It seemed some media outlets were greatly disappointed when I was discharged from the hospital in perfect health. Were they hoping for an obituary announcement or something?
But an obituary did come from elsewhere.
[(Urgent) Former Chairman Han Min-goo Passes Away!]
[(Breaking News) Eunsung Motors Former Chairman Han Min-goo Passes Away This Morning at 7 AM Due to Worsening Condition]
[Eunsung Group Plunged into Shock!]
[Will Remains Private……]
[Funeral to be Held at Eunsung Hospital]
Born as the eldest son of Han Young-ju, the founder of Eunsung Group, Han Min-goo separated Eunsung Motors from Eunsung Group and took it as his share when management disputes arose among siblings.
Afterwards, he raised quality and expanded exports, growing Eunsung Motors into the second-largest conglomerate in the business world, encompassing Eunsung MD, Eunsung Steel, Eunsung RT, Glomas, Renotion, and more.
No one could deny that he brought the Korean automobile industry to a world-class level. However, his failure to respond to the transition to future cars in a timely manner was evaluated as a regretful point.
Chairman Han Min-goo resigned, taking responsibility when the airbag defect concealment scandal broke out, and has not appeared in public or in the media since.
The cause of death was brain tumor. He had been suffering from the illness for a long time, and had been unable to speak properly for some time, so those around him had already been preparing themselves mentally.
I recalled the last time I met him. Was he already battling the illness back then?
The political and business worlds expressed condolences for the death of the giant who had led the Korean automobile industry. Like most chaebols, his contributions were great and his faults were also significant, but it’s customary to only speak well of the deceased.
Memorial altars were set up in various places, including the Eunsung Motors headquarters, and people’s visits continued. The mortuary was set up at Eunsung Hospital, where the deceased had been hospitalized for the last time.
Taekgyu asked,
“Are you going to pay your respects?”
“I should go.”
Condolences from the business and political worlds were already pouring in. It might have been different in the past, but with CarOS and Eunsung Motors cooperating, I couldn’t not go.
I felt a strange mix of emotions.
Eunsung Motors was the reason my family went bankrupt and my father passed away. Even if Chairman Han Min-goo, who was chairman at the time, didn’t directly order it, it couldn’t be said that he had no responsibility.
And I acquired CarOS from Eunsung Motors and grew it into a company that surpassed Eunsung Motors. On the other hand, Eunsung Motors faced great difficulties due to the failure of their ambitious hydrogen car project and other issues.
It was CarOS that saved Eunsung Motors. Eunsung Motors’ stock price, which had plummeted due to numerous negative factors, succeeded in rebounding after joining hands with CarOS. However, it still hadn’t recovered to its previous high.
Eunsung Motors needed CarOS’ technology, and CarOS needed Eunsung Motors’ infrastructure. Production capacity of millions of units, a global sales network, and know-how in inventory management and after-sales service, etc.
CarOS could find other partners besides Eunsung Motors, but CarOS was essential for Eunsung Motors. The electric vehicle industrial complex being built jointly was also centered on CarOS’ technology.
Due to the high dependence on technology, Eunsung Motors was practically subordinate to CarOS.
What would my father have said if he had seen this? And what thoughts would Chairman Han Min-goo have had watching this?
***
Following Chairman Im Il-Kwon’s death, Chairman Han Min-goo’s death was as good as announcing the retirement of the second generation of chaebols who had led the Korean economy.
Most of those who remained were also in the process of succession or had already completed it.
Past midnight, I headed to the mortuary with Taekgyu. Perhaps because we had informed them in advance that we would be coming, Chairman Han Chan-young, the chief mourner, was still there even at the late hour.
“My deepest condolences.”
“Thank you for coming.”
When I first met him, I thought he was quite large, but now he somehow looked smaller. This must be the difference in perspective.
We paid our respects and sat down to eat Yukgaejang (spicy beef soup).
Taekgyu pointed to the soju and beer and said,
“Which one will it be?”
“Let’s go with soju.”
The two of us finished a bottle of soju. As we were about to get up after eating, Chairman Han Chan-young approached and handed me an envelope.
“My father asked me to give this to you, CEO Kang, after he passed away.”
