The Giant’s Departure, Part 1
“Is the story wrapped up nicely?”
“Honestly, I’m worried we might be throwing away 2 billion won for nothing. The kid’s a bit of a stutterer.”
Oh Se-hyun’s protruding lips made it clear he wasn’t pleased.
“Think of it as an expensive lesson.”
“Quite the tuition fee, huh? So, what’s next?”
“My help ends here. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just let Sang-jun do whatever he wants without getting involved.”
Twenty billion won for independence was more than enough. Oh Se-hyun seemed relieved, likely thinking it foolish to pour money into a hopeless cause just because of family ties.
At that moment, the secretary burst through the door with a bang.
“Sir,”
“What is it? What’s going on?”
Sensing something serious, formalities were set aside.
The secretary, speechless, grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.
A breaking news report flashed on the screen.
“Joo Young-il, honorary chairman of Daehyun Group, passed away last night at 10 PM at Seoul Daehyun Hospital due to old age. The direct cause of death was ‘acute respiratory failure due to pneumonia,’ and he was reportedly conscious until the end.
The late Chairman Joo had stepped down from management last May and had been receiving treatment while shuttling between home and the hospital. Since August, he had been mostly bedridden due to severe arthritis.”
We both stood there, mouths agape, staring blankly at the TV.
“The funeral for the late Chairman Joo will be a five-day family affair, but with participation from the five major economic organizations, it will essentially be an economic leader’s funeral.
The Federation of Korean Industries stated, ‘While it could be an economic leader’s funeral, considering Daehyun’s circumstances, we agreed on a family funeral.’ They added, ‘Given his decade-long tenure as chairman of the federation and his contributions to the Korean economy, all former economic leaders are expected to attend.’
Memorial altars will be set up at Daehyun Group’s domestic and international sites, and the funeral arrangements will be overseen by his eldest son, Joo Tae-sik, chairman of Daehyun Motors.”
TV stations began airing documentaries on Chairman Joo’s tumultuous life.
Regaining his composure, Oh Se-hyun picked up the phone.
“Keep an eye on Daehyun Group’s stock prices and report every ten minutes.”
The stock would likely drop, but it would bounce back in a month or two. Korean conglomerates had long moved past the era of a single chairman running the show. The chairman focused solely on succession, while the company ran smoothly under its executives.
“Things are about to get interesting, aren’t they?”
“I doubt it’ll be that dynamic. Haven’t they already divided the subsidiaries?”
Though aware of the fierce inheritance battles ahead, often dubbed ‘the war of princes,’ I probed gently.
“There’s no end to money fights. The sons who’ve kept quiet because of their father will start making moves. And there are quite a few children, aren’t there? Eight sons. Plus, Chairman Joo’s brothers, who are practically co-founders, won’t sit idly by. They’ll be eager to secure shares for their children.”
Daehyun Group had been preparing for division for years, splitting into five main sectors: automotive, heavy industry, finance, electronics, and construction. However, due to the circular shareholding structure, complete separation was impossible, leaving them with potential conflicts, much like our Sunyang Group.
“By the way, what about your uncle? Are you going to pay your respects?”
“I’ll just send a condolence wreath. I didn’t have any ties with the deceased.”
“Didn’t you have a fierce battle over Ajin Motors? You can’t say there were no ties.”
“I’m fine. Chairman Song Hyun-chang will represent HW Group. That’s enough courtesy. What about you? Chairman Jin will surely attend, won’t he?”
“Well, if my grandfather asks me to go with him, I will. Otherwise, I’ll sit this one out. I’m not seasoned enough to mingle there.”
It would be good to go together. That family also has plenty of third-generation members. Some are already involved in management, while others are preparing. We could collaborate on investments or compete in business.
It wouldn’t hurt to get acquainted with Daehyun Group now.
But three days passed without any word from my grandfather.
“Have all the visitors come and gone?”
“Yes. The Blue House aides and ministers came on the first day. Most of the group heads have also paid their respects.”
“What about our kids?”
“Vice Chairmen Jin Young-ki and Jin Dong-ki visited on the first day, but Director Jin Sang-ki is still keeping to himself.”
Chairman Jin sighed continuously.
“When do you plan to visit?”
Chief Lee Hak-jae asked cautiously, and Chairman Jin stopped sighing.
“Let’s go the day before the funeral. By then, the tears of those brats should have dried up, right? It’ll be amusing to see their expressions.”
“Is that really necessary…?”
Lee Hak-jae, unsure of Chairman Jin’s intentions, tentatively broached the subject.
“Once you’re dead, you can’t see it. When I’m gone, I won’t know what expressions my kids make, what they do, or what schemes they have.”
“So, you want to see it?”
“Exactly. Those brats and my kids are no different. They’re all the same. They’ve never earned money with their own hands, but they’ve never lacked it either. It’s a sight you can’t see once you’re dead, so it might be entertaining to witness while alive.”
“How can they be the same? Daehyun is on the verge of breaking apart due to the second generation’s dissatisfaction, but Sunyang has been divided into large chunks. It’s different.”
“Enough, man. Why try to console me? Big or small, it’s all the same. Is there an end to human greed? Oh, and later, come to my grave and tell me all about it.”
