Story of a Big Player from Gangnam

After Director Yoon’s brief description of the factory construction and the layout of the building, the ribbon-cutting ceremony ensued.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Gun-Ho stood in the middle with Mr. Adam Castler standing next to him. Some of the guests were invited to join them such as a local congressman, city official, chief police officer, President Jang-Hwan Song, and GH Media’s President Jeong-Sook Shin.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony looked decent as some conspicuous guests were participating like a foreigner, a man in a police uniform and other neat people in a business suit.

As they were cutting the ribbon, Jong-Suk Park set off the fireworks. Gun-Ho was wondering where he bought those fireworks from. Gun-Ho could hear camera flashes along with the fireworks noise. The local newspaper journalists were taking pictures of the ceremony.

Even after the ceremony was over, the local government officials were busy taking pictures with Gun-Ho in front of the banner showing it was the building dedication ceremony for a joint venture with an American company. After they were done with photo shooting, they left without joining other people at the reception. They didn’t even bother looking around inside the newly constructed factory building.

“Ha. Damn. They seemed to have come here to take pictures. They are leaving without even attending the reception.”

“Well, maybe that’s good for everyone.”

The snacks and beverages that were prepared for the reception were all enjoyed by the employees.

“Sir, I have something that I’d like to ask you.”

Gun-Ho turned around to see who was talking to him. It was Director Dong-Chan Kim.

“At the congratulatory speech, I’ve heard you saying that GH Mobile contributed the land as a co-venturer of Dyeon Korea, but not the factory building. I’m not sure if that was intended or if you just forgot to mention the building.”

“I intentionally didn’t include the factory building in our investment in-kind for this joint venture.”

“Why is that so?”

“We can use the building when we increase the company capital later.”

“Increasing capital?”

“Yes. For example, let’s say we generate ordinary income of 5 billion in the first year. We leave 1 billion out of 5 as retention money, and we use the remaining 4 billion as dividends.”

“In that case, GH Mobile and Dyeon America would receive 2 billion each.”

“Right. Even though GH Mobile would take 2 billion of dividends, we wouldn’t send the other 2 billion to Dyeon America, but instead, we would re-invest it into Dyeon Korea.”

“Ohhh. So at that point, we value the factory building for 2 billion, and we use it to match Dyeon America’s additional 2 billion investments?”

“That’s right, Director Kim. You are so quick in understanding my intention.”

“Did you already talk about this with Dyeon America?”

“It’s about the company capital. The building will be appraised later. Additionally, once the company goes public…”

“Oh, I see, I see. Then the value of the company share will go up dramatically. The people in Dyeon America must have already calculated that possibility. They must be very smart.”

“Director Kim, did you use an expensive shampoo this morning in washing your hair? Your brain seems to work great today.”

“All the necessary furniture and stuff will arrive this afternoon. Until then, This is not a good place to stay, sir. Why don’t you take a rest at the office in Jiksan Town?”

“You did a good job today, Director Kim.”

“I don’t think I did a lot of work, but thank you, sir.”

“Well, why don’t we have lunch altogether? Let’s meet at Onyang Hot Spring Hotel for lunch. Come with Mr. Adam Castler and Mr. Interpreter Lee to the hotel. I will meet you there.”

“It’s only 11 am now. Are you going to stop by the office in Jiksan Town before lunch?”

“No. I will take President Jeong-Sook Shin to the train station before heading to Onyang Hot Spring Hotel. She is having a tour of the factory right now.”

“She could join us for lunch.”

“She told me earlier that she wanted to go back to Seoul before lunch. I will ask her again.”

“Maybe we can have lunch early. We will have to come back here once the furniture and stuff arrive this afternoon anyway.”

“Sounds good. Then, let’s meet at the hotel around 11:50 am.”

President Jeong-Sook Shin said she would just go to KTX station without having lunch, but Gun-Ho insisted strongly and took her to Onyang Hot Spring Hotel for lunch. They decided to stay at the café inside the hotel while waiting for the other party.

“You have something urgent you need to attend to in Seoul?”

“No, not really. I just didn’t want to impose. I feel bad, especially our small company—GH Media—isn’t generating much money yet, and I know you are so busy and occupied in running a huge company here.”

“Don’t say that. A company starts small, and they grow big later. We usually don’t start a business on a large scale right away.”

“At the ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier today, I was thinking if I’m actually qualified to attend the ceremony like that. There were government officials and politicians.”

“That’s a silly thing to say. Just have lunch with us before going back to Seoul. I insist. I will be very happy if you join us for lunch. Director Kim and Mr. Adam Castler will be here soon. You remember the interpreter—Mr. Lee? You are the one who introduced him to me. He will be here too.”

“They are all from Dyeon Korea. I don’t want to interrupt you in doing your business.”

“No no. Oh, you know what? I talked to Seukang Li earlier about your suggestion on Mr. Ding Feng’s art exhibition in Korea. He was very interested in it.”

“Oh, you already talked with him over the phone?”

“He said that since he is in charge of cultural affairs and arts, he knows a lot of painters and artists. He was suggesting having an art exhibition for Chinese young painters. He is more than willing to introduce good artists and an art gallery.”

“Really?”

President Shin looked a bit down that day until she heard Gun-Ho talking about the art exhibition.

“I don’t know much about paintings, but I read from a newspaper the other day that in China, there are a lot of good young painters with non-figurative paintings.”

“That’s right. There are many Chinese young painters who are well known worldwide. What I like about that is that they are not afraid of challenging new areas.”

“Min-Hyeok will soon have his wedding in Korea. Once Mr. Ding Feng comes to Korea, you will have your chance to discuss it with him. Seukang Li is very interested in Mr. Ding Feng’s art exhibition in Korea.”

President Shin smiled.

While Gun-Ho and President Shin were conversing, Director Kim and Mr. Adam Castler arrived.

“Let me make an official introduction. Mr. Adam Castler, this is GH Media’s president—Ms. Jeong-Sook Shin.”

Jeong-Sook Shin offered her hand to Mr. Adam Castler for a handshake with a smile.

“Oh, a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

Mr. Adam Castler actually spoke in Korean. He already started picking up a few Korean words.

As Jeong-Sook Shin gave him her business card, Mr. Adam Castler looked at the English version on the back of the business card.

“Oh, it’s a publishing company!”

Mr. Adam Castler extended his hand to President Jeong-Sook Shin for another handshake.