Commencement
***
JK Securities President's Office.
Kang Beom-seong and Kang Myeong-seon had no idea what was unfolding at Min-ho's hands. They couldn't even imagine it. There was no way they had any fundamental countermeasures. They were simply struggling desperately to recover the credit loans exceeding thirty billion won.
Reality was far from forgiving. The stock market remained frozen solid, and the number of insolvent accounts kept growing. If this continued, a massive chunk of bad debt was inevitable.
The one who stood to gain was Kang Myeong-seon, president of JK Credit Info. She relentlessly pressured her hesitant brother.
"That's why I'm saying, brother—send out the reverse trading demand letters faster than now!"
"Brother's got to eat too. If I hand everything over to you, what do I live on?"
"Stock traders always have some fallback anyway—that's why they borrowed the loans. It's better to transfer to our company and recover the debt quick."
"Even if it's a day or two late, it doesn't matter. Do what you can, brother, and I'll hand it over."
"Fine. Then at this rate, we'll recover about 35 percent?"
"If prices drop more, it could be less."
Beom-seong, ever obedient to his father, just wanted to escape this crisis fast. Myeong-seon was different. She'd never shown it outright, but she coveted the vacant executive vice chairman position. Moon Sang-oh, the butler always shadowing Chairman Kang like a ghost, irked her—but what really unnerved her was Min-ho. The way Chairman Kang looked at him was anything but ordinary. Without any standout achievements, if time just dragged on like this, the vice chairmanship would slip away. Sensing that instinctively, she probed her brother—curious about his own ambitions—like pricking at an unripe persimmon.
"Brother, just hypothetically... Nah, forget it."
"What were you gonna say? It's fine, spit it out."
"If—just if—the vice chairman spot went to our eldest brother, what do you think? Your take?"
"No need to ask. Dad likes him best anyway. Why else give him the mutual savings bank? It's the most critical money line."
"True, that makes sense..."
Beom-seong smiled slyly at her.
"You gunning for vice chairman or something?"
"What? No way, brother—I was just asking."
"Don't chase rice cake dreams and choke on soup first. Best to obey Dad like you know who."
"I said it was just talk. Let's get back to business."
Myeong-seon pouted irritably and changed the subject just as the phone rang.
"Hold on, lemme take this... Hello?"
"It's Moon Sang-oh."
"Calling this late—what's up?"
"I have instructions from the Chairman."
"From Dad? Something happen in Seongbuk-dong?"
"Nothing like that."
"Then why the suspense? Just tell me already."
The office was empty, but the butler confirmed the door was locked before getting to the point.
"The stabilization fund moves in one week."
"What? What's that out of nowhere?"
"I can't give specifics. But this matter requires absolute secrecy."
If the stabilization fund moved, stocks would rise—and all those marathon meetings of the past few days would be meaningless. For JK Securities, it was like blowing their nose without using a tissue. Why refuse when the gourd came vine and all? Beom-seong replied with a beaming smile.
"Solving my boy's worries like this! Oh, Myeong-seon's here—cool if I tell her?"
"Yes. Nothing more."
"Got it. Don't worry."
Hanging up, Beom-seong whooped and hollered in delight. Myeong-seon, clueless, could only stare.
"What's got you so excited?"
"Heh, don't freak out—listen."
"Spill it already, you're killing me."
"Butler Moon said... the stabilization fund moves in a week."
For JK Securities, it was great news. But for Myeong-seon, plotting to boost operating profits via debt recovery, it was the worst possible blow.
"What? What the hell?"
"Dunno. You saw—that's all he said."
In that instant, a scene flashed in Myeong-seon's mind. During the meeting in the chairman's office, Min-ho had worn a relaxed smile. That much she could understand. What gnawed at her was what followed. Chairman Kang had dismissed her and Beom-seong first, then dined alone with Min-ho. It screamed something was up. Knowing about the JK Telecom acquisition, she concluded Min-ho was involved. She shot up from her seat.
"Where you off to all sudden? Eat first."
"You think food's the issue right now, brother?"
Myeong-seon headed straight for headquarters to meet the butler.
***
JK Group Chairman's Office.
As Chairman Kang reviewed reports, he turned to the butler.
"You passed it on to the kids?"
"Yes, to Presidents Kang Beom-seong and Kang Myeong-seon."
"How'd they take it?"
"Third Young Master seemed quite pleased."
"And Myeong-seon? Not a peep?"
"Correct."
The chairman already knew the fund's movement would split their fortunes. One thing bothered him: Myeong-seon. He sighed heavily, frustration evident.
