[067] The Length of the Claws 2
As the car came to a stop, Jin Dong-gi looked up at the towering building outside the window.
“Is this the place?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Looks like he’s made some money.”
“He’s not just producing; he’s about to start distributing too. He’s a powerhouse in Chungmuro.”
Jin Dong-gi waved off his secretary’s explanation with a dismissive hand.
“Enough. How much could he possibly be making? It’s just a hobby anyway.”
The secretary was about to follow Jin Dong-gi out of the car but stopped when he spoke again.
“Stay here. I’m going in alone.”
As he entered the film company, he was immediately struck by the sight of dozens of people bustling about. It was the first time he’d been to a company without a reception desk, and he found himself standing awkwardly at the entrance.
“Can I help you?”
“Excuse me?”
“Where are you from?”
“Oh, I’m here to see the boss.”
A busy employee, slightly annoyed, asked Jin Dong-gi again.
“So, which company are you from?”
“I’m Jin Yoon-gi’s brother. His older brother.”
“Oh, I see. Please follow me.”
“Well, isn’t this something.”
Jin Dong-gi chuckled as he followed the young employee. Despite clearly stating he was the boss’s brother, there was no special treatment. And being led to a small meeting room instead of the boss’s office was starting to irritate him.
“Hey, what’s this? I said I came to see the boss. I’m his brother!”
“The boss is in a meeting right now. Please wait a moment. I’ll let him know you’re here.”
Before Jin Dong-gi could say more, the young employee closed the door and left.
“What kind of person is that?”
He was fuming at the treatment, but the feeling soon gave way to a strange sensation. Except for his father, he had never waited for anyone. People always came to him, and he made them wait.
Just as he was beginning to understand how they might have felt, the door swung open.
“Brother! What brings you here? All the way out here?”
“Why, can’t I come here? Why are you so surprised?”
Jin Dong-gi smiled and extended his hand.
“Well, it’s just that you haven’t visited in nearly ten years.”
Jin Yoon-gi’s words caught Jin Dong-gi off guard.
“What? Has it really been that long? Ten years?”
“Anyway, let’s go to my office.”
As they entered the office, Jin Dong-gi frowned.
“You said you were making a lot of money, but what’s with this place?”
The office was smaller than that of a junior executive at Sunyang Group. The desk was no better than a regular employee’s, and the room was cluttered with papers, giving it the feel of a storage room.
“It’s all just rumors. Even if you make a lot in this industry, it’s nothing compared to one of your company’s departments.”
“Hey! I can’t stand it. I’ll send someone tomorrow to expand your office. Make it look decent.”
Jin Yoon-gi knew his brother’s irritated words were meant as kindness.
“Brother, successful film companies have nice offices. The company interiors are flashy.”
“Then why are you living like this?”
“I have debts to pay.”
“What? Debts?”
Jin Dong-gi was startled, but Jin Yoon-gi waved it off.
“Don’t worry, it’s not loan sharks. When I started this, Do-joon gave me the capital. Sold the ranch… didn’t you know?”
“Oh, right. I remember now.”
“I have to pay it back. Dad took money from a kid, so I should return it.”
“Now that you mention it, you’re right. If you’re doing well, you should pay it back. With interest. Haha.”
“Let’s stop talking about that. What’s the real reason you’re here? What wind blew you in?”
Jin Yoon-gi offered a cigarette, and Jin Dong-gi took one.
After a few puffs, he exhaled a long stream of smoke and spoke.
“Are you going to keep going down this path?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I’m asking if you’re going to see it through in the film industry.”
This time, Jin Yoon-gi took a long drag on his cigarette before answering.
“You’re telling me not to look at the company?”
“Yeah. You and… your kid too…”
Jin Dong-gi’s words made Jin Yoon-gi furrow his brow and continue smoking. Seeing this, Jin Dong-gi’s expression also darkened.
“Are you hiding ambitions too?”
“Me too? Is there someone else hiding ambitions?”
“Isn’t it everyone but you?”
“Really? To me, it looks like everyone is dripping with ambition.”
“Stop dodging. Did you have ambitions?”
Pressed by Jin Dong-gi, Jin Yoon-gi stubbed out his cigarette and replied.
“I haven’t been much of a father, but I plan to be one now.”
“Are you talking about Do-joon?”
“That kid dreams of being an entrepreneur like his grandfather. Oh, don’t get me wrong.”
Jin Yoon-gi raised a hand to stop his brother from speaking and continued.
“He’s not small-minded enough to get excited about taking over a few Sunyang Group subsidiaries. He wants to achieve something on his own. I’ll do my best to help him.”
“And what’s that got to do with the company?”
“Even though I’m the youngest son, I’m still the chairman’s bloodline. I won’t refuse what’s given, and if it’s not, I’ll take my share. Enough to not be lacking.”
“Your share that’s not lacking…”
Seeing this side of his youngest brother for the first time, Jin Dong-gi struggled to hide his surprise.
“Something must have happened with our eldest brother for you to suddenly be like this. What is it?”
Jin Yoon-gi returned to his usual self, smiling warmly.
“Is it because of the changes in shares due to Sunyang Motors?”
“It’s not that.”
Jin Dong-gi pushed his chair back and stood up.
“Stay out of it like you are now. And support me. If I win, I’ll prepare enough for Do-joon to achieve his dreams.”
“What if our eldest brother wins?”
“If you want to be a father, you’ll have to fight our eldest brother.”
As Jin Dong-gi was about to leave the office, he turned back with a final warning.
“Don’t get too greedy. I don’t want to lose my only younger brother.”
“What are you talking about? We have a third brother too.”
