[073] Shopping Cart 2
“Do-jun, you’re still young and don’t quite understand how things work here. No one writes a contract when giving election funds.”
“Ah, I see. You’re used to dealing with investment firms, so you thought that way. This money is all going to disappear. It’s not an investment.”
Do they still see me as just a rich kid?
“Oh, I should have explained more clearly. My mistake.”
I slapped my forehead and laughed awkwardly.
“Hold on a second. There’s someone who can explain this better.”
I got up from the sofa and called out from the foot of the stairs.
“Uncle! Come down here.”
My aunt and uncle exchanged puzzled looks, still trying to make sense of the situation.
After all, who in the family would I call ‘uncle’?
“Land? Public land?”
“Yes. After next year’s local elections, we’ll secure it all in one go.”
“You’re planning to make your uncle the mayor of Seoul?”
“Am I the one doing it? Uncle has to fight for it.”
Oh Se-hyun’s face showed his reluctance.
“I’ve never seen anyone get involved in politics and come out clean. Once a politician’s term ends, they get scrutinized and retaliated against. Don’t you know that?”
“No company in Korea has grown without political ties. You can’t become a major corporation here without political connections.”
“So, what do you plan to do with the land?”
“We need to undertake a large-scale construction project. Haha.”
“You’re getting more ambitious by the day. A construction project?”
“Why do you think I was interested in a construction company? It’s all for this.”
I pulled out the map I had shown my grandfather.
“The most valuable spot is right here.”
I confidently placed a red pin on a spot on the map.
“I’m going to develop this area.”
“Where is this?”
Oh Se-hyun, struggling with his eyesight, lifted his glasses to examine the map closely.
“Mapo? Sangam-dong?”
“Yes. It’s already designated for residential development.”
“Hey, hey. Forget it. Why bother with something that’s already done?”
This summer, the old landfill in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, along with nearby underdeveloped areas, was designated as the ‘Sangam Residential Development Zone.’
I realized then that it was impossible to get involved in such a project without a construction company.
All the companies involved in the Sangam development are eager to pull out. The country is practically bankrupt, so what’s the point of building apartments when there’s no one to move in?
Everyone felt the same way.
“There’s still a lot of public land near the development zone. We need to develop that.”
“It’s impossible to offload more apartments. Can’t you see the real estate market crashing? Why build more apartments in this situation?”
Oh Se-hyun shook his head, but I just smiled.
“A crisis becomes an opportunity for those who are prepared. In this country’s greatest crisis, no one is as prepared as I am.”
“You sure know how to talk. But not this time. Apartments are off the table for now. Wait until this crisis passes.”
“Who said anything about apartments?”
“What?”
“I’m not interested in apartments. The residential land is already allocated, and those construction companies can keep sighing. I’m going to develop with a different concept.”
Oh Se-hyun sighed, knowing he couldn’t change my mind.
“Alright, what’s this new concept?”
“DMC.”
“Oh, come on. Now you’re talking about a broadcasting station? Why not just buy MBC?”
Oh Se-hyun looked exasperated, as if he couldn’t be bothered to argue.
“Not a broadcasting station, DMC. It stands for Digital Media City.”
“And what’s that supposed to be?”
Finally, he showed some interest. The words ‘digital’ and ‘media’ sounded futuristic.
“I’ll give you the materials. Take a look. And we need to build the World Cup main stadium in Sangam-dong. 2002 isn’t far off.”
In 1996, FIFA decided to co-host the World Cup with Japan. No one knew the Korean team would reach the semifinals. In the past, I watched Korea play on TV at a bar, but this time, I plan to watch from the VIP seats.
“A city? Isn’t that a bit far-fetched? The World Cup stadium sounds plausible, though.”
“The DMC will be just as impressive.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Jin, Assemblyman Choi. I’m Oh Se-hyun.”
My aunt and uncle were startled, glancing between Oh Se-hyun’s business card and his face.
CEO of Miracle Investment.
That’s the power of a business card.
The investment firm that acquired Ajin Group. The man who moves billions.
“Oh, hello. Do-jun, is this the Miracle that manages your money?”
My aunt waved the business card slightly.
“Yes, that’s right.”
I nodded and spoke to them.
“Please, have a conversation. I’ll be upstairs.”
As I excused myself, my aunt looked bewildered by the situation.
“He’s someone who’s invested in and thought about the future mayor of Seoul. You can trust him, so feel free to speak openly. He’s also a close friend of my father. I’ll leave you to it….”
I bowed to the three of them and walked away.
Oh Se-hyun knows my plans well, so there shouldn’t be any issues.
“I hate to ask, but whose money is this election fund? Is it Do-jun’s? Miracle’s? Or your personal money, Mr. Oh?”
Jin Seo-yoon’s sharp gaze was nothing like when she was dealing with her nephew.
The words ‘contract’ and ‘business’ had been mentioned. She understood this wasn’t a simple request for money.
“The source of the funds is Do-jun. But I have a duty to manage his money responsibly, so I’m here. I hope you understand.”
“But this is a family matter. It’s a bit… uncomfortable.”
“That’s surprising.”
“Excuse me?”
“Has there ever been a family matter in the Sunyang Group? Isn’t everything business?”
Unlike the cold Jin Seo-yoon, Oh Se-hyun maintained his smile.
