Story of a Big Player from Gangnam

The internal auditor asked the sales director to have a tea together after lunch. The sales director seemed to have a lot of questions he wanted to ask the internal auditor.

“I heard our company purchased a factory in Jiksan Town. It must be a really large factory; I heard it is 5,000 pyung large. Are we moving to the new location?”

“I am not so sure, but I think that’s the president’s plan.”

“What about the factory here then?”

“I guess we will have to sell it.”

“We will sell the second factory where the research facility is located as well?”

“That factory is on the market for sale already.”

“So the new factory in Jiksan Town has a research center inside the factory building?”

“No, there is no research center there.”

“Then what are we going to do with the research center?”

“Do you think we absolutely need a research center?”

“Of course. Our company is a manufacturing company. We need a research center to enhance our products and analyze the specific requirements of our customers.”

“There are 30 workers working at the research center right now. Do you have any record to show that the research center has done something so beneficial to the company so we need to keep it?”

“Well… not really…”

“The research center workers are too old. You are also aware of the fact that they haven’t really done anything for the past three years and they have been paid for nothing.”

“But you have to consider the company’s image. Having a research center and no research center makes a big difference when we represent our company to a potential customer.”

“The company is currently spending several hundreds of millions of won to pay those 30 workers every month.”

“That’s a lot of money.”

“The president will make a final decision on whether to keep the research center or not, but I have nothing to justify keeping the research center.”

“Do you think the president is leaning towards getting rid of the research center?”

The internal auditor gave a big nod in responding to the sales director’s question.

“It is very possible. If you were the president, wouldn’t you make the same decision?”

“Hmm.”

The sales director ran to the research center as soon as he parted from the internal auditor.

The chief officer of the research center was taking a nap after his lunch.

“Bro.”

“Oh, hey.”

“You can’t just take a nap here right now. Haven’t you heard about moving to the factory? If they do, we are not sure whether this research center would move along with them or not.”

“Why? Did you hear something?”

“They are talking about the research center’s performance. They say the center hasn’t really done anything recently. Also, there is no research center building in the new location.”

“Hmmm.”

“And the monthly salary for the 30 workers in the research center currently cost the company several hundreds of millions of won.”

“Hmm.”

“They talk about what to do with the research center and you are taking a nap here. What are you going to do?”

“I guess I have worked in the field long enough so I can maybe retire soon. However, I am worried about other workers.”

“You should have worked harder and produced some new products or ideas and get them patented or something. You have been focusing too much on the position title like a senior researcher or managing researcher or whatever. That’s all useless things.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

Once the sales director started talking about the factory’s moving, everyone in the company became aware of the news by two days later. They heard about the possibility of getting rid of the research center as well. The workers in the research center started worrying about their job.

Gun-Ho didn’t pay attention to the things the workers talked about in the factory, and he flew to Japan. He wanted to meet with the Korean restaurant owner in Akasaka—Ji-Yeon Choi.

Ji-Yeon Choi greeted Gun-Ho with a big smile.

“You look good, President Goo.”

“Thank you.”

“I guess Mori Aikko is giving you good energy.”

“You think so? Haha.”

“Let’s go to Daikanyama in Shibuya. Mama-san Segawa Joonkko will be there to meet with us.”

“I haven’t brought any down payment and I also have to consider the foreign exchange law. It’s not like I’m investing in business here or anything like that.”

“Hahaha. Don’t worry about it. I have an idea.”

“What do you suggest?”

“I have some money that I have saved up in my whole life. It’s around 100 Yen (about 1 billion won). It’s about the price of a condo in Daikanyama.”

“Are you saying you can lend me the money?”

“Hahaha. I don’t even lend my money to my family.”

“Then, what are you saying?”

“I want to spend the rest of my life in Korea after I retire. As I am aging, I miss my country a lot.”

“Hmm.”

“So, we can do this. I buy a condo with my money for Mori Aikko, and you, President Goo transfer the corresponding money to my bank account in Korea in Korean Won, not in Japanese Yen.”

“Hmm, I see what you mean.”

“You will have to pay me the currency exchange fee though.”

“Haha, sure, I will pay you.”

“Since the amount of money to exchange is substantial, the fee must be a lot.”

“Haha. Don’t worry about it.”

Gun-Ho went to Daikanyama, Shibuya with the restaurant owner—Ji-Yeon Choi to see a condo for Mori Aikko. The condo complex that Mama-san picked was smaller than the ones in Korea but larger than a townhouse complex in Korea. It was a newly constructed condo; it was clean and luxurious. The surrounding area was cozy like many Japanese towns were.

“I like it. The area seems to be clean and safe too.”

“Mama-san Segawa Joonkko picked the condo. She has really good eyes.”

Gun-Ho entered the condo. It was large and clean. A lot of natural light coming through the window and it made the condo look bright. It had a nice view from the living room as well. It was a vacant space without furniture, and maybe that made the condo look even larger.

“Oh, it is too big for one person living.”

Ji-Yeon Choi seemed to be impressed.

“Oh, did Mori Aikko already see the condo?”

“Not just once, but she already came here twice to see the condo. I heard she was so happy that she jumped around in excitement.”

“Really?”

“Think about it. It is really hard to buy an expensive condo like this one even for a geisha who is so popular and even assuming she would save up all of her earnings in her entire life. It’s like a condo in Gangnam. Most people in Korea can’t buy a condo there even though they work so hard.”

Ji-Yeon Choi’s phone started ringing.

“It’s Mama-san. She is coming up with a real estate agency staff.”

“Umm, I didn’t bring my down payment.”

“You have it here.”

Ji-Yeon Choi was waving her high-end designer handbag that was worth 10 million won.

The agency staff and Mama-san entered the condo.

Gun-Ho almost said Mama-san to call Sagawa Joonkko, then he stopped—because it was really not appropriate to call her Mama-san outside the bar.

“It has been a long time.”

“Good to see you.”

Mama-san extended her hand to Gun-Ho for a handshake.

“We will make a sales contract with Mori Aikko’s name today. I have a power of attorney ready for the transaction with her photo ID.”

Mama-san waved the power of attorney.

The real estate agency staff seemed to be impressed by the beauty of Ji-Yeon Choi and Mama-san, and he said,

“I think I am with the most beautiful two clients here today. The gentleman here seemed to be a very important person as well.”

Gun-Ho looked at Mama-san and Ji-Yeon Choi.

They both were wearing an expensive coat and carrying a fancy designer handbag. They both looked gorgeous and looked like noblewomen.

“You are right. They are so beautiful.”

“Stop it, President Goo.”

The two women laughed while covering their mouths.

They all headed to the real estate sales office and made a contract there.

The condo was purchased under Mori Aikko’s name, and Gun-Ho paid for it with the money that Ji-Yeon Choi lent to him; Gun-Ho wrote a promissory note to her in return.

Mama-san said while holding the sales contract in her arms,

“I guess Mori Aikko is so lucky. She now owns a condo that not many people would have in their lives. She will now be able to focus on her artistic life and polish her talent in art because of his sponsor.”

Gun-Ho and Ji-Yeon Choi were sending Mama-san off outside the real estate sales office.

Mama-san’s black Toyota was waiting for her outside. After she got in the car, she opened the window to say something to Gun-Ho.

“President Goo, you came here all the way from Korea. Why don’t you meet Mori Aikko before leaving for Korea? She will get off at 9 pm today, and I will send her to the New Otani Hotel lobby by 10 pm.”

“Thank you.”

Gun-Ho gave a bow to Mama-san who was sitting in his car.