Great Expectations
***
Athena. Though Kang Myeong-seon had been eliminated, greater mountains still loomed ahead to conquer. To solidify his position within the group, Kang Min-ho's first choice was the forsaken role of JK Card president—a post no one wanted.
The haphazard system running on fumes in a building on the brink of collapse was an eyesore to Min-ho. Determined to overhaul everything except the signboard, he ordered the move to the Athena building in Yeouido.
Yu Se-ho, the division head who entered Athena's 14th floor alongside Min-ho, gawked around with wide eyes, as if he couldn't believe it.
"Um... Young Master, are you really planning to move us here with the Han River view?"
"Yes. Any issues?"
"No, sir. It's just... considering our sales, the rent here might be too much to handle. That's my only worry."
"No need to fret about that. About those employees I pointed out earlier..."
"Yes, Ms. Kim and exactly ten others—I have them all memorized."
"What's their tenure like?"
"All over five years. They're diligent and quite capable."
Min-ho glanced around the empty 14th floor before replying.
"JK Card will be using the 13th and 14th floors from now on."
"How many staff are you envisioning, then?"
"Hire 1,000 non-smokers to start. Take anyone capable—don't care about gender, age, or hometown."
"Understood. What about salary?"
"600,000 won. That'll draw people from the provinces, bags packed."
Considering fresh college grads started at 600,000 won, this was a king's ransom. Yu Se-ho asked in disbelief.
"Really?"
"Employees work for what you pay them. That rate will pull in sharp talent."
"Yes, sir."
"Promote those ten I named to team leaders with pay to match. I'll handle training through the branch managers."
"I'll do my utmost."
"One ironclad rule here." Min-ho beckoned, and Yu hurriedly stepped closer. "No using the stairs to go up. And no telling staff who I am."
"Got it. I'll keep it in mind."
"You're quick on the uptake—no need to spell it out, right?"
"Of course. No worries there."
"Alright, let's head to the 15th floor."
***
Yu Se-ho, who'd spent his days cooped up in a cramped office, trailed Min-ho like a shadow, eyes darting ceaselessly at the sheer scale. Opening the conference room door revealed the key players seated. All rose and bowed as Min-ho entered.
"This is JK Card's Yu Se-ho, division head. Skip the intros for now..."
Min-ho turned, catching Yu's uneasy expression. His gaze was fixed on none other than Yang Sang-pil.
Rumors had dogged Yang during his days as Namdo Group's secretary—dark whispers that clung like smoke.
"Heard he buried someone alive."
"That stone-cold face? Yeah, I buy it."
"That accident last time? They say Yang had someone offed on purpose."
The case was closed, but the rumors lingered like ghosts. Yu knew them too—fear filled his eyes.
Min-ho patted his shoulder. "Whatever rumors you've heard about President Yang, they're not true. No need to be scared."
"Y-yes... Understood."
"Saves time on explanations. If Athena's the group, this is like the presidents' meeting."
Yu nodded firmly, as if steeling himself. "Not a word of this leaves the room."
"Just like Moon Sang-oh said. Take a seat. Let's start the meeting."
There was a reason Min-ho accepted the JK Card presidency. In a few months, the financial real-name system would expose Athena's true owner to the world. The foes ahead weren't small fry like Myeong-seon. To claim the throne without Chairman Kang's help, he needed more money and power. To accelerate his plans, Min-ho dove into the documents and kicked off the meeting.
"Real estate's No Jun-hwan Team Leader first. How's the building acquisition going?"
"They're holding out for 300 million more than last time. I'll wrap it up fast."
"Give them what they want."
"Pardon? Representative, that's 300 million."
A Yeouido building with Han River views. Its future value made 300 million chump change—especially to Min-ho, with billions in cash.
"Add 300 million today and close it."
"Yes, sir."
"Land acquisition status?"
"As marked on the map—from Eunpyeong-gu left to Jungnang-gu right, ongoing."
The '90s saw skyrocketing land and housing prices, birthing the myth of real estate invincibility. Buy apartments or land, rake in profits sitting down. But Min-ho aimed for a full haul, not scraps.
