Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 510

The next day.

Hyun-sung headed to a restaurant nearby.

The person who arranged today’s meeting was none other than Hyun-sung. The attendees were the video rental store owners operating in the same neighborhood.

The purpose was simple: to figure out how to respond to the chain store, Movie Heart, in the future.

In his previous life, all but one of them had gone out of business within a year.

The arrival of a large, 50-pyeong [approximately 1,800 square feet] chain store had turned the neighborhood commercial district into a wasteland.

Except for one, all the stores were less than ten pyeong [approximately 360 square feet], so there was nothing they could do.

This was Hyun-sung’s purpose in gathering them today: to find a way to respond collectively so as not to repeat the same mistakes as in his previous life.

Arriving at the restaurant, Han Sang-hoon, the restaurant owner who recognized Hyun-sung, quickly approached him.

“Welcome, Mr. Kim.”

He had been eating at this restaurant during the store expansion, so he had become quite friendly with Han Sang-hoon.

“Yes, hello. Have the rental store owners arrived yet?”

“No, not yet.”

Looking at his watch, it was 11:30 AM. There were still 30 minutes left until the agreed time.

In fact, today was his first official greeting to the rental store owners, so he deliberately came earlier than the others, not only because of his age but also because he knew very well that being late as the organizer of the meeting would be impolite.

Guided by Han Sang-hoon, he entered the room, where the basic setup was already complete.

As Hyun-sung took his seat, Han Sang-hoon immediately asked, “Is everything ready for tomorrow’s opening?”

“Yes, it’s all done.”

“By the way, you’re amazing for a young man. I heard you’re hiring five employees, is that true?”

“Yes, it’s unavoidable if I want to do deliveries.”

As Hyun-sung finished speaking, Han Sang-hoon asked again with a worried expression. “I’ve heard the story, but is that even possible?”

From Han Sang-hoon’s perspective, it didn’t make sense. Back then, the concept of a video rental store was recognized as a small-scale side business.

And in reality, most of them were like that.

But Hyun-sung was saying he would hire five employees and do deliveries, so it didn’t compute.

“I think it’s possible based on my judgment. That’s why I’m starting it. And…” Hyun-sung continued with a brief explanation. As Hyun-sung’s explanation ended, Han Sang-hoon nodded as if he understood and continued, “Okay, I understand. To be honest, I don’t really get it, but I’ll believe it since you say so. Anyway, now that you’ve started, I hope you succeed. That’s all I can say.”

“Yes, thank you. I’ll work hard.”

Just then, the restaurant door opened, and a person entered.

“He’s here.”

Hyun-sung raised his hand first to greet the person who had just entered: Choi Sang-gil.

In his 50s, he was the one who had survived in this neighborhood while fighting against Movie Heart. The reason he could survive was that he owned the commercial building.

If he had been paying rent, he probably wouldn’t have lasted as long as the others.

“You came early?” Choi Sang-gil asked as he sat down. He had already exchanged greetings with him a few days ago, which is why he could speak comfortably.

“No, I just arrived a little while ago myself.”

“By the way, is everything ready for tomorrow’s opening?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Choi Sang-gil nodded instead of answering.

His dark expression was probably natural. After all, they were in a relationship where they inevitably had to fight over the same rice bowl, even if it wasn’t intentional.

Looking at him, Hyun-sung asked first, “Am I making you uncomfortable?”

“It’s not that I’m uncomfortable, but I feel a bit strange. It’s just that two places are suddenly coming out at the same time. But I’m grateful to you, Mr. Kim.”

“Grateful?”

“Yes, because I can at least greet you and get to know you like this. To be honest, when I heard that the owner had changed and was doing expansion work, I was even more worried. I was afraid that someone arrogant might come in.”

Choi Sang-gil took a breath and continued. “Actually, when you came to see me a few days ago, I couldn’t say it then, but I was grateful. Now that I’m saying it, I thought that a young man buying a building and running a video store would be obvious—you know, full of himself.”

Hyun-sung nodded slowly.

