Crushing Namdo Construction's Executive Director Jeon Gi-ryong
Jeon Gi-ryong, executive director of Namdo Construction. He had served three terms as a National Assembly member in Yeouido under the Daehan Party. He challenged for a fourth term but tragically fell short. Normally, a defeated candidate in an election ends up like a wild duck egg on the Nakdong River—utterly useless. But Han Du-hak, the Namdo Group chairman, had spotted Jeon Gi-ryong's potential early on and boldly brought the fallen politician under his wing.
Han Du-hak's judgment proved spot-on. Jeon Gi-ryong devoted himself utterly to the Namdo Group that had taken him in. Leveraging his connections in Yeouido, he made monumental contributions to Namdo Construction's growth. He even secured massive contracts. His position at Namdo Construction solidified day by day. Han Du-hak had even informally designated him as the next president. The dream was within reach. He had no rivals. He was absolutely certain he'd ascend to the presidency. Just when he thought everything was perfect, Min-ho's plan cracked it all open.
The group was shaking. Namdo Construction was about to fall into JK Group's hands. All his dogged loyalty had earned him was an empty echo. Everything he'd built crumbled overnight with the acquisition by JK Group. Jeon Gi-ryong could already guess who Chairman Kang would appoint as president. It felt like his prize had been stolen. He couldn't believe it. He couldn't accept it. Even if he opposed it, the situation wouldn't reverse—but he decided to grate on Chairman Kang Jin-gwang's nerves as much as possible. Of course, it didn't take long for him to realize this was the worst possible move.
The temporary shareholders' meeting hall was shrouded in icy silence. Chairman Kang Jin-gwang, who had been glaring fiercely for a long while, finally spoke in a heavy tone.
"Gi-ryong, my boy... Answer carefully... This is your last chance. Are you seriously picking a fight with me right now?"
"Even if my mouth's twisted, I was told to speak straight. I hereby express my opposition to this agenda."
"Not surprising from a Yeouido badge-wearer—I'll acknowledge that backbone of yours... And of course, I'll treat you accordingly."
Chairman Kang nodded toward Butler Moon. Moon Sang-oh swiftly brought a chair and his bear-claw pipe up to the podium. Seated, Chairman Kang stared at Jeon Gi-ryong with the pipe clenched in his teeth. His eyes brimmed with killing intent. The others averted their gazes, pretending not to notice.
After exhaling a long plume of hazy smoke, Chairman Kang began.
"Was it before the general election...? Your wife showed up at the steel company's chairman with a whole spread of kimbap after stamping her face-card, remember?"
"Yes, I remember."
"Your youngest daughter was in college back then... She's been a mom for quite a while now, I suppose."
The words were tossed out casually, like checking in, but they were a blatant warning. It meant he remembered everything about Jeon Gi-ryong, even after all these years. In other words, he was fully aware of all the dirty deeds in his past. Jeon Gi-ryong had thought they'd been forgotten, but beads of sweat formed on his forehead at Chairman Kang's astonishing memory.
"Late '70s, you came groveling to me in Myeong-dong for election funds..."
"Yes, Chairman. Of course, I paid back every penny with interest."
"Dragging out that mouse-tit of a connection won't change a damn thing... Anyway, I have something important to ask."
Chairman Kang fixed him with a steady gaze and continued.
"Is this bone-deep loyalty bubbling up like beef-bone soup? Or is it greed for that presidency you thought was yours? I want a clear answer."
"The presidency? I'd never dream of it. It's pure loyalty to Chairman Han Du-hak, who took me in."
"When a tail-wagging dog starts whining about side dishes after the master's changed, what can I do but smear it with soybean paste and serve it up?"
If Chairman Kang didn't respond harshly in this battle of nerves, Jeon Gi-ryong and his opposition faction would take control. As a top presidential candidate, he had the strongest sway among the executives. Sparing him would complicate things. This was Kang Min-seong's first outing as president—Kang Jin-gwang's second son, who had stuck to loan-sharking in Myeong-dong under his father's orders. The battle-hardened executives would rally around Jeon Gi-ryong to steer JK Construction their way—it was obvious. For Chairman Kang, who was already cracking down on the ringleader, this was a golden opportunity. The vine came with the gourd. No need to kick it. He had ample justification to purge him. Chairman Kang knew rotten shoots were best cut out early.
"Talking about your gold badge days feels petty... And there's no proof for a lot of it, so let's call it belly-button talk and let it slide."
The meeting hall thrummed with tension now. Chairman Kang continued without breaking eye contact.
"I know you've got another little business on the side... Running a plastic factory in Seongsu-dong and a rebar plant in Pyeongtaek, right?"
"That's correct."
"Must be pretty profitable. Just supplying to your current employer is like scooping up cash... But soon, you'll have to shutter them yourself—with your own hands."
"What... what do you mean...?"
The nightmare was just beginning. Chairman Kang issued an order to Butler Moon.
"Sang-oh!"
"Yes, Chairman."
"Call every construction company without fail. Tell them: from today, if they use any plastic or rebar from Gi-ryong's outfits, they won't borrow a dime from my money—or any bank."
"Understood, Chairman."
Anyone else might call it bluff, but Chairman Kang Jin-gwang had the power to make it happen. He had billions—hundreds of billions—deposited in every major bank. What if Korea's biggest whale pulled out? Bankers would kowtow, begging for mercy. His Myeong-dong loan-sharking, run by his two sons, still flexed its muscle. That meant he influenced everything from mainstream banks to private lenders. Slapping red tags on Jeon Gi-ryong's factories was child's play. Cut off sales and funding, and death was only a matter of time. Add loan recalls, and cash starvation would snap the neck even faster.
