Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 203

The key to profitability, you see…

In the world of reconstruction and redevelopment in Seoul, using floor area ratio relaxations to make deals was nothing new. For quite some time, it had been a common practice.

The two most common examples were public rental housing and donations to the city. For example, builders might designate some apartments in a new complex as rental units for lower-income residents in exchange for being allowed to build a taller building.

Or, they might donate a portion of the land to the city for public facilities like parks or roads, and in return, they could build higher than normally allowed.

Seoul had used these floor area ratio benefits as a way to bargain and get public benefits in exchange for construction permissions many times before.

However, Mayor Gu Yun-kwon was so surprised by Woo-jin because Woo-jin had instantly connected two completely separate projects in a clever way.

There seemed to be no connection between making the Gangbyeonbuk-ro underground project possible and the redevelopment of the Seongsu Strategic Redevelopment Zone.

The only thing they had in common was that they were both part of the Han River Renaissance project.

But Woo-jin linked these two projects together and came up with a perfect solution that solved a problem that had been bothering Mayor Gu Yun-kwon for a month.

Looking back, it seemed simple, like something anyone could have thought of. But the truth was, no one had come up with this idea before meeting Woo-jin.

Gu Yun-kwon had a lot of experience in administration before becoming mayor, but he had never been so impressed.

Hwang Jong-ho, who had worked at the Ministry of Economy and Finance for over ten years, felt the same way.

Today, in this meeting, everyone’s opinion of Woo-jin had changed again.

Hwang Jong-ho smiled slightly, looking at Woo-jin and thinking, ‘Why did this guy become a designer? If I had someone like him working for me, my job would be so much easier.’

As you can imagine, the conversation in the meeting was very friendly.

“Mr. Seo,” Mayor Gu Yun-kwon said.

“Yes?” Woo-jin replied.

“How… how do you even come up with ideas like this?” the Mayor asked, amazed.

“Ha… Haha. Well, I work in this industry, after all,” Woo-jin said. “You have to worry about all of Seoul, but I just focus on building.”

Hwang Jong-ho chuckled at Woo-jin’s answer and looked at Park Kyung-wan.

“Hey, Park, aren’t you a construction guy too?” Hwang Jong-ho asked jokingly.

“Ahem, ahem,” Park Kyung-wan cleared his throat.

“You rascal, you could come up with a plan like this too, couldn’t you?” Hwang Jong-ho teased.

“I don’t know, sir,” Park Kyung-wan replied.

“I don’t understand why Cheonwoong gave this rascal a star,” Hwang Jong-ho joked.

“Mr. Seo is special! How can a construction man even think of things like that? We’re too busy trying to win projects,” Park Kyung-wan said.

“He he he,” Hwang Jong-ho chuckled.

While Hwang Jong-ho and Park Kyung-wan were laughing, all the food they had ordered was served.

Mayor Gu Yun-kwon ate a few bites and then looked at Woo-jin again.

“Thanks to Mr. Seo, a big problem has been solved,” the Mayor said.

“You’re welcome,” Woo-jin replied.

“I don’t know what will happen when the staff starts working on it, but it looks like it will go smoothly,” Mayor Gu Yun-kwon said.

“That’s right. There’s nothing really difficult about it,” Woo-jin agreed.

“I feel like I should give you some kind of reward…” the Mayor said, hinting at something.

Woo-jin paused for a moment, but then shook his head.

“Please don’t say that. I didn’t do it expecting anything,” Woo-jin said.

Mayor Gu Yun-kwon laughed loudly.

“Haha. Of course, I know. I’m just saying it because I’m so grateful,” the Mayor said.

Woo-jin took a sip of water and then added, “Well, it’s not really a reward… but if you liked my idea, just moving forward with it quickly would be a big help to me.”

Mayor Gu Yun-kwon looked puzzled.

“How would that help you…?” the Mayor asked.

Woo-jin smiled.

“I have a lot invested in Seongsu-dong,” Woo-jin replied.

“Ah?” the Mayor exclaimed.

“My office is in Seongsu-dong, my house is in Seongsu-dong… and the new office building we’re building is also in Seongsu-dong,” Woo-jin explained.

Mayor Gu Yun-kwon nodded and laughed heartily.

“Haha, Mr. Seo, you had it all planned out!” the Mayor said.

Woo-jin smiled brightly.

“But you know that my proposal was completely selfless, right?” Woo-jin asked.

“Of course,” the Mayor replied.

They looked at each other and laughed silently.

They didn’t need to say more.

There were still many things to talk about at the meeting.

They understood each other’s thoughts without having to say them out loud.

The meeting went on late into the night.

It was past midnight when Woo-jin got back to Seongsu-dong. He couldn’t go straight home.

Mayor Gu Yun-kwon and Hwang Jong-ho had gone home before midnight, but Park Kyung-wan, who he hadn’t seen in a while, insisted they continue hanging out.

They went to a small street food tent in Seongsu-dong, a pocha, for a third round of drinks, catching up after a long time.

“Hey, are you obsessed with money or something?” Park Kyung-wan asked.

Woo-jin looked surprised.

“What are you talking about, Director? Obsessed with money?” Woo-jin asked.

“I’m just saying, I can’t believe how much you got out of today’s meeting with the Mayor,” Park Kyung-wan said.

Woo-jin shrugged.

“Got? What are you talking about?” Woo-jin asked.

“First of all, the Gangbyeonbuk-ro underground project. If that goes ahead as you said, the Seongsu Strategic Redevelopment Zone has to be included, and a new design has to be created, right? So who will get to do that design?” Park Kyung-wan asked.

