The year 2008 in South Korea was truly a time of chaos. Hit head-on by the subprime mortgage crisis, the masses who had yet to recover were frenzied by stories of self-made heroes and yearned for the elegant lifestyles that lay at the end of such success.
At the center were celebrities, real estate, German luxury sedans, and wine was included in that category.
The manga *The Drops of God* was making a name for itself in bookstores, and the five great châteaux of Bordeaux, found in the basement floors of department stores, were occasionally a hot topic among those who could afford them.
The KSC episode [*The Age of Success — The Legend of Napa, Brian Choi*], aired during such times, was like a massive torch thrown into a market drenched in gasoline.
There had already been signs even before it aired. It became a sensation from the broadcast preview, capturing people's attention, and the main broadcast exceeded a 20% viewership rating, a mere entertainment documentary that triggered enormous ripple effects.
Immediately after airing, posts asking about the identities of the brilliantly glittering Silphid and Astra Veil seen on screen flooded the Yeouido KSC broadcasting station's homepage by the second.
"Where do they sell Brian Choi's wine from *The Age of Success*?"
"I couldn't sleep after watching yesterday's broadcast. A Korean-made wine beat Harlan?"
"Was that wine reporter Kim Su-jin drank and praised a Pinot Noir? I think she said the name was Silphid... but it's not at the department store?"
"A girlfriend with a 500-acre farm... Brian Choi must have saved the country in a past life."
South Korea's most influential wine community café also seethed with explosive reactions. Experts were appalled that a Korean had entered the closed-off cult wine market of Napa Valley, while ordinary people were simply unbearably curious about the taste of that legend.
The next morning, wine store managers at major department stores nationwide were so overwhelmed with phone inquiries and floods of customers that they barely had time for the restroom.
"Yes, this is the Shinsegae Gangnam wine store. Ah... Redwood? I'm sorry. We've been checking with importers since watching yesterday's broadcast, but no one has a formal import plan in place yet."
"Brian Choi's wine? I'm sorry. It's difficult to even take reservations because the stock itself isn't entering Korea."
Unlike before the regression, this was a time when the concept of overseas direct purchasing was not yet common. With neither smartphones nor proxy shipping services, imported wines that hadn't been officially brought in were treasures that couldn't be obtained even with money. Naturally, department store VIP customers began hounding their dedicated managers.
"Manager Park, how much did I drop on that Bordeaux set last time? And you're telling me you can't get me a single bottle of that Brian wine? Find a way. I heard it's already in Japan!"
This thirst naturally led to impatience among the nation's major distributors.
At the strategic conference room of the distribution headquarters of 'Segi Group,' located in Jung-gu, Seoul, executives had gathered since morning for an emergency meeting. On the table were stills from the footage recorded by reporter Kim Su-jin and personal information on Brian Choi.
"Yesterday's broadcast recorded a 20% viewership rating. It's an unprecedented record for a wine-related program."
At the report from the distribution head, Segi Group's veteran managing director adjusted his glasses and asked.
"So, has our import affiliate made contact?"
"Well... it seems other competitors have already reached out to Napa, but Redwood is only offering a formulaic response that 'Japanese distribution rights are under discussion with Enoteca, and the Korean market is still under careful review.'"
The managing director furrowed his brow deeply, visibly annoyed.
"So what are we supposed to do? Just sit there with our hands clasped and heads bowed, waiting for that young punk Choi Woo-seok or Brian or whatever to make his decision?"
Knowing all too well how they would appear in the managing director's eyes the moment they said yes, no one dared to open their mouth. Since no one was ignorant of what the managing director wanted, Manager Kim I-hyeon cautiously spoke up.
"I'll go to Napa and push for imports. If Japan made it possible, I don't think Korea is impossible."
"Go bring it back. And do you know what's more important?"
Manager Kim I-hyeon was no fool.
"To be the first. The only one to bring it to Korea."
"Exactly. If every Tom, Dick, and Harry brings it in, we're just another common mart in Korea. The kind that sells snacks, instant noodles, and beverages. But if we bring it in exclusively, we become a luxury department store. A space for the wealthy where you have to go there to buy it. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yes!"
The managing director's advice carried an extremely ominous meaning. If he brought the wine in exclusively, he qualified as an employee of a major corporation; if not, he was no better than a common mart employee.
---
At that same time, at the Enoteca headquarters office in Tokyo's Ginza district.
Woody Choi was checking the list of dozens of missed calls from Korea. Segi Group, Mirae Distribution, and so on...
Having fled Korea long ago, Woody felt indescribable emotions at seeing those once-renowned and overbearing corporations now attaching 'Chairman' and 'President' to his name and leaving earnest messages.
Perhaps that was why his voice, when calling his son, was brimming with pride.
"Useok, it's absolute chaos in Korea. Some places are even saying they'll send first-class plane tickets—just come in person."
"Dad, there's no need to rush. We have absolutely nothing to be desperate about."
"Yeah, of course. Chairman Hirose is also making a fuss asking for a lot of Astra Veil."
"I have no intention of giving Japan more than three hundred cases."
Woody understood perfectly. The expected shipment volume for Astra Veil this year was around three thousand cases, and allocating more than 10% to Japan could make things awkward with Christopher.
"Yeah, but what was it... the World Korean Business Convention organizing committee? They contacted me. Asking if you'd be able to attend."
"What does that organization do?"
