Chapter 233
[The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has fully revoked the product approval for Antrozol Alpha, and the KOSDAQ Market Committee has decided to delist Myeonghwa Pharmaceuticals. In response, Myeonghwa Pharmaceuticals has filed an objection...]
[The prosecution has indicted Myeonghwa Pharmaceuticals CEO Kim Hyeongjun on charges of bribery, and former Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Commissioner Oh Jin-sik has been arrested on charges of receiving bribes. In addition, arrest warrants have been issued for all committee members of the Central Pharmaceutical Review Board who received cash and artwork from CEO Kim Hyeongjun in exchange for approving Antrozol Alpha.]
[Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Vice Chief Park Younggi has issued an arrest warrant for former Minwoo Party leader Yi Jeongchan and plans to conduct search and seizure operations at the Minwoo Party headquarters and his residence. Citizens are expressing shock at this unprecedented scam orchestrated by a major party leader. "It doesn't make sense. How could this be reality...? How did he think he could become president after deceiving the public like that?"]
The news featured citizen interviews. One reason I always make sure to catch the updates on this case is the biting public backlash against Yi Jeongchan—it's entertaining.
"What the...?"
And then, naturally appearing in one of those interviews was someone familiar.
<Kang Minjae (32), Office Worker>
"I was utterly speechless. Why has Yi Jeongchan received so much support until now? Because he was a politician who cared about welfare for vulnerable social groups, right? But reality was completely different. And the most outrageous part is..."
"...Isn't that Lawyer Kang?"
There, in front of Gwanghwamun, dressed casually as if he'd just popped out for fun, was Kang Minjae ripping into Yi Jeongchan on camera.
"Nah, that's not me."
He glanced at me slyly and tried to lie.
Kang Minjae was the lawyer who'd defended Choi Jonghyeon, suspected of causing a scene at the Light and Salt Foundation event. Of course, since the case was dropped, it wasn't a huge issue—but everyone who needed to know already knew who he was. The problem wasn't that he worked at my firm; it was that he was Kang Gwanung's grandson.
"Doing great out there."
"That sarcasm, huh?"
"Not exactly a compliment."
As Kang Minjae deflated at my words, Oh Yanghun, the office manager, chimed in lightly.
"What's the big deal? People won't really connect him to our firm or the Yi Jeongchan case anyway."
"...Yeah! He was just Jonghyeon hyung's lawyer, and it didn't even go to indictment—no record of it."
"What about your grandfather?"
"Grandpa doesn't care about stuff like this. He told me to do whatever I want."
So he'd probably watched quietly as Kang Minjae ditched Taegwang Law Firm to join a newbie lawyer like me who'd just hung up his shingle. I let out a light sigh. What could I do? Attention-seeking ran in Kang Minjae's veins, inherited straight from Kang Gwanung.
Politicians live the life of 'attention whores.' Kang Gwanung had been one too. Of course, in my original 2018, the term wasn't exactly flattering—but it wasn't entirely negative either. Getting attention meant wielding influence.
Maybe, having chosen this path, I needed to learn that quality from Kang Minjae.
"Oh, hey, I got a new phone."
Sensing my sharp gaze, Kang Minjae changed the subject, pulling out his smartphone from his pocket.
"Ooh, what'd you get?"
"None other than... a smartphone."
"Whoa, a smartphone! How is it? Big difference?"
"The data plan's ridiculously expensive, but it's fun. Download apps and you can play games almost for free, and the best part is browsing the internet anywhere. Oh, and there's this thing called KakaoTalk—lets you send texts for free? Super convenient."
"Oh yeah? Sounds cool."
"Not many friends on smartphones yet, so I still use regular texts a lot. Office manager, you should switch too!"
"I just got this one not long ago. Next phone'll be a smartphone, for sure."
"Lawyer, you too! It's a game-changer. You can swap photos so easily on KakaoTalk."
I shoved the smartphone in my pocket even deeper. Having lived in a world overrun by smartphone addicts, I'd endured feature phones for ages after returning to 2008. Naturally, I'd grabbed one recently. Once you taste KakaoTalk, there's no going back to paying per text. Same for me.
Plus, I'd even invested in its predecessor, a.iX Lab. But I didn't want to tell Kang Minjae I'd switched too. He'd probably hound me about unread messages if the '1' didn't disappear...
