Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 504

506

A week later.

The expansion work progressed rapidly.

Kim Dong-ho, the equipment contractor, decided to add another team besides his own to expedite the construction, even though it meant halving his profit.

This would halve the construction profit that Kim Dong-ho could take.

On the other hand, the construction period would be shortened accordingly.

In the end, he chose to give up his profits and shorten the construction period.

It couldn’t have been an easy decision.

Giving up one’s own profits is not something anyone can do. Yet, he made such a decision.

Naturally, Hyun-sung was curious about the reason, so he asked about it on the first day of construction.

But his answer was surprisingly simple.

Business ethics.

He said that one should keep the basic principles that must be observed while doing business.

He also added that those who do not keep these basics need to be punished accordingly.

The spot where Movie Heart was about to enter was only 100 meters away from Hyun-sung’s store, and that reason alone was already a violation of business ethics.

For that reason, Kim Dong-ho decided to shorten the construction period, even giving up his own profits.

Saying that was all he could do to help.

So, he added that he should fight and win.

As the construction period was shortened, Hyun-sung had more to do.

First, he had to take over a closing rental store. The reason was that he needed video inventory.

The current store is 10 *pyeong* [approximately 33 square meters], and the store to be expanded in the future is 40 *pyeong*. In that case, the video inventory will naturally be insufficient. Therefore, he had to take over a closing rental store to fill the shortage.

To take over a closing rental store, the help of an expert is needed.

Back then, people traded directly rather than over the internet, so a professional dealer was needed to secure closing items in the middle.

Hyun-sung was on his way to Anyang to meet that professional dealer right now.

Choi Yoon-soo.

Commonly known as a video dealer, specializing in opening and closing rental stores.

Back then, the video market was so large that there were quite a few dealers. The only reason Hyun-sung chose Choi Yoon-soo among those many dealers was that he was the most conscientious person.

He met him in his previous life about 10 years after entering the video industry. He had dealt with many dealers before, but there was no dealer as conscientious as Choi Yoon-soo. So, after that, he only did all his transactions with him.

That’s why he’s going to meet him now.

Hyun-sung, who entered Anyang, parked his truck in front of a teahouse.

Back then, cafes and coffee shops were rare. Therefore, teahouses were mainly used to meet people.

“Welcome!”

As Hyun-sung entered the basement teahouse, the beautifully made-up female owner greeted him with a welcoming voice. Hyun-sung nodded lightly and immediately turned his gaze to look around the hall.

Then there was one person who stood out.

It was Choi Yoon-soo.

Thud.

Hyun-sung walked towards Choi Yoon-soo without hesitation.

“Hello!”

There was no way he wouldn’t be happy. Because they had been on such good terms in his previous life, the moment he saw Choi Yoon-soo, his voice was filled with joy without him even realizing it.

However, from Choi Yoon-soo’s point of view, he couldn’t help but be embarrassed when a stranger greeted him so happily.

“Are you perhaps… Kim Hyun-sung, who called yesterday?”

“Yes, Mr. Choi. I’m Kim Hyun-sung, who called you yesterday.”

“But I’m sorry, have we ever met before…?”

Choi Yoon-soo’s voice was full of embarrassment. Of course. From his point of view, today was the first time he had seen Hyun-sung.

“No. Today is the first time.”

“Is that so? I thought you greeted me so happily that I had met you before but couldn’t remember.”

“Haha, is that so? Actually, I heard so much about you from the video sales staff that I couldn’t help but feel happy.”

He had no choice but to use the video sales staff as an excuse. But that’s not a lie either. After all, in his previous life, he got to know him through the sales staff.

Choi Yoon-soo nodded as if he finally understood and held out his hand.

“Whatever the reason, it’s nice to meet you like this. Let me formally introduce myself. I’m Choi Yoon-soo.”

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you too. I’m Kim Hyun-sung.”

Hyun-sung quickly grabbed Choi Yoon-soo’s outstretched hand with both hands.

