The Party Ends: Japan's Economic Tsunami
Blasting music shook the eardrums. Liquor flowed like rivers. Endless waves of joyful laughter filled the air. The party seemed like it would last forever.
The bubble economy was like a game of hot potato with a bomb. If no one else took it from you, it would explode right in your lap. The Japanese, utterly lost in the revelry, ignored the warnings of two consecutive rate hikes. Most even mocked them, insisting there was no way the bomb would ever go off.
If those two warnings were gentle waves, the third rate hike was a tsunami that swept across the islands. Just as Kang Min-ho had predicted, the Japanese government played its worst card at the most critical moment: a blanket ban on new loans, an utterly massive policy shift.
When no new buyers stepped up to take the bomb from someone's arms, it was obvious where the explosion would happen.
Kang Jin-gwang, the chairman who had always whipped himself to stay ever vigilant and open to change, heeded Min-ho's advice and made a swift decision. Fortunately, he escaped the sinking ship before the water rose too high and stood firmly on solid ground.
What if Chairman Kang hadn't listened to Min-ho's warning? What if he hadn't acted decisively? Even a slight delay, and he would have been just another desperate soul flailing in the crowd, begging to be saved.
The radio still blared urgent breaking news.
[Following the Japanese government's latest rate hike announcement...]
[The real estate market has cooled sharply, and stocks have plummeted...]
There was no need to turn and watch the ship sink into the sea. With an air of annoyance, Chairman Kang switched off the radio and walked to the window.
He pretended nonchalance, but like everyone else, his heart raced. As usual, he gazed at the distant mountains and lit a cigarette, though his right hand trembled faintly.
The busiest in this unexpected crisis was Moon Sang-oh, the butler. He was hurriedly calling the Tokyo branch to assess the situation.
"Butler Moon, the situation in Japan is pure chaos. It looks like selling off the remaining assets will be impossible. The market has frozen solid."
"What's the estimated value in won?"
"Around 30 billion, sir."
"Understood. I'll report to the chairman and call you back."
They'd dodged the worst, but it wasn't the best outcome either. Moon Sang-oh meticulously noted every detail in his notepad, then headed straight to the living room where Chairman Kang waited.
At a glance, his expression seemed unchanged, but inside, everything had flipped. Min-ho's prediction, which he'd half-doubted, had hit perfectly—his face had gone pale from the shock.
Exhaling a lungful of smoke, Chairman Kang smiled faintly and broached the topic.
"You look pretty shaken. Your eyes won't stop darting."
"My apologies, Chairman."
"I'm not scolding you. Have some water and take your time. I heard from President Noh before you arrived."
Moon Sang-oh tried to decline, but the chairman nodded insistently. With trembling hands, he downed the water in one gulp.
"Take a deep breath and speak calmly."
"Yes, Chairman."
Clutching his notepad with the Tokyo report, he began his precise briefing.
"Starting with the real estate in Tokyo. The building in Ginza..."
Chairman Kang shook his head and called his name in a low voice.
"Sang-oh."
"Yes, Chairman."
"Remember what I told President Noh?"
"Speed and direction, sir."
The chairman nodded slowly and continued.
"No point rushing now. Just the results."
"Understood. We sold 90.1% of the assets, totaling 360 billion won in cash. That's all."
"And the rest?"
"The remaining 10% will be difficult to offload, as mentioned."
Investments always leave regrets when you look back. Moon Sang-oh felt the same—if they'd moved just a bit faster, they could have cleanly sold that last 10% too.
It was irreversible, but the bitter taste wasn't just in his head. He hung his head like a criminal, as if it were his fault.
Moon Sang-oh saw only the cards at hand; Chairman Kang saw the whole board. Their thoughts naturally diverged. Unlike the dejected butler, the chairman wore a satisfied smile.
He had a philosophy he always repeated: as long as you don't lose the principal, opportunities always return. Rather than lamenting the missed gains, he was already eyeing the next investment, using this as a lesson.
Even amid hundreds of billions at stake, his emotions remained serene.
"Did you think I'd chew you out?"
"I believe if I'd hurried just a little more, we could have secured at least another 30 billion."
"That's human nature—turn your head, and there's always regret. Not your fault. Chin up."
"Yes, Chairman."
"Thanks to my grandson, we reclaimed 360 billion that nearly flew away. That piddly 30 billion? We can earn it back anytime. No need to worry."
"I'll keep that in mind, Chairman."
Considering the chairman's unusual obsession with money, Moon Sang-oh had braced for reprimand over the unsold 10%. But today was different. Though they missed that portion, the chairman smiled as if he'd gained far more.
He'd witnessed his grandson's astonishing insight firsthand. In the thick fog of uncertainty, Min-ho had pointed the exact path. Impressive, but too early for final judgment.
To gauge the butler's thoughts, he posed a question.
"By the way, I'd like to hear your take on this."
The vague query's intent was clear to Moon Sang-oh.
"At first, I thought Young Master's opinion was a bit far-fetched."
"No one saw Japan playing such a huge card. Fair enough."
"If memory serves, Young Master spoke not as prediction, but as certainty."
The chairman agreed, nodding as he pressed on.
"True. I half-expected collapse someday, but not like Min-ho. That boy wagged his tail and pulled me back from a thousand-fathom cliff."
