious. What Chairman Kang exhibited was textbook posttraumatic stress disorder—an anxiety disorder from a traumatic event. No doubt about it.
Losing his reason to shock, he repeated himself.
"Our Min-ho... taxi... I need to go to him right away."
Sensing the gravity, Butler Mun calmly explained.
"Chairman, no need to worry."
"A grandfather's heart doesn't work that way. Min-ho in a taxi... I can't bear the anxiety..."
Chairman Kang gripped the door handle in his office slippers.
"There are too many eyes outside. I'll go."
"No... I..."
"Chairman!"
Butler Mun seized his hand firmly.
"This is Mun Sang-oh. I'll bring the young master back safely. Everything's fine. Please sit and don't worry."
His words fell on deaf ears amid the chairman's anxiety. He wrenched at the handle with all his might. If this got out, vicious rumors would spread through the group. If Chairman Kang faltered, so would JK Group. They couldn't let him go.
No choice left, Butler Mun hoisted the chairman effortlessly and carried him to the sofa. He placed him down gently, lit a cigarette, and placed it in his mouth. One must never touch the chairman's body, but desperate times. Patting him like a child, he soothed.
"Chairman, the young master just called—he's on his way."
A lie, but necessary. Chairman Kang exhaled a long plume of smoke, seemingly relieved.
"He did? The phone rang?"
"Yes. No need to worry. I'll go check."
"Hurry back—and call if anything happens."
"I'll be back."
Handing him a glass of water, Butler Mun rushed out. Just then, Myeong-seon stepped from the elevator with a cheerful greeting.
"Butler Mun! Long time no see!"
His mind raced; he barely registered her, boarding the elevator without a word. Myeong-seon blinked in confusion. The ever-composed butler in such haste meant trouble.
'What's with Butler Mun? Something wrong?'
She tilted her head and asked her secretary.
"Miss Kim, what's going on?"
"Nothing, President. All's well."
"Daddy's in, right?"
"Yes. What car shall I prepare?"
"Coffee, please."
Myeong-seon entered the office as usual.
"Daddy, I'm here."
His favorite youngest daughter, but not today. He didn't even glance up, smoking anxiously.
"Daddy, what's wrong? You're sweating—caught a cold?"
She touched his forehead; only then did he acknowledge her, gruffly unlike usual.
"What brings you without a word?"
"Do I need a reason? I came to see your face."
"Sit... Min-ho will be here soon."
"Young folks have fresh ideas for model picks—Min-ho coming would be great!"
Myeong-seon studied him closely. Butler Mun's distress, Daddy's dazed look—something was off.
"You feeling sick anywhere?"
Unable to confide, Chairman Kang pulled himself together.
"Models... right, tell me about that."
Myeong-seon pulled out her notebook.
"I researched celebs—male, female, actors, comedians, ranked by popularity..."
Despite her chatter, his gaze fixed on the door. He paced to the window, cigarette in mouth, unable to hide his jitters.
"Daddy, what's with you today?"
"I'm listening. Go on."
"So, I prepped ten celebs..."
Her prattle fell on deaf ears. He sighed, sorting his thoughts. The odds of a repeat accident were nil—he knew that. Still, grandfatherly worry was inevitable.
Years ago, in Min-ho's reckless youth, Chairman Kang wouldn't even look at him. Banned from major events and Seongbuk-dong. That troublesome grandson eventually caught his eye. More than "the tongue in one's mouth." He scratched the itch, broke the ankle chains. Distrust melted into trust. Unbeknownst to himself, Chairman Kang had grown dependent on Min-ho, seeped in gradually. Min-ho was more than a grandson. Life without him was unimaginable. He yearned to rush down but couldn't.
Ashtray piled with butts. Short time, eternal agony passed. The door opened; Min-ho appeared. Relief washed over Chairman Kang—his stern face bloomed into a grin. He shuffled toward him in socks.
Just seeing Min-ho lit his face like he'd gained the world. Min-ho beamed back brightly.