"I don't know. So I asked them to send the details. They said it's a national event?"
"Hmm..."
"Goodness, my son is so capable that his dad is getting invitations from national organizing committees. Can you believe it?"
"So are things settled in Japan?"
"Yes. I confirmed they're hiring staff and revenue is stable, so I'm thinking of heading to Napa for a bit. Seems like I'll have to keep going back and forth for a while."
"Understood."
"I love you, son~"
"Me too."
After hanging up, Woody reviewed documents with a satisfied smile. Having not left his homeland because he hated it, Woody felt an inexplicable lump in his throat and unknowingly wiped the corners of his eyes.
---
Kim I-hyeon, manager of Segi Group's distribution headquarters, stepped on the accelerator of his rental car the moment he arrived at San Francisco International Airport. Adjusting to jet lag was a luxury. After reporter Kim Su-jin's broadcast aired, the Korean distribution industry had become an all-out battlefield.
Honestly, selling wine didn't contribute much to department store sales. However, exclusively carrying that wine offered enormous merit in attracting wealthy customers. Therefore, securing the power to monopolize the wealthy customer base depended on who first grasped Brian Choi's hand.
*I'm number one. No one else would have flown to Napa at this hour.*
Manager Kim parked his car at the entrance of Redwood Winery with grim determination. But the moment he opened the door and stepped out, an unbelievable sight greeted his eyes. A black sedan was already parked there, and beside it stood a familiar face.
"Oh? Isn't this Manager Kim from Segi Group? You must have worked hard coming all the way here."
The man approaching with a sly smile was Jeong Han-min, director of Mirae Distribution. Manager Kim felt the back of his neck stiffen in an instant.
"...I came thinking I was fast enough, but apparently not fast enough? What brings Director Jeong here?"
"What do you mean? I heard the Napa air was good, so I came for a stroll."
"Indeed. The air is better than I heard."
Director Jeong was adjusting his tie leisurely, as if he had already finished his meeting. Mirae Distribution had been a bitter rival of Segi Group for decades, battling over the entire distribution network. Director Jeong clicked his tongue and added.
"Ah, but I just had a quick taste of a wine called Aeshelon. Wow... it's definitely different. I heard it won some Double Gold or something, but it's somehow different from all the wines I've had until now. So desirable. And Brian has such a great personality. I suppose there's a reason such a young friend is successful, right?"
This was both a warning shot and a strike. It subtly signaled that negotiations had progressed that far while simultaneously flaunting their close ties.
Preemptive advantage holds very important meaning in sales. It's only natural to give more to the person who came first asking for help.
"Then please enjoy the Napa scenery more and head back first. I'll take my time enjoying it now."
"Do that. It's nice meeting a fellow Korean abroad."
It wasn't meeting a Korean that put him in a good mood, but the mere fact that he had arrived before his rival company. And if he was that confident, Mirae Distribution must have offered truly groundbreaking terms. Perhaps they had offered fee exemptions and even electronic billboard ads across Seoul?
Watching Director Jeong Han-min walk away, he slowly made his way up to the winery.
---
"This is Kim I-hyeon of Segi Group."
Inside the office, I was glancing over the numerous proposals stacked on the desk, while Chloe beside me observed the buyer from Korea with eyes full of curiosity. I checked the business card Manager Kim held out and opened my mouth casually.
"The power of broadcast seems considerable. Just earlier, someone came from Mirae Distribution, another major corporation."
"Yes, I ran into him on the way. I expect he must have made a groundbreaking proposal."
"..."
"If the contents are similar, you'd allocate stock to Mirae Distribution, who came first, wouldn't you?"
I gave a wry smile.
"Well, I'd like to just divide it fairly and give it out..."
"Mirae Distribution probably wouldn't accept that. Neither would we. It's all or nothing, as they say. If you give us half each, it's practically the same as not getting it. Of course, that doesn't mean we'd hold any grievance against Redwood Winery or you, President. We'd be grateful just to receive an allocation. It's just... that's the situation."
"So?"
"I don't know what Mirae Distribution proposed, but we'll try to propose something a little different."
He took documents from the black bag he brought and held them out.
"Director Jeong of Mirae Distribution probably promised the nation's largest distribution network and full-scale marketing support. However, from what I found out, the reason Seracia wine was able to enter Japan is rather unique."
I was secretly impressed.
"Is that so?"
"That's why I could be certain. Redwood has a very deep connection with your girlfriend's cherry farm next door. So here's my proposal. I request direct air shipment of cherries from Ms. Chloe's farm, the same as with Japan. We can take the same quantity as Japan. Additionally... a very interesting situation came up in the broadcast. The reporter fainting after drinking brandy..."
"Yes, it was quite a fun situation."
"We'd like to import that brandy as well."
"Even Ruby Quartz?"
"Yes."
"But Ruby Quartz is quite expensive?"
"All the more appealing because it's expensive. The pricier, the better for us."
He probably didn't know that Ruby Quartz wasn't produced at Redwood, but the proposal was certainly very interesting.
Ruby Quartz wasn't scarce due to factory production capacity, but supply was being controlled for price defense. Jacob's expanded Golden Grain Soju House had become a fairly large distillery by now.
If it sold in countries other than the United States, it would generate enormous additional revenue, so this could become quite a big business.
"Then shall I hear the detailed proposal?"
Sensing my interest, Manager Kim I-hyeon took more documents from his bag.
"You'll definitely like it."