Pocheon Factory Secrets
Kang Beom-seong visited the Pocheon Factory without giving much thought to the variables. There, he spotted none other than former executive Seo Gwang-hun. He trudged toward the workshop, eyes locked on the man. His face was gaunt, smeared with grime, but the protruding cheekbones and familiar glasses clearly marked him as Seo Gwang-hun.
"Hey! You, glasses! Turn your face around."
Seo Gwang-hun turned his head, his expression utterly defeated.
"Pardon? Are you talking to... Th-Third Young Master...?"
"Whoa! Director Seo? No way... What's going on? I'm not seeing things, right?"
"It's me, sir. Director Seo Gwang-hun."
"Pocheon really breaks people, huh. That fine face of yours looks like a bum from Cheonggyecheon Stream now."
His surprise was short-lived. A bad premonition flashed through his mind. The fact that Kang Myeong-seon's loyal right-hand man was here meant something had gone seriously wrong.
The workshop had too many eyes. He nodded subtly toward a quieter spot and moved there. The shrewd Seo Gwang-hun quickly spun his wheels. If Kang Min-ho became the next chairman or vice chairman, he'd be stuck here repaying debts until he died. But if someone else took the position, things could turn around. He had information on Min-ho that Beom-seong didn't know. He decided to use it. A faint hope of escaping this hell sparked to life. He grabbed the lifeline that had dropped unexpectedly with both hands.
"What happened? Why's Director Seo here?"
Severely emaciated after just a few months, Seo Gwang-hun spoke with his darkened, sun-burnt face.
"Before I explain, there's one promise I'd like from you."
"Oh yeah? You gonna negotiate looking like that?"
"Not a negotiation—more like a request with a condition attached."
"Director Seo, you talk too much. Fine, spit it out short and sweet!"
He pulled off his dusty work gloves, stuffed them in his pocket, and replied.
"If what I tell you helps, promise you'll get me out of here someday."
"You know if I get you out, my dad'll kill me, right?"
"I know. That's how big this is. Just promise, and..."
"Fine, fine. Now explain—what do you know that's got you so cocky?"
"Well... sir, it's like this..."
Seo Gwang-hun reported in detail everything about Min-ho's activities during that time, his voice choking with emotion. He was deadly serious, but the corner of Beom-seong's mouth twitched upward uncontrollably as he listened. No matter how he heard it, it was absurd and ridiculous.
He cut in with a hollow laugh.
"Hold up!"
"Yes? There's more."
Tilting his head, he called out to Factory Manager Ham.
"Hey, Ham Gi-nam!"
"Yes, sir."
"This Director Seo... he doesn't have some mental issue, does he?"
"No signs of that at all. Is something wrong?"
"At this size, he should debut as a novelist or something. It's just too outlandish, don't you think?"
"Honestly, I have no idea what he's talking about either."
Ham quickly lit his cigarette with both hands as Beom-seong pulled one from his pocket. Exhaling smoke with an irritated face, Beom-seong continued.
"Alright, let's say it's true. But... you're asking me to believe that crap?"
"It's the truth. Why else would I be here?"
"Fair point... Okay, summary: Min-ho owns Athena, Myeong-seon tailed him and got burned, right?"
"Exactly, Third Young Master."
"Yeah... If even you, Seo Gwang-hun, say so, I guess I have to believe it..."
"I knew you'd see it my way, sir."
Beom-seong bit down on his cigarette, scowled fiercely, and smacked the back of Seo Gwang-hun's head as hard as he could.
"You think I'd buy that bullshit? Huh? Make sense! Tell me straight—you got caught embezzling, didn't you?"
How wronged he felt—tears welled up as he professed his innocence.
"No, sir. As you know, I was in credit, not handling funds."
"You really confuse people... Anyway, recap: Myeong-seon tailed Min-ho, got caught; you killed Gwak Hee-do with debt, right?"
"Yes. Not a shred of lie."
The more he heard, the more ridiculous it seemed. But if Director Seo was telling the truth, it was definitely bad news for Beom-seong too.
"What I can't wrap my head around: For your story to fit, Min-ho had to know when Gwak Hee-do would die. Right?"
"Yes."
"How do you explain that?"
"Truth is... that's the mystery to me too."
Grabbing a nearby stone in frustration, Beom-seong snapped.
"I've known my nephew my whole life. I know him better than you do, Director Seo."
"It's really true. Please believe me."
