Chapter 24: The Secret of the Chaebol Family

There are many secrets in a chaebol family.

That’s not what I meant.

His brow remained furrowed.

I’m quite smart for my age.

You’re beyond that. How can you know these things at your age?

Oh Se-hyun said, waving the notebook I gave him.

Now it’s time to tell him the scenario I prepared.

Around three years ago I realized something for the first time—our family is completely ignored.

I made sure to keep a hint of sadness on my face as I spoke.

The reason our family is ignored is because of money.

Do-jun that’s a misunderstanding. No one ignores your family.

Is he saying that because he doesn’t know? Or is he trying to comfort me? He said he was close to my father so it’s probably the latter. I ignored his words and continued.

But among the families of my uncles I saw them being wary and jealous of each other.

You’re very perceptive.

Yes. They want to have more of Grandfather’s company.

So do you want to inherit it too?

No. I told you already, I want to have a bigger company than Grandfather’s.

That doesn’t seem to be the answer in this notebook.

Oh Se-hyun frowned again and shook the notebook.

No one would believe a 12-year-old made this. Even if we put the content aside, how did you know about this? Establishing an investment company in the US and then investing back in Korea? Not even Seoul National University business students would think of this.

I need to answer well now, though it will be far-fetched regardless.

Seoul National University students aren’t the grandsons of a big company’s chairman. And they don’t have as big of a dream as I do.

What?

For the past three years I went to Grandfather’s house every week. During vacations, I stuck by his side. I tried to understand everything he said. You might not know this but I’m very smart. I never get a single question wrong on school tests.

This guy’s eyes grew bigger. I thought I should cut it here.

The more I talk, the more questions he’ll have.

Uncle. Can we stop talking about this?

Ri—right. Let me ask you just one more thing.

Yes.

Why are you trying to move money abroad?

Grandfather keeps a lot of money abroad. He said it’s the best way to hide it. And I need to hide that I’m making money. There are many people who would be jealous.

Your uncles?

Yes. They’re probably already jealous that Grandfather favors me.

So when you make money you want to send it all to a company in the US to hide it.

Yes.

Now it’s time to throw a bait that will erase Oh Se-hyun’s curiosity.

I’m always by Grandfather’s side. And he talks about very important things even when I’m around. If I just do as he does, making money should be easy.

Now nothing surprises him. His eyes even gleamed.

No matter what anyone says, Oh Se-hyun is also a frontline warrior of capitalism.

How could he not be tempted when he found a way to learn about the secret investments or investment plans of Soonyang Group’s chairman in advance?

But that anticipation will soon turn into disappointment.

This isn’t about making a few pennies. The returns based on Chairman Jin’s words would be minimal.

Of course, for someone like Oh Se-hyun, it would still be a huge return.

If I were satisfied with doubling or tripling my money, there would be no need to go through the trouble of setting up a company in the US.

It’s only fitting to earn tens or hundreds of times more, especially for someone like me who knows the future.

Oh Se-hyun picked up the investment management report he had put down.

I guess this is useless. The investment plans of Soonyang Group’s chairman would be worth much more than this.

After taking the documents, Oh Se-hyun sat comfortably in front of me.

He had the posture of a professional.

We can set up an investment company in the US by the end of the year. Do-jun’s money will go from our company to the US headquarters and then into that investment company’s account.

You can take care of that.

I waved my hand as I spoke but Oh Se-hyun’s explanation didn’t stop.

You’ll own 100% of the investment company’s shares and the funds will stay in the US until you want them. Of course the operating expenses of that company will be covered by your money.

He’s adhering to the basics of an asset manager, fulfilling the duty to explain everything to the client without hiding anything.

You need to make money quickly so there’s a return on investment. Otherwise, you’ll just lose money. Heh heh.

There’s one more thing I need to ask you.

More? How much will you surprise me this time? Ha ha.

He will be surprised but it will be a different feeling.

I calmly explained what I had been thinking about.

* * *

When Jin Yun-ki saw Oh Se-hyun coming down from upstairs shaking his head, he quickly pulled him aside.

What? What’s wrong?

You really have an amazing son. I’m envious.

What are you talking about?

Sit down first.

Oh Se-hyun threw his bag aside and flopped down on the living room sofa. He took out a cigarette, took a long drag, and remained silent. Jin Yun-ki couldn’t hide his impatience.

