[203] Moving Forward, One Step at a Time
“Yeah, that’s the guy. The brightest star in the Sunyang Group. Even if you gave Chairman Jin a truckload of guys like you, he wouldn’t trade that sharp third-generation kid. So, can you bring him in?”
“Are you saying that Jin Do-jun planned this ad?”
“Is there another sharp third-generation kid in that family? It’s all just a bunch of pretentious fools like you, isn’t it?”
Chairman Joo Tae-sik sneered, and his son turned his gaze away.
He thought he had a decent idea for once, but it was better left unsaid.
“What do you think of their new car? Speak honestly.”
Chairman Joo Tae-sik looked around at the executives with a dissatisfied expression. While past events were important, he was also worried about what was coming.
Even he had to admit that HW’s new compact car was quite impressive.
“It’s hard to judge without the release price, but the fact that it’s a two-seater will be a drawback. In Korea, people prefer four-seaters.”
“Exactly. The main consumers of compact cars have always been ‘moms with kids.’ Putting a child in the passenger seat? They’ve misunderstood their target market.”
“If they aimed for the overseas market, that’s a mistake. Competing with Japanese small car makers will be tough.”
The seasoned executives in the automotive industry all shared a negative view.
Considering price and efficiency, their thoughts weren’t entirely off.
But those who had focused on expanding production facilities and cost-cutting under the previous chairman’s regime failed to realize how the world was changing.
“Then why do I want to buy that cute little car?”
Chairman Joo Tae-sik smiled at them.
“A tiny hole, just big enough for a finger, can bring down a massive dam. Once a crack starts, it’s already too late. But I think their little coupe might punch a hole as big as a fist.”
He wasn’t just saying this to shake up the executives. When he first saw it in print, his heart skipped a beat.
He didn’t care about external factors like price, performance, or after-sales service.
This… this could work. That was his first impression.
“Am I the only one worried that our main dam, the car division, is running with a hole in it?”
Sensing the gravity of the situation, the executives exchanged glances.
“We’ll come up with a plan, Chairman.”
They started with the easiest thing to say, gauging his reaction. It didn’t seem like it would end there.
“HW plans to release their new car in early October. We’ll move our new car launch up by a month, from November.”
“Our new car? Isn’t that a compact?”
“Yes, it’s the ‘Click’ project. It’s a five-seater, so we should be able to compete.”
“Oh, that’s perfect. A two-seater coupe for the young crowd and a four-door for the ‘moms.’ Let’s have a proper showdown.”
Chairman Joo Tae-sik’s face brightened for a moment.
Just as the executives felt relieved by his expression, he dropped a bombshell warning.
“Three months. I’ll make personnel changes based on the results three months after the launch. It’s perfect timing, with January next year. If we’re behind HW by then, all of you executives should be ready to step down. I’ve made myself clear.”
In the end, what Chairman Joo wanted was a shake-up.
A decision that no one could oppose or resent.
No executive would object to being evaluated based on performance. After all, they’re on contracts.
And all they had to do was win against the competition. It wasn’t about the overall performance of the car division.
If they lose, they step down.
Simple rules, like a World Cup tournament.
Silence filled the meeting room.
“Now, bring me your plans. Let’s see what strategies you come up with.”
Chairman Joo Tae-sik ended the meeting.
He had a tea appointment with the newly inaugurated mayor of Seoul.
This is really awkward.
I have no idea why my uncle called me to this meeting.
Four men gathered at the Sunyang Hotel restaurant.
Two uncles, me, and Director Lee Hak-jae.
What are we supposed to do with this combination?
“I heard you helped Sunyang Motors a lot this time. Well done.”
“Not really. I just gave some input on the ad copy.”
Does Vice Chairman Jin Dong-ki still think of Sunyang Motors as his own? He seems to take pride in the buzz around HW Motors as if it’s the most natural thing. That attitude is something only Grandpa would show.
“Thanks to that, Sunyang Electronics’ phone promotion didn’t get a single line in the news. Don’t stand out too much. In these national events, affiliates should rise together. Haha.”
Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki acts like he’s overseeing the entire conglomerate.
What are these guys up to?
Are they just putting on a show for Director Lee Hak-jae?
“Even though Sunyang Motors is no longer under our umbrella, it’s good that things went well. Even if Sunyang Motors is now part of another family, Do-jun is still a shareholder, albeit indirectly. There’s still a thread of connection.”
“That’s why I’m smiling. If someone else had made a fool of me, would I be smiling like this? I’d have crushed them.”
Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki looked at me, still smiling.
What does that mean? Is it a warning that he could crush me anytime?
“Now, if we’re done eating, let’s get to the point.”
“Why don’t you, the wealthy brother, take responsibility?”
“Then make me chairman. I’ll take charge of this election.”
Election? Are they planning for the upcoming presidential election?
“Go ahead, be chairman. I doubt Father would mind. Just change the title, the nameplate, and the business cards. It’s simple, isn’t it?”
“Sure, I’ll change everything. But I’ll need shares befitting a chairman, right? My brother has 15%, and my smart nephew has 5%. If you hand those over to me, I’ll have 56%. Sounds good. I could be chairman.”
