Laying the Groundwork
***
Athena. Kang Min-ho had ascended to the presidency of JK Card, a company on the brink of collapse. He poured his heart into it for four sleepless months, linking it to the entire group as much as possible. Backed by massive promotions from Korea's top newspapers—Semin Ilbo and The Times—the once-dying JK Card shattered 10% market share in the blink of an eye.
With just a single JK Card, customers could enjoy a wealth of perks. They had no choice but to fall for the smart incentives Min-ho had crafted.
February 25, 1993. The grand opening of Korea's first large-scale supermarket chain.
Expectations were sky-high. Athena Distribution President Yang Sang-pil called with a voice thick with excitement.
"Representative, it's Yang Sang-pil."
"You sound thrilled."
"It's a project we've poured years into, so yeah, I'm a bit shaky."
"You've done great work. But what now? This is just the beginning."
"I'll work even harder going forward."
"Just keep doing what you're doing. You on the move?"
"Yes. Starting with the Eunpyeong branch this morning, then counterclockwise around all the stores."
Min-ho glanced at the map marked with A-Mart locations.
"Then I'll take the right side—Seocho, Gangnam, Gangdong branches."
"No, that's my job."
"I need to eat too, you know. I'll handle the closer ones so you can focus on yours."
"Understood. I'll call again this afternoon."
Lawyer Choi, who had taken the call from Athena Distribution, set down the receiver with a rare beaming smile.
"Young master... unbelievable news."
"I've never seen you smile so brightly. What's up?"
"Every branch is packed to the gills."
"They just opened."
"Proof that customers have been waiting."
"The ads hit home. But there's something else important today."
Min-ho picked up the remote and turned on the TV.
"It's a weekday, but it feels like a holiday."
Today marked not only the A-Mart opening but also President Kim Dong-il's inauguration.
On screen, Kim Dong-il—now president, no longer candidate—took his oath.
[I swear to uphold the Constitution, safeguard the nation, achieve the peaceful unification of our homeland, promote the freedom and welfare of the people, and advance our national culture...]
Lawyer Choi fixed his gaze on the inauguration, his expression hardening unlike moments before.
Min-ho handed him coffee. "Our handpicked president is being sworn in—a historic day—and you look glum?"
Choi took a sip, lost in memories, then spoke gravely.
"Remember the day we funded his campaign?"
"Yeah. Something bothering you?"
"Like all politicians, Candidate Kim never struck me as honest. Do you really think he'll keep his promises?"
Power reveals true nature. The stern-faced President Kim might change in unpredictable ways.
Unlike Choi's worry, Min-ho replied brightly.
"I never expected him to. That's why I put a leash on him."
"If we hadn't then... dizzying to think about."
"If those Soseonjae photos leaked, who'd take the bigger hit? The president or me?"
No need to weigh it—the stakes were obvious.
"Forgive me, but right now, President Kim has far more to lose."
"The one with more at risk shrinks back. Don't worry about hypotheticals. And if it happens, we're prepared."
"Understood."
Min-ho grabbed his coat to head out.
"Sitting here's no good. Let's go see for ourselves."
"Yes. Seocho branch first."
As he opened the door, a heavy pager buzzed. He checked the number and called back immediately.
"Grandpa, it's Min-ho."
"Good. Eaten breakfast?"
"Yes. The ladies fed me well. You?"
"I always eat fine..."
He trailed off, something on his mind. Min-ho knew exactly what.
"Got time? Come to the mart with me. Fresh yukhoe just came in."
"If my grandson asks, I'd drop everything."
"How about the nearby Yeongdeungpo branch?"
"Perfect. No rush—take your time."
"See you soon, Grandpa."
***
A-Mart Yeongdeungpo branch. Honorary Chairman Kang had arrived early and waited in the car, scanning the surroundings.
"The more I see, the prouder I am of our Min-ho, don't you think?" he said to Butler Moon.
"Even beyond my expectations—flawless."
"Those Tokyo execs I was gonna ship to Pocheon? Used them for land deals... Turned down a blank check but made Yang Sang-pil president..."
"And JK Card—nonstop surprises."
"Exactly. Turned a crumbling shack into a hotel. I learned a thing or two from Min-ho this time."
Butler Moon posed a loaded question.
"Do you see the young master's managerial talent as innate?"
Min-ho's choices were endlessly astonishing. Hard to explain otherwise.
