The Daehan News and the Power Broker
At Choi Deok-bae’s words, Yoon-gi barely managed to suppress a burst of laughter, clamping a hand over his mouth. Those around him looked at his behavior with mild confusion, but upon seeing the shining screen, they soon nodded in understanding and turned their eyes back to the video. In the era of JD’s reign, where the word "bald" was strictly forbidden, it wasn't exactly rare to see someone struggling to hold back laughter while watching Daehan News.
"How could that be? It’s not that. I’ve just thought of a way to utilize the Daehan News."
"You’ll find out soon enough."
Leaving a dying-of-curiosity Choi Deok-bae behind, Yoon-gi began to focus on the movie.
No matter how close one was to JSD, when in his presence, the only person permitted to sit in the seat of honor was JD. This was a fact that hadn't changed even after quite some time since the new military regime had taken power. The same applied to Yoon-gi’s grandfather, Choi Ki-hyun. Even as the owner of oil fields, the owner of YK, and a grandfather to "Yoon-gi"—who was on very close terms with JSD—there was a clear need not to ruffle JSD’s feathers. If JSD were to choose self-destruction, it would certainly hinder Yoon-gi’s path.
Still, if there was one difference from the past, it was that while JSD’s displeasure used to mean the potential ruin of YK and Samwoo, it had now downgraded to a level of being merely "very annoying." Of course, even so, Choi Ki-hyun had no intention of sacrificing major profits for the sake of pride. Because Choi Ki-hyun was a cold-headed businessman. To a merchant, the basis of every judgment is money, not pride.
"I am truly sorry about this matter. I was so focused on the media side of things that I forgot to report to the Chief of Security beforehand."
Since the misunderstanding had already been cleared up through Yoon-gi, JSD picked up his coffee cup with a soft smile and a hearty laugh.
"Not at all. It was I who felt my own lack of insight after speaking with Mr. Yoon-gi. So, Samwoo is finally planning to officially designate Mr. Yoon-gi as the successor?"
Choi Ki-hyun nodded.
"That is correct. In truth, it would be normal for my eldest son, Cheol-ho, to inherit it, but that boy is so 'muscle-brained' that his head is practically made of brawn. Ah, have you ever met Cheol-ho?"
Having actually met Choi Cheol-ho, JSD nodded.
"Yes. I saw Mr. Yoon-gi’s parents at President Ryu Geun-tae’s wedding. I remember thinking his physique was truly impressive, but I suppose he wasn't well-suited for management?"
"Exactly. And it’s not as if I can hand it over to Cheol-min, and Cheol-gyu says he has no ambition and doesn't want to inherit it."
"My, my..."
"Cheol-jun has a fierce look that isn't good for the company’s public image, and Cheol-jae is still obsessed with being an entertainer, so in the end, the only one left is Yoon-gi."
"So rather than leaving it to mediocre sons, you’ve decided to entrust it to a capable grandson."
Choi Ki-hyun nodded again.
"Precisely. Yoon-gi is young now, but if I live another 15 years or so, there shouldn't be any major worries about him taking over the company, right?"
"That is certainly a sound plan. I had wondered why Samwoo didn't establish YK Department Store with Samwoo’s own capital, but I see there was a reason."
"It’s so that when the time for inheritance comes, Yoon-gi will have the most power, preventing any major issues."
Although the suspicions were already cleared, JSD’s expression grew even gentler after hearing a convincing explanation from Choi Ki-hyun.
"So that is why you attached President Ryu Geun-tae to Mr. Yoon-gi’s side."
"Yes. I attached him to serve as a tutor and for other various reasons. He was sharp even when he was in the secretariat, so I picked him immediately."
After exchanging some light banter and gauging the atmosphere, Choi Ki-hyun decided the time was right and brought up the purpose of his visit today.
"Chief of Security, may I offer a proposal?"
"A proposal? Of course. If it is something I can accommodate, I will do my best. Especially since there was a misunderstanding this time."
To JSD, who had completely lowered his guard, the proposal Choi Ki-hyun presented was quite unconventional.
"By any chance, have you considered abolishing the Daehan News?"
"Abolish the Daehan News? Hmm... the President might not like that very much, would he?"
To the somewhat troubled JSD, Choi Ki-hyun whispered again, almost conspiratorially.
"Think about it carefully. In the past, the Daehan News was effective because homes didn't have TVs or radios, right? But these days, what home doesn't have a TV or radio? We live in an era where you see the President on screen the moment you turn on the TV, so hasn't the utility of the Daehan News diminished significantly?"
"Hmm, but the Daehan News has the advantage of being mandatory viewing before a movie starts. Do you have a proposal that can compensate for that?"
"Yes. Instead of the Daehan News, we create the Daehan Daily."
"The Daehan Daily?"
JSD asked back in a slightly bewildered tone, finding it difficult to grasp Choi Ki-hyun’s intent.
"Yes. We turn the content that would have gone into the Daehan News into a newspaper. And we make it so that when you buy a movie ticket, you are required to buy the Daehan Daily as well."
"If we do that, the public will complain."
