Story of a Big Player from Gangnam

BM Entertainment's President Hyeon-Man Yee continued, "People like President Goo are ideal businessmen. Look at the way he talks."

"What way does he talk?"

"First of all, he doesn't talk much, and he doesn't imply much either when he responds to the other person's saying. He always says 'Really?' 'I see,' 'Hmm.,' 'Is that so?' While saying it, his brain is fully operating. He is a clever and cunning man."

"Haha. It does sound like him."

"You will see. He now runs a few small and mid-size companies, but he will grow whatever soon."

"Well, he still can't be compared to you, sir."

"Me? A person like me is an easy prey for him."

"Really?"

"I met someone the other day, and heard a rumor saying that Gun-Ho Goo is a big player in Gangnam District. That cunning man probably saved somewhere a significant amount of cash."

"If that is true, Director Sim is a lucky man who met the right person."

"Of course. He is d*mn lucky to start working for that guy."

"It's good for us too, sir. At least, we have now someone in Shanghai who can show us around whenever we visit the city."

"Director Sim owed us some money too, right?"

"Yes, about 30 million won."

"Well, that's not much, but he will still be nice with us because of it. If he contacts us in finding actors or actresses, be cooperative with him, and find one for him after considering their scenario."

"Yes, sir."

Gun-Ho was having a cup of tea sitting on the sofa in his office.

He was thinking, 'Will that Chinese TV drama— Shiguang Ru Meng— succeed? I did what I could do about it, didn't I? I placed Director Sim there, who is an expert in the field. He will take care of it. It's not like I'm the one who is producing that drama. I don't even watch a TV drama.

The president of Samsung doesn't know how to make a cell phone, and Hyundai's president doesn't know how to build a vehicle. They just need to have someone who makes a nice cell phone and a great vehicle. An investor doesn't have to know everything. What it takes to be a good investor is judgment and insight. I shouldn't make any mistake in making a decision. That's my part of work.'

When he was lost in thought, he received a call from Jae-Sim Moon in Antang City, China.

"President Goo, is it a good time to talk?"

"Yeah."

"I met with the branch manager of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in Antang City."

"Oh, that Xiaodong Liu person, right?"

"Yeah. That branch is not our joint venture's major bank though, but it was located in a different area from the one where I am. Anyway, when I got there, he was expecting me, and he was very kind."

"Did he say he would give you a loan?"

"Yeah. He said 60% is possible, but suggested that I take 40%. He said that I would feel more comfortable with 40% given the amount of monthly interest payment. And, he said I can take out a loan for all of the five condos."

"Hmm, really?"

"When he looked at my business card, he seemed to be surprised."

"Why?"

"He said that he didn't know that a Korean company was participating in building the terminal in Antang City. He said that it's his first time working with a Korean businessman."

"Hmm, really?"

"And, when I told him that I signed the purchase contract for five condos in Huaxi Huayuan, he looked surprised again. So, I quickly told him that the condos are intended to be used by our employees from Korea. Then he asked if I'm buying the condos under the company's name."

"Did you tell him that you, as an individual, are buying them?"

"Yeah. I told him that I didn't want to complicate the purchase by going through the negotiation with my Chinese partner since it is a joint venture, so that I decided to acquire them personally. He said 'You are a rich man, Mr. President Moon.' Well, he has no idea that there is a real owner of those real properties, hahaha. When I told him to have a drink sometimes, he looked excited. He gave me his business card and said that if there is a good business, he wants to do it with me."

"Really?"

"As I received his business card, I asked him if he was the descendant of Liu Bei in Romance of the Three Kingdoms since he has the same last name. He then looked astonished and asked me if I know about the novel."

"Haha, really?"

"He also gave me a brief history lesson about the area. He said that this Guizhou Province was once a part of Shu Han."

"Since you are very knowledgeable about Chinese history and their culture, you will have a lot to talk about with Chinese people. That's very nice."

"Thank you. Well, so, are we getting 40% or 60% of the loan?"

"40% sounds good. The condo in Huaxi Huayuan costs 160 million Korean won per unit, and we are getting five of them, so, it's going to be 800 million won in total."

"That's correct."

"If we take out a 40% loan, the loan amount would be 320 million won, and I will have to come up with the rest of the price— 480 million won in cash."

"You sent 100 million won already when we signed the purchase contract, so you just need to send 320 million won this time."

"In case they ask for Zhuce Shui (a real estate acquisition tax), I will send you 400 million won. Just send me later the itemized statement of all the expenses related to the transaction."

"Okay, I will do that."

"It's too late for me to go to the bank today. I will send the 400 million won on Monday."

"Sounds good. And, I'm going to the airport this evening."

"Oh, that's right. You are coming to Korea today."

"Today is Friday, so I'm leaving for Korea this evening, and coming back to China with my wife on Sunday."

"You will be busy visiting your parents in Incheon City and your parents-in-law in Bucheon City."

"It would really be happening, and I'm afraid that I don't have enough time to see you. I'm sorry."

"Don't say that. Have a safe trip."

Young-Eun came home at TowerPalace that evening since it was Friday. She was carrying a grocery bag when she entered the condo as usual.

"You stopped by the market again? You should have asked me to do it. You shouldn't carry heavy stuff."

"It's okay."

"With gaining a little bit of weight, you look affluent like a rich lady with a comfortable life."

"I'm so tired. Don't make a joke about my body."

"I'm sorry. You do look tired. Come and have a seat here."

"I feel a slight discomfort in my stomach. I don't digest food well these days. And my back hurts."

"Really? Do you want me to place an order for our dinner?"

"No, it's okay. I want to have tofu with kimchi, and a bowl of chilled cucumber soup. I bought the ingredients. Can you cook rice? I will take care of other dishes."

"Okay. Go wash; I will start cooking."

Gun-Ho thought that the happiest moment of his life these days was when he sat at the dining table with Young-Eun.

"This chilled cucumber soup is really tasty. You did a good job."

Young-Eun smiled feeling good when her husband gave a compliment about her food.

"You remember my friend— Jae-Sik Moon, right? He had his wedding in Bucheon City."

"Of course. I went to his wedding with you. I think it's about time for his wife to give birth, isn't it?"

"Not yet, but she is already eight months pregnant. And she is moving to China this Sunday to join her husband there."

"She's going to give birth in China then, huh?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"China has good medical services. I don't know about their medical facility though."

"There is a good hospital targeting foreigners as their primary customers in the area where she is moving to. It was built as a collaboration work with a Hong Kong company. I went there once to take a look at it. That hospital looks really great."

"Really? Good for her."

"There are not many Koreans living in the area. I guess they will have to rely on each other, and as a result, they will get closer to each other too."

"Maybe, since they will be the closest person for each other when they are overseas."

"As a matter of fact, I work with a lot of people since I run companies, but the only person who I can rely on is you, Young-Eun."

Young-Eun lifted her head and looked at Gun-Ho's face, and then she smiled.