Byeon Gwang-seok quietly closed his eyes. A strong feeling told him that he should not accept Park Jin-hyuk’s proposal so easily.
Watching him, Jin-hyuk let out a secret smile that Byeon Gwang-seok couldn’t see. Before the man could finish his train of thought, Jin-hyuk spoke up to interrupt his contemplation.
“I am prepared to bear any risk, provided I can secure the funds.”
At Jin-hyuk’s repeated insistence that securing money was urgent, Byeon Gwang-seok opened his eyes, his thoughts still disorganized.
“How much of a stake has Vice Chairman Park Su-man’s side secured?”
“From what we’ve gathered, it’s around 10%? It might even be more. They’re using borrowed-name accounts, so it’s difficult to pin down an exact figure.”
In reality, it didn’t matter how much of a stake Park Su-man had actually secured. What mattered was the fact that Jin-hyuk’s side supposedly didn’t know the exact amount. Byeon Gwang-seok’s eyes glinted, and Jin-hyuk felt satisfied that his intent had been properly conveyed.
‘Shall I start wrapping this up?’
Jin-hyuk shook his head from side to side, wearing an expression that suggested he had no choice. He let out a heavy sigh that seemed to come from the very depths of his lungs and spoke to Byeon Gwang-seok slowly, emphasizing every word.
“The situation is urgent. If we don’t secure the shares quickly, we might lose the voting battle. It’s difficult for the Chairman to move personally because we don’t know what the press and public opinion might say. If the subsidiaries start securing shares, that would fall under a breach of fiduciary duty, so that’s not an option either. Furthermore, I don’t have immediate cash on hand… That’s why I’m asking for your help. Please provide the funds so I can put out this fire without anyone knowing.”
“You’re saying that normal methods won’t work?”
“Correct. The reality is that we cannot carry this out through a standard loan process.”
The words Jin-hyuk emphasized—’strenuous,’ ‘difficult,’ and ‘help’—continued to ring in Byeon Gwang-seok’s ears. He never expected the mighty DS Group to use such words.
While it was a situation that could arise because of an internal power struggle, the fact that they were asking Hanuri Savings Bank for help was something he couldn’t have imagined an hour ago. However, on the other hand, a sense of pride began to sprout in Byeon Gwang-seok’s heart at the fact that they had sought him out because it was something only Hanuri could do.
“500 billion won. It is a difficult amount, but not an impossible one.”
At Byeon Gwang-seok’s words, Jin-hyuk’s face brightened. Byeon Gwang-seok smiled back at him and said, “But it is a risky endeavor. Therefore, I believe we must first align our conditions.”
“Conditions?”
“Yes. If we lend you the money, what can you do for us?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“This isn’t through a normal route. Doesn’t that mean there should naturally be appropriate compensation?”
Jin-hyuk looked as if he didn’t understand, while Byeon Gwang-seok looked at him as if his reaction was the strange one. Jin-hyuk was treating a natural demand as if it were unnatural.
“I will set the compensation at a level higher than market interest rates.”
“No. Wait a moment, Executive Director. Fine. Let’s do this. I’ll be blunt, so please listen and judge for yourself.”
Thinking that Jin-hyuk wasn’t understanding him properly, Byeon Gwang-seok stated his requirements in detail.
“I want to participate as an investor in the construction projects being carried out by DS Construction. To put it simply, I want you to let us handle the PF (Project Financing). For two? No, maybe three projects.”
“We aren’t in a position where we lack the funds to handle the PF. And that is something for DS Construction to handle; it’s not an issue for me to decide.”
“I am saying this because I am well aware that you have powerful influence over DS Construction. Can’t you do it?”
“That’s difficult. Then, how about this? After the matter is settled using the funds you provide, we convert it into a normal loan.”
Byeon Gwang-seok wore an absurd expression at Jin-hyuk’s words. The cautious and polite attitude he had shown toward Jin-hyuk until a moment ago was now nowhere to be seen. In fact, the more he listened to Jin-hyuk, the more his posture relaxed into one of arrogance.
“Whether or not we convert it to a regular loan isn’t the point, is it? Executive Director Park. You said you came here after looking into everything, but do you really understand how we have to prepare this money? Well, as for preparing the money, that’s our problem, so you don’t need to know. But surely you know we can’t just transfer it under your name, right? What you are asking for is not a normal situation from start to finish. And yet… what? You’ll pay higher interest than the market and convert it to a normal loan? That isn’t what I want.”
