Trading Blows. Part 1
“Director, did I hear you right? Are we really talking about Hong So-young from Hanseong Daily?”
“Yes, indeed. Everyone knows that for the wealthy, marriage is just a formality. To the husband, a wife is merely a vessel to bear a son who will inherit the company. To the wife, a rich husband is just a status symbol.”
The director’s teeth ground together in frustration, while the social affairs reporters exchanged uneasy glances.
This wasn’t just insubordination; it was outright rebellion. The fallout could be catastrophic.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take responsibility.”
“What do you mean by that? Director, you can’t be serious…?”
When a salaried employee decides to confront their superiors, it’s because they’ve already made up their mind.
“Are you quitting? Did you get a job offer somewhere else?”
One of the reporters asked in a hushed tone.
“I’m starting a new job next April. You should start cozying up to me now. Before I leave, I’ll make sure you’re all transferred to the political desk.”
Director Cho grinned, and the reporters’ eyes widened in surprise.
“Yeouido?”
“That’s right. Both I and Chief Editor Park have been selected. We’ll be here for maybe another month, tops. Heh.”
“Congratulations, Director! What wonderful news…”
“Is that why you met with Chairman Hong? Wait, that can’t be it. If it were, you wouldn’t be going after Hong So-young.”
The reporters were curious about Director Cho’s sponsor, but he kept it to himself. The time wasn’t right yet.
“You’ll find out soon enough. Just make sure you stay on course. Even if you go after Hong So-young, there won’t be any backlash. Got it?”
“I thought our deal was concluded yesterday. Is there something left unsaid?”
“As I get older, I’ve found it’s easier to shake hands than to fight.”
Park Man-seong, the chief editor of Hanseong Daily, appeared suddenly, smiling warmly like a friendly neighbor.
“Aren’t we already on the same page? Was I mistaken?”
“There are two hands, you know.”
Two hands…
I pondered the true meaning behind his cryptic smile.
Park was someone who avoided conflict, someone I might need to extend my hand to again.
This man was no ordinary person.
“You must be busy, Chief Editor. Can you manage?”
“Family comes second to the family business, doesn’t it? It’s not something to be stubborn about.”
“If everything goes smoothly, I have no reason to refuse.”
“Then I’ll take that as your agreement and proceed.”
Watching him hurry away, I realized once more—he was a shrewd old man.
“What on earth are you saying?”
Chairman Hong of Hanseong Daily was taken aback by Chief Editor Park’s unexpected words after being absent all day.
“Think carefully. Has Hanseong Daily ever sided with the losing team?”
“So you’re saying Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki is fighting a losing battle?”
“It was clear from the start. When Chairman Jin Yang-cheol put his youngest grandson forward, the outcome might have already been decided. One side is desperately defending their last stronghold, while the other is relentlessly attacking. Jin Do-jun has the upper hand.”
“But she’s my daughter! We’re in-laws, for heaven’s sake.”
“And so?”
Chairman Hong was speechless at Park’s nonchalant response. Even if it was someone else’s family matter, it was too dismissive.
“Do you think So-young will play the role of the eldest daughter-in-law in a ruined family? The moment Jin Do-jun takes over Sunyang, she’ll file for divorce. Don’t you know your daughter’s nature?”
It was hard to argue. He had married off his daughter to Jin Young-ki, knowing full well he was a scoundrel, just because he was the eldest grandson of Chairman Jin.
His daughter, who aimed to be the matriarch of Sunyang Group, wouldn’t willingly play the part of the eldest daughter-in-law in a failing family.
“Hanseong Daily has been a family business for three generations. It survived the Japanese occupation, the war, and even when soldiers crossed the Han River twice, thanks to adept maneuvering. Compared to that, your family matters are trivial.”
After pacing silently for a while, Chairman Hong spoke to Park.
“So you think the outcome is already decided.”
“The capabilities are different. The eldest son inherited the most, while the youngest got the least. But look at them now. The true scale of what Jin Do-jun holds with HW, Sunyang, and Miracle is beyond anyone’s imagination. The firepower is already overwhelming.”
Seeing Chairman Hong’s resolve waver, Park delivered the most practical argument.
“Think about when Jin Do-jun takes over Sunyang. We could be left to wither. Even if we secure a comprehensive programming channel under this administration, it might be impossible to get any advertising.”
Chairman Hong sighed at the thought of the comprehensive programming channel.
The lifeline of a media company isn’t its readers or the government, but its advertisers.
Even now, just watching the massive advertising budget Jin Do-jun is throwing around is enough to make him sick. If the same situation continues with the new channel, the losses will be staggering.
“So why bring this up now? You and Director Cho are acting a bit strange…”
“Jin Do-jun made me a job offer.”
“I knew it!”
He realized that Chief Editor Park was a step ahead of Director Cho. While Director Cho was calculating personal gain, Park was trying to secure both options at a critical juncture.
“If I refuse your proposal, what will you do? Will you side with them?”
“You won’t refuse, will you? Or am I wrong?”
