Episode 11: The Value of a Single Business Card
It was a single business card.
It wasn't even gold-foiled—just a very simple card with a name and a phone number on a white background.
But no matter how simple a business card may be, if the name written on it is 'I Yongjae,' it ceases to be a mere business card. It is a cheat key that allows one to contact I Yongjae, the heir of the Saseong Group, no less.
"Professor? What on earth is this?"
Professor Gim Minjae smirked, as if amused by my startled expression.
"Did you know that Yongjae and I are alumni of Gyeongbong High School and Harvard Business School? The truth is, I was a bit of an oddball during my school days, but somehow I ended up getting close to Yongjae. Of course, Seho, you're a third-generation chaebol too, but the image people usually have of third-generation chaebols is extravagant, arrogant, impatient, contemptuous—well, roughly like that, right?"
"Yes, that's generally what I know them to be."
"From what I've seen, you're quite different from those kinds of third-generation chaebols, Seho. Haha, Yongjae was the same. He was very different from the typical image of a third-generation chaebol. Actually, Yongjae is the real deal when it comes to chaebol heirs, you know. He was such a model student that he never caused trouble for others and never got scolded by anyone. Otherwise, how could he have become friends with someone like me? Anyway, what I'm trying to say is... Yongjae and I are quite close. That's why I briefly went to Saseong... If Yongjae hadn't asked, I probably wouldn't have joined in the first place."
"Then, the reason you left Saseong?"
"Well, after working there for about two years, I felt I'd had enough corporate experience, and there were various reasons. But that's not important. That business card was given to me by Yongjae when I left Saseong. Of course, he didn't give it to me because I didn't know his number; it was his way of asking me to introduce truly remarkable talent to him when I find it. The original meaning was probably to introduce someone worthy of becoming his close associate... I haven't found a suitable person until now, but someone of your caliber, Seho, might not become his close associate, yet you could at least become a good younger brother who offers helpful advice, right? Actually, I do have a slight—very slight—worry that Saseong might get overtaken by Hanguk Jeonseon later, haha."
I had no connection to Executive Director I Yongjae, the heir of Saseong.
For one thing, there was a thirteen-year age gap, so we could have no school ties, and since I was on the younger side even among third-generation chaebols, there was no chance of meeting at social gatherings either.
Yet, to think that a connection with Executive Director I Yongjae would arise so unexpectedly...
Could I truly get along with that Yongjae as elder brother and younger brother? If that were to happen, he would become a tremendous source of strength for me. Even though my goal is to surpass the Saseong Group!
"Thank you so much, Professor. I have received a truly unexpected gift."
"A gift? Whether this meeting becomes a gift for you, Seho, or a gift for Yongjae, nobody knows right now. Your insight, far beyond your age, was truly astounding. Anyone watching would think you were living your second life, haha."
I flinched in surprise at the words 'living your second life.' As expected, this professor is incredibly sharp.
"I'll let Yongjae know, so don't feel pressured at all and contact him at your leisure when it's convenient. I mean, no matter that Yongjae is the Saseong heir, you're both third-generation chaebol, and Yongjae is still just a mere executive director, while you, Seho, are the owner who holds the controlling stake in Hanguk Jeonseon, right? What do you have to feel intimidated about?"
Professor Gim Minjae laughed heartily and told me to be on my way. I bowed deeply, gave him a sincere farewell, and left the professor's office.
I had gained tremendously from this visit. It was the second day of my regression. Good things had been happening continuously since yesterday. May this good fortune continue going forward...
* * *
After Im Seho left the room beaming, Professor Gim Minjae sank deep into his chair, lost in thought.
'Hanguk Jeonseon... From what I observed, it was a stagnant industry with no new vision, and I thought it would disappear into history after rushing recklessly into construction, trusting only in the enormous cash it had accumulated, and taking a massive hit... But an utterly unexpected talent has suddenly emerged. Im Seho... Despite being only twenty-three years old, he possesses truly astounding insight. Honestly, I was distressed thinking Hanguk Jeonseon would collapse just like this, but if Im Seho steps to the forefront, it won't merely avoid collapse; on the contrary, it seems poised to grow frighteningly. However, will the current CEO really step down meekly when pushed by the young Chairman?'
Professor Gim Minjae's father had originally worked at Hanguk Jeonseon. In his childhood, while going to pick up his father at the factory, he had once by chance met Chairman Im Il-u, who was the chairman at the time, and received pocket money. Professor Gim Minjae still remembered the late Chairman who used to pat his head and tell him to listen to his father and study hard.
His father had transferred to Uju Group when the home appliance division was sold in 1983, and not long after, he lost his life there in an industrial accident. It happened when Professor Gim Minjae was fifteen years old.
And at that young age, he witnessed it.
The executives of Uju Group, who, simply because they did not want to pay compensation, pushed the blame for the accident onto his father through all manner of slander and manipulation.
And as a result, there was no compensation.
It was so unjust it could drive one mad, but young Gim Minjae and his mother, an ordinary housewife, had no power. And that was an era when lacking power was a sin.
Without a father, Gim Minjae and his mother suffered terribly in poverty, but meeting Yongjae in high school changed his life.