A project long prepped by the real estate team—for the gold only he could see. Line 6 subway, breaking ground in a year and two months. Holding this land meant another massive windfall. Time was everything.
"Finish in three months."
"Truth is... we need time to negotiate with owners. Sorry, it'll take longer."
Delays ruined everything. Min-ho tilted his head. "Realistic timeline?"
"Roughly five months—six or seven if delayed."
Money solved much. Min-ho dangled a carrot, not the whip.
"Perfect wrap-up in three months: 10 million bonus per team member. That work?"
"We'll give it everything."
"Two months: company car each."
"Thank you, sir. Our all."
"Good. Next, Athena Distribution President Yang Sang-pil."
Yang stood, distributed materials, and sat.
"As reported last meeting, construction's ahead of schedule."
"I remember."
"Special directive from the Chairman."
"Special directive... speeding things up?"
"Yes. All 30 branches near completion—interiors, hiring, stocking ahead of projections."
"Great work. Any support needed, just say."
Department reports done. Time for the big reveal.
"You're all wondering why I took the dying JK Card presidency."
All, including Section Chief Cheon Dong-gwan, nodded agreement.
"JK Group's made of telecom, construction, securities, newspapers, bank, credit info, and cards. Thoughts? Chief Cheon, anything ring a bell?"
"No clue what you're getting at."
"Rephrase: pagers, car phones, apartments, stocks, news, savings—all daily essentials. Bundle them—what happens?"
Familiar to Min-ho from the 21st century, alien to them.
Choi Jong-hoon the lawyer chimed in. "Bundle how? Shared office? Even then, Chairman's approval needed."
Min-ho pulled a credit card from his pocket. "This card ties JK affiliates to our A-Marts. This little plastic unites it all."
For the clueless, he handed prepped materials. First page flipped—gasps at the scale.
"Why trek to a big mart over the corner store? Need incentives. Lawyer Choi?"
"Agreed. Go far, get rewarded."
"Use JK Card at the mart, earn points—call 'em JK Money for convenience, usable group-wide."
"Points across affiliates?"
"Exactly. Cash at marts. Even pay JK Telecom or Se-min Newspaper bills."
Feasible even in the '90s. Revived dying JK Card while binding the group—brilliant, with A-Marts at the core, long prepped by Min-ho.
Lawyer Choi, scrutinizing docs, spoke. "Flawless. But one issue."
"Shoot."
"Affiliates benefit, but JK Securities and Mutual Savings feel sidelined."
Needed Chairman's okay, but prepped. "Discuss with Chairman, but Mutual Savings: special deposits for JK Card holders. Securities too. Clear?"
"If so... customers won't leave the JK ecosystem easily."
"That's the goal. Lock 'em in. More affiliates, more uses. Last page, everyone?"
Enthralled, they feverishly flipped—spit-wetting pages.
"A-Mart—Athena's A. Opening ideas?"
"Crowds, plenty of food."
"Spot on."
Even Yang stuck out his tongue at Min-ho's scale.
"Says branch cars as prizes... really giving them?"
"Too stingy. Three per branch."
90 sedans across 30 Seoul branches? Guaranteed hype.
Not done. Needed buzz.
"President Jo Dong-uk."
"Yes, Representative."
"Full ads in The Times and Se-min Newspaper next week. Rush the creatives."
"Got it. Se-min too."
"Meeting over. Report progress by department. Good work."
All but Min-ho and Lawyer Choi filed out. Choi, sensing something off, probed gently.
"Young Master... anything I should know?"
"What brings that up?"
"Pushing real estate, rushing the building—seems hurried."
"Have to. Can't surf a tidal wave sitting still."
Choi's eyes widened. "Saw something again?"
Min-ho smiled, waving it off at the odd question.
"How to convince you?"
"Sorry, but I believe now. Whatever you say, I trust."
"Needs Grandpa's okay. Bundle docs for Moon butler."
"Yes, sir."
Hours later, Min-ho's ambition-packed plan reached headquarters. Chairman Kang, gripping the files, nodded with a satisfied smile.