The Chairman's Shadow
It took a full week to assemble the real estate team with the top talent Kang Jin-gwang had mentioned. But Kang Min-ho wasn't one to sit idly by until then. He set out early in the morning with Lawyer Choi.
"Should we head to Dobong-gu like you mentioned yesterday?"
"No. Uijeongbu City."
"Pardon? Young master, you definitely said Nowon Station yesterday."
"I've changed my mind a bit. Take us to Uijeongbu."
"Understood."
Lawyer Choi had heard the full details of Min-ho's plan from him the night before. The start and end points were clearly set. That meant they should be heading to the National Defense University or Dobong Mountain. Yet for some reason, Min-ho was staring intently at Uijeongbu on the map he'd spread out. Even though Choi now knew the entire plan—unlike before—Min-ho's true intentions still felt shrouded in fog. Asking directly would just get him a cryptic reply, so the lawyer, gripping the wheel, switched to another question.
"When do you plan to wrap up the Japan investment?"
"You think it's time to pull out too, Lawyer?"
"Honestly, yes. For an ordinary person like me, it's an amount I'd never touch in a lifetime. If I'd made gains like yours, I'd have cashed out already."
"The Nikkei hit nearly 40,000 and now it's cascading down like a waterfall, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"I'll exit when it's down to about half."
"So not just the 1 billion like now, but even more?"
"Around 3 billion, roughly."
Min-ho's answer once again exceeded Lawyer Choi's expectations. Shocked, he braked harder than usual.
"Really? Forgive me, but there's always a chance things could go wrong."
"You mean faith that an economic powerhouse like Japan won't just collapse?"
"Exactly. Even so, I can't easily accept it keeps plummeting."
"It will fall. It has no choice."
"What about Cheon Dong-gwan, then? What's your plan for him?"
Min-ho glanced at the calendar in the car before replying.
"It won't take long. Once Cheon returns from Japan, I'll release the funds and buy him a modest house."
"I'm sorry to say this, but what if Cheon gets any bad ideas?"
"Does he strike you as bold enough for that?"
"He seems pretty spineless to me."
"His family's back in Korea too. Don't worry."
They soon arrived in Uijeongbu. As Min-ho stepped out of the car, the first thing he saw were citizens holding picket signs in protest.
[Oppose Dobong Vehicle Depot Absolutely!]
[What kind of nonsense is a subway depot?]
At that time, the Line 7 plan ran from Dobong Mountain Station—then called Nowon Station—to National Defense University Station. The subway vehicle depot, however, was slated for Uijeongbu. Normally, when an unwanted facility like that came to town, some incentive was needed to offset it. But Seoul had no such plans. It was a steamed bun without the red bean paste. A vehicle depot would arrive, but no subway station—a bizarre situation. The backlash was entirely predictable.
Of course, Jangam Station would open in two years. The process might be messy, but the outcome would be a happy ending regardless. For Min-ho, it was actually a golden opportunity.
Glancing around, Min-ho spotted a nearby real estate office and headed there, briefing Lawyer Choi on the approach.
"We'll need a bit of acting."
"How exactly?"
"Like brothers from a well-off family."
"May I ask why?"
"If I flash a JK business card, word'll spread that JK's sniffing around for land. It'll make buying harder and jack up prices."
"Yes, that makes sense, young master."
"We're not buying right away—just scouting. Play along casually."
"Got it."
Min-ho eyed the vast expanse of land as he walked to the office. Securing just this would mean owning the site for the Line 7 vehicle depot.
He pushed open the door. An elderly man with white hair was watering plants by the window.
"Hello, sir."
The agent glanced at Min-ho and Choi, then spoke curtly, as if dismissing them.
"From Seoul, huh?"
"Yes, sir. From Seoul."
"No business here. Be on your way."
His face and tone were both indifferent and icy.
"You Seoul folks come lookin' at land, see the protests over there, and head right back. You ain't different. Save your energy and go."
"We'll leave eventually, but could I ask a few things first?"
Most would slam the door at that. But Min-ho reacted differently. Ignoring the gruffness, he smiled brightly and spoke politely.
The agent, peering over his glasses, studied Min-ho.
"You look about my grandkid's age. Buying land? Only kids from rich families do that."
"It's not me buying—it's my brother. I'm just tagging along."
"Think I don't know after thirty-plus years in this game? You've got the sharper eye for land. So, what've you got your sights on?"
"Gotta look around the neighborhood first."
The agent led them to seats and poured coffee into paper cups.
"I'd have chased off most folks, but you're the youngest I've seen here. Might as well give you a tip."
"Any advice would help me a ton."