Seeing Byeon Gwang-seok’s voice grow louder out of frustration, Jin-hyuk also put on a troubled expression.
“I want to do as you say, but since I can’t give a definitive answer on anything right here, I’m just as frustrated.”
“It seems we won’t be able to reach a conclusion even if we talk further.”
“I apologize. Please go back and think it over carefully. If you help me, I will make sure to repay the favor.”
“Repay the favor… Never mind. I understand for now.”
Feeling that continued conversation was useless, Byeon Gwang-seok stood up from his seat. He was leaving before even finishing half of the food, looking like someone who had suddenly remembered a new appointment.
“I’ll go back and consider it.”
“I look forward to your help.”
Byeon Gwang-seok shook hands lightly with Jin-hyuk before hurrying out of the room. Jin-hyuk watched him leave with a face full of mockery. He then picked up his glass, which was still full of liquor, drained it in one gulp, and walked outside.
Seeing Jin-hyuk emerge from the building, Secretary Kim Jun-woo opened the door of the waiting car, and Jin-hyuk climbed inside.
“I saw Byeon Gwang-seok leave just now, making an urgent phone call. Did things go as planned?”
“If he made a call, it’s obvious. He’s probably trying to get in touch with my uncle’s side.”
“Do you think Hanuri will really try to side with Vice Chairman Park Su-man?”
“They’re the kind of people who would find it strange not to line up when they smell money. And isn’t Hanuri in a desperate situation right now? They’ll definitely try to line up so they don’t miss this opportunity. Though I came forward personally just to make them do that…”
Jin-hyuk answered while rubbing his face, which was flushed from the few glasses of liquor. He brushed his hair back and opened the window to let the cold wind hit him. Feeling his senses sharpen, he gave Kim Jun-woo the next set of instructions.
“Keep a close eye on Hanuri. As soon as they show signs of contacting my uncle, start purchasing shares…”
“Understood.”
“Right. That’s as far as our part goes. Since they’ll take care of the rest, we just need to calmly prepare the data. So we can use it at the decisive moment.”
After finishing his sentence, Jin-hyuk looked out the open car window and felt the wind. Even though the car was moving, the air didn’t feel cold; it felt like the season where one would need to wear short sleeves was just around the corner.
***
The upward trend of DS Biologics was terrifying. Everything was flowing smoothly, and the factory operation rate had been maintained at 95% for some time, which was already past the point of saturation. There were rumors that even with expansions and new factory construction, the backlog of work for DS Biologics was so substantial that they might not be able to resolve the saturation for a while.
Furthermore, with news spreading that they were aiming for a public listing within the year alongside this explosive growth, shares of DS Biologics vanished from the over-the-counter market. In some circles, the rise of DS Biologics was so aggressive it seemed ready to pierce the sky, with rumors that the price per share had increased 100 times compared to the end of last year. Consequently, rather than waiting for DS Biologics to go public, people began to recognize its parent company, DS Pharmaceutical, as a beneficiary and started buying it up fervently.
—The biggest topic in the stock market over the past month has been DS Pharmaceutical. It recorded a weekly growth rate of over 50% for three consecutive weeks, showing a record-breaking increase of 340% in just one month.
—That’s correct. At the end of last year, no one imagined such an increase would occur. Moreover, what is encouraging about this rise is that it is backed by actual performance.
—Yes. On top of that, the news that its subsidiary, DS Biologics, is preparing to go public is adding strength to the surge. Let’s analyze DS Pharmaceutical, the current talk of the market.
Sitting on the sofa and watching the TV, Jin-hyuk pointed at the screen and spoke to Kim Jun-woo, who was beside him.
“Was this your doing, Secretary Kim?”
An economic news channel was running a special feature analyzing DS Pharmaceutical. From the company’s history to introductions of key executives, it didn’t look like something prepared in just a day or two. They were emphasizing the section about Jin-hyuk in particular.
—He is the eldest son of Chairman Park Jun-man of the DS Group. He is the person who briefly shook the stock market in the second half of last year. He was the main figure in the merger between Dongjeong Industry and DS Construction.