"Aigoo, my grandson's got his gramps in a chokehold."
In that moment, Myeong-seon knew instinctively: Daddy, the "Mingdong Viper," was utterly bewitched by fox-like Min-ho. Thoughts swirled. She recalled Butler Mun's advice: rush Min-ho recklessly, and it's not just nephew—you lose Daddy too. Undeniable fact. Chairman Kang was an insurmountable wall. She could only watch as he stroked Min-ho's head beamingly.
"You rascal, ride in the car—why keep taking taxis and worrying your gramps?"
"Had to send Lawyer Choi to Taereung first for urgent business."
"Still, no more taxis from now on."
"Yes, Grandfather. I won't."
Gazing with affectionate eyes, Chairman Kang continued.
"Gramps won't close his eyes till he sees a great-grandkid."
"That's too soon, isn't it?"
"In the old days, you'd be married at your age. Sooner the better. Gramps'll scout for you."
As talk wrapped, Myeong-seon waved smiling brightly.
"Ooh, nephew marriage talk already?"
"Auntie, when'd you get here?"
"Just now. You must be stuffed without eating."
"How'd I know from the tail? What's that sudden?"
"With Grandpa doting like this, how could I not be?"
"No gramps hates his grandson anywhere."
"Hmm... true. Anyway, wanna see what Auntie brought?"
Min-ho eyed the celeb portfolio from her. Top picks by popularity, but corporate models needed no scandals, steady fame. Her list fell short.
"Kang Seok-hyun... he'll get nabbed for DUI soon."
"How from a photo?"
Min-ho grinned at her.
"DUI's my specialty—don't you know?"
"You can really tell?"
"Glassy eyes, wobbly walk—100% busted."
Chairman Kang watched fondly.
"Let's see who my grandson picked."
Perusing Min-ho's report, he tilted his head. Unknown names baffled Butler Mun and Myeong-seon too.
"Flashy names. Seo Taiji and Boys, Ryu Jae-seok, Seo Kuk-jin—never heard of 'em."
Even as Min-ho's picks, Butler Mun objected.
"I'm unfamiliar too. Apologies, but they're unfit as group models."
Myeong-seon chimed in.
"Auntie's in the know—Ryu Jae-seok looks like a grasshopper, Seo Kuk-jin like a cricket."
"You know 'em. Seo Taiji and Boys?"
"Sunday show rookie corner last week? Low scores, awful. No way."
Obvious reaction to debut rookies for models. Min-ho stifled a laugh, floating the idea.
"What if they top the industry?"
"Never. If so, Auntie slaps her cheeks raw."
"Don't forget that bet, Auntie."
"Even then, looks matter. Like my Oppa Gu, high nose bridge."
As the group's face, Chairman Kang hesitated. Gauging him, Min-ho suggested.
"How about this? Rookies are cheap—long contracts. Pick from Auntie's list too."
Chairman Kang nodded approvingly.
"Future's unknowable. Cheap on Min-ho's picks, review Myeong-seon's again."
Sensing her exit cue, Myeong-seon rose.
"I've done my part—gotta go."
"Eat first—why rush?"
"Meeting Kim Hak-su in Seongsu-dong, dropped by en route. See you, nephew."
"Drive safe, Auntie."
Still eyeing the lists, Chairman Kang asked.
"Sent Jong-hoon to Taereung?"
"Yes, Grandfather."
"Smells like another scheme..."
Min-ho handed the second report. A familiar face.
"Gramps knows Coach Son Ki-jeong, but he's too old for modeling."
"What if a second Son Ki-jeong emerges?"
"No brainer—our ad model."
"Sent Lawyer Choi to scout him. You free, Grandfather?"
"You schemer, sweet-talking—what's the play?"
Min-ho drew a photo from his pocket.
"Hwang Young-ho... marathoner?"
"If he's the next Son Ki-jeong?"
"Stacks of cash, straight there."
Min-ho smiled confidently.
"Preempt it. Fancy Taereung, Grandfather? Hwang Young-ho's waiting."