The Four-Year Countdown
Yoon-gi nodded. "Of course not."
"If I were running a major conglomerate—or even a mid-sized firm—with the capacity to distribute products nationwide, I would naturally assume there's purchasing power. But since I lack that nationwide distribution network, I have to target a specific demographic that actually has the money to spend."
"It's similar. Actually, I even considered selling bootleg goods at Cheonggyecheon."
"You know your stuff, don't you?" Choi Deok-bae’s face flushed red, and a trickle of blood leaked from one nostril.
"Do ghosts get nosebleeds...?"
"I-I told you, it's not like that..."
Yoon-gi decided not to poke at Deok-bae's sore spot a second time and continued the conversation. "Anyway, if I recall correctly, the Famicom is set to launch in the early 80s. Shortly after its release, a massive wave of bootlegs will hit. Even in Korea, almost every Famicom found in a typical household will be a knockoff."
"That's true. Parents just go to a game shop and ask for a console, and the shop owner sells them a copy at the price of a genuine one, or maybe slightly cheaper. If they think the customer is a pushover, they sell it for even more than the real thing."
"It's because of the brand image."
"Right. I’m going to be the Chairman of the Samwoo Group one day. If it gets out that I built my wealth through a bootleg business in my youth, it will 100 percent damage the corporate brand later on."
Yoon-gi certainly hadn't possessed the knowledge of an elite before his regression. However, through the exceptional insight gained after his return, he had developed the ability to analyze the events of his past hardships. While most people would answer '2' if taught '1 plus 1,' Yoon-gi had reached the stage where he understood that 'x plus x equals 2x.' Because of this, he could easily make money, but he chose to avoid paths that would bring future risks.
"I thought about that too, but the problem is it’s not easy. Right now, the only person I can trust is Mr. Geun-tae. But if I run a shop, I’d need at least ten new employees. If I’m going to hire ten people I can trust, it’s better to hire people who can help run a company, not just people for simple retail."
"At first, I thought I could just remember successful business models from the past and follow them, but it wasn't as simple as that. I only have one body and limited capital, so if I don't find the most efficient path, the opportunity cost alone would be a loss."
"The United States Forces Korea."
Choi Deok-bae slapped his own forehead. "Not every US soldier in Korea is rich, of course. But every one of them is wealthier than the 'average Korean citizen.' That’s why I’m going to build a department store in Cheonggyecheon exclusively for the US military."
"I have plans for what comes after, but it’s too early to talk about them. Regardless, even though I borrowed money from my grandfather, I don't have much financial breathing room right now."
Yoon-gi smirked at Deok-bae’s worry. "Don't worry. I have a way to grow my money, and besides, I have Microsoft, don't I?"
"Do ghosts get senile too?"
At Choi Deok-bae’s joke, both Yoon-gi and Deok-bae laughed, looking at each other. A department store for US soldiers in Cheonggyecheon. The wheels of history, which had been rolling along the Cheonggyecheon, had just taken a sharp turn.
"Sir, you mentioned that my business entity is currently designated under the publishing sector, right?"
"That is correct."
At Ryu Geun-tae’s reply, Yoon-gi went straight to the point. "Then, please change the business entity to a trading company."
"A trading company...? Wouldn't that overlap with the Chairman’s business?"
Ryu Geun-tae’s advice was sound. Establishing a trading company, in a broad sense, was tantamount to declaring opposition to Choi Ki-hyun.
"I don't have much surplus capital right now. If I had plenty of funds, I could buy shares of Samwoo Trading and persuade my grandfather to make me the primary shareholder, but that’s impossible at the moment."
"Hmm... that is certainly true. Does that mean the business sectors you're considering likely include tourism, trade, leisure, and construction?"
"Correct. I’m planning to build a department store for the US military in Cheonggyecheon."
"In Cheonggyecheon?"
"Yes. I’ve been thinking about what kind of business to conceive, and considering the advantages I have over others, this is the most suitable one."
"Understood."
Ever since he had become very close with Yoon-gi, Ryu Geun-tae would occasionally offer advice or ask questions, but fundamentally, he never crossed the line.
"From now on, your job is simple. Bring as many talented people related to the construction industry into my company as possible."
"Are you not starting construction immediately?"
"That’s impossible. You’re the only employee I have."
Ryu Geun-tae, knowing the reality of the situation, gave an awkward laugh and scratched the back of his head.
