“There’s always a lot of secrets in a chaebol family.”
“That’s not what you mean, is it?”
His brow remained furrowed, refusing to relax.
“I’m pretty sharp for my age, wouldn’t you say?”
“More than just sharp. How do you know all this at your age?”
Oh Se-hyun waved the notebook I had given him.
It was time to unveil the scenario I had prepared.
“Was it about three years ago? That’s when I first realized our family was being completely ignored.”
I made sure to speak with a hint of melancholy.
“The reason our family is overlooked is because of money.”
“Do-jun, that’s a misunderstanding. No one is ignoring your family.”
Is he saying this because he doesn’t know, or is he just trying to comfort me? Given that he’s my father’s close friend, it’s probably the latter. Ignoring his words, I continued.
“But I noticed that even among my uncle’s family, there’s a lot of suspicion and jealousy.”
“You’re quite perceptive.”
“Yes. They’re probably trying to get more of my grandfather’s company.”
“So, do you want to inherit your grandfather’s company too?”
“No. I’ve already told you, I want a company bigger than my grandfather’s.”
“That doesn’t seem to be the answer in this notebook, though.”
Oh Se-hyun frowned again, shaking the notebook.
“If a twelve-year-old came up with what’s in this notebook, no one would believe it. Even putting the content aside, how did you come up with this? Setting up an investment company in the U.S. and then reinvesting in Korea? Even students at Seoul National University’s business school wouldn’t think of that.”
I needed to answer carefully. It would sound far-fetched anyway.
“Well, those students aren’t the grandsons of a major conglomerate chairman, and they don’t have dreams as big as mine.”
“What?”
“For the past three years, I’ve visited my grandfather’s house every week. During vacations, I stayed by his side constantly. I tried to understand everything he said. You might not know, but I’m quite smart. I never miss a question on school exams.”
His eyes widened, and I knew I had to cut it off there. The more I talked, the more questions would follow.
“Uncle, can we stop talking about this?”
“Uh, sure. Just one last question.”
“Yes?”
“Why are you trying to move money abroad?”
“My grandfather keeps a lot of money overseas. He says it’s the best way to hide it. And if I make money, I need to hide it too. There are too many people who would be jealous.”
“Your uncles?”
“Yes. They’re probably already jealous that my grandfather favors me.”
“So, you want to send all the money you make to the company in the U.S. to hide it.”
“Yes.”
It was time to throw a bait that would erase Oh Se-hyun’s curiosity.
“I’m always by my grandfather’s side. And he talks about very important things even when I’m around. If I just do what he does, making money should be easy.”
Nothing I said surprised him anymore. His eyes even sparkled.
No matter what anyone says, Oh Se-hyun is also a front-line soldier of capitalism.
He found a route to discover the secret investments or plans of the Sunyang Group chairman. How could he not be tempted?
But that expectation will soon turn into disappointment.
This isn’t about making a quick buck. Even if you rely on Chairman Jin’s words, the returns aren’t that great.
Of course, for someone like Oh Se-hyun, it would be an incredible return.
But if you’re satisfied with doubling or tripling your money, there’s no need to go through the hassle of setting up a company in the U.S.
You need to make tens or hundreds of times more. Especially if you’re someone like me who knows the future so clearly.
Oh Se-hyun picked up the stack of investment management papers he had set down.
“I guess I don’t need this. If it’s the Sunyang Group chairman’s investment plan, it’s probably much more valuable than this.”
With the documents in hand, Oh Se-hyun sat comfortably in front of me.
He had the demeanor of a professional.
“By the end of the year, we can set up an investment company in the U.S. Do-jun’s money will go from our company to the U.S. headquarters and then into the investment company’s account.”
“You can handle that however you see fit.”
I waved my hand dismissively, but Oh Se-hyun continued his explanation.
“You’ll own 100% of the investment company’s shares, and the funds will stay in the U.S. until you want them. Of course, the operating expenses of that company will be covered by your money.”
He was adhering to the basics of asset management. He was fulfilling his duty to explain everything to the client without hiding anything.
“You need to make money quickly to see investment returns. Otherwise, you’ll just be losing money. Haha.”
“I have another favor to ask before that.”
“Another one? How much are you going to surprise me this time? Haha.”
He would be surprised, but in a different way.
I calmly explained what I had been thinking about all along.