I received it and opened it on my way home.
[To CEO Kang Jin-hoo,
First, I would like to apologize once again for the incident with President Kang Dong-hyun. Everything is my fault, and all responsibility lies with me.
Since retiring, I have reflected on my life. I cannot say that I did not pursue personal glory, but I also have pride in having grown Eunsung Motors and the Korean automobile industry to this point.
However, my role was only up to there. Continuing to remain in that position despite knowing my role was over was probably due to senile greed.
Korean automobiles must never collapse like this. Everything from now on depends on CEO Kang Jin-hoo.]
***
I sat in the living room, drinking beer alone.
My head was complicated with various thoughts. Ellie, who received my call, drove straight from the hotel.
“Sorry for calling you so late. I was bored drinking alone.”
“It’s okay. Where’s Taekgyu?”
“He’s sleeping.”
“Beer again? We have a lot of good wine in the wine cellar.”
The wine cellar in one corner of the kitchen was filled with wines worth millions of won per bottle. Most of them were gifts from various places.
They say wine is the ultimate destination for alcohol, but I still don’t really know the taste of wine. Will it change when I get older?
Unlike me, Ellie enjoys wine.
“Shall I take out a bottle of wine?”
“No. I’ll have beer today too.”
Ellie sat next to me and picked up a can of beer.
“What were you thinking about?”
“Just thinking about when I was young. Back then, I never imagined I’d become a CEO and make this much money.”
Present-day chaebols were chaebols from birth. But I’m not. One day, I started seeing premonitions, and as I invested, I somehow ended up here.
Even if it’s hundreds of trillions, the world’s richest man, it doesn’t really feel real. It’s not like it’s cash in hand right now, and even if I started spending it now, I couldn’t spend it all before I die.
“What was your dream when you were young, Jin-hoo?”
“When I was young? Hmm, just, well……”
Ellie showed curiosity.
“What is it? Tell me quickly.”
“Don’t laugh when you hear it.”
“I won’t laugh. I promise.”
“I wanted to be an economist.”
Ellie’s eyes sparkled as if amazed.
“An economist? Why did you have such a dream when you were young?”
Feeling embarrassed, I scratched my cheek and said,
“Adults always say the economy is tough, difficult, and complicated. I thought it was cool to figure that out and analyze it. Concepts like inflation and deflation were also fascinating, and I wanted to become an economist and give lectures too. Well, later it changed to inheriting my father’s business, though.”
Ellie nodded.
“Jin-hoo would have done well even if you had become an economist. If you had, you might have even received the Nobel Prize in Economics.”
I burst out laughing.
“Well, I wouldn’t have refused if they gave it to me.”
Strictly speaking, it’s not the real Nobel Prize, but still, it’s something, right?
Western economics is more developed, and they tend to give it to mainstream economists, so most of the laureates are Americans and Europeans.
If an Asian person received it, it would be a huge issue in itself.
I drank beer and asked,
“What was Ellie’s dream when you were young?”
“Hmm, it’s a secret.”
Now I’m even more curious.
“I told you mine. Come on, tell me.”
Ellie opened her mouth as if she couldn’t help it.
“When I was very young, my dream was to become a ballerina.”
I was startled by those words.
“A ballerina? Have you learned ballet?”
“Originally, girls learn it at least once when they’re young.”
Is it similar to boys going to Taekwondo dojangs when they are young? I somehow thought you were flexible, to think such a secret was hidden.
“When did you quit? Why did you quit?”
“There were many kids who were better and more diligent than me. And around twelve or thirteen, my body shape started to change too.”
“Body shape change, you mean?”
My gaze naturally went to a certain area.
Then Ellie glared at me.
“Where are you looking right now?”
“N-no, it’s nothing.”
“And I also had many other things I wanted to do. Exercise and studying too.”
“You ended up pursuing other dreams.”
“That’s right. I still like watching ballet performances. Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if I had stood on stage.”
“I’m glad you quit.”
“Why?”
“Because if you had become a ballerina, I wouldn’t have met you.”
Ellie reached out and stroked my cheek.
“That’s impossible to know. Even if you had become an economist and I had become a ballerina, wouldn’t we have run into each other somewhere by chance?”