“Sang-gi hasn’t been my brother for a long time. He’s just our eldest brother’s sibling. Remember, at least you should remain my brother.”
Jin Dong-gi’s bitter expression quietly settled in a corner of Jin Yoon-gi’s heart.
“By the way, what movie is this? Titanic?”
Jin Dong-gi pointed to the poster hanging on the office door.
“Oh, that’s the one our company is distributing early next year. We’re securing theaters now.”
“Let me know if the tickets don’t sell. I’ll buy a bunch.”
“Thanks, even if it’s just words. Haha.”
“Sister? Brother-in-law? What brings you here at this hour?”
Jin Yoon-gi wondered if he had missed some major family event today, seeing the two of them show up past 9 PM.
A visit from his brother during the day and now his sister at night!
These are people who move according to a tightly packed schedule from morning till late at night.
And they’re not the kind of family that visits so often that unexpected visits feel natural.
Especially the department store president and the politician—they don’t come to their younger brother’s house late at night without a clear purpose.
“Why so formal? Can’t we visit our brother’s house?”
“Sure, I guess. Sorry. Have a seat. Would you like some tea? Or maybe a drink?”
“No, just a glass of water.”
His brother-in-law, looking weary, sank into the living room sofa.
“Where’s your wife? Is she out?”
“She’s been in the States for a while, looking after Sang-jun.”
As the housekeeper set down a glass of water, Jin Seo-yoon smiled and said,
“That’s enough, you can go rest. This is a private conversation…”
Once the housekeeper left, Jin Yoon-gi let out a small laugh.
“Today must be a special day. Everyone seems to be in a bad mood.”
“What? What do you mean by everyone?”
“Oh, nothing. Just work stuff. So, what’s up? Seeing you both here, it doesn’t seem like you just came for a glass of water.”
Jin Seo-yoon glanced at her brother, gauging his reaction.
“Can you help us out with some money?”
“What? Money?”
He was dumbfounded. The president of a department store asking a film company president for money?
Isn’t a day’s sales at the department store equivalent to the profit from a movie?
Reading his expression, Jin Seo-yoon quickly explained.
“When Dad acquired Hando Steel, he drained all the cash, and now he’s tied up the department store’s funds. He’s monitoring all the transactions daily.”
“Why? Did you get into trouble?”
“No! It’s because of him.”
Jin Seo-yoon glanced at her husband, who was just sighing beside her.
“He decided to run for Seoul mayor next year, so Dad cut off his funding. We can’t touch the department store’s money.”
“Seoul mayor?”
That was even more absurd than asking for money.
“I heard you hit it big with that movie, what was it, ‘The Contact’? You must have made some money.”
“Even if a Korean movie hits big, how much do you think it makes? Do you know how much a ticket costs? Six thousand won. We had 670,000 viewers. All in all, it’s 4 billion won. The theaters take their cut, the distributors take theirs, and after production costs… How much do you think is left? You need to be realistic.”
How could they be so out of touch with reality?
Living in a world of gold bricks, they had no idea about the real world.
Hearing about the box office revenue, the two sighed again and stood up from the sofa.
“Brother-in-law, let’s pretend we never asked.”
Watching them leave, Jin Yoon-gi clicked his tongue and headed upstairs.
As the two stepped out the front door, they exchanged glances.
Jin Seo-yoon pulled out her cell phone just as a taxi pulled up.
“Oh? Aunt?”
The couple beamed at the sight of their wealthy nephew.
“What? Seoul mayor?”
“Why? Are you looking down on your uncle?”
Though he had every reason to, he couldn’t show it. The hotel lobby lounge lit up with his smile.
Suddenly appearing and dragging me for a cup of tea, and now it’s about money?
“That can’t be right. It’s just surprising, that’s all.”
“The ruling party will win anyway. Once you’re their candidate, it’s game over.”
But is it really that simple?
When the government changes, the ruling and opposition parties switch places.
Ambition often overshadows capability, leading them to chase after hopeless causes.
“Should we tell Grandpa…?”
At the mention of “Grandpa,” both of them sighed in unison, as if on cue.
“Seems like you got scolded again.”
Aunt nodded in agreement.
“Hmm…”
Is the department store money tied up, so they came running to me?
Next year’s president is definitely going to be DJ, but I can’t remember who the mayor of Seoul was.
“Is this about campaign funds?”
At the mention of money, their eyes lit up.
“Exactly. We just need enough to spread around to the party leader and senior members. Once we’re chosen as the party’s candidate…”
“One call from Grandpa, and that would never happen, right?”
“I’ll make sure it doesn’t. I’ll handle it.”
Aunt snapped her fingers confidently.
“But how much are we talking about? I don’t have that kind of money.”
Isn’t it a rookie mistake to refuse right from the start?
There’s still more than half a year left. I can keep them on the hook and pull out when necessary.
“How much do you have?”
Uncle’s eyes gleamed with interest.
“Well, it’s tied up in investments, so I’d have to check. You know how it is—stock and bond prices change daily. Plus, I need to see if I can liquidate the funds before the election.”
Uncle looked a bit disappointed, but there was still a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
“Then check it out. I’ll figure out how much we need.”
Could becoming the mayor of Seoul really make possible what a mere member of parliament couldn’t achieve?
What do they really want?
Complete independence for the subsidiary Aunt manages?
Or a plan to become political heavyweights, pressuring Sunyang for more?
Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter.
It’s easier to take over smaller, divided companies than a giant like Sunyang Group.
“If Uncle becomes the mayor of Seoul, could you carve out a big piece of public land for my father?”
“Public land? You mean property?”
“Yes.”
“Why? To build a skyscraper?”
“No, to build a grand theater.”
I smiled innocently, watching their eyes flicker with interest.