"Furthermore, for a department store, the average construction cost will be around 700,000 won per pyeong. I don't have that money right now, so I’ll hire staff to stabilize the company first, and then move into construction later."
"Let's see... in that case, will the construction firm become a subsidiary of the department store?"
"It would be better to do the opposite."
Having experienced countless days of manual labor in his past life, Yoon-gi knew the capital structures of major construction firms, so he corrected Ryu Geun-tae’s suggestion.
"Of course, it’s not something to worry about too much yet. Depending on the situation, we can change it to an affiliate policy, so for now, prioritize recruitment over that."
"Understood. Then I will prioritize the establishment of the construction firm."
"No outside investment is needed for the construction firm. It will be 100 percent my own capital."
"Understood. How much time can you give me?"
"I’ll give you two years."
Even though Ryu Geun-tae was a brilliant man who knew the landscape of talent because he had worked in the Samwoo Group’s secretariat, this was a time-consuming task. As he pondered internally, the generous two-year window allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief.
"That is more than enough time."
"I’ll say this clearly: I welcome connections with capable people, but I truly despise those who have no talent and try to build connections just to serve their own interests. I trust you understand what I mean, Mr. Geun-tae."
Ryu Geun-tae swallowed hard and nodded.
"I will keep that in mind."
Yoon-gi’s message was simple: 'Don't build unnecessary factions.' Knowing that this young master before him was only 10 years old but possessed the mind of a seasoned executive, Ryu Geun-tae wiped his mind clean once more.
"The official establishment of the construction company will be in '79, and the opening of the department store in '81. If you need to scout people and there’s a gap until '79, I will support their living expenses."
"Yes!"
Four years remained until the establishment of the department store. At first glance, it seemed like plenty of time, but to Yoon-gi, it felt all too short.
Choi Cheol-min, an assistant manager at Samwoo Trading. Although he was an assistant manager at a company that was somewhat recognized, he was not satisfied.
'I didn't graduate from Korea University for this...'
In reality, if you graduated from Korea University in the late 70s, you could get a job at a much better company than Samwoo Group. However, there was only one reason Choi Cheol-min joined Samwoo Group: the confidence that he would eventually inherit it. But recently, after meeting his father, that confidence had vanished, replaced by impatience and anger.
'Damn it, damn it, damn it.'
In truth, even if he couldn't become the successor, he could have easily inherited the chairmanship of at least one affiliate. At the very least, as long as he didn't defy Yoon-gi. But in '77, the current Samwoo Group was still struggling to break into the top 100 companies, so Cheol-min had a bit more faith in his own abilities. He imagined himself leaving the potentially failing Samwoo Group—where he wouldn't even be the successor—to join a more solid conglomerate and climb the ranks to become a director.
However, at 31, Cheol-min didn't have the track record to move to another company.
'It’s going to be my company anyway.'
All this time, he had acted like the second son of the Chairman, going around receiving bribes and making his superiors or subordinates do all the work. He was just an assistant manager, but he was the king of his department. Because of this, he suddenly felt annoyed even with his wife, Park Gyeong-ja.
'If I had known, I would have married the daughter of another company's president.'
Yoon-gi, who had emerged as his rival, had the greatest strength of a solid maternal family. Cheol-min thought that to beat Yoon-gi, who had the support of Brigadier General Colson, he needed a background to match. But divorce was also difficult. If it were his first marriage, it might be different, but remarriage would tarnish his status as the second son of the Samwoo Group.
'Damn, I was blinded by love.'
He should have married like his brother, but he regretted getting married in such a rush when he was blinded by his own desires at the time.
'If I can't get support from my in-laws, then what's left...'
After a moment of deep thought, Cheol-min stood up.
"Yes!"
Startled by Cheol-min’s sudden shout, the department head asked, "Assistant Manager Choi, what is...?"
"Oh, I have some business to attend to, so I'll be out for a moment."
It was 11:00 AM, the middle of the workday, and Cheol-min still hadn't come to his senses.
While there were wastrels like Choi Cheol-min in the chaebol family, there were certainly brilliant children as well. Choi Yoon-gi went without saying, and Choi Cheol-ho, while lacking management or administrative skills, was still among the best within Samwoo Group in terms of job performance. Of course, there were other talented individuals besides them.
Take, for instance, the third son of the Samwoo Group, Choi Cheol-gyu. Currently serving as an assistant manager at Samwoo Chemical, he watched Choi Cheol-min before him and let out a mocking laugh internally.