"Enough. Let's drop it—I don't even know why I'm here. Ham, let's grab some food."
This was a chance that might not come again. If the conversation ended here, his last hope would vanish. He whipped his head around, searching for something.
"What's wrong? You really losing it?"
"Pl-please... wait just a moment."
He rushed to the office and returned with a newspaper.
"L-look at this. This should explain everything."
The Samin Newspaper featured news on A-Mart's opening and JK Card.
"Samin's ours. Printing affiliate news isn't weird."
"As you know, A-Mart is Athena's big-box chain."
"You're dying of thirst at the fountain. Get to the point."
"There was no official personnel shakeup at JK Card. You know that?"
"Yeah. Yu Se-ho's basically running everything."
Seizing the moment, Seo Gwang-hun dove in.
"Isn't something off between JK Card and A-Mart? They move like one entity."
"Dad might've signed a partnership. What's weird?"
"Under Yu Se-ho, JK Card was sinking slowly. But a few months ago, it changed drastically."
He pointed out facts even Beom-seong hadn't noticed. Seo Gwang-hun's claims started gaining weight.
"Wait—if you're right, Director Seo... this is all Min-ho's plan. Right?"
"Yes."
"Does Grandpa know?"
"I suspect Chairman Kang does."
If it was all true and Chairman Kang knew, the situation would shift dramatically. He couldn't judge hastily. Beom-seong checked once more.
"What if not? Then what?"
"Boil me, roast me—do whatever."
"I'll verify and contact you. Go on. Good work."
Seo Gwang-hun, not budging and glancing slyly, finally spoke up hesitantly.
"Sir, one more favor."
"What, a ghost that can't speak haunting you? You talk a ton. Shoot."
"I... actually... I crave jjajangmyeon."
From the mouth of a former JK Credit Info executive, it was just black bean noodles. Pathetic and miserable, but no other options.
"Sure. Perfect. Come eat, talk more, stuff yourself silly."
"Thank you, sir."
***
Athena conference room. The large discount chain's successful rollout after long preparations. Explosive growth in JK Card sign-ups. Athena was surging ahead. Their efforts had paid off, and the team members could barely contain their excitement upon seeing it firsthand.
To Min-ho, it was all too familiar. But to those living in 1993, it was nothing short of revolutionary.
With flushed cheeks, Manager Cheon Dong-gwan recounted his tale like a war story.
"I went to the Yeouido branch. Man, the building's huge—everything under the sun's there."
Real estate team leader No Jun-hwan chimed in.
"It's the size you'd see in advanced countries, and 30 in Seoul? Incredible."
"You saw it too, right, team leader? My jaw dropped—mind-blowing."
"When our president does it, what'd you expect?"
"I expected big, but not this big. Sometimes I wonder how far ahead he sees—it's uncanny."
The mood in the room was electric as Min-ho and Lawyer Choi entered. Everyone stood and bowed.
"Manager Cheon, your voice could reach the Han River. That impressed with the marts?"
"Loved 'em. Nearly teared up arriving at the first one."
"Not like it's artwork."
"If I'd stayed in Pocheon, would I have this glory? All thanks to you, sir."
"Water under the bridge. Forget it."
"I'll never forget. I'll give my all going forward."
The plan had succeeded, but Min-ho's road ahead was still long.
"Seeing effort bear fruit is indescribable. But get too drunk on it, and you'll stumble."
"Noted, sir."
Min-ho nodded, and Lawyer Choi distributed materials. Expecting Athena Distribution topics, the team tilted their heads at the surprise.
The Times President Jo Dong-uk spoke up.
"Sir, sorry, but is something off here?"
"Off how? What feels weird?"
"Embracing the My Car era to boost vehicle sales—very encouraging."
"And next?"
"Not acquiring a car company, just installments? I'm skeptical on the profits."
The 1990s My Car boom saw record sales: 2 million in '89, 3 million in '91, 4 million in '92. Averaging thousands daily. But an unexpected snag hit in 1993. Cash buyers dried up. For the rest, cars were a pipe dream. They couldn't ignore the lucrative market. Banks and card companies squeezed dry, but funds had limits. Sales plummeted; passenger car inventory topped 100,000. To break the gloom, installment systems were revamped. Sales jumped from 2 trillion to 7 trillion won in a year. With Chairman Kang's funds fueling JK Card to absorb liquidity, dominating the market was just a matter of time. Smart Min-ho chose JK Card over M&A.
"Let me explain the plan in detail now."