The Great Leap
Dry tinder was piled high. Min-ho lit the fire without hesitation. The flames roared to life, swelling into a blaze that seemed poised to devour even the Taebaek Mountains.
[Improper Ties Between Sunyoung Group and Prime Minister Min Pil-muk]
[Public Telecom Handed to the PM's In-Law]
[What's Behind PM Min Pil-muk's Gift of the Golden Goose to Sunyoung Group...]
The major media outlets struck the first spark. The rest pounced on Prime Minister Min and Sunyoung Group to claim their scoops, tearing into them relentlessly. With more fuel added, the inferno could only rage fiercer.
Min-ho, well-versed in the media ecosystem, lounged on the sofa watching the news unfold with calm detachment.
Lawyer Choi, stroking his chin with a grave expression as he viewed the coverage, spoke up. "Young master, this level of pressure is unprecedented."
"They took the money—they'd better run hard."
"What do you foresee happening next?"
"If a shark bites someone swimming in bloody waters, it's the swimmer's fault."
"If things go according to your plan, all that's left is Sunyoung's withdrawal and the prime minister's statement."
"It might even be an apology. Could be decided in hours."
Min-ho spread the newspaper wide beside him and continued. "We handled this a day ahead of the scheduled announcement. What do you make of that?"
"Hmm, nothing jumps out. If I had to guess, internal circumstances?"
"It's a signal to us—they're doing their best, so please spare them."
"If true, they've secured justification and are now seeking actual benefits."
Min-ho pointed to the headline with his finger. "See? It's splashed everywhere. What will people think of Sunyoung and the PM?"
"Like the classic rigged game of go-stop."
"That's part of it, but the key phrase 'in-law relationship' will stick in most minds."
No sooner had Min-ho finished than the breaking news ticker rolled:
-Prime Minister Min Pil-muk to deliver emergency statement shortly.
Everything was unfolding precisely as Min-ho had planned. Lawyer Choi stared at him, dumbfounded. "Young master... an emergency statement—does that mean...?"
"Their escape route is set. We've all but forced the choice."
True to Min-ho's word, everything flipped in a single day. The press hounded the collusion story mercilessly. Finally, battered by public crossfire like a ragged survivor, the prime minister faced the reporters clutching a sheaf of neat papers.
-Respected citizens, this is Prime Minister Min Pil-muk.
-I have faced various suspicions regarding the selection of the second mobile telecom operator.
-The evaluation was conducted fairly and transparently. However, many have raised concerns about my relationship with Sunyoung Group.
-This morning, I confirmed Sunyoung's position and received firm assurance they will withdraw their bid for Daehan Mobile Telecom.
Even before the statement ended, reporters shot to their feet, bombarding him with questions.
"Are you admitting irregularities in the selection process?"
"What exactly was Sunyoung's stance?"
The prime minister, visibly flustered, dabbed sweat from his brow with a handkerchief and pressed on.
-Recent sharp rises in Daehan Mobile Telecom's stock have raised unavoidable concerns about bidder financial capacity.
-Thus, preliminary candidates Baeksan Enterprises and Jeonggwang Group, along with JK Group, will undergo final review.
-Results will be announced at 1 p.m.
Daehan Mobile Telecom was a public entity but also publicly traded. Privatization hype had sent shares soaring endlessly. Min-ho's media fire had poured fuel on the surge.
This shifted the balance: financial muscle would decide everything. The winner needed at least 60% of shares—over 500 billion won at current prices. If the rally held, the sum would balloon further.
Most firms couldn't shoulder it. They rushed to withdraw amid the inflated costs. Only those who could—naturally including JK—remained finalists.
Min-ho's media play wasn't mere savaging. It pumped shares organically, erecting barriers others couldn't breach, while slipping JK into contention seamlessly. The gambit hit perfectly.
Min-ho smiled faintly. Lawyer Choi's face, however, remained etched with worry. "Only the final result remains."
"Don't fret. They'll have to side with us."
"May I ask your basis?"
"JK has the most cash. That's enough."
Min-ho's phone rang just then. He nodded silently, hung up. "Grandfather's summoning me. To Seongbuk-dong."
"Understood."
***
Back in his office after the statement, Prime Minister Min slammed the door like it might shatter, lit a cigarette with a twisted scowl. No matter how he puzzled, he couldn't pinpoint where it went wrong. He could only pray the storm passed harmlessly.
Minister Kim, huddled quietly in the corner gauging the mood, ventured cautiously, "Senior, if we select JK as the acquirer... do you think we can avoid issues like this?"
"Check the candidates again. Any without tangled ties?"
After a long look, Minister Kim replied, "JK's the only clean one."
"Daehan shares have more than doubled since last month. How many can handle that cash demand?"
"Just Baeksan, Jeonggwang, and JK. And among them, Chairman Kang Jin-gwang's liquidity is overwhelming."
"Needs 500 billion in ready cash now. The rest are flat broke."
"So... the media was used to deliberately inflate shares? To block others from the start?"
Without Min-ho's moves, this scenario wouldn't exist. The PM nodded calmly. "I thought Kang Jin-gwang was a retired old man... but no."
"You mean this was all Chairman Kang's scheme?"