"She must've planned to grab a big slice in this crisis—now it's all for naught, so she's fuming."
"Even so, she can't pass up this chance to recover most of the funds."
"Right. Last month, she dropped by slyly, asking if Min-ho was tied to the JK Telecom buyout."
"So the young lady knows about that?"
"She sees and hears things—can't blame her for suspecting. Make sure no family feud erupts; mediate, will you?"
"Understood."
The butler headed straight to the rooftop. There was Myeong-seon, smoking alone, her conflicted emotions plain on her face. He greeted her casually.
"Young lady, something wrong?"
"You pretending not to know I've been soaked? Or just messing with me?"
"No such intent. Tell me specifics—I’ll help however I can."
She stubbed out her cigarette, grinding it underfoot. Arms crossed, face stormy, she demanded:
"I heard about the stabilization fund. For real?"
"It's true."
"Dad moved it?"
"Apologies, no specifics."
"Fine, I'll say it. Min-ho's involved, right?"
The butler neither confirmed nor denied.
"As I said again..."
"Butler! Tell me—Min-ho's in on it?"
"Let's assume Young Master is involved. Even so, I can't fathom why you're so agitated."
"Of course! All that debt was coming my way—now poof, gone!"
Her anger was crystal clear. But the butler knew it was just a pretext.
"I once overstepped with advice. Remember?"
"Don't get greedy, yeah. But what now? I know Min-ho's linked to the JK Telecom acquisition."
"Why think that?"
"Answer me first. He's involved, right? That's why you can't say."
The butler gathered his thoughts before replying.
"May I take your anger to mean you want to use Young Master to claim the vice chairmanship?"
"Not exactly..."
"I can't know your true heart, but one thing's clear: you can't control Young Master."
It wasn't just about company size. It was the butler's considered judgment from watching Min-ho up close.
"One more overstep, if you'll hear me out."
Myeong-seon lit another cigarette in frustration. The butler waited, then spoke.
"You can't use Young Master—or surpass him. I urge you: don't oppose; join forces."
"You want me bowing to my nephew?"
"If you oppose... the end will be utter ruin. I'm certain."
Ruin from the ever-cautious butler chilled her to the bone. He bowed and left. Alone on the rooftop, Myeong-seon chain-smoked for a long while.
***
Yeouido, Athena.
True to his word, Chairman Kang provided Min-ho with a staggering thirty billion won. Term: six months. Five days until prep time ran out. Athena buzzed like never before.
Athena Distribution President Yang Sang-pil, Real Estate Team Leader No Jun-hwan, and Section Chief Cheon—all assembled. Min-ho handed out materials and dove in.
"Funds: as you see, thirty billion."
The team gaped at him, stunned by the scale.
"We're putting it all into the stock market. Everything needed is prepped via Section Chief Cheon."
The market was still iced over. Yang cautiously spoke up at Min-ho's bold declaration.
"President, sorry, but it's time-bound. If prices fall, interest snowballs."
"Right—in normal times. Other thoughts?"
No spoke next.
"I get the rush for the big marts. But all-in is high risk."
Cheon chimed in.
"Agreed. Stocks could rise anytime, but dumping this much is like tanking over thin ice."
Their views rang true. They couldn't guess Min-ho's response.
He smiled confidently.
"What if the stabilization fund moves?"
Perfect jackpot—no brainer. Cheon nodded.
"Feels good just thinking. Prices have to rise."
"Spot on, Section Chief. Explanation over?"
The team doubted their ears. From anyone else, a joke. But stabilization fund from Min-ho's mouth?
"President, that sounds like you know when it moves."
"Exactly—one week from now. That's why prep early."
The news was shocking; the timing mind-blowing.
"For now, that's it. If Section Chief had thirty billion, what stocks?"
"Bad intent, and price manipulation's easy."
"That'd bite us later. Strictly legal."
Cheon scanned the newspaper prices.
"Too many—tough choice. Top market caps first."
"Stocks picked. Check the last page of materials."
They flipped. Min-ho's selections: exactly four stocks set to surge most from the fund.
This rally was Korea's last before eight months of deep slump. Min-ho wouldn't miss it.
"JK Telecom, Illyoung Bank, Daehan Telecom, Masan Steel. All-in on these four."
Large sums demanded diversification. Min-ho flipped convention: concentrate on few for max returns. Ex-securities man Cheon double-checked, baffled.
"For real?"
"Why joke?"
"Expected returns?"
Min-ho spread his hand wide.
"Fivefold. Total: 150 billion."