Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting
*** Seyoung Newspaper Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting Day
[JK Group, having secured shares in Seyoung Newspaper, is reportedly set to appoint executives and inside directors at the extraordinary shareholders' meeting.]
[All eyes are on who will be named as the new president to lead the media outlet.]
When Chairman Kang had publicly declared the acquisition of Seyoung Newspaper, the outcome was already all but decided.
The media's fierce competition stemmed from a simple reason: the president's appointment would have a massive impact on the direction of the upcoming presidential election.
It was highly unusual for the press to show such intense interest in an extraordinary shareholders' meeting.
By early morning, reporters had swarmed Euljiro, where Seyoung Newspaper was located, creating a sea of people.
This demonstrated just how critical the matter was.
Meanwhile, as Min-ho headed to the meeting hall, he lowered the news volume and spoke to Lawyer Choi.
"No need to look—reporters will be swarming everywhere."
"This level of attention on an extraordinary meeting is a first for me too."
"They can't help but wonder what stance the media outlet will take after Grandfather slips some pocket money to someone for the acquisition."
Glancing subtly at Min-ho, Lawyer Choi asked cautiously, "What I'm most curious about is whether the Chairman chose your brilliant strategy."
"There's only one spot left to stand. Anyone would have to make the same move."
"I'm not quite sure what you mean."
"Talking family would be like spitting in my face, but I'll explain anyway."
Min-ho straightened his tie and continued.
"First, let's look at Grandfather's four children, including Father. They've walked paths with zero connection to media. You know that, right?"
"Yes. With their backgrounds in banking, credit information, and Myeong-dong operations, there's no link here."
"Not even a secretary office stint to their name. No one they could plausibly push forward."
"So eyes naturally turn to the grandchildren."
"Assuming order of precedence, it would be my brother Kang Sang-hyuk first, then probably Kang Kyu-hyuk?"
"Considering age and tenure, that scenario seems the most realistic."
"You know the rest without me saying."
Lawyer Choi knew too. Still, he couldn't dare voice such blunt truths about the royal family.
"Simply put, those two lack ambition. They're too busy watching Father's every move just to hold their seats. Think Grandfather would approve of such grandsons?"
"May I speak frankly?"
"Of course."
"Given the Chairman's temperament, I doubt he even considered them as candidates."
"Exactly. The children are all ambition with no substance, and the grandchildren are rendered incompetent by tiptoeing around their greedy parents."
"So, you're saying he'll have no choice but to accept your plan?"
"Precisely. Appointing those two with their baggage sends a warning to the children—and signals no favored grandson among them. So how does it wrap up?"
"The odds are high he'll hand actual management to you."
Min-ho was royal family. If he gained control of the newly acquired Seyoung Newspaper, what then?
Anyone else would follow the secretary office's orders. But for Min-ho, it would flip the script.
Controlling public opinion would give him the power to move the secretary office itself.
That was the ultimate goal behind attacking and seizing the media outlet that had smeared Chairman Kang's face.
Min-ho arrived at Seyoung Newspaper with a satisfied smile.
As expected, a massive crowd of reporters waited.
Lawyer Choi hurriedly parked, removed his jacket, and draped it over Min-ho's face.
"Young master, sorry, but this is the only way. There's just the one entrance—I'll get you inside quickly."
"It'll all come out next year anyway, but better to hide for now. I'll stay like this."
"Keep your head down. I'll handle it."
The car pulled up to the main gate.
The reporters naturally recognized Lawyer Choi's face.
-Isn't that the legal team guy?
-It's Choi Jong-hoon. Who's next to him? Face covered?
-New president? Better stick close.
As Lawyer Choi stepped out, reporters fired shutters nonstop.
His eyes stung from the flashes, but he didn't waver an inch. His only thought was extracting Min-ho.
-You're with the legal team, right? Know anything about the new president?
-Who do you think Chairman Kang will appoint?
-Is the person beside you the new president?
The reporters mobbed him aggressively for any scrap of info.
Lawyer Choi's hair was mussed, his tie torn long ago.
But Min-ho's safety came first.
He gritted his teeth, kept a straight face, clamped his mouth shut, and gripped Min-ho's shoulder.
He rushed to the emergency exit the press couldn't enter, shut the door, and removed the jacket.
"Young master, are you hurt? You okay?"
Instead of answering, Min-ho stared at him for a long moment.
Torn shirt, disheveled hair—Lawyer Choi looked a mess.
"Shouldn't you be worrying about yourself right now?"
"I'm fine... really."
"Tie can be fixed, jacket's intact luckily—so swap with this. I'll get you a new suit after the meeting."
"No need. I was prepared for this."
"Let's hit the bathroom then head up. You did great."
***
Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting Waiting Room.