Thinking it was a natural reaction, Choi Ki-hyun opened his mouth quickly with a triumphant smile.
"Naturally, if you make them pay for it directly, they will complain. But what if we include the price of the newspaper in the ticket price?"
"Include the newspaper price in the ticket price...?"
"Exactly. Currently, the ticket price for theaters in Seoul is 2,500 won for Korean films and 3,000 won for foreign films. We add a margin of 200 won to that."
"Will it be okay if the price goes up?"
As if to say there was no need to worry, Choi Ki-hyun tapped his chest firmly with a resolute expression.
"Do not worry. The movie theater we are building is a place people will visit even if it costs 200 won more. So, there is no problem at all."
"Hmm..."
JSD thought it sounded plausible, but he still seemed hesitant to accept, perhaps feeling there wasn't enough merit yet.
"Think about it. If you set the price at 200 won per paper, and assume 1 million viewers a month, that’s 200 million won. That remains as pure profit."
As soon as the indicator of "money" appeared, JSD’s expression showed that he was "hooked."
"Is 1 million viewers possible?"
"A decent movie draws about 200,000 viewers across 10 theaters in Seoul. But the theater we are building has a whopping 20 screens. 1 million? Wouldn't that be surpassed quite easily?"
At Choi Ki-hyun’s persuasive words based on figures, JSD stroked his chin, looking as if he found it attractive.
"And my grandson asked me to entrust the production of the Daehan Daily to you, Chief of Security."
"To me?"
Finally, Choi Ki-hyun drove the nail home.
"Yes. The margin from the sales of the Daehan Daily should naturally go to the President. However, the production is to be entrusted to you, JSD. That is Yoon-gi’s request. The distribution margin to the President, and the production margin to the Chief of Security. Yoon-gi urged me repeatedly, saying that he really wanted to ask for this."
The production margin was bound to be smaller than the distribution margin. But even if it was small, what if 1 million copies were sold consistently every month? Since he could just order his subordinates to write the content, JSD knew that if he put a relative in as a figurehead president, it would eventually become a significant profit.
"Ahem! Ahem! Is it really alright for me to receive such treatment?"
Although JSD’s face was already saying, 'I really want to do this,' Choi Ki-hyun pretended not to notice and nodded.
"Of course. Yoon-gi told me that our family is able to operate like this solely thanks to the Chief of Security, so we must serve you with all our might. Yoon-gi praises you every chance he gets. He says, 'If one were to name the most necessary talent for a monarch, it is undoubtedly the Chief of Security.'"
Finally, JSD gave up on managing his expression. JSD’s mouth was stretched from ear to ear, looking like a young child, and seeing this, Choi Ki-hyun clicked his tongue in awe.
'He’s my grandson, but he’s truly terrifying. Is there anyone else in Korea who could see this expression on JSD? Probably not even JD has seen it. It’s a shame Yoon-gi can’t see this. Or... did he send me here specifically to see it?'
JSD’s slack-jawed expression lasted for nearly 30 seconds. When he finally came to his senses, he returned to his original expression with an awkward look.
"My apologies. I forgot where I was and lost my focus for a moment."
"Not at all. I actually felt good because it seemed you would consider it positively."
In truth, Choi Ki-hyun was very satisfied with this situation. He was the only one who had seen the expression of the second-in-command that no other chaebol in Korea had ever seen.
'This is why I enjoy being Yoon-gi’s grandfather.'
As Choi Ki-hyun grinned inwardly, JSD spoke again.
"The Daehan Daily. I like it very much. I will report it to the President. No, I will ensure it passes."
JSD’s affirmation, acting decisively once a decision was made. Choi Ki-hyun shook hands firmly with JSD once, then rose from his seat.
The abolition of the Daehan News was permitted only for theaters that subscribed to the Daehan Daily. Furthermore, it was decided that the president of the newspaper production plant would be a relative of JSD, and the newspaper company would be run by a relative of JD. The relationship between JD and JSD, who now shared the distribution and production margins, seemed to have no problems at all; in fact, the act of splitting the spoils seemed to show a tighter bond.
However, Yoon-gi had no intention of letting their relationship remain that way. At Choi Deok-bae’s words, Yoon-gi judged that it was time to give a few hints.
"Usually, when things are going well, sharing the spoils isn't a problem. But once the relationship starts to sour, it will start to grind endlessly. Within a year, the relationship between JD and JSD will start to warp in a strange way."
"So you have to control the pace well. JSD must not fall until YS takes power. Of course, he will lose power when N takes office, but JSD’s complete downfall should happen only when YS takes power."
True to his brilliant mind that had passed the civil service examination, Choi Deok-bae grasped the core of what Yoon-gi said, and Yoon-gi clapped his hands lightly and nodded.
"Exactly."
"You can look forward to it."
"It’s just so much fun."
The autumn of his 17th year. As the lights of MEV (Movie Entertainment Village), scheduled to open tomorrow, flashed on, the surroundings began to shine brightly, as if a spotlight were shining on Yoon-gi standing in the center.
"Welcome!"
Yoon-gi shouted toward the entrance of MEV.