—Until last year, he served as the head of the restructuring headquarters at DS Construction, leading the restructuring efforts, and he moved to DS Pharmaceutical starting this new year. And as soon as Executive Director Park Jin-hyuk took his position, the first thing he ordered was the normalization of Biologics. There are reports that he spearheaded both the securing of Pfizer volumes and the contract with the foreign pharmaceutical company, Novo. Additionally, there are stories that the production of the treatment for the Paris Flu, which turned the world upside down this year and continues to do so, is also the work of Executive Director Park Jin-hyuk.
—He has the Midas touch.
—Indeed. Only one year has passed since the name Park Jin-hyuk became known, and the results he has produced are beyond words.
Jin-hyuk couldn’t listen to the broadcast anymore, as it was praising him to an embarrassing degree, so he turned off the TV. Kim Jun-woo wore a satisfied smile as he looked at him.
“Isn’t it quite good?”
“It’s too much.”
“This is only the beginning. There’s no need to let such a good opportunity go to waste, is there? In a bit, we have a magazine interview scheduled.”
“Am I some kind of celebrity? Why are you doing this?”
“Please bear with it, even if it’s embarrassing. This is all part of the marketing.”
“Even if there’s nothing else to market… selling me like this is a bit much.”
It would have been strange if he didn’t feel ashamed. He could have tolerated it if they just mentioned his name a few times while discussing his achievements, but listening to them talk while showing an awkward, ID-like photo of him taken at some unknown time was simply too embarrassing to endure.
“Executive Director. Right now is the best time to make your name known.”
It wasn’t that Jin-hyuk disagreed. For a young second-generation manager, the first impression was everything. This was because the way one was perceived initially would follow them like a label for decades. If a wrong perception was established early on, it could be difficult to receive positive evaluations from public opinion in future business ventures.
Furthermore, he would become a laughingstock until he reached the position of Chairman, and it was certain he would receive negative marks in every evaluation. Jin-hyuk knew well from past examples that if one became a burden, it would be difficult to be nominated for the top position.
“I know. But… I can’t get used to this. I really can’t.”
As Jin-hyuk finished speaking, several people entered his office following a knock. They were coordinators who had brought heaps of clothing and cosmetics to prepare for the upcoming interview. Because Jin-hyuk knew why this situation was necessary, he didn’t refuse, but he simply surrendered his body to their work with a look of discomfort.
Kim Jun-woo watched Jin-hyuk, who complained but ultimately followed along, and a slight smile crept onto his lips.
In Kim Jun-woo’s eyes, Jin-hyuk was a special person. Although he was born with the grand title of being a child of a chaebol family, he showed a side completely different from the stereotypes. Not only did he lack the negative traits Secretary Hwang had mentioned, but he also appeared different from other chaebol members Kim Jun-woo had envisioned. Kim Jun-woo’s judgment was that while Jin-hyuk couldn’t be placed among ordinary people, it was also difficult to place him entirely in the world where chaebols lived.
And then there was the ability he displayed. This surpassed the realm of ordinary people. It wasn’t a matter of whether he was a chaebol or not. Kim Jun-woo had never seen anything Jin-hyuk planned and executed end in failure. This time was no different.
Kim Jun-woo took his phone out of his pocket, looked at it for a moment, and then reported to Jin-hyuk.
“Executive Director. I’ve received word. It seems Hanuri and Vice Chairman Park Su-man’s side are meeting somewhere in Gangnam.”
“Really? That’s faster than I expected. Have you prepared everything I asked for?”
“Yes. One billion won is ready to purchase DS Telecom shares.”
“Good. And…”
Jin-hyuk couldn’t continue his sentence immediately because of the hands applying powder across his face. He paused for a moment and waited for the coloring to finish. As the dabbing roughly concluded, Jin-hyuk finally opened his eyes and looked at Kim Jun-woo. Although his body was moving according to the coordinators trying on different clothes, his eyes, mouth, and ears were directed toward Kim Jun-woo.
“Arrange a meeting with President Jeong from DS Securities as well.”
“With President Jeong?”
“Yes. Whether it’s us or them, there shouldn’t be any difficulty in purchasing shares. And while we’re at it, let’s get friendly with the financial affiliates that my father controls. Whoa. This is a bit much.”
Jin-hyuk reacted with a start as a flashy shirt was held up against his body. The coordinator couldn’t help but laugh at his reaction. Jin-hyuk laughed along, but only Kim Jun-woo couldn’t laugh. This was because the net Jin-hyuk was weaving to handle his uncles was still unfolding without end.
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