As expected, a warm feeling seemed to be conveyed through his hand, just like his heart.

It was the moment when he met another person from his previous life again.

The two began to exchange light greetings.

After a while.

Choi Yoon-soo asked Hyun-sung first.

“So, you need videos?”

“Yes, that’s right. Actually, I’m expanding my store this time…”

Hyun-sung continued to explain why he needed videos.

As soon as Hyun-sung said a few words, Choi Yoon-soo nodded as if he knew what was going on.

And finally, when Hyun-sung’s explanation was over, Choi Yoon-soo asked again.

“So, you took over a rental store this time, and Movie Heart is coming in next to you in 100 meters in three weeks?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“So, you expanded the store to compete with that Movie Heart, and that’s why you need video inventory?”

“Yes, that’s right. Because it’s going to be a battle of inventory anyway.”

“Hmm…”

Choi Yoon-soo was silent for a while, wondering what he was thinking. But his expression was much darker than before.

He opened his mouth about two minutes later. It seemed that he was worried about him competing with Movie Heart.

“Can I just check one thing first?”

“Yes, of course. Please tell me.”

“How big is that Movie Heart that’s coming in next month?”

“50 *pyeong*.”

“50 *pyeong*…”

Choi Yoon-soo was silent again as if he was lost in thought.

He was already holding a cigarette in his mouth. Back then, it was natural to smoke anywhere, so Hyun-sung didn’t mind.

After a while.

Choi Yoon-soo blew out a long stream of cigarette smoke and looked at Hyun-sung and asked.

“I’m sorry, but… have you ever run a rental store before?”

It seemed that Choi Yoon-soo was worried because Hyun-sung was going to compete with Movie Heart. So, he would ask about his experience first.

“No.”

Of course, it’s a lie.

Although the video industry disappeared later due to the trend of the times, he rented out even the last DVDs, so he had been running a rental store for at least 20 years. Of course, after a certain period, the rental items changed from videos and DVDs to books.

But that doesn’t mean he can tell the truth now.

Hyun-sung had no choice but to lie.

“You don’t?”

Choi Yoon-soo’s voice grew louder without him even realizing it.

Does this make sense? It’s not a personal store, it’s a chain store called Movie Heart. Moreover, it’s a large chain store with 50 *pyeong*.

But you’re going to compete against such a store?

Even though you have no experience running a rental store? The answer is already out.

Complete defeat.

This is a losing game.

“Sigh!”

Choi Yoon-soo sighed without realizing it as he was thinking. That meant he was pessimistic.

Meanwhile, Hyun-sung, who was watching Choi Yoon-soo’s expression, smiled.

Of course, he knew better than anyone why Choi Yoon-soo was sighing and making a worried expression.

Anyone who knows this industry even a little would think the same as Choi Yoon-soo.

It’s not a personal store, it’s a chain store, and it’s a large store with 50 *pyeong*, so of course, they would think it’s not a game. So his reaction is natural.

But who is Hyun-sung?

Wasn’t he Hyun-sung, who had been running a rental store for 20 years in his previous life? So, unlike the gloomy Choi Yoon-soo, Hyun-sung had a comfortable expression.

Hyun-sung called out to Choi Yoon-soo, who was smoking his cigarette to the end.

“Mr. Choi.”

“Yes, please tell me.”

“Don’t worry as if the world is ending. Of course, I know why you’re doing that, but there’s no need to be so pessimistic.”

“I’m sorry to say this, but this game is impossible…”

“Wait a minute!”

Hyun-sung interrupted Choi Yoon-soo. Then he took a sip of the coffee in front of him and immediately continued.

“The game hasn’t even started yet. First of all, let me just say one thing. I don’t pay rent.”

“Yes? You don’t pay rent? Does that mean…”

“Yes, it’s my building.”

“Is that true?”

It was the moment when Choi Yoon-soo’s face lit up. That’s because there is a clear difference in competitiveness between paying rent and not paying rent. That meant it was that much more advantageous.

Hyun-sung continued.