A poor, struggling student who overwhelmingly ranked first in the entire school, and the son of the nation's top chaebol, second to none.
A combination that should never have worked, yet they became friends by acknowledging each other's differences.
Captivated by Gim Minjae's brilliance, which overwhelmed his peers, Yongjae persuaded his father to recommend Gim Minjae for the Saseong scholarship. Thanks to that, after graduating high school and attending Harvard University, Gim Minjae was able to earn a Ph.D. in business administration from Harvard without issue.
However, after being specially recruited into the Corporate Restructuring Division of Saseong Group, he faced tremendous opposition.
Young age, a brilliant mind, insight surpassing all others, a deep friendship with the group heir, and a personality that could not tolerate injustice.
The rise of a new dark horse threatening their positions was more than enough to make the numerous executives who controlled Saseong Group nervous.
He could have endured if he tried, and he had confidence he would eventually prevail, but seeing Yongjae unable to find his bearings and being swayed between Gim Minjae and the executives, he changed his mind.
If this situation dragged on, it could potentially blemish Yongjae's leadership while he was still young.
For his friend's sake, Gim Minjae left Saseong without a second thought.
Because he had made enormous sums from stocks and futures options during the IMF period and the 9/11 terror attacks, he had no lingering attachment to Saseong's high salary. In fact, to him, making money was merely an easy intellectual pastime.
'The Saseong Group has already become a massive empire that controls Korea. Yongjae, who has lived crushed by the burden of being its heir for so long, and Im Seho, who became the owner of Hanguk Jeonseon at the young age of twenty-three... Will they truly be able to develop while giving good influence to each other? Yongjae has his burdens, but Im Seho is trying to go down a path far too different from CEO I Seongho's, so his suffering won't be ordinary either.'
Having finished his thoughts, Professor Gim Minjae finally took out his phone and made a call.
[Oh, Minjae! What wind blew for you to contact me first?]
"That business card you gave me has finally found its owner."
[What? Really? Who? How did you find them?]
"Sorry, but I couldn't find you an employee. Instead, he seems like he could become a capable, good younger brother."
[What kind of nonsense is that? Who on earth are you talking about?]
"The new owner of Hanguk Jeonseon, Im Seho. If my prediction is right, in twenty years, Hanguk Jeonseon will surpass Mirae, NG, and ST Group and become a rival to your Saseong."
[The new owner of Hanguk Jeonseon? The eldest son of the late Chairman Im Il-u? I could've sworn I heard he was still a college student...]
"You're right, he's still a college student. He's taking my class."
[Are you telling me that a college student taking your class is someone recognized by the great Gim Minjae as my partner? The recognition that even Saseong's so-called elites couldn't receive? Is there something wrong with my ears? Wow... I really can't believe it.]
"I think the two of you will get along well. You're both like fools, and you're both burdened with heavy weights on your shoulders. He'll contact you soon, so meet him once. Don't get anxious if the contact is delayed. You have your pride as Saseong's crown prince, I Yongjae."
[Hmph... Since you're going that far, I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks. I'll be waiting excitedly until he contacts me. Let's have a drink next time.]
Professor Gim Minjae was truly looking forward to the future. How far would they be able to go?
* * *
The six professors I visited after Professor Gim Minjae were, fortunately, all cool enough to agree to give me a D grade without failing me, provided I only submitted a final exam alternative report without attending classes or sitting for exams.
[Hehe, don't worry, Seho. A student must fulfill their duty as a student, and an entrepreneur must fulfill their duty as an entrepreneur. You're still a student, but at the same time, you are the owner of Hanguk Jeonseon. Hanguk Jeonseon isn't some small corner store; to become the new captain of such a large company, there is much to learn, is there not? I understand completely.]
Along with these words...
Now, it is goodbye to school.
Since I plan to handle the fall semester this year and the spring semester next year in the same way after course registration, there will be no attending lectures at school, nor hanging out with friends.
I did not do this before my regression. Because I had complete faith in I Seongho, I attended school diligently until the spring semester of 2005.
That's right! I must not regret it!
Don't I already have the spring semester of 2004, the fall semester, and the spring semester of 2005 all in my head?
Those memories no longer remain in my friends' minds; only in mine. But even so, they have not disappeared.
And this was the achievement I gained because I resolved to give up lectures, unlike before the regression!
When I put my hand into my jacket's inner pocket, I feel the texture of the business card.
The political and business connections I had been unable to inherit from my father!
The very same connections I thought would require tremendous time and effort to build anew without my father!
As I fiddled with the business card that could, depending on my actions, make building connections far smoother than I had feared, a corner of my heart grew firm.
That's right! Since I've come to school anyway, I should meet some friends before I go.
Come to think of it, there are things I need to tell them in advance... I'll have to move after graduating, but I should prepare ahead of time.
I took out my phone and sent a text to my stock club friends.
[5 PM at Minto!]
It certainly is inconvenient without CoconutTalk. With CocoTalk, you just leave a message in the group chat.
I'll have to create CoconutTalk first. Since the service concept is in my head, I should start looking for the founding members of Coconut and other skilled people.
The reply came immediately after I sent the text to my friends.
[We're already gathered and eating cup ramyeon. Get over here.]
Aha, so they've already gathered without me?