The agent stood, pulled back the curtain by the window, and pointed to the depot site.
"See that?"
"Yes, sir."
"That's where the subway vehicle depot might go. Compensation's a joke. Anyway, if it's coming, shouldn't the subway line extend here too?"
"That seems logical to me. Why not?"
"Seoul says it's Uijeongbu's issue; Uijeongbu says ask Seoul since it's not theirs. They just shrug it off."
"That's why the protests."
Bad news for locals, but perfect chaos for Min-ho. With compensation mishandled, it meant he could snap up the depot land at true market price.
"Could you buy that land with money?"
"Of course. Throw in an extra 10,000 won per pyeong, and folks'll line up with numbers."
"So no Line 7 extension here?"
"Both cities are passing the buck. You think that'll change overnight? Damn bureaucrats make my blood boil."
The depot would break ground soon. Contrary to the agent's view, Jangam Station would open in two years. But if Min-ho bought up Dobong Mountain-National Defense University line plus Jangam and the depot site, everything changed.
Suppressing a grin, Min-ho stood casually.
"I can't decide. I'll come back."
"Anytime. Bring cash, and us old timers'll hand over our deeds, promise."
"Thanks. See you."
Outside, Min-ho smiled at the empty lot soon to host the depot.
***
Kang Jin-gwang's shadow, Moon Sang-oh. His loyalty was beyond question. Whatever the chairman ordered, he executed flawlessly, always with unwavering fidelity. The most famous anecdote about him—surprisingly—was about cigarettes. To act on unpredictable orders without delay, he'd boldly quit smoking. Not entirely, though. He'd chosen a harsher path than quitting cold turkey. Every morning, Moon rose thirty minutes before the chairman, grabbed the newspaper from the gate, and smoked exactly one cigarette. No more, no less—every single day for twenty years without fail. Of course, unexpected days happened, like today. If the chairman woke early, he'd skip it.
Moon arrived at JK Credit Info ahead of schedule. Instead of the president's office, he headed to the rooftop for his missed smoke.
A cigarette overlooking Seoul skyline... been a while.
He moved to a corner to avoid notice, lit up, and savored the nicotine spreading through him as he exhaled slowly.
Then, a grumbling voice pierced his ears from behind the vending machine. Without a sound, he turned his head. It was Credit Team Manager Hwang Jeong-min and HR Team Leader Ga Kyung-pyo talking.
Hwang always resented Min-ho. The rookie's outsized incentives, Deputy Manager Seo’s favoritism—it all grated. Worst was the blatant special treatment. Face flushed, he vented.
"Kyung-pyo, isn't it weird?"
"I know you get touchy whenever Min-ho comes up."
"No matter how I look at it, this ain't normal. The boss's reaction too."
"He solved a big problem. Isn't that expected?"
"Even giving him the best spin, it's too much."
"Everyone knows your team's boss has exec ambitions. Min-ho paved the way—naturally he'd like him."
Far from agreement, Ga poured oil on the fire. Hwang sighed heavily, frustration mounting.
"Newbie goes off on his own, comes back, no one asks details, he dodges anyway, then the president calls him right up. Am I overreacting?"
"I get what you're thinking. But no need to stir trouble."
"That's why I'm asking you to check."
Ga Kyung-pyo, the first to question Min-ho's hiring. But with orders from above to stay quiet, he shook his head.
"How many times do I say it? I checked his docs—spotless."
"No, something's off. My gut says so."
"What? How many times I gotta repeat?"
"Fine, if you won't help, I'll handle it myself."
"You don't mean... Hey, no. You'll miss promotion, get fired. Play nice, take your paycheck quietly."
When a big neighborhood bash happens, best to peek in and snag a bowl of noodle soup. But envy and suspicion drove Hwang to the worst choice.
"No, something's definitely fishy."
"Like what? We're alone—spill it."
"President calls him constantly. Whole vibe feels off."
"Evidence? You see something? People like him 'cause he works well; president calls for that. What's shady?"
"It stinks. Something rotten..."
"I dunno. Do what you want."
Moon had overheard it all unintentionally. He exhaled slowly, mind racing. When he first heard Min-ho joined as a regular employee, he'd assumed it was to dodge Kang Du-seong's radar. Wrong. Defying expectations, Min-ho delivered massive results. He'd won over the turned-away chairman and launched grand plans. If exposed now, Min-ho's hard-earned reputation would crumble under "parachute hire." If some nobody caused that, it'd burden the chairman further.
Disgust rising, Moon crushed his cigarette underfoot. His gaze locked on Hwang Jeong-min.
A mere manager won't trouble the chairman...
With a killer glare, he silently descended to the president's office.