No Turning Back
[Former Seoul Mayor Im Tae-hyuk has been dismissed. Kang Beom-seong, president of JK Securities, has been appointed as the next Seoul Mayor.]
[Mayor Kang's inauguration ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow at Seoul City Hall, after which he will head to the Blue House for a luncheon meeting with the president.]
He hadn't fully believed Min-ho's promise to make him Seoul Mayor, but deep down, he'd harbored some hope. That thrill didn't last long. With no ideas of his own, Beom-seong had no clue what to do next. His only lifeline was Min-ho. Like a thirsty man digging a well, the desperate Beom-seong hurried over to Athena.
"Whoa, my nephew must've made a killing. Owning a swanky building like this. I'm proud of you."
Shoulders squared with false bravado, he strode into the first floor. No denying it—he was the hottest figure in town right now. The desk staff spotted him instantly and rushed out, bowing deeply at ninety degrees.
"An honor to meet you, Mr. Mayor."
"Mayor? The inauguration hasn't even happened yet. I'm here to see my nephew Min-ho. Which floor?"
"Fifteenth floor, sir."
"Got it. Keep up the good work. Catch you later."
"Yes, sir. Take care."
Tense and flustered, Beom-seong hit the button for the fourteenth floor—home to The Times—instead of fifteen. The doors opened, and he marched right in.
"Check out the size of this place. Massive... But where's Min-ho? He said he'd be around, but no sign of him."
His eyes met a busy reporter's. He asked cautiously.
"Um... are you Mayor Kang Beom-seong, by any chance?"
"That's me. Here to see my nephew, but he's nowhere."
"The president is on the fifteenth floor. This is the fourteenth—The Times."
"Oh yeah? Perfect timing. I was gonna drop by and say hi anyway."
Jo Dong-uk, the president of The Times, who recognized him on sight, came rushing out.
"Hello, sir! Jo Dong-uk, president of The Times. It's an honor."
"Hey, Jo. I've heard a lot about you from Min-ho. The Times pushed my campaign hard—no way I could've lost with that. Right?"
"You're too kind, sir. Here to see the president?"
"Yeah. Got the floors mixed up."
"Allow me to guide you. This way."
The reporters, spotting the unexpected VIP, started buzzing. They set down their pens and gathered around him one by one. Thanks to his appointment, they'd scored fat bonuses. Beom-seong's arrival was more than welcome. They chanted his name at the top of their lungs.
-Seoul Mayor Kang Beom-seong!
-Seoul Mayor Kang Beom-seong!
The unfamiliar frenzy felt strange, but not bad. Just a few years ago, he'd been holed up in a dingy Myeong-dong office that barely functioned. This meteoric rise in status—and the crowd's feverish attention—left him giddy, reason be damned. A satisfied grin spread across his face as he boomed.
"Alright, alright! Let me give a deep bow to all you reporters who made me mayor!"
-Kang Beom-seong! Kang Beom-seong!
"I look forward to your continued support. And with that in mind..."
Beom-seong pulled three million-won checks from his wallet and handed them to Jo Dong-uk.
"Treat yourselves to something nice and keep it up. Go team reporters!"
-Whoa! Mayor!
-Mayor!
High on what Yeouido folks called "campaign buzz," he beamed contentedly as he headed up to the fifteenth floor. Min-ho, waiting by the elevator, looked mildly flustered when his uncle came up the stairs instead.
"Uncle, why'd you come up the stairs?"
"Wait till you hit my age. Mixing up fourteen and fifteen."
"You meet the reporters?"
"Yeah. Gave 'em drinks money, said hi. But where's Butler Moon?"
"He got here an hour ago and he's already waiting. This way."
Gazing around Athena as they walked, he marveled.
"Damn, nephew. You've really made it. Made it big."
"How's it feel to be mayor?"
"Kinda dizzy. Honestly, no idea what to do. We'll talk details inside."
"Sure."
***
Moon Sang-oh rose from his seat in the conference room and bowed politely as the door opened.
"What, some big shot here? Sit down—your legs hurt."
Truth was, Beom-seong had zero plans. The joy of his appointment was overshadowed by worry. He sighed and got to it.
"Embarrassing, but... that's why I'm here. Straight up: I got no clue what to do."
This was all part of Min-ho's scheme. Beom-seong had stumbled into the mayor's seat, but he wasn't cut out to handle it. He stood alone in pitch darkness, blind to what lay ahead. Min-ho was his one guiding light—though it made him little more than a puppet. Handing over coffee, Min-ho smiled leisurely.
"You editing the inauguration speech I wrote?"
"Yeah. Passed it to the secretaries. Final draft this afternoon."
"The structure's solid—just read it as is."
"Fine. So what do I do now?"
"Inauguration tomorrow, then Blue House. Real work starts after."
No fixed term—public opinion could axe him anytime. He had to do something, but plans? Fat chance. He yanked at his tie in frustration.
"I hate complicated shit. Explain it simple."
"First, keep up the image-building like now."
"Keep grinning like an idiot?"