"Exactly. He saw the whole board—his youthful sharpness intact."
"Then the answer's set."
Reviewing the statement on his desk, the PM replied, "This should satisfy everyone. Plenty of crumbs for the press—no room for doubts. That sly old fox..."
***
Seongbuk-dong.
Min-ho and Chairman Kang sat on the sofa, eyes glued to the news. Unlike the relaxed Min-ho, the chairman gripped his pipe tightly, face taut with tension.
"Grandfather, you seem pretty wound up."
"Of course, boy—this chance to hit the big leagues? Lying if I said no."
"No worries. It's ours for sure."
"They'll make it so if they want to live."
"PM's on now."
1 p.m. The second mobile operator selection announcement began.
-Respected citizens, selection of the second mobile operator is complete. I will now explain the winner and rationale.
Flipping a page, the PM continued.
-Criteria were public. To return the public firm intact, we weighted financial status highest.
-Daehan shares are up 200% from last month; the funding burden has intensified.
-Acquisition requires at least 500 billion won. Only four firms qualified.
All eyes and ears nationwide fixed on the PM. The outcome would seal Min-ho's funding path—and perhaps launch JK into a colossal empire, as Chairman Kang had long dreamed.
Time froze in Seongbuk-dong. Only the living room clock's tick and the chairman's gulp filled the air. Even the ever-stoic Butler Moon fidgeted tensely.
The chairman couldn't steady his pounding heart—one hand on his pipe, the other clutching Min-ho's—as he stared unblinking.
-Accordingly... the final acquirer is...
On-site reporters held breath, no shutters clicking. For his political survival, the PM had no choice but JK. He hesitated long, then opened his mouth slowly.
-...JK Group has been selected as the second mobile operator.
They emerged from the long, dark tunnel, claiming the telecom prize. Overjoyed, Chairman Kang shouted, thrusting both hands skyward. Silent Butler Moon raised his in jubilant cheer.
The chairman still couldn't believe it. He rubbed his eyes, checked the TV again. No doubt—JK had won. No words captured his ecstasy.
"Grandfather, I told you—it'd be us."
"Of course! Our grandson... fulfilled his old man's wish."
It had been near-impossible. The chairman had started it to test Min-ho's potential, not truly expecting victory. Tears welled in his eyes from the thrill. He gazed at Min-ho, then embraced him tightly—a hug worth a thousand thanks.
Other firms' blockades had kept the chairman housebound, fearing JK's cash-fueled expansion. Their petty ploy: lobby bureaucrats for bogus disqualifiers. Multiple failures had scarred him. Though late, joy at finally breaking free brimmed his eyes with tears.
Still buzzing, he bellowed, "Sang-oh!"
"Yes, Chairman!"
"This lad here by my side! My grandson. I want to parade him everywhere, hand in hand!"
"Congratulations, Chairman."
"My grandson granted my dream... A day I'll never forget."
How precious Min-ho looked? Indescribable. The chairman rubbed his cheeks fondly, eyes brimming with love.
"This old man can die without regrets now."
"Live long, Grandfather. You've got to build Korea's top group."
"Naturally... Hold on, this joy—what to do with it?"
Min-ho had anticipated even this. Whispering in his grandfather's ear, he shared plans. The chairman beamed brighter than ever.
"Yes, that's the way. Sang-oh!"
"Yes, Chairman."
"Bonuses for every JK soul—make 'em thick."
"Understood."
Gazing at Min-ho with lingering awe, the chairman said, "Our Min-ho, whatever you want or wish—name it. I'll make it happen, promise."
"Without your trust and backing, it'd have been impossible."
"How can even one word from you be so sweet?"
"Remember? The Line 7 land profit—you promised it to me."
"Naturally! I'll settle it quick. Anything else?"
"Not for me—but you have something."
"What's that mean all sudden?"
Min-ho walked slowly to the entrance, opened the door. Reporters mobbed the gate, clamoring.
-Hey? Door's open. A word, Chairman!
-Chairman Kang Jin-gwang, your thoughts on acquiring Daehan Mobile Telecom?
The front and alley swarmed—every outlet in Korea. Min-ho shut the door after counting, slipped a prepared Q&A sheet into the chairman's hand with a sly smile.
"Hide in Myeong-dong no more—time to show yourself. I prepped this. Say it as-is; they'll love it."
Preparing even this meant Min-ho had assumed success. Reviewing the meticulous sheet, the chairman nodded. "You foresaw victory from the start?"
"Yes. Never once considered failure."
"Heavens..."
Min-ho's boldness, precision, flawless scheme left even the mighty Kang Jin-gwang speechless.
But it didn't end there. Min-ho pulled a pager from his pocket, placed it gently in the chairman's hand—a tiny symbol of telecom conquest.
Opening the door, Min-ho said, "Grandfather, this step launches JK's new history. Nail the interview."
Indescribable emotions surged in the chairman. He yearned to show Min-ho to the world—but circumstances made it unwise. Min-ho knew, yielding the spot beside him to Butler Moon with a nod.
"I'll be back."
Regret trailing, Chairman Kang took JK's monumental first stride. Min-ho smiled from the shadows.
With Line 7 compensation and Japan investments wrapping up, Min-ho readied his next scheme.