“Fighting over an extra sausage at the family table, giving your father a shoulder massage for some pocket money—that’s family. But fighting over a subsidiary at breakfast, massaging your father’s shoulders while billions in holding company shares change hands—that’s not business?”
His words were dripping with sarcasm, but instead of getting angry, Jin Seo-yoon’s icy demeanor melted away.
“I was annoyed having to tiptoe around my young nephew, but this is better. It’s business, so there’s no need to grovel, right?”
“Of course, Ms. Jin. I’ll make my proposal at eye level. If there’s anything you don’t like or find lacking, feel free to point it out.”
“You’re straightforward. Let’s get started.”
Oh Se-hyun took out a notebook.
“How much funding do you think you’ll need?”
“Forty billion won.”
“And how much can you cover yourself?”
“None.”
The coldness returned.
This time, Oh Se-hyun was taken aback.
“What? Do-jun said you’d cover some of it with your personal funds….”
“That’s what I told family. Didn’t you say this was business? If my husband becomes the mayor of Seoul, the benefits to you will be worth more than forty billion. Why should I use my own money?”
Oh Se-hyun recalled the nature of the wealthy.
They disregard the value of money for themselves but are stingy when it comes to others’ money.
“Right. I forgot about that.”
Oh Se-hyun scratched his head and pulled out a map of Seoul and a thick proposal.
“As you know, it’s about the sale of public land. Announce the sale of the 29 marked public lands. If you say it’s to save the country’s finances, there won’t be much opposition.”
At the mention of 29 places, the couple’s eyes widened, and Jin Seo-yoon exclaimed.
“Hey! You could make billions just from land sales. How is this….”
“Oh, don’t misunderstand. Miracle isn’t buying all of it. We’re only interested in Mapo Sangam-dong, Daechi-dong, and Naegok-dong. By releasing all of it, there won’t be any suspicion of favoritism. The rest can be selected by the future mayor of Seoul.”
The couple exchanged glances and nodded.
“Now, take a look at this.”
Oh Se-hyun placed the proposal on the table.
The large title, “Sangam DMC Project,” caught their eyes.
“Include this project in your election pledges. It will garner significant support.”
After listening to the explanation about the DMC, Jin Seo-yoon and Assemblyman Choi looked skeptical.
“So, you’re saying you’ll attract media content companies like broadcasters and production companies to Sangam-dong?”
“Exactly. Mapo has a good location. It’s not far from Gwanghwamun, Gangnam, or Yeouido. And digital media sounds futuristic, doesn’t it? In just a year, we’ll enter the new millennium. It’s a good pledge.”
Oh Se-hyun turned to the last page of the proposal.
“Oh…! There’s this too.”
Jin Seo-yoon tapped the table lightly upon seeing the soccer stadium photo.
“Yes. The World Cup stadium is the crowning touch. Haha.”
Seeing their bright expressions, Oh Se-hyun laughed heartily.
“Manage the public land development well, and you won’t have to worry about election costs for re-election.”
At the mention of re-election, Assemblyman Choi grinned widely.
“So, what do you think? Are you satisfied with my proposal?”
“Are you sure three public lands are enough?”
When Jin Seo-yoon asked for confirmation, Oh Se-hyun promptly pulled out a few documents.
“These are magic papers that will dispel any distrust or doubt. They’re contracts, of course. Confidential ones.”
The documents contained everything Oh Se-hyun had discussed, with only the amounts and dates left blank.
“Mr. Oh, can’t you just trust us? This is evidence of illegal election funds. How can we leave such a trail?”
“Mr. Jin, I’ve already taken on a huge risk by starting this venture. Your husband’s potential defeat is at stake. I’m willing to risk 40 billion won, and you’re asking for proof?”
When Jin Seo-yun still looked uneasy, Oh Se-hyun drove the point home.
“Honestly, I’m only going along with this because Do-jun is family. Otherwise, there are much easier ways. Handing 40 billion won to the newly elected mayor of Seoul next June and sharing this strategy would be a more secure investment.”
As Oh Se-hyun waved the proposal, her power-hungry husband jumped in.
“Honey, let’s go for it. He’s trustworthy, isn’t he? He’s close friends with Yoon-ki’s brother-in-law and has connections with your father through the car business. He wouldn’t stab us in the back.”
“Exactly. If I had any ulterior motives with this contract, would Chairman Jin just sit back? A dozen special prosecutors would be on me in no time. I’m well aware of the power of the Sunyang Group.”
After mulling it over, Jin Seo-yun finally nodded.
“Alright. A contract would be necessary to ensure mutual trust.”
Oh Se-hyun filled in the amount and date on the document.
“Well, that’s settled then, right?”
“Yes. Thank you for your decisive action.”
Oh Se-hyun bowed respectfully to the couple.
“Mr. Oh, can the money be ready by tomorrow?”
Assemblyman Choi asked urgently.
“No, it’ll take at least three days. We need to launder it through a few channels and get old bills, not new ones.”
Their thorough preparation only deepened the couple’s trust.
“You both need to pass the preliminary round within those three days, right?”
“Preliminary round?”
“I mean Chairman Jin’s approval. Without his consent to run, there won’t be any funds. He’s not someone who’d let 40 billion won turn into scrap paper with just a few phone calls.”
Oh Se-hyun’s slightly condescending gaze.
The couple, recalling Chairman Jin’s furious face, grimaced at the thought.