So it stayed as my secondary phone.
"Pass."
"C'mon, it's awesome."
Coincidentally, it was the exact same model he'd bragged about. The thought of him freaking out over matching "couple phones" gave me chills.
A chroma key blind had been set up behind the studio. It was Choi Jonghyeon's idea, for overlaying party-themed CG on celebratory days like today.
With the broadcast countdown on, Choi Jonghyeon and Jo Bongjun checked their looks in the mirror.
"Hyung, you missed a spot shaving. Right here."
"Ah, been holed up at home so much lately—total bum look."
"Hyung's always had a bum look. Didn't you know?"
"What? Says the guy who looks like an LA homeless dude."
...And the bickering that started five seconds before airtime didn't stop once the show began, no matter how wildly Kim Jeongu waved his arms. They just kept critiquing each other's appearances.
"What? LA homeless?"
"Yeah, man. Homeless central at LA convenience stores—tons of your buddies. Ask 'em to let you crash in their tents. New guy's here—they'll hook you up with a welcome drink. No guarantees what's in it, though."
"Whoa, hyung talks trash when no one's around?"
"Hey, Jeongu! You say it. Between this guy and me, who's hotter?"
Still not checking the monitor, they dumped the verdict on Kim Jeongu. Even if he ruled, these stubborn types would just argue they were right anyway.
Kim Jeongu, sighing heavily at his computer, finally exploded.
"The broadcast started, you idiots!!"
"Ahem. Broadcast started? Why didn't you say so earlier~ Heh heh. Alright, alright. Everyone, long time no see. We took a break after wrapping Yi Jeongchan—turned into total wrecks. Gained weight, slept more. Hope you all stayed well."
With Park Younggi taking full charge at Seoul Central, our role ended. We'd prepped all evidence for proper handling if the state had the will—and they did. We'd been deep in Myeonghwa and Yi Jeongchan for ages; time for a break. Viewers unaware of details griped about the hiatus, sure.
"Today's the finale on Myeonghwa and Yi Jeongchan. Feels like we're closing the book. Especially Myeonghwa—the case that dragged me from anonymous forum rants to showing my face on air. CEO arrested today, KOSDAQ delisting decided."
"Hey, no fighting. Even with delisting decided, Myeonghwa won't go quietly—they'll object, get a grace period, re-review. Waiting it out's an option?"
"You think Jo Bongjun believes they'll avoid delisting on re-review?"
"Nah? They'll get delisted. Kuhahaha!"
"Myeonghwa didn't just scam with Antrozol—they bribed Yi Jeongchan, Food and Drug Safety, Central Pharma Committee for approval. To reverse delisting in grace period, they'd need to prove the drug safe—impossible. Even if, bribery seals punishment."
"And let's add Yi Jeongchan. Thanks to our anonymous tipster, but we're the ones who escalated it. Former Minwoo leader arrested today?"
"...Man, guy's pitiful. Dumped by Minwoo, dumped by his big-money Light and Salt. Must feel like wasted life."
Yi Jeongchan wouldn't dodge custody. For politicians, bribery hits hardest and fastest. Branded public con man, judiciary can't ignore public eyes. Minwoo ditched him—he's a candle in the wind.
"Lawyer, leaving already?"
I stood, grabbing my coat, as Kim Jeongu watched the broadcast from behind.
He half-rose, but I shook my head.
"Got an appointment. Head out first. Good work, Kim Jeongu."
"Yes. Take care, Lawyer."
Down on the first floor, I lit up in the smoking area. The encroaching cold mixed cigarette smoke with my breath, scattering in the air.
Alone time always brought reflection.
This moment was no different.
"......"
I committed it to memory, unmissed. Returning to 2008 for a new life, this was one eagerly awaited pinnacle.
Myeonghwa's total ruin. Antrozol Alpha blocked.
Once vague fantasy, now reality.
Road ahead long, endless vague struggles ahead. Could I really? Quit now, still a success?
Those doubts? I'd recall this moment.
I pulled my phone from my coat pocket.
Dialed a familiar number from contacts.
-Hello?
"Dad, it's Juhan."
-What's up? You calling?
"Thought you'd be happy."
-I am. What's going on?
"Just... checking in. Hope you're well."
I smiled faintly. Swallowed the "Glad you're alive."