"Every article mentions you're the third son of JK Group, right?"
"Yeah."
"Can't erase it completely, but when people think 'Kang Beom-seong,' JK shouldn't come first."
He couldn't swallow even spoon-fed rice.
"How the hell?"
"No JK Group folks at the inauguration. Me and Grandpa included."
Moon Sang-oh interjected, startled.
"Young master, the chairman's really looking forward to it."
"Where do you think the cameras point if Grandpa and I show?"
"Obvious."
"Won't his face spotlight JK Group even more?"
They had to distance him from JK's shadow, focus on Mayor Kang. It wasn't optional—it was essential.
"Didn't think that far."
"Even doing nothing, folks'll say you're handing JK the spoils. Act indifferent, unrelated."
"Understood. I'll report to the chairman."
"If he won't budge, fine. But push for no-show."
"Yes, sir."
Min-ho had even prepped Beom-seong's policies. He distributed documents and dove in.
"First few days'll be nonstop. Once personnel's settled, we move."
Curious what Min-ho would say, Beom-seong blurted.
"Just do what's here?"
"Yeah. Make citizens feel it."
"So what first?"
"Ex-Mayor Im Tae-hyuk's nickname was 'vending machine'—bribe him, get permits. Patchwork mess."
"Scrap it all?"
"Compile all ongoing projects and send to me."
"Then?"
"Cut wasteful spending, redirect to public safety."
More to do than expected. Frowning hard, he scratched his head furiously.
"Thought I'd just kick back at the desk. Why so much work?"
"Nothing's free. Regretting it?"
"Nah... just sounds tiring."
"Trim the fat, you'll have cash left. Turn empty lots into parks everywhere."
"Efficient, tangible policies?"
"Citizens are sick of old politicians. They expect big from you—the alternative. Gotta deliver."
No choice for Beom-seong anyway. He nodded over the plans.
"You're right a hundred—no, a thousand times. Amp up DUI checks, brighter streetlights at crosswalks... Nephew, you came up with this yourself?"
"Yup. Keep pushing feel-good policies, ride the wave—you could go national."
"Me, a gold badge?"
"Wouldn't hurt the family to have one."
"No need to ask twice. I can hear Dad laughing from here."
Beom-seong was public now, not just a exec. One slip could tank everything.
"A few more caveats."
"Nak-jang-bul-ip—no backing out now. I'll follow orders."
"No scandals, got it?"
"Think I'm too dumb from community college?"
"Install CCTV in your office tomorrow."
"Why?"
Min-ho shook an envelope.
"You think only one guy shows up with one of these? Don't get caught taking cash."
"Gotcha. What else?"
"No after-work drinks. At home if you must. Drop the casual talk with staff. Smile outside work. Eat at the cafeteria. No fancy restaurants, clothes, cars, watches—banned."
Lifelong chaebol son Beom-seong blinked.
"Honorifics to underlings?"
"Respect matters more. And that grin."
No options. He nodded in resignation.
"Then the real plan kicks in."
"Hand over the concessions?"
"Approve redevelopments, ease greenbelts one by one."
"Blue House pressure?"
"I'll handle it. Everything rides on you for now. Watch every word, every move."
His mind blank, just sighs left. No turning back.
"Do this, call anytime you're stuck."
"Yeah, got it. Busy with tomorrow's inauguration—heading out. Stay put, handle your stuff."
"Drive safe."
Everything unfolded per Min-ho's blueprint. With Kang Du-seong crippled, he was powerless. Biggest wins: Kang Myeong-seon's house-arrested JK Credit Info, and Beom-seong's sudden JK Securities seat. Wedge in, then pry wider. Time to boost his group influence. No hesitation—Min-ho went for it.
"Butler Moon, drop a hint back home?"
Quick on the uptake, Moon asked.
"You mean... dual presidency of those affiliates?"
"Yes. Problem?"
"Athena alone's a full plate. Securities and credit too? Physically impossible, I'd say."
"Make it possible. Float that I'm getting greedy."
"Understood. Young master, what about President Gu Eun-chae?"
Tough call even for Min-ho, who knew the truth.
"Ignorance is bliss, but given her time left... better tell her."
"Your call. Here's where Rep. Choi Soon-hwan is."
He eyed the address slip bitterly.
"As expected—not a happy ending."
"Heading out today?"
"Check Jeju factory site too."
"Very well. I'll take my leave."
Alone in the conference room, Min-ho stared at the incident envelope. Thoughts raced, but one choice. Decided, he picked up the phone.
Eun-chae's bright, clear voice answered.
"Calling this late—what's up?"
"Wanna hit Jeju quick?"
"Whoa, even for you, that's fast."
Laughing at her kimchi-soup-spill reaction.
"Business. Day trip. Cool?"
"I thought... almost got excited for nothing. When?"
"Tickets in three hours. Late, you stay behind."
"Playing solo, huh... Fine, wait up. Go alone and see what happens. Be right there."
To meet the man who knew the truth, the two headed straight for Jeju.