“How is it? Isn’t it worth trying now?”

“Of course. Then, of course, the story changes. In the case of Movie Heart, judging from the size of the store, the rent alone would be…”

“3 million won.”

3 million won for rent.

Even for a video rental store, that’s a huge amount of rent.

Choi Yoon-soo continued.

“The fact that the rent is 3 million won means that the commercial district supports that much?”

“That’s why Movie Heart is coming in, isn’t it? What kind of guys are they? They must have already finished analyzing the commercial district.”

“Of course, they would, they’re the kind of guys who would do that. Okay, then let’s compare them one by one from now on.”

Choi Yoon-soo’s eyes were definitely different.

That showed how important rent is in doing business. Just a moment ago, when Hyun-sung said that he had no experience running a rental store, he had an expression as if he had already given up, but now he had a completely different expression.

Choi Yoon-soo continued.

“First of all, the rent is definitely in a favorable situation, and the store size is enough to try. Then, all that’s left is the operating method, but I’d like to hear your opinion first before I tell you. Can you tell me the operating method you’re thinking of?”

“Yes, of course. I will…”

Hyun-sung continued to explain in detail how he would operate in the future.

What’s most important in a video rental store is the battle for new releases. How much new release inventory you secure is the biggest weapon to win in the competition.

But the important thing is to control that inventory.

If you unconditionally increase the inventory, the video purchase cost will only increase, which may result in a loss. Therefore, you should only purchase as much inventory as you can handle.

The next important thing is to resell the inventory. For example, if you buy 50 copies at first, you should resell them every week or ten days. After all, the demand for new releases will gradually decrease over time.

And the assortment by genre is as important as popular releases. Everyone has different tastes. In particular, you have to buy all the programs, even dramas and documentaries.

How thick the customer base is will ultimately determine the life of the store.

In addition to this, Hyun-sung continued to explain about the operation of the rental store for a long time.

How much time has passed?

Finally, when Hyun-sung’s explanation was over, Choi Yoon-soo was looking at Hyun-sung and couldn’t close his mouth as if he was surprised.

That’s because just a moment ago, Hyun-sung clearly said that he was running a rental store for the first time.

Choi Yoon-soo slowly opened his mouth.

“What happened?”

“Yes? What are you talking about?”

“You clearly said until just now that this was your first time running a rental store? But how…”

“I got some help from the sales staff.”

“No, even so, this is not a skill that you can learn by getting help.”

Choi Yoon-soo couldn’t help but be surprised.

You can tell to some extent by the way people talk. Whether the person is learning from someone or explaining what they know.

But judging from his attitude just now, he wasn’t talking after learning from someone for a while. These were words that could not come out without at least 10 years of experience.

Choi Yoon-soo continued.

“I have nothing to say about running a rental store. You already know everything.”

“No, that’s not true. You have to help me a lot.”

“You’re being humble. Anyway, how many copies of the so-called blockbuster releases are you planning to buy?”

“I’m thinking of 300 copies.”

“…”

Choi Yoon-soo was speechless for a moment. He knew so many rental stores, but 200 copies was the highest. That store was over 100 *pyeong*.

But 300 copies in a 40 *pyeong* store…

The problem is the purchase cost. If it’s 300 copies, the purchase cost alone is over 6 million won [approximately $4,500 USD]. That’s just for one release.

If you buy 300 copies of five releases a month in that way, the purchase cost alone is over 30 million won [approximately $22,500 USD].

“Sigh!”

Choi Yoon-soo sighed without realizing it because he had exceeded his limit.

Then a strange word came out of Hyun-sung’s mouth.

“6 months.”

“6 months? What does that mean…?”

“I’m saying I’m going to win in 6 months. With Movie Heart.”

In his previous life, he gave up after 4 years and moved to another place, but this time he will pay it back in reverse.

He has no intention of dragging out the fight for a long time.

6 months.

He will carpet bomb for 6 months. He will show them what the price of pushing in with capital is with capital.

“Haha…”