It was hard for Chairman Hong to shake his head at Park’s smiling face.
“My, my, in-law. You look well. The last time I saw you was at the wedding, wasn’t it? I’ve been too neglectful.”
“Not at all, Chairman. I should have been the one to keep in touch more often.”
“No, no. You’re the busiest person in Korea. How could you have time to worry about an old man like me? It’s fine.”
Is it because he’s a journalist? Or because he’s meeting with an advertiser in a position of power? He can smile at anyone.
“By the way, did you see the top article in this morning’s paper? I made sure to give clear instructions…”
Korean companies must change to survive in international competition. They should strive for shareholder interests, not just the owner’s, and if a foreigner is capable, they should be given the CEO position.
It was a gesture of reconciliation, almost embarrassingly so.
“You made a very valid point. Haha.”
I could also laugh and make awkward small talk.
For a while, we exchanged pleasantries over a meal, using the awkward conversation as a backdrop. As the article suggested, we had already extended our hands to each other. There was no need for further words.
The old man just wanted to hear my confirmation, which is why he arranged this meeting.
“But Chairman, are you sure about today’s article? Your uncle might be very upset.”
“What can I do? Maintaining a good relationship with in-laws is that difficult. But I have too much on my plate to just play the guilty father of a daughter. Protecting Hanseong Daily takes precedence over maintaining good in-law relations.”
“Right, the family business comes first.”
Chairman Hong cautiously broached the subject.
“How about it? Will you help this old man nurture the family business?”
He’s waiting for the words he wants to hear from me.
“What power do I have? If we fulfill our journalistic duty, the public will recognize it, and the readers will reward us. Then Hanseong Daily will endure. Oh, I’ll subscribe regularly. I’ll also instruct our affiliated companies to subscribe, one copy per department.”
Chairman Hong’s face flushed red.
It wasn’t the words he wanted to hear; it was a statement that turned his stomach. Even someone who has lived with a facade of smiles would find it hard to hide their emotions.
“Is this really the time for jokes?”
“I’m not joking. What more can I do?”
“Are you serious?”
I smiled at his glare.
“One thing my grandfather taught me is to clearly distinguish between friend and foe. If they’re a friend, make sure they never go hungry. If they’re an enemy, burn their granary so they can’t sleep at night worrying about their next meal.”
“Am I an enemy? Even after this morning’s newspaper?”
It was clear that the article was a concession, a signal of reconciliation. Ignoring it was like rubbing salt into a wounded pride.
How painful it must be. His glaring eyes were understandable.
“I appreciate the article, but your daughter is my sister-in-law. She’s married to the man I’m trying to bring down. A single favorable article can’t change that relationship.”
“I’ve abandoned my daughter to protect the family business. Don’t you understand?”
“It’s not that. You’re trying to rescue your daughter from a sinking ship and gain me in the process. Isn’t that right?”
If he still doesn’t understand, he needs to hear harsher words. I explained the future relationship to him, who was at a loss for words.
“If Hanseong Daily and Sunyang are no longer in-laws, then you and I are strangers. If it’s not business, we won’t have the chance to share a meal like this. Of course, even now, it’s business, but it’s complicated because of our ties.”
His lips parted slightly, and a faint sigh escaped.
He realized that unless his daughter divorces, calling us allies is just empty words.
And the moment she divorces, it’s not an alliance but a master-servant relationship.
Advertiser and media company, superior and subordinate, giver and receiver—only a hierarchical relationship remains.
“Maybe you’re too young… You underestimate the power of Hanseong Daily.”
I know it’s not a threat to break the deal. He’s just trying desperately to maintain a more equal footing.
“You must not realize the extent of my power yet, which is why you’re clinging to your last shred of pride. I have unlimited funds at my disposal, along with the subsidiaries of Sunyang and the HW Group. Should I use this influence to sway every media outlet in South Korea, leaving only Hansung Ilbo isolated? It wouldn’t take long for Hansung Ilbo to find itself alone.”
An article that no other media outlet picks up is nothing more than a collection of words without power. It takes a series of articles with similar viewpoints to sway public opinion and influence the masses.
Even if Hansung Ilbo shouts about an exclusive, it won’t gain trust. That’s why independent media struggles to wield influence.
The mention of unlimited money made his eyes widen.
I had revealed who owned Miracle Investment in New York, and Chairman Hong understood.
“Divorce is inevitable anyway. That means Hansung Ilbo and Sunyang won’t be in-laws anymore. Is there anything else you need?”
“If that’s the case, I don’t need anything else. But there’s something you must understand, Chairman.”
“And what might that be?”
“Handle your own affairs. It’s a song even kindergarteners sing.”
I put down my spoon and stood up.
“This isn’t something someone can tell you. When you realize it, give me a call.”
As I left the restaurant and got into the car, my phone rang.
It was Chairman Hong. The old man seemed sharp.
“Yes, Chairman.”
Though he had called first, he seemed hesitant to speak. I held the phone in silence, knowing the important words had to come from him.
”…Please, take good care of Hansung Ilbo.”
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