Director Lee Hak-jae, who had been listening to their sharp exchange, smiled and pulled out a file.
“Here’s the current situation. Execute as you see fit.”
“Father?”
“Yes. He said no matter who becomes the next president, their term will be shorter than your life. So, he said you should take good care of the Blue House occupant.”
Director Lee Hak-jae’s words, which sounded like a joke, made my heart sink. Could there be something wrong with Grandpa’s health?
“Do-jun, you take a look too. You’ve got a good sense. Make a prediction.”
Both uncles were already reading through the documents.
I pretended to read the file and then closed it again. No matter who wins, the conglomerate will remain.
“Hmm? Why’d you close it? Did you already get a sense?”
Director Lee Hak-jae’s sharp gaze was uncomfortable, but I just shrugged.
“What do I know? The candidates are neck and neck…”
“So, what do you think the outcome will be?”
“There’s still over five months left. Don’t political commentators say that three months in an election is like five hundred years of the Joseon Dynasty? With things so back and forth, no one knows how it will shake out.”
Both uncles closed their files. It seemed they concluded that the documents couldn’t provide any answers.
“Do-jun’s right. This is meaningless.”
Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki pushed the file aside.
“Let’s go with the usual. Pass it on as 7:3.”
7:3? I tilted my head, and Director Lee explained.
“It’s insurance for the next administration. You know that, right?”
“So, the 7 is for the ruling party?”
“No. This time, it’s the opposition. It’s the first time.”
Ah, it’s the first time the conservative party has become the opposition.
“But does Do-jun need to hear this? I think Director Lee made a mistake.”
Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki gave Director Lee a slight reprimand, but his expression remained unchanged.
“It’s the chairman’s order. Do-jun is also a legitimate representative of the financial group. It’s only right for him to take responsibility for what Sunyang should handle.”
In the political world, the person who hands over money in Sunyang’s name during the election will be seen as the captain of Sunyang.
Vice Chairman Jin Dong-ki might be feigning poverty, but he would also want to hand over a large sum. Just in his own name.
I didn’t want my name associated with the infamous ‘truckload of cash’ method, a creative approach unimaginable to ordinary people.
Fortunately, Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki had already set the stage. The best plan was to sit quietly and slip away when the time was right.
“I think my brother is right. Of course, Do-jun is indeed a pillar of Sunyang, as Father pointed out. But it’s too early for him to be deeply involved in such discreet matters.”
Vice Chairman Jin Dong-ki chimed in.
Of course, they’re not telling me to stay away out of concern for me. It’s just that getting involved with such power players in this country is uncomfortable for them.
“So, let’s do it this way, Do-jun.”
“Yes.”
Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki called me in a gentle voice.
“You understand why Father wanted you to attend this meeting, right?”
“Yes. It’s because I should take some responsibility for what the group does in its name, isn’t it?”
“That’s right. As you know, we’re paying an insurance premium for this year’s election. You just need to take responsibility for part of that premium.”
“But, Uncle, the problem is I don’t know how to raise the money…”
“I’ll take care of that.”
Vice Chairman Jin Dong-ki stepped in as if he had been waiting.
“Prepare about 2 to 3 billion won. Isn’t that right?”
Vice Chairman Jin Dong-ki looked at his brother for agreement, and Jin Young-ki nodded silently.
“I’ll handle it, so just leave it to me.”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
I bowed my head and quietly pushed my chair back.
“Then let me know. I’ll take my leave.”
“Yes, you can go.”
I left the hotel and got into the car.
“Let’s head to Grandpa’s place.”
“What? You say you’ll visit my grave every morning once I’m gone? You should be treating me well while I’m still alive, you rascal.”
“I’m sorry. Last month was just so hectic. I’ll make sure to come by more often.”
“Spare me. It’s the effort you make when you’re busy that counts, not when you have all the time in the world.”
Though he barked at me the moment he saw my face, there was a smile playing on his lips.
It pains me to see him like this. It’s only been a month since I last visited, but he’s visibly weaker by the day.
“Seriously, what are you eating to keep that voice so strong? Your arms and legs are getting thinner… What’s going on? You need to change your diet. More protein, remember?”
“Stop with the nonsense!”
Grandpa gave me a light smack on the back.
“Anyway, I heard you did well last month. Good job.”
“It was all thanks to President Cho. I just played a supporting role.”
“Don’t be so modest. Cho called several times, singing your praises. He said you brought in advertising worth billions. The foreign dealers were thrilled, too. You achieved something money alone couldn’t buy.”
I’m still trying to figure out if President Cho is just perceptive or genuinely straightforward.
“Are you here because of the election funds?”
“No, I came to see you.”
“Judging by the time, you slipped out early. Why? Did they tell you to leave?”
“I felt uncomfortable. My uncles are handling the election funds, and I only took on a small part.”
“Why? Confident you can make money without power?”
“No, it’s just awkward to talk about such things…”
“Do-jun.”
“Yes?”
“Turning money into power is what it’s all about. Money is just numbers until it transforms into financial power. Isn’t that something you need?”
Grandpa’s smile had vanished by then.