"Chairman, if I may ask something presumptuous?"
"Go ahead."
"Do you see Young Master's actions this time as mere luck?"
Pondering briefly, Chairman Kang replied with a faint smile.
"Luck following you is skill in itself, don't you think?"
But there was more to his satisfaction. As a man, he harbored a deep, unspoken worry: one day, he'd have to step down, and the empty throne needed filling. The candidates were set, but none truly pleased him.
His children all played it safe, eyeing him warily, never daring bold choices. He craved audacity and brilliance, but none delivered. That void in his heart persisted despite all his wealth.
Faintly, he wondered if Min-ho—not Du-seong or Myeong-seon—might fill it. A majestic white crane stands out among chickens.
After deep thought, Chairman Kang turned and eyed Moon Sang-oh, casually raising the point.
"Seems your thinking's shifted a bit. Am I right?"
As his shadow, Moon Sang-oh knew his mind well. Hesitating, he spoke carefully.
"It might be premature, but compared to Presidents Kang Du-seong and Kang Myeong-seon, he shows superior insight."
"Seeing the forest, not the trees?"
"Yes. Young Master first convinced you, Chairman. Then he moved Cheon Dong-gwan, the Zainichi Korean, to Pocheon."
Even as butler, Moon Sang-oh couldn't answer rashly. He knew the goal but circled it.
"No beating around the bush—straight talk."
"Young Master views the group not for personal gain, but from a grand, strategic perspective."
Moon Sang-oh read the board swiftly and delivered a compelling conclusion.
"I think the same. If it were about filling his own belly first, he'd have moved Cheon Dong-gwan immediately."
"We'll see going forward, but based on this, that's the only conclusion."
The butler's sharp observation matched the chairman's thoughts exactly. Thanks to his grandson's word, they'd preserved 360 billion from vanishing. And that empty chamber in his heart began to fill.
Setting down his pipe gently, Chairman Kang issued orders.
"So many questions, and as promised, I'll grant your request too."
"Understood. I'll call President Kang Myeong-seon and summon her immediately."
Raising a hand with a sly smile, the chairman demurred.
"Think she'll come running just because I call?"
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"Min-ho saved 360 billion. She knows I'm thirsty, and she'll play hardball."
"You mean you'll move personally, Chairman?"
"That's overkill. But she deserves proper treatment for this."
"Understood. I'll go myself."
"Do it quietly—no eyes on you."
***
JK Credit Info's collections team. Min-ho heard the Japan news via radio too, but stayed focused on work, showing no reaction.
"Nam-hoon, don't be scared of sorting files. Do it slow like I showed you—speed comes with time. Got it?"
"When will I get as fast as you? Anyway, thanks. No overtime for a while because of you."
"It's quitting time—head home and crash."
"Yeah, I'll buy you dinner later."
Finishing the chat, Min-ho glanced out the window and spotted Choi Jong-hoon pacing anxiously in the hall.
Min-ho nodded, left the office, and they headed to the rooftop together.
Choi had much to say and ask. He locked the door hastily.
"Young Master, did you hear the news?"
"Caught the breaking report earlier."
Min-ho's unbelievable words had come true. Unlike the stunned lawyer, Min-ho's face was calmly unchanged.
"So, as you said, Japan's really done for?"
"Not totally dead, but it won't rise again. They borrowed tomorrow to live large today—they pay now. No free lunch."
"What about Cheon Dong-gwan?"
"Spoke to him briefly. No worries there."
"Got it. If I'm right, a summons from the chairman's coming soon. I'll drive you to Seongbuk-dong on my way home."
Min-ho smiled leisurely, declining.
"No need. I'm going on my own two feet."
"Pardon? What do you mean all of a sudden? The call's obvious, and you should go."
"Might be nothing, but if Grandpa trusts me, he's issued minimal orders by now. He knows I won't budge otherwise."
Min-ho's guts were legendary, but the opponent was Chairman Kang Jin-gwang. Shaking his head, Choi tried again.
"I know the situation. From the chairman's view, it might seem arrogant."
"Opposite, actually. He loves that near-arrogant confidence, that iron gut."
Choi knew the boldness but hadn't expected a power play against the chairman. Loosening his tie in confusion, he offered the safest path.
"Then I'll wait by the car."
"Don't worry—head home first."
"Young Master, mess this up, and you might irk the chairman needlessly."
"Tell Cheon Dong-gwan to hold steady if he calls."
"Decision made?"
"Yes. Go home ahead."
"Understood."
After the talk, Min-ho finished up and descended to the first floor. Normally, he'd use the front gate, but not today.
Grandpa surely sent Moon Sang-oh. He'll wait discreetly in some out-of-sight spot.
Most employees used the front gate near the bus stop. The back gate saw little traffic.
No need to ask if the butler was there. Min-ho slipped out the back—and sure enough, Moon Sang-oh waited.
Anyone could appear anytime. Even catching eyes, the butler offered no greeting or door—no risks.
A subtle nod, then he slid into the driver's seat. Min-ho scanned around and boarded.
"The chairman awaits. To Seongbuk-dong."
As the black car headed there, one person watched it all: Kang Myeong-seon, smoking by her window.
Moon Sang-oh himself picks up Min-ho? What's going on?
She inhaled deeper than usual, lost in thought. Like the deepening twilight, her mind wandered into the unknown.