The One and Only
***
JK Credit Info president's office.
Kang Myeong-seon, utterly oblivious to the gravity of the situation, set down the report in her hand with a sigh and began venting her frustrations.
"What's going on with everything? Dad won't even pick up the phone—it's driving me crazy."
She had fallen right into Min-ho's trap, losing every grain of rice from the family granary. Even her loyal dog of an executive, Director Seo, had vanished from her side, leaving her with no one to confide in. She let out another sigh of frustration, but there was nothing she could do now. All she could do was wait for the storm to pass.
As she reached for her coffee, she realized the cup was bone-dry.
"Why is nothing going right today? Hey, Secretary Kim! Secretary Kim!"
At the shrill sound of Myeong-seon's voice, the secretary hurriedly opened the door and came in.
"Yes, President?"
"My coffee's empty."
"Right away, ma'am. And also..."
"What is it?"
The door opened again, and Moon Sang-oh, the butler, stepped inside. Her heart sank, but she couldn't show weakness in front of her secretary. Though her pulse raced, she pretended as if nothing was amiss.
"Oh! Mr. Moon, what brings you here?"
Moon Sang-oh glanced briefly at Secretary Kim. The quick-witted secretary shut the door and left.
"Miss, I apologize for coming without notice."
His tone was colder than usual, his expressionless gaze as if looking at a stranger. He didn't even bow in greeting.
"You've really changed. No hello, different tone, different look altogether."
"No personal feelings involved."
"Fine. Why the sudden visit?"
"To relay a message from the Chairman."
"Couldn't you have called? Sit down, at least."
"No need."
She sensed her father's verdict had come down. Frowning deeply, she sighed.
"I'm prepared. How should I pack my things?"
"The JK Credit Info shares in your name will now be transferred to headquarters."
"No way... Did Dad really say that? Sell off all my shares?"
"Yes."
It was a simple, decisive measure—stripping her of shares. No further explanation needed.
"What the hell? How am I supposed to eat? How am I supposed to live?"
"It's the Chairman's order. You must comply."
"No way. I absolutely won't!"
She shook her head, lit a cigarette from the pack on her desk, and took a deep drag.
"First the cars, now the bribes... What's next? Should I pack my bags?"
"You must keep this position, Miss."
"Right now... you're telling me to be a figurehead? I'm the one who's wronged here. Who could've known Gwak Hee-do would scam us and die?"
"Emotional responses aren't wise."
"What I'm saying is! We've started the repayment lawsuit, so we'll get some money back..."
Moon Sang-oh cut her off with a heavy, warning bass.
"Given the damage you've caused the group, this is already a very lenient measure."
"Oh! Mr. Moon... How can you say that to me? Treating me like some disgraced outcast?"
"You have no authority left. The best course is to obey the Chairman's decision without question."
"Whatever! I'm done. I won't accept this, so tell Dad that."
Moon Sang-oh cautioned her once more, carefully.
"One more time: restrain your emotions."
Unable to accept reality, Myeong-seon screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Get out! I said I'm fine! My shares, my company, this seat—I'll protect it all myself!"
Her voice echoed down the hallway. At that moment, the president's office door creaked open. The sharp click of dress shoes turned both heads. There stood none other than Chairman Kang Jin-gwang.
Caught off guard by the Chairman's unexpected arrival, Myeong-seon was too stunned to speak.
The Chairman had anticipated this entire scene. He looked at his daughter with pitying eyes, clucking his tongue.
"D-Dad..."
"Not a shred of remorse, and yet you're yelling at Sang-oh like you did something right?"
"That's not it... I'm wronged too. Who knew Gwak Hee-do would go and die like that?"
"Your foolish judgment has already cost us hundreds of millions, just to keep Seocho-dong quiet."
Any rebellion here would leave her penniless. Myeong-seon clamped her mouth shut and listened.
"I'd toss you out right now, but that would stir up a fuss. It'd smear my face with mud too."
"Dad, still..."
"Eyes are everywhere. That's why you're sitting here. If you don't want to end up on the streets, stay quiet."
She wanted to beg, tears streaming, but the Chairman gave no such chance. He turned abruptly and left the office.
An unacceptable reality. Tears of injustice streamed down her cheeks, but as Moon had said, she had no choices left. Now, Myeong-seon was nothing but a powerless figurehead.
