The Enemy of My Enemy
“Pfft.”
For a split second, Yoon-gi almost let out a laugh. However, with Son Min-gwan standing right in front of him, he desperately held it back, managing to maintain the dignified aura of a monarch.
“Shintoburi? And on top of that, an anti-MEV movement?”
Son Min-gwan nodded again. “Yes. As far as I recall, after MEV launched, the number of patrons at other first-run theaters began to dwindle.”
“That’s only natural. While the total number of moviegoers increased with the advent of MEV, it didn’t grow enough to match our screen count, so naturally, other places would see a decline.”
“Yes, as you said. Because of that, the staff at other theaters started disappearing, and the number of screenings was reduced.”
Son Min-gwan’s sociability was something even Yoon-gi acknowledged. While he wasn’t at the level of controlling people through it, his ability to build rapport and network was truly peerless.
“You must have been quite close with the staff at those other theaters.”
Son Min-gwan rested his left hand on his chin and his right hand on his left elbow, lost in thought for a moment. Then, realizing whose presence he was in, he let out a sharp “Ah!” and bowed his head.
“I apologize. I was lost in thought for a moment…”
“It’s fine. Keep talking.”
“Thank you for your understanding. I don’t know if I can confidently say we were ‘close,’ but it is true that I often chatted with them when I went to see movies. Come to think of it, some of them were complaining that today was their last day of work.”
“You mean they were laid off because business was bad?”
“Yes, that’s right. In terms of economic logic, it was unavoidable.”
Yoon-gi thought for a moment, then looked at Son Min-gwan.
“Chief Son.”
“Yes?”
“Are there any among them who would be a good fit for YK?”
A good fit for YK. It wasn’t complicated. It just meant people who worked hard. Yoon-gi truly despised people who just held a title and slacked off. In fact, everyone fired from YK fell into that category. Others didn’t know how he figured it out, but Yoon-gi would often point out specific individuals to be fired, and it invariably led to an increase in efficiency for that department. Son Min-gwan, having witnessed this himself, smiled.
“There should be quite a few.”
“Then, introduce them to MEV. If we’re thinking about an MEV branch No. 2, it would be best to recruit them in advance.”
“There are older people, and not just men—would that be alright?”
“What does age or gender have to do with anything? As long as they work well, that’s enough. If they have the ability and the will, I can always make a position for them, so bring them in without worry. By the way, do you have their contact information?”
Son Min-gwan pulled a notebook from his pocket with a bashful expression.
“Strangely, people give me their contact info easily. I don’t have everyone’s, but I have quite a few, and there are many more I can get through them.”
“As expected, you have to have a sharp mind to write mystery novels.”
At Yoon-gi’s high praise, Son Min-gwan’s face brightened.
“Now, go and get to work. Is there anything else?”
“No, there isn’t. I will handle the task you gave me as quickly as possible.”
“I trust you.”
A gentle smile played on Yoon-gi’s lips. Son Min-gwan, excited at the thought of being able to help his acquaintances who were struggling after losing their jobs, ran out as if he were flying. And this action would bring about a significant butterfly effect a few days later.
***
“Are you saying the Chairman of Geumsan Steel is involved in this?”
Choi Ki-hyun’s fourth son and Yoon-gi’s third uncle. In the original history, Choi Cheol-jun was a character with less weight than one might think. However, in this history, Yoon-gi had handed him the position of President of MEV.
In truth, he hadn’t said it out loud, but Choi Cheol-jun *had* felt left out. The second brother had caused his own disaster, so that couldn’t be helped, but the third brother was effectively acting as the second-in-command secretary by Yoon-gi’s side, and the youngest brother had lived a comfortable military life and even received help regarding his entertainment agency. On top of that, his brother-in-law, Jo Cheong-woo, was the legal secretary. Of course, he himself was working as a manager at Samwoo Group, but he couldn’t help but think he was being ostracized. It was to the point where he wondered, ‘Does Yoon-gi dislike me because of my face?’ Of course, he had endured it because his father would often call him and encourage him by saying, ‘You will be appointed soon,’ but it had been a difficult time.
However, a few days after the MEV launch, Choi Cheol-jun, having been offered the position of MEV President by Yoon-gi, immediately received his father’s permission, submitted his resignation, and took the post. And he worked. Simply worked. With a natural charisma stemming from his fierce eyes, Choi Cheol-jun ran MEV better than expected, and as a result, he was handling the Yoon Dae-hoon currently in front of him quite well.
“Yes? Ah… yes. That’s right. I don’t know why Chairman Oh said he would help us, but it is Chairman Oh who is currently helping other first-run theaters… that is correct.”
Yoon Dae-hoon looked a bit drained. It was clear that, apart from his thin frame, his spirit was exhausted, so Choi Cheol-jun pressed that point.
“You mentioned earlier that Chairman Oh Jeong-su publicly promised unlimited support, so why did you close the theater?”
Stung in a sore spot, Yoon Dae-hoon chewed his lip with his protruding front teeth before opening his mouth with difficulty.
“I asked him on the first day, ‘May I ask why you are helping us…?’ I think that’s why I got on his bad side. All the other theaters received support funds, but ours didn’t… so I just used the property I inherited from my father to pay the staff’s overdue wages and severance, and I put the theater up for sale. With that money, well… I’ll have to start some kind of business. Right now, I really don’t have a single penny. Haha…”
Yoon Dae-hoon’s eyes, filled with hollowness, were also mixed with an unavoidable resentment toward MEV. Because the reason Yoon Dae-hoon’s theater, which was doing okay, had failed was due to being pushed out by the emergence of MEV. Of course, Yoon Dae-hoon also knew that MEV hadn’t intentionally tried to ruin him. That was why he hadn’t complained like the other owners at the Chinese restaurant meeting last time. However, at the thought of having to sell the theater his father had left him, Yoon Dae-hoon sighed deeply in front of Choi Cheol-jun without realizing it.