Jin Yoon-ki quickly pulled Oh Se-hyun aside as he came down from upstairs, shaking his head.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“You’ve got one hell of a son. I’m envious.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Let’s sit down first.”
Oh Se-hyun tossed his bag aside and plopped down on the living room sofa. He lit a cigarette and exhaled a long plume of smoke, saying nothing, which made Jin Yoon-ki impatient.
“Aren’t you going to tell me? Are you just going to smoke?”
“I’m going to manage Do-jun’s money as I mentioned earlier. But he only wants to manage 10 billion won.”
Oh Se-hyun didn’t elaborate on the investment plan or tell the whole truth. It wasn’t because of a confidentiality agreement. The father and son had completely opposite personalities. He was worried that the more they knew, the more they would clash.
“10 billion? Isn’t it 14 billion in total? Then what about the remaining 4 billion?”
“He wants to set up a film production company. And guess who’s the top candidate for CEO? It’s you.”
Oh Se-hyun emphasized the word “candidate” as he watched Jin Do-jun’s expression.
He probably looked just like this.
Stunned, unable to say a word, with his mouth agape.
There’s a certain thrill in shocking someone and watching their reaction.
The average production cost of a Korean film is only about 150 million won. Even the film “The General’s Son” by the renowned director Im Kwon-taek, which is currently in production, hasn’t exceeded 600 million won. With 4 billion won, you could make at least ten films.
And that’s without any external investment.
“The kid’s got a deep mind. He said if he just gave you the money, you’d refuse, so he insisted on setting up a film company. That way, you’d have no choice but to take charge, even if reluctantly.”
He couldn’t hide his complex emotions.
Bruised pride, the admirable depth of his son, the opportunity to grasp a dream, and the gaze of his father, Chairman Jin.
Jin Yoon-ki still couldn’t bring himself to speak.
“I think you should just go for it without overthinking. It’s an opportunity your young son has given you. Make the most of it. You’re still young.”
Oh Se-hyun patted Jin Yoon-ki on the shoulder and left, but Jin Yoon-ki remained seated, as if rooted to the spot.
My father, looking slightly flushed, cautiously opened my door and came in.
“Are you studying?”
“Oh, yes.”
He couldn’t bring himself to speak easily, but his expression showed a willingness to take on the film company.
To dispel the awkwardness and embarrassment, I thought it best to speak first.
“Father, I just want our whole family to be happy. Mom said it, and you did too. Living while doing what you love is happiness.”
It was an out-of-the-blue statement, but he knew my intention. His face turned even redder.
“Isn’t it funny? A father should be the one ensuring his son’s happiness…”
“I just gave you a gift, Father. You’ll continue to look after me, won’t you? Nothing’s changed, and there’s nothing strange about it.”
“What if I make a movie and it flops?”
“Then you’ll be unemployed again.”
My father smiled comfortably at my joking response.
“40 billion won is a lot of money. It might be crucial for your dream of becoming wealthier than your grandfather. Many companies fail because they can’t even secure 400 million won, let alone 4 billion.”
“You just need to make a great movie and turn it into 40 billion.”
I almost said, “Even if you lose it all, it’s fine. That 40 billion, I can do without it. Don’t worry and go for it,” but I held back.
I didn’t realize how hard it would be to help fulfill the dream of one pure-hearted adult.
But as my father hugged me tightly, his emotions reached me, and my eyes welled up.
“What? A full withdrawal?”
The bank branch manager’s voice was barely audible. He was just complying with a customer’s request, but since the customer was such an important person, he felt guilty for no reason.
“When was it withdrawn?”
“To where?”
Of course, I know it. Anyone who manages money would.
“Did Do-jun come alone? Or with his father?”
“Got it. If you find out anything new, contact me immediately.”
After hanging up, Secretary Lee Hak-jae quickly called a few staff members.
“Find out who at PowerShares is connected to Jin Yoon-ki. No, find everyone connected to the chairman’s family.”
This was completely unexpected.
Do-jun is just a child, and his father is a good-natured man with no greed for money.
I thought the money would just sit in the bank until Do-jun came of age, but it was withdrawn in less than a month.
If they’ve been scammed, it’s a big problem.
After spending almost a day in anxiety, Lee Hak-jae let out a long sigh of relief after reviewing the information gathered by his staff.
At least it didn’t seem like they had been scammed.
But this wasn’t something that could be left alone.
Lee Hak-jae rushed to Chairman Jin’s study with the documents in hand.