Woo-jin couldn’t hide his smile.

“He he. Who will get it? Of course, they’ll announce a design competition,” Woo-jin said.

Park Kyung-wan shook his head.

“You sly devil. They’ll announce a competition. But if you were the Mayor, who would you choose?” Park Kyung-wan asked.

“Well, it’s natural to choose someone you know, right? Haha,” Woo-jin replied.

“Wow, Seo Woo-jin, you’ve become so shameless since I last saw you!” Park Kyung-wan exclaimed.

“What about you, Director? When the construction company bids open, you’ll bring Clio and join right away…” Woo-jin teased.

Park Kyung-wan coughed.

“Ahem. Ahem! That’s a little different, you rascal. The construction company is chosen by the members of the association,” Park Kyung-wan said.

“I bet there will be members of the association on the design competition judging panel too, right?” Woo-jin asked.

“Well… that’s true…” Park Kyung-wan admitted.

“I’m just going to compete with my skills. I’m going to create a great design and win with that,” Woo-jin said confidently.

Park Kyung-wan sighed, unable to win the argument.

“Hoo. Seriously, this guy. If only he couldn’t talk…” Park Kyung-wan said jokingly.

“Let’s have a toast,” Woo-jin suggested.

“Yeah, let’s toast, you rascal,” Park Kyung-wan agreed.

Clink!

Park Kyung-wan clinked his soju glass against Woo-jin’s, drank it in one gulp, and then spoke again, his face a little red.

“You know you can’t ignore Park Kyung-wan if you keep doing well, right?” Park Kyung-wan said.

“It depends on what you do, Director,” Woo-jin replied.

“Hey, you…!” Park Kyung-wan exclaimed.

Woo-jin wasn’t much of a drinker for someone in the construction business, but he always enjoyed drinking with Park Kyung-wan.

The taste of alcohol depends on the atmosphere and the person you’re drinking with.

Park Kyung-wan also enjoyed drinking with Woo-jin.

“But what about the Seongsu-dong project?” Park Kyung-wan asked.

“Yes, Director?” Woo-jin replied.

“What about the Living Fair that we talked about? How is that going?” Park Kyung-wan asked.

Woo-jin nodded.

The most important part of today’s meeting was the Han River Renaissance project, but Woo-jin had originally planned to discuss the Living Fair with the Mayor, which would be held in about six months.

Park Kyung-wan was interested in the Living Fair, but he didn’t know all the details.

“That drama… what was it called?” Park Kyung-wan asked.

“ , that’s right,” Woo-jin confirmed.

“Has filming started yet?” Park Kyung-wan asked.

“Filming will start when the set is finished, probably in March,” Woo-jin said.

“The set is in Icheon, right?” Park Kyung-wan asked.

“Actually, it’s not a set, it’s a site,” Woo-jin corrected.

“A site?” Park Kyung-wan asked.

“It was land owned by CEO Kang So-jeong, but I bought it,” Woo-jin explained.

“Hey, even if it’s a set site, you bought land in the countryside?” Park Kyung-wan asked, surprised.

“It’s okay because I got it cheap,” Woo-jin said.

“Well, I guess you’ll handle it better than I would…” Park Kyung-wan said.

Their conversation went on and on.

Their lives were now connected in many ways.

Almost every topic was something they both had in common.

“How are the sales going for Cheongdam Clio Summit? I think it was delayed a month or two,” Woo-jin asked.

Park Kyung-wan nodded.

“There was a delay because of the lawsuit and other things, but I think we’ll get sales approval within a month,” Park Kyung-wan said.

“Are you going to apply for a subscription?” Woo-jin asked.

“I’m going to try for a large one, like you said,” Park Kyung-wan replied.

“You can’t sell it behind my back this time, okay?” Woo-jin warned.

“Hey, I don’t know why I did that back then! I’m never going to sell it this time. I’m going to move in, no matter what!” Park Kyung-wan said excitedly.

Park Kyung-wan flailed his arms with an exaggerated expression, and Woo-jin laughed.

Park Kyung-wan had sold his subscription right for Mapo Clio without telling Woo-jin. The Mapo Clio was almost finished, and the price had increased by almost 100 million won since Park Kyung-wan sold it.

Park Kyung-wan’s wife still scolded him about it.

In a few years, the price would rise by over 300 million won.

“By the way, Director,” Woo-jin said.

“What?” Park Kyung-wan asked, sounding a little annoyed.

Woo-jin smiled.

“Is the Cheongdam association president doing well these days?” Woo-jin asked.

Park Kyung-wan looked puzzled.

“Hmm? The association president? Are you talking about Mr. Kwak?” Park Kyung-wan asked.

“Yes. I’m talking about Kwak Hong-shik. You’re in charge of that, so you contact him often, don’t you?” Woo-jin said.

“Why that guy?” Park Kyung-wan asked.

Park Kyung-wan had known Woo-jin for a long time and could tell that something was up just by looking at his face.

The fact that Woo-jin suddenly mentioned Kwak Hong-shik meant something, and Woo-jin’s expression was exactly the same as when he was planning something.

Woo-jin smiled.

“Could you arrange a meeting sometime soon?” Woo-jin asked.

“You have his contact information, don’t you?” Park Kyung-wan asked.

“It would look a little strange if I contacted him suddenly,” Woo-jin said.

“I don’t know what’s so strange about it… but anyway, why?” Park Kyung-wan asked.

Woo-jin took a sip of soju.

“If this project is going to go smoothly, I think we’ll need a ‘mercenary’,” Woo-jin said.

“What…? A mercenary…?” Park Kyung-wan asked, confused.

Woo-jin began to explain.