“President, first, take this.”
He hadn’t noticed while sighing, but in the field of vision of Yoon Dae-hoon, who had lowered his head, appeared Choi Cheol-jun’s hand holding dozens of 10,000-won bills. Yoon Dae-hoon’s head lifted slowly. Then, he saw Choi Cheol-jun, who had fierce eyes but was smiling. Scary, yet friendly? Because of that, Yoon Dae-hoon accepted the money without realizing it.
“Use that for living expenses for now. And, I am truly sorry. It was not MEV’s intention to intentionally make things difficult for you.”
“I know that too. I studied economics in college. Hahaha…”
Listening to the bitter laugh, Choi Cheol-jun felt his own situation from a while ago overlap slightly with Yoon Dae-hoon’s. A situation where you want to do something but can’t, where you don’t even have an opportunity. Therefore, Choi Cheol-jun decided to exercise his discretion.
“I don’t know if you’re aware, but some of the staff who worked under you are currently working at our MEV. I heard it from another staff member—they said after they quit your theater, they were introduced and came to MEV.”
A smile of relief bloomed on Yoon Dae-hoon’s face at the words.
“Ah… that’s a huge relief. I was really worried because one of the staff members had a baby born last month…”
“Ah, that staff member is working, too. But, hearing the story, aren’t you worrying too little about yourself, President?”
At Choi Cheol-jun’s feigned joke, Yoon Dae-hoon scratched the back of his head.
“Well… I’m still young.”
“In your 30s, it’s time to have already built a family.”
“Ahahaha…”
An awkward smile. However, Choi Cheol-jun was somehow drawn to this side of Yoon Dae-hoon.
“I can’t give you a definite answer yet, but I will consider MEV acquiring your theater.”
In an instant, hope began to shimmer in Yoon Dae-hoon’s eyes.
“Yes? Could that possibly mean…”
“I will consider whether it can be an MEV branch, or at the very least, even if we tear down the theater, we might use the name of that theater for one of our first-run locations.”
As if he had nothing more to wish for, Yoon Dae-hoon jumped up from his seat and bowed his waist toward Choi Cheol-jun.
“Thank you! Thank you! That is all I could ever wish for. My only memories of my father are in that theater… Thank you so much!”
Watching Yoon Dae-hoon, who was tearing up, Choi Cheol-jun swallowed hard without Yoon Dae-hoon knowing.
‘Please, Yoon-gi, you have to grant my request…’
***
Yoon-gi’s room, where Son Min-gwan had entered. Likewise, Choi Cheol-jun was reporting in Yoon-gi’s room.
“That’s more important news than I thought.”
Information that the Chairman of Geumsan Steel was providing unlimited support to Seoul theaters. Since this was bigger information than he had thought, Yoon-gi wore a satisfied expression.
“Hey, Yoon-gi. That… can I bring up one agenda item?”
“Go ahead.”
As Yoon-gi nodded, Choi Cheol-jun spoke with a somewhat pitiful feeling, contrary to his fierce eyes.
“It’s about President Yoon Dae-hoon, who brought this information. He seems to have a rather unfortunate situation. He inherited the theater from his father…”
Yoon-gi, who was listening to the somewhat long story, cut Choi Cheol-jun off.
“Stop!”
Choi Cheol-jun looked flustered for a moment. However, Yoon-gi didn’t look particularly angry.
“It’s too long. And too long-winded. That’s not a report. Nor is it an agenda item.”
“Ugh!”
At the thoroughly management-oriented remark, Choi Cheol-jun realized his mistake.
“Grandfather said you worked quite well at Samwoo, so why are you so nervous? Am I that difficult?”
“Uh… um… to be honest, a little…?”
“Why?”
“Well… there’s the matter of the second brother…”
Yoon-gi chuckled and continued.
“I just don’t forgive traitors. Are you going to betray me too, Uncle?”
Then, Choi Cheol-jun waved his hands in a panic.
“No! Absolutely not!”
“Then, there’s no need to be nervous around me. And, Uncle.”
“Yes?”
“In your opinion, how much do you think is your discretion?”
“…Putting a name on a first-run theater?”
Yoon-gi nodded.
“Exactly. In addition, it would be possible to recruit President Yoon Dae-hoon as an MEV employee. Seeing as he majored in economics and seems to have insight in his own way, it might be helpful to keep him by your side, don’t you think?”
“Is that really okay?”
“You are the President of MEV. While I occasionally intervene in YK appointments, I don’t check every single person.”
“Ugh… sorry. I haven’t been joined for very long…”
“I told you to have confidence.”
“Ah, okay.”
Choi Cheol-jun clenched his fists and steeled his heart again. It was because he felt that now that he knew his nephew was more flexible than he thought, there was no need to be overly intimidated.
“And regarding the theater President Yoon Dae-hoon operated, for now, make sure to purchase the land. Whether we run a branch there later or build something else, I’ll consider it. Tell Secretary Ryu to push for the purchase.”
“Okay. I’ll do that.”
Choi Cheol-jun’s face and thoughts brightened, and thanks to that, he was able to focus on his work without distracting thoughts.
“Then, what should we do about Chairman Oh Jeong-su of Geumsan Steel?”
In reality, this was the part Yoon-gi wanted to focus on.
“I have something I’m really curious about right now.”
“What is it?”
Choi Cheol-jun focused his gaze on Yoon-gi’s lips, wondering what Yoon-gi would say.
“Where on earth is Geumsan Steel’s funding springing from?”