Perhaps it was natural. Since a young person was buying a building and running a store, he probably thought that he might ignore the people around him because he was so full of himself.

Choi Sang-gil’s words continued. “But I was wrong. They say you can tell ten things from seeing one, and when I saw you bringing soy milk that day, I knew you weren’t the kind of person I thought you were.”

“…”

“It may seem like nothing, but having that kind of heart isn’t easy, especially for a young person. Just that alone told me roughly what kind of person you are.”

It was a moment to realize once again that it’s not big things that move people’s hearts. Of course, Hyun-sung had done that because he had some experience in life.

Choi Sang-gil took a sip of water in front of him and continued. “The problem is that guy now.”

“That guy?”

“That Movie Heart guy. I looked into him roughly, and he’s one of the worst. A very nasty guy. Let me tell you what kind of guy he is…”

Choi Sang-gil’s explanation continued.

Hyun-sung already knew the story. He had already experienced it in his previous life.

He had visited several times, but he was completely ignored. It was like, ‘I’m doing business with my own money, so what’s it to you?’

The humiliation and disregard at that time, even though it was a long time ago, still remained in his memory.

As Choi Sang-gil’s explanation ended, Hyun-sung immediately opened his mouth. “Yoo Seung-il.”

“That’s right, that’s his name, Yoo Seung-il. Oh? Seeing that you know his name, does that mean you already know about him?”

“Yes, I looked into it a bit beforehand.”

“So, is that why you wanted to see us today?”

“To greet you and because we need to find a way for all of us to survive.”

“Everyone survives? Is that even possible?”

“We have to make it possible.”

Just then, the restaurant door opened, and four women entered. They were the rental store owners Hyun-sung had been waiting for.

A moment later, six people sat around two tables.

Hyun-sung stood up and opened his mouth first. “First, I’d like to greet my seniors. I’m Kim Hyun-sung, and I’ll be running the rental store Cinema Paradise down there.”

“Oh? Cinema Paradise? Did you change the sign?”

One of the four women asked. Perhaps that meant they weren’t paying much attention to the stores around them.

That’s probably because their rental stores were side businesses, not their main source of income.

Back then, there were many stores like that. Since it didn’t require any special skills, there was no better business to do as a side job.

“Yes, I changed it this time.”

“You’re opening tomorrow?”

“Yes, that’s right. So, I invited you seniors here today to greet you. So, please enjoy lunch today.”

“Is that all?”

“Of course, there’s another purpose, but I’ll talk about that after the meal.”

As Hyun-sung finished speaking, the restaurant employee came in with the ordered food.

“Oh my? Are we eating pork ribs today?”

Back then, marinated pork ribs were all the rage. Eating pork ribs with family at a restaurant on the weekend was such a happy time that it was a popular dish.

“Yes, today is my initiation, so you can eat as much as you want. Well, let me pour you each a glass of beer first.”

“Oh my? Even beer?”

“It’s an initiation, so I can’t just skip it.”

That’s how the initiation began naturally.

About 30 minutes passed.

Choi Sang-gil, who was sitting across from him, said to Hyun-sung, “Mr. Kim, it seems like we’ve eaten enough meat, so how about we get to the main point?”

“Yes, Mr. Choi. I was just about to say that.”

Hyun-sung finished speaking and immediately picked up the glass in front of him. “Well, let’s all toast together and proceed with the next discussion from now on.”

“Okay, we didn’t gather just to eat anyway.”

The female owner next to Hyun-sung chimed in.

Then, Choi Sang-gil stretched out his glass and continued. “First of all, I want to thank Mr. Kim for arranging this meeting, and I hope this meeting will be beneficial. Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

Clink!

The glasses met in the middle, making a cheerful sound.

In his previous life, there wasn’t even such a meeting. Everyone was already terrified and didn’t know what to do just by hearing the rumor that Movie Heart was coming.

Hyun-sung was the same.

He didn’t dare to stand up against a large 50-pyeong chain store in a 10-pyeong commercial space.

Clunk.

Choi Sang-gil, who put down his glass, opened his mouth first. “Mr. Kim, start.”