"How else? Far-sighted like Anbok, relentless drive—no contest. With all the talent around him... born for it."
As trust in Min-ho grew, so did Moon's concerns. He broached the sensitive topic carefully.
"If President Kang Du-seong learns Athena's true owner, things could get messy. What then?"
Kang cracked the window, exhaled smoke, and replied.
"Was gonna tip you off when the time came. Stay out of it as much as possible."
"So, full trust in the young master?"
"A Hanyang scholar can't top the exam without crossing a mountain, genius or not. He needs that to earn my seat."
"Understood, Chairman."
Moon spotted Min-ho's car.
"Young master's arriving."
"Speak of the tiger... that's our Min-ho."
"Crowds inside. I'll add security."
"That'd just stir rumors. Better to play it casual now."
"Yes."
Kang's face lit up at the sight of his grandson. He opened the door himself and hurried over.
Min-ho unwrapped his muffler and tied it on Grandpa.
"It's cold out here—you'll catch a cold. Put this on."
"Cold's nothing; I couldn't sit still."
"JK Construction built it—what do you think? Huge, right?"
"Of course—Grandpa oversaw it. Even picky folks'll love it."
Holding Kang's hand, Min-ho led him inside, grinning.
"You really skipped the inauguration?"
"You told me not to. Should I go now?"
"Kidding. Never been to a place like this with you before."
"We'll come often now. No need to haul yukhoe from afar."
Kang ruffled his hair, then grabbed a cart.
Butler Moon rushed up.
"Chairman, let me."
"I've got arms. Gotta try it myself to know old folks' pains."
"Yes. This way."
In the grandson's mart, Kang pushed the cart with pure satisfaction. He wanted to shout it was his boy's doing—but held back.
As they entered, eyes turned.
-Isn't that JK Chairman?
-Looks like it. Here, of all times?
-Whoa, pushing his own cart next to staff?
Last year, a taxi incident at JK HQ. On Min-ho's advice, Kang covered repairs and bought the struggling driver a new car. People still remembered his generosity.
Like a kindly neighborhood grandpa, he chimed in.
"Even chairmen gotta eat to live."
-Honor to meet you, Chairman!
"The honor's mine—you recognizing this old man. Have a great time."
"You too, Chairman—with your staff."
Disliking "staff," Kang clarified.
"And... this beside me? Not staff. My grandson."
-No wonder—he looks just like you!
"Handsome and sturdy, right?"
-You must feel full just shopping.
"You bet. Sight for sore eyes."
Before Min-ho, Kang disarmed completely, bragging like any proud grandpa.
Ahead, a long line caught Kang's eye as he pushed on.
"What's that queue for?"
"All for JK Cards."
"Makes sense. I'd get one too—great perks. Brilliant idea... whose head, I wonder."
"Couldn't without your okay, Grandpa."
Stroking Min-ho's cheek tenderly, Kang said,
"You're getting good at deflecting credit. This is your doing—I just stamped it."
"Fresh meat section's your favorite—wanna go?"
"Can't pass a mill like a sparrow."
They headed straight there.
"Sang-pil's meticulous, alright. Display's perfect."
"Like it?"
"Appetite's whetted."
"Today's yukhoe—nice color?"
"Top-notch. Grab some for dinner."
Kang's real goal wasn't shopping but inspecting Min-ho's creation. Eyes gleaming, he scrutinized every corner, nodding approval.
"Checked as a biased grandma would—no flaws. Solid build, great layout, fair prices."
"High praise from you—Sang-pil nailed it."
"Sang-pil did well, but credit the boss above. Keen eye, knows where money flows."
A subtle compliment. Kang handed the cart to Moon.
"One spot you can't see matters most. Be right back."
Hand behind back, he strolled to the restroom.
Min-ho asked Moon, cart in hand,
"What do you think? Like it?"
"If the Chairman's pleased, that's enough."
"Never asked what you like. Pick anything you need."
"Your words suffice. Thank you."
With Kang away, rare alone time. Moon hesitated, then spoke heavily.
"Young master, a personal question?"
"Shoot."
Prime chance to probe Min-ho's intentions, but Moon fidgeted with the cart.
"Why the pause? It's fine—say it."
"Might be overstepping... but I had to ask."
Finally, the bottled-up question.
"Accepting JK Card presidency, tying it to A-Mart—all this... to expand influence in the group?"