***
Seongbuk-dong.
[The 14th presidential election has begun. Candidate Kim Dong-il campaigned until the final day, appealing for every vote.]
[Candidate Kim Seong-un also toured strategic areas in an all-out effort.]
[Kim Dong-il leads by a narrow margin, but considering Kim Seong-un's momentum, it's expected to be a close race.]
If Candidate Kim Dong-il didn't claim the Blue House, JK Group's future was uncertain. With a tense face fixed on the news, he quietly voiced his worries.
"If Dong-il is the hare, Seong-un's like the tortoise. Slow, but each step hits heavy."
"Are you worried?"
"I'd be lying if I said no, with all that money on the line."
"A 3% gap is huge. No need for concern."
"We'll see when the results come... By the way, where's Min-ho? No word again..."
As he turned toward the grandfather clock, the doorbell filled the living room. Delighted, the Chairman jumped up.
"Speak of the tiger, and he appears."
Grinning warmly, he headed to the entrance.
"Chairman, it's cold out. Let me get it."
"Sit. It's only right the grandfather opens the door for his grandson."
In his slippers, he hurried out. Moon followed.
He opened the gate to find Min-ho and Attorney Choi waiting.
"My boy, I nearly died waiting for you."
"That's why I rushed. You'll catch a cold out here in this chill."
"Every word from you is so sweet. Grandpa's got a feast ready—come on in."
The living room table groaned under lavish dishes, as always.
"Whoa, Grandpa, can I come every day?"
"Is it me you miss, or the food?"
"Both. I need you and the good eats."
"Fox that you are, tail wagging... Everyone must be hungry—dig in."
Dinner began in the usual warm atmosphere. Though he feigned calm, with the presidency hanging in the balance, the Chairman couldn't just laugh it off. Fresh raw beef arrived, but his eyes stayed glued to the vote-counting broadcast on TV, chopsticks untouched. Even the great Chairman couldn't steady his shaking heart. He had bet a staggering 50 billion won—JK's future—on Kim Dong-il.
Min-ho, ever perceptive, knew. With a bright smile, he placed beef on his grandfather's plate.
"Grandpa, really worried?"
"I'd lie saying no. Dong-il's ahead, but it's shaky."
"The final polls weren't public. Do you know?"
"Grandpa knows all the world's turns. What're you curious about?"
"Yeah. The final results."
The Chairman downed a shot and answered.
"3% margin. How'd you hear what no one knows?"
"I don't think it's 3%. That number's impossible."
Knowing the outcome, Min-ho began baiting him.
"Grandpa hasn't heard, so you couldn't have... Got a hunch?"
"All polls are wrong. No one will get it right."
Sensing something, the Chairman set down his chopsticks hastily.
"Sounds like you know... Won't give Grandpa a hint?"
Teasing, Min-ho paused before replying.
"Polls missed the most important thing."
"Important... Hmm, can't quite grasp it..."
"I'll tell you after results."
Tormenting his grandfather, Min-ho set down his utensils. He held up both hands, showing eight fingers.
"Kim Dong-il wins by 8%."
Double the experts' predictions. The Chairman chuckled it off as absurd.
"If it happens like you say, Grandpa's dream come true."
"What'll you do if he becomes president?"
"Starved so long—stuff my belly with all the good stuff."
"I'll make that wish real."
"Here's hoping."
Night deepened; vote-counting progressed smoothly. The winner was decided.
[Vote count complete. The new president we've awaited is set.]
Unlike the trembling Chairman, Min-ho, who knew, smiled leisurely.
[An unexpected result.]
The Chairman set down his pipe.
"Unexpected... No way..."
"If Kim Dong-il lost, they'd say upset or comeback."
"True... Why the suspense..."
Hearts pounded. The anchor, silent long, finally announced.
[Contrary to close-race predictions: 1,728,685 votes. 8.1% margin—Kim Dong-il of the Democratic Party wins the 14th presidency.]
Yeouido experts and media were stunned. Only Min-ho had nailed it. Unbelievable. No one foresaw it. His casual remark became reality. The Chairman, Moon Sang-oh, even Attorney Choi Jong-hoon gaped at Min-ho.
In a trembling voice, the Chairman asked,
"How do you know what Grandpa and the world didn't?"
Min-ho smiled easily.
"I'll explain now."