Eldest son Du-seong, body tense with anticipation, had arrived early along with second son Min-seong and youngest daughter Myeong-seon.
They craved it but couldn't show their hands. Amid the fierce game of chicken, Du-seong spoke first.
"Heard anything about who Father will appoint as president?"
Min-seong shook his head. "No, brother. Nothing for me either."
"Min-seong, when'd you last see Father?"
"About a month ago. There was that one thing, but nothing else since."
"Thing? What thing?"
"Nothing big. Athena Distribution—you know they're building a huge hypermarket? Yang Sang-pil showed up."
"Athena... the ones with the newspaper?"
"Yeah. Ballpark 130 billion investment, and they demand we build it no matter what. Even Yang Sang-pil pushing that hard? Didn't make sense, so he went straight to Father."
Hearing it for the first time, Du-seong tilted his head.
"Where'd a bunch of newspaper peddlers get that kind of cash? No way they could secure investment, and even then, it'd need a whale."
"That's what bugged me most. But Father's reaction was even weirder."
"What'd he say? Tell me exactly."
"Situation's gotten complicated. Too risky to proceed, I said—and he snaps, just start it."
"Father did? Just on Sang-pil's word?"
"Weird, right? But he said go, so we broke ground immediately."
"Athena... no connection whatsoever..."
Du-seong's sharp gaze turned to Myeong-seon.
"What? Did I do something wrong?"
"You flare up at every word lately. Know something?"
"Brother, I don't know! If I did, I'd have said already. Haven't seen Yang since bumping into him at that Yangjae-dong barbecue joint three years ago."
"Either you know or you don't—quit the temper tantrum."
"I'd love to know what Dad's thinking too."
They had no clue about the announcement from Chairman Kang, who had accepted Min-ho's proposal.
They were just desperately licking at the honey pot.
Du-seong stubbed out his cigarette in frustration and let slip his true intent.
"I think our eldest, Sang-hyuk, should get a spot."
"Brother, no."
"Sounds like you're saying Sang-hyuk's got issues."
"Not exactly, but Sang-hyuk and our Jeong-won are only three years apart."
Instead of agreement, opposition furrowed Du-seong's brow.
"Spit it out."
"Frankly, looks-wise, Jeong-won fits perfect. Sang-hyuk's too nice and naive for this cutthroat world. You know."
"Looks? Looks?"
Spotting the powder keg, quick-witted Myeong-seon yanked her eldest brother up.
"Meeting's starting. Brothers, no fighting—let's go in."
Du-seong rose reluctantly, eyes blazing with fury.
"Brother, come on. Second brother too. We're all adults—quit bickering."
"Talk after—with your brother."
Du-seong and Myeong-seon headed to the hall.
Opening the large doors, Du-seong spotted Min-ho and Lawyer Choi seated in the back.
Lawyer Choi rose and bowed politely as their eyes met.
Min-ho's unexpected presence. Du-seong didn't hide his displeasure.
"Where's Sang-hyuk? Why's that one here?"
"Brother! Even if, don't call your son 'that one'—people might misunderstand. Watch your words."
"The brat glares at his own father and yaps. Bad upbringing from the start."
"Min-ho's doing well. Things seemed better between you two—why now?"
"Enough. Min-ho's not the point."
Du-seong had considered every possibility here.
But he made a huge blunder: leaving Min-ho off the candidate list.
Min-ho stood, gave a slight bow in greeting, but Du-seong shot him a disgusted look and sat.
Moments later, eldest son Sang-hyuk arrived.
Du-seong didn't hold back. "Where the hell were you? Coming now? Didn't I say sit front row yesterday to make your face known?"
"Didn't wanna sit alone zoning out, so I stepped out for a smoke."
"Your future's on the line, and you smoke? Cigarettes matter more?"
Myeong-seon patted her brother to defuse again. "Sang-hyuk, sit. Your dad's on edge today."
"An eldest son with zero ambition..."
"Brother, enough. It's starting. Everyone's coming in."
Major shareholders took their seats.
The moderator entered and took the mic.
-I'm Kim Ji-man, Economics Editor, presiding over today's Seyoung Newspaper extraordinary shareholders' meeting.
-Briefly, we'll vote on the name change and president appointment per Article 8 of the articles of incorporation.
With shares already secured, JK Group's takeover didn't even need an agenda item.
Even for an extraordinary meeting, legal procedures had to be followed precisely.
Such formalities meant nothing to Chairman Kang.
-We now commence the Seyoung Newspaper extraordinary shareholders' meeting.
As the moderator finished, the door opened and someone appeared.
An utterly unexpected entrance.
Everyone in the hall shot to their feet, bowing their heads.
Instead of arriving last as anticipated, the figure who stepped through the door was none other than Chairman Kang Jin-gwang.