“Sorry?”
“Once I’m gone, it’s over for me, but you’ll get to see our kids fighting, won’t you? Tell me in detail how entertaining it was, without leaving anything out. Haha.”
Lee Hak-jae couldn’t say anything. Though it sounded like a joke, he could sense the sincerity behind it.
“What should I do?”
It was a question that could be seen as slightly rude, but Lee Hak-jae was curious about Chairman Jin’s true feelings.
Chairman Jin looked at Lee Hak-jae silently for a moment. When he finally spoke, his words were unexpected.
“That’s up to you. I can’t dictate what you should do. But if I have one request… don’t be too greedy.”
“Sorry?”
“Never mind. Once I’m gone, you’ll figure it out.”
Though he wanted to hear more of Chairman Jin’s thoughts, Lee Hak-jae knew better than to press further.
“Oh, and I’ll be taking Do-jun with me, so keep that in mind.”
“Yes. Are you planning to stay until the funeral?”
“Of course. The most detestable old man in the world has died, so spending a night together isn’t too much to ask, is it? I need to see him off to the grave with my own eyes.”
“Understood. I’ll inform Daehyun in advance.”
In the car heading to the temple in Seongbuk-dong, my grandfather was unusually silent.
He was a man who often said that as people age, their energy rises to their mouths, making them chatter incessantly. Yet, today, he was quiet.
Unable to bear the silence, I spoke first.
“Why did they choose a temple for the funeral when Chairman Joo’s house is so grand?”
“It’s the living’s choice. Chairman Joo’s wife is releasing her pent-up resentment.”
“Sorry?”
“She spent her life wanting to kick him out of the house. Joo Young-il was always out and about, too fond of women. There’s even a rumor that three of his eight children on the family register are from different mothers.”
“Is that true?”
I asked, eyes wide with surprise.
“Who knows? I asked him several times over meals, but he always denied it. It’s a secret only that family knows.”
My grandfather’s stern expression softened a bit.
“There are probably quite a few children not on the register. Whenever a woman had a child, he’d give her a fortune and send her abroad. It happened more than once or twice.”
Those women and children must have heard of Chairman Joo’s passing by now and are likely busy booking flights to Korea.
Inheritance lawsuits and paternity tests will follow, and Daehyun Group will spend money to keep the scandal out of the press.
Of course, there are no illegitimate children with a stake in Daehyun Group, but they’ll all receive hefty settlements and disappear abroad again.
The thought made me chuckle, but I held it in and listened to my grandfather.
“Now that her husband is dead, she’s getting her revenge. For the last five days, she made sure he couldn’t set foot in the house.”
I heard Chairman Joo’s wife was nearing eighty. Even in old age, a woman is still a woman. To release a lifetime of resentment so ruthlessly.
I glanced sideways, wondering if my grandfather had similar thoughts, and his eyes changed.
“You rascal! What are you thinking?”
“Oh, nothing.”
“Nothing, huh? Your face says it all. Are you comparing me to that old man Joo Young-il?”
“No, I’m not. It’s just…”
“Just what?”
My grandfather wiped the last smile from his face and spoke a bit more seriously.
“As far as I know, I don’t have any children from different mothers. I’ve always been careful about the three things a man should be cautious of. You know what they are, right?”
I nodded. The mouth, the fist, and the… you know.
“But what do you mean by ‘as far as I know’? Are you saying there might be things you don’t know?”
“Isn’t it possible there are women who didn’t tell me they had my child?”
Suddenly, Grandpa let out a soft chuckle.
“Well, well… Who would’ve thought I’d end up sharing stories with my grandson that I never even told my own children. Ha ha ha.”
“You know, Grandpa, you and I have a special connection. Heh heh.”
Grandpa gave me a playful tap on the head and lowered his voice.
“Dojun.”
“Yes?”
“If, after I’m gone, someone shows up claiming to be my child, make sure you do a thorough paternity test.”
“And then?”
“Your uncles will try to kick them out, and they should. We can’t have someone like that getting involved with Sunyang. But if they’re living in squalor, make sure you help them out a bit. Let them live with some dignity.”
“Of course. I’ll make sure they’re well taken care of.”
“Good. Thank you.”
Grandpa squeezed my hand tightly.
“You’re washing away the unease I’ve always felt being caught in the middle. Ha ha.”
Before we knew it, we had arrived at the temple.
At the entrance, it seemed like every journalist in Korea had gathered, with a sea of reporters waiting and snapping photos of every car that passed by.
Employees from Daehyun Group were blocking the entrance, strictly controlling access, so all the reporters could do was take pictures of license plates, hoping to identify who had come.
“Dojun.”
“Yes?”
“Roll down the window.”
“What?”
“Quickly.”
“Grandpa, the reporters will start taking pictures.”
“That’s exactly why I want you to open it. Go on.”
I could even hear the driver gulp nervously.
Following Grandpa’s instructions, I rolled down the window. His window was already fully open, leaving me no choice but to comply.
As expected, cameras immediately started flashing into the car, capturing every moment.
We only felt a sense of relief once we passed through the temple gates.
“Grandpa, why did you do that all of a sudden?”
“Heh heh. By tomorrow, your face will be splashed across the front pages of the newspapers.”