“Yes, Mr. Choi.”

Hyun-sung nodded and immediately continued. “As you all know, the chain store Movie Heart will be opening at the corner of the intersection in ten days.”

“…”

Everyone nodded in response.

Their expressions were all dark. It was a completely different atmosphere from when they were eating pork ribs a little while ago.

Why wouldn’t it be?

They knew very well that their peaceful daily lives would be shattered by the arrival of Movie Heart.

Looking at them, Hyun-sung continued. “But there’s no need to be too discouraged. That Movie Heart also has weaknesses.”

“Weaknesses?”

Choi Sang-gil, who was sitting in front, immediately showed interest. The others were the same. That’s why all eyes were on Hyun-sung.

One of the female owners immediately asked, “What are those weaknesses?”

“Fixed costs.”

“Fixed costs?”

“Yes, the monthly rent there is 3 million won [approximately $2,200 USD]. If you include utilities, labor costs, and video purchase costs, the monthly fixed costs will be at least 10 million won [approximately $7,400 USD].”

The scariest thing about doing business is fixed costs. It’s money that has to go out every month regardless of business.

Of course, video purchase costs may have some fluctuations, but basically, it costs 5 million won [approximately $3,700 USD] to operate a store of that size.

That’s the lowest estimate.

If you’re more ambitious, it could go up to 7 or 8 million won [approximately $5,200 – $5,900 USD]. Without knowing for sure, it’s the first time, so basically, about 8 million won will go into purchase costs.

That means the basic outgoing money is about 13 million won [approximately $9,600 USD].

Hyun-sung’s words continued. “As far as I know, the owner of that Movie Heart, Yoo Seung-il, is also running a rental store for the first time.”

“Really?”

“Yes, so if we all work together and persevere, it won’t be easy for that Movie Heart either.”

“So, you’re saying that if we persevere, that person might give up?”

“That’s what I think.”

Six months.

That’s the period Hyun-sung is thinking about. If they can hold on to their regular customers without wavering during that time, there will be a limit to the sales of that Movie Heart.

Hyun-sung thought that Yoo Seung-il of Movie Heart would have no choice if sales didn’t increase and more than 10 million won went out every month.

“Then the answer is out. The key is how we can keep our regulars from being taken away by Movie Heart.”

Choi Sang-gil nodded and said.

Then, the female owner next to Choi Sang-gil immediately continued. “Is that even possible?”

“We have to make it possible. That’s why we’re gathered here now. I think Mr. Kim here has the method. Mr. Kim, isn’t that right?”

Choi Sang-gil looked at Hyun-sung. Then, the other female owners also started looking at Hyun-sung all at once.

Slurp.

Hyun-sung quickly wet his lips with beer and continued. “Before I tell you that method, there’s one thing I need to confirm first.”

“Confirm? What is it?”

“I need to know how much net profit you want to make in a month.”

“Net profit?”

“Yes, the profit left after deducting rent and all expenses from total sales.”

“Um…”

Choi Sang-gil couldn’t easily continue the answer. The other female owners were the same.

Perhaps it was natural. Everyone would hide their income.

Just then, the female owner next to Hyun-sung opened her mouth first. “If you teach us that, can we find a way to beat Movie Heart?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Okay, to be honest, I don’t understand, but I’ll trust you since you say so. If we can protect our store even like that… I want 80 [800,000 won, approximately $590 USD].”

The female owner opened her mouth with difficulty.

Anything is difficult to start, but as one person opened their mouth, others started opening their mouths.

“I want 85 [850,000 won, approximately $630 USD].”

“90 [900,000 won, approximately $670 USD].”

“I want 80 too [800,000 won, approximately $590 USD].”

“…”

Now, Choi Sang-gil was the only one left.

It was natural for all eyes to be on one place.

Choi Sang-gil drank the remaining beer in front of him as if he had no choice and opened his mouth. “I want 150 [1,500,000 won, approximately $1,100 USD]. Now, tell me what that method you’re talking about is.”

“Yes, of course.”

Hyun-sung nodded and began to open his mouth. “That method is…”