"Gi-ryong, this is the Myeong-dong Viper, Kang Jin-gwang. In case you've forgotten, I'm reminding you."
Sensing something terribly wrong, Jeon Gi-ryong couldn't hide his panic. Sweat poured like rain; his body trembled in terror.
"Beg for mercy here, and it's a good day—I'll forgive you generously. The choice is yours."
A simple "Sorry, spare me" would end it, but to protect his frog-spine pride, Jeon Gi-ryong made the worst choice. He clamped his mouth shut, neither affirming nor denying. Chairman Kang had offered mercy as a final chance. Jeon had rejected it. Like a snake coiling around prey, he began squeezing in detail.
"Your youngest daughter’s in the States, right? Your business tanks, she'll be back soon... And your eldest son’s running a big meat joint in Suwon?"
"Yes? Y-Yes... How did you know?"
Chairman Kang ordered Butler Moon.
"Call the secretary's office. Tell them to build ten bigger ones around his daughter's meat place."
"Understood."
"Price per head: 1,000 won. Triple the staff wages."
"Yes, Chairman."
No one could imitate Chairman Kang's style. He wasn't just crushing with power—he was burying them in money.
"I didn't want to go this far, but your petty pride forced my hand. Still think I'm just some farmer?"
"No, sir."
"Your son's sunk money into land and buildings—few months, he'll be begging me to buy it for peanuts."
Losing on the meat joint was pocket change to Chairman Kang. Jeon Gi-ryong's legs shook violently.
"Three gold badges can make the world look small, the mighty laughable. But you're mistaken about one thing."
"Wh-What... I don't know."
"Do I look like some loan shark still counting bills in a back room? Or the guy who scarfed extra-large jjajangmyeon with you?"
Chairman Kang inhaled deeply from his pipe, turning his head side to side in warning.
"The rest of you—no complaints? Speak now if you do."
There couldn't be any, and even if there were, they couldn't voice them. The executives who'd planned to play both sides like with Han Du-hak were frozen in fear. In an instant, he'd seized total control. The gray-haired execs bellowed in unison.
"None at all, Chairman!"
Chairman Kang's influence was beyond imagination. Jeon Gi-ryong's pager buzzed incessantly, like it was broken. He didn't need to check to know: his factories were already in ruins. The price for pointless pride was too steep. Snapping to reality, Executive Director Jeon Gi-ryong followed Minister Kim Dae-geun's Yeouido tradition—he began stripping.
He stood, fumbling with his shirt buttons. Eyes were on him, but it didn't matter. Without forgiveness here, everything he'd built would vanish. He stripped without hesitation, rushed forward, and knelt before Chairman Kang.
"I'm sorry, Chairman. I must've lost my mind."
"Good thing you've come to your senses now."
"I'm sorry."
"Did you think Du-hak coming back would hand you the presidency?"
"I'm sorry. I was mistaken."
Chairman Kang looked at him with pitiful eyes, grimacing as if he'd seen something he shouldn't.
"Once trust is broken, nothing can mend it. I'm sorry to lose our time together, but this ends our ties."
Jeon Gi-ryong clutched the hem of Chairman Kang's pants, voice breaking as he begged.
"I'm sorry, Chairman. Spare me. Kill me if you must, but save my children."
Chairman Kang blew smoke into the kneeling man's face.
"Gi-ryong... In front of all these executives, you smeared shit on my face—and kept smearing. I've given you enough chances."
At Chairman Kang's nod, staff rushed in and dragged out the underwear-clad Jeon Gi-ryong.
"Chairman!"
His final screams fell on deaf ears. Chairman Kang returned to the podium, gripping the mic. He met each pair of eyes deliberately.
"From now on, no matter what I say, you don't turn your heads. Got it?"
"Yes, Chairman!"
"Yes, Chairman!"
Chairman Kang addressed Min-ho, seated at the back.
"When they come at you, don't hesitate—fight. But make sure they never stand on their own two feet again."
His unusually hardline stance was for his grandson's eyes. As a businessman, he was showing charisma and how to handle foes.
"My grandfather."
"Half-assed mercy and tolerance? You'll get revenge. Make 'em piss themselves at your shadow—that's this old man's advice. Heed it."
Min-ho nodded and quietly exited with Lawyer Choi. Chairman Kang turned to the executives in a stern tone.
"Last question: No complaints about the new master of the house?"
They'd just seen Jeon Gi-ryong dragged off after feeble resistance. No opposition now. The once-smiling execs now brimmed with resolve. Bellies tensed, they roared.
"Yes, Chairman! None!"
"We'll give our all!"
"Good. I'll trust you once."
Meanwhile, Lawyer Choi, outside, was dazed. Chairman Kang's first impression had been a kindly grandfather. Today was night-and-day different. He'd overwhelmed the execs, driving them to terror. Catching his breath, he asked Min-ho.
"You said he was beyond imagination—what did you mean?"
"What do you think, seeing it yourself?"
"My legs turned to jelly just watching. And I caught a glimpse of you in him, too."
"If I had Grandpa's power and money, I'd go even harder."
Lawyer Choi's eyes widened.
"Young master... Really?"
"Kidding. Kidding. Gotta have dinner with Grandpa, so wait in the car."
"Got it. When does Yang Sang-pil start?"
"Tomorrow. He's probably in the detention center visitation room with Han Du-hak right now."
"Understood. Oh, there's the Chairman coming out."
Chairman Kang had now secured JK Construction and JK Investment Trust Securities. Min-ho had acquired Namdo Distribution for Korea's first mega-mart. Their path was clear—nothing could stop them now. Beaming at his grandson, Chairman Kang clasped Min-ho's hand tightly and headed to the restaurant.