Come to think of it, John Maynard Keynes, considered the most famous economist of the 21st century, married a Russian ballerina. They didn’t have children, but they lived happily.
Ellie leaned her head on my shoulder and said,
“I don’t know exactly what you’re worried about, but do what you want to do. Someday, everyone will understand Jin-hoo’s sincerity.”
Some things you can’t avoid just because you want to.
Like the saying, “With great power comes great responsibility,” great wealth also comes with great responsibility. Now that I have great wealth, I’ve also taken on the responsibility. And whether I want it or not, that responsibility will continue to follow me.
That’s probably why Chairman Han Min-goo left me those words.
I held her hand tightly.
“Thank you.”
When I wake up tomorrow, I think I’ll know what I have to do.
***
When I went to work, I said to Senior Manager Sangyeop,
“You said there’s a meeting with business leaders at the Blue House in three days, right?”
“Yeah. The list of attendees is all out.”
Senior Manager Sangyeop will also be attending as the representative of K Company.
Even though K Company has grown in size, it’s not yet on par with the top 10 groups. Nevertheless, being included in the invitation list must be because they called me instead.
“Please ask if I can also attend.”
Senior Manager Sangyeop looked surprised at my words.
“Really?”
“Yes. I’m going to try attending once.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to them right away.”
Taekgyu asked,
“But why do they even have meetings with business leaders like that?”
“To show it to the public.”
The president encourages business leaders to invest, and business leaders respond by promising investments. Of course, it’s not creating investments out of thin air, but rather exaggerating investments that were originally planned to be implemented.
So, the meeting is a place for politicians who want to show economic achievements and business leaders who respond to it to show to the public.
“It’s kind of like a masquerade ball.”
Well, thinking about it, masquerade balls are also part of political actions. It’s not for nothing that nobles spent money to throw parties.
Taekgyu crossed his arms and said,
“Hmm, a masquerade ball. Can I go wearing a Guy Fawkes mask?”
“……Do you think you can?”
Are you trying to get misunderstood as coming to blow up the Blue House?
***
Since the list of attendees was already decided, it wasn’t easy to change it. However, the Blue House immediately added Kang Jin-hoo’s name.
Unlike ordinary chaebols who maintain close relationships with the political world, Kang Jin-hoo had avoided contact with the political world as much as possible.
This was also the first time he would be attending a meeting hosted by the president. The media was rife with speculation about the purpose of his attendance.
Lawmakers from the Free National Party expressed displeasure, and Representative Ma Sang-tae stepped forward as their representative and spoke as if scolding them.
“Modifying the already decided list of attendees just because of Kang Jin-hoo shows how much this regime is kowtowing to the chaebols. How else can the rumor be so widespread that the government is practically begging him to come? The government must adhere to principles and procedures, and must not pander to popularity. While the president is having pleasant conversations and eating with chaebols, the common people’s economy is suffering greatly. We must do politics for the common people!”
– Our Representative Ma Sang-tae is in a coma again ㅠㅠ
– Isn’t he hospitalized yet?
– Speaking as a supporter of the Free National Party. I strongly advocate for sending Lee Jung-hye and Ma Sang-tae to the New Politics Party for the revival of the conservatives!
– We should set up a traditional Korean medicine hospital near Representative Ma Sang-tae’s house.
– What he’s saying is kind of right. Is it even right to modify the list just because of Kang Jin-hoo?
– When President Park Si-hyeong was in office, he didn’t even go near the Blue House, but as soon as a leftist president comes in, he immediately runs over.
– Tsk tsk, can’t hide his leftist nature, huh?
– No, you go when they call you. How can you go if they didn’t call you?
– He must think if you suddenly show up at the Blue House, they’ll open the door for youㅋㅋㅋ
– But why is he meeting with Heo Chang-min? Does Kang Jin-hoo have anything to ask him for?
– Let’s be honest, Kang Jin-hoo is not at a level to hang out with the Korean president right now.
– Right. He should at least be at Ronald’s level to be on par, right?
– Kang Jin-hoo has grown a lot.
– If he was in his current position, even Park Si-hyeong wouldn’t have dared to touch him.