Are you going to tell me or just smoke?

I’m going to manage Do-jun’s money like I said earlier. But he only wants to invest 10 billion.

Oh Se-hyun didn’t go into detail about the investment plan nor did he tell the truth. It’s not because of the confidentiality agreement. Son and father have completely opposite personalities. He was worried that the more he knew, the more conflicts would arise.

10 billion? Isn’t it 14 billion in total? Then what about the 4 billion?

He wants to create a movie production company. And the number one candidate for CEO is you.

Oh Se-hyun emphasized the word ‘candidate’ and watched Jin Do-jun’s expression.

He must have looked like this too.

That face, frozen in shock with his mouth agape.

It’s quite fun to shock someone and watch their reaction.

Currently, the average production cost for a Korean movie is only 150 million won. Even the acclaimed director Im Kwon-taek’s movie ‘Son of a General’ which is currently in production, despite having a huge budget, doesn’t exceed 600 million won. With 4 billion won, at least 10 movies can be made.

And that’s without receiving a single penny of outside investment.

He has a lot of thoughts. He said if he just gave the money to his father, you would obviously refuse, so he asked me to create a movie company no matter what. He said then you would have no choice but to take over the company, even if it’s against your will.

He can’t hide his complicated feelings.

His bruised pride, his son’s deep thoughtfulness, the chance to pursue his dream, his father Chairman Jin’s gaze.

Jin Yun-ki still couldn’t open his mouth.

I hope you’ll just do it without thinking too much about it. It’s a chance your young son gave you. Make the most of it. You’re still young.

Oh Se-hyun tapped Jin Yun-ki’s shoulder and left but Jin Yun-ki sat there as if he were nailed to the spot.

* * *

My father, with a slightly flushed face, carefully opened my door and came in.

Are you studying?

Oh, yes.

He can’t bring himself to speak easily but judging from his expression, he seems determined to take over the movie company.

I thought it would be better for me to speak first to dispel the awkwardness and embarrassment at the same time.

Father. I want our whole family to be happy. Mother said so too and you agreed. That being happy is doing what you want to do.

It was a sudden remark but he should know what I mean. My father’s face turned even redder.

Isn’t it funny? A father should be protecting his son’s happiness…

I just gave you a gift, Father. You’ll continue to protect me in the future. Nothing has changed and it’s not strange.

What if I make a movie and lose everything?

Then you’ll be an idle person again.

Seeing me smile as I spoke, Father also showed a comfortable smile.

4 billion is a lot of money. There might come a time when you need it for your dream of becoming richer than your grandfather. Many companies go bankrupt because they lack 400 million or even 40 million won.

You can just make it 40 billion by making a good movie, Father.

Sigh, you can lose it all. That 4 billion, I don’t need it. Don’t worry and go for it, is what I wanted to say but I held it in.

I didn’t know it would be this hard to make one pure adult’s dream come true.

But as I felt my father’s heart as he hugged me tightly, my eyes started to get red for some reason.

* * *

What? A full withdrawal?

– Yes, Chief of staff. I was also surprised by the sudden request.

The bank branch manager’s voice was crawling. He only did what the client asked but because that client was such an important person, he felt like he had done something wrong.

When was it withdrawn?

– Just a while ago, the entire amount was transferred.

Where to?

– To an asset management company called PowerShares. You know it, right?

Of course I know it. Anyone who dabbles in finance knows that name.

Did Do-jun come alone? Or with his father?

– No. Only someone from PowerShares came. They had all the necessary documents including the parental consent form…

Alright. Contact me immediately if anything new comes up.

– Yes, Chief of staff.

After putting down the receiver, Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae urgently called in a few employees.

Find out who among PowerShares’ employees is connected to Jin Yun-ki. No, find everyone connected to the Chairman’s family.

He never expected this.

Do-jun is just a kid and his father is a good-natured man with no greed for money.

He thought the money would sleep in the bank until Do-jun became an adult but it was withdrawn in less than a month.

It would be a big problem if he was scammed.

After spending almost a day in nervous anticipation, Lee Hak-jae let out a long sigh of relief after seeing the report from his employees.

At least it seems he wasn’t scammed.

But this matter can’t be buried as is.

Lee Hak-jae took the documents and hurried to Chairman Jin’s study.