Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 215

Click-

“Hello?”

As Joo-yeol answered the phone, he heard a familiar voice.

“Chairman, this is Ji-hwan.”

Hearing the voice, Joo-yeol was pleased.

“Oh, hello, Mr. Kim. What brings you to call?”

Kim Ji-hwan, a retired architecture professor at S University, was a year younger than Joo-yeol. More importantly, he was one of Joo-yeol’s key connections, holding a high position in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.

So, Joo-yeol was happy to hear from him.

“Haha, do I need a reason to call the Chairman?”

“Haha. Of course not, but you sound like you have something specific in mind.”

“You’re as sharp as ever.”

“Alright, what is it?”

Joo-yeol, who had been standing, sat down while still holding the phone to his ear.

It seemed this call would take a while.

‘Kim Ji-hwan is calling with a specific reason… This sounds like good news.’

Joo-yeol listened carefully as Kim Ji-hwan spoke.

“Mr. Joo-yeol, do you know about the Seongsu-dong Strategic Redevelopment Zone, the redevelopment area?”

As an architect, Joo-yeol was interested in real estate.

He knew about the Seongsu-dong Strategic Redevelopment Zone, a large area in Seoul planned for new buildings. He was puzzled why Ji-hwan, who worked for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, would ask about a redevelopment area that had already been decided on.

“Seongsu Strategic Redevelopment? Of course, I know about it. Why are you asking?”

Joo-yeol asked, tilting his head. Ji-hwan continued.

“The Seoul city government wants to change the design for the 15,000-unit redevelopment area.”

Joo-yeol’s eyes lit up.

“Oh… really?”

“Since you know about it, it’s easier to explain. The city will announce a design competition for Districts 1, 2, and 3.”

Joo-yeol had been leaning back in his chair, almost slouching, when the call began. But as Ji-hwan spoke, Joo-yeol sat up straighter, his back stiffening. He’d expected some good news from Ji-hwan, but this? This was like the smell of ripe mangoes in the summer heat – too delicious to ignore.

“Is this really happening?” Joo-yeol asked, his voice now sharp with interest. “Is it official, officially announced?”

Hearing Joo-yeol’s serious tone, Ji-hwan replied carefully.

“It’s not official yet, but all the paperwork and official steps are done. You can consider it confirmed.”

Usually, asking if something is official means confirming if it’s accurate.

Official means it’s been announced, so it’s confirmed.

But Joo-yeol’s question was different. Because it was Ji-hwan, there was no way the information could be wrong.

Joo-yeol wanted to know if this news was public or if he was hearing it before the announcement.

Ji-hwan’s answer was perfect.

Joo-yeol smiled and nodded slowly.

“I see.”

Joo-yeol’s mind buzzed with calculations.

‘A design competition for the Strategic Redevelopment Zone… This is huge. The construction cost will be close to a trillion won. The design fee will be at least tens of billions of won.’

Ji-hwan was calling because he wanted architects he knew to get involved in the project first.

Usually, famous overseas architects win these competitions.

But Ji-hwan would rather his friends win than work with foreigners.

The architects in the Korea Institute of Architects were all connected to Ji-hwan, not just Joo-yeol.

That’s why he called Joo-yeol, the chairman, first.

Of course, Ji-hwan hoped Joo-yeol would recommend him for something, or that his ministry would get credit for the project.

“So, Mr. Joo-yeol, do you have any firms you could recommend?”

Joo-yeol had been lost in thought. He slowly answered.

“Of course. Even I am tempted by such a big project.”

“Haha, are you going to enter the competition yourself?”

“No, no. Haha. Shouldn’t this opportunity go to the younger generation?”

“That’s very thoughtful of you. That’s why everyone in the association looks up to you.”

“Now, why are you saying such cheesy things? Haha.”

Joo-yeol’s promise to pass the opportunity to other firms in the association was sincere.

It was more profitable to connect the project to another firm and be an advisor than to lead the design himself.

A project with design costs of billions of won would take too much time and effort.

Joo-yeol, now sixty, didn’t have the energy.

He would rather give the work to a younger firm, use his connections to help them, and then take a share of the reward. It was the smartest way to profit without much effort.

Joo-yeol’s positive reaction made Ji-hwan explain the competition in detail.

Joo-yeol turned on his monitor and started taking notes.

“The most important thing will be the public design linked to putting Gangbyeonbuk-ro underground.”

“Isn’t this project mostly private money? Why is the public design so important?”

“It looks that way, but the Strategic Redevelopment Zone members will benefit the most.”

“Really?”

“The city government is giving a big increase in floor space.”

“So, Seoul is in charge.”

“Exactly. Half the judges are public officials, and half are from the association. The design that pleases the city government and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport will win.”

“I understand.”

Joo-yeol took notes for ten minutes, looking satisfied.

With this information, he thought the association could win.

Also, it felt like the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport was promising support.

Ji-hwan and Joo-yeol knew what each other wanted, even without saying it.

“Then, I’ll leave it to you, Mr. Joo-yeol.”

“I should be saying that, Mr. Kim.”

“Haha, I’m not a professor anymore. You’re the only one who calls me that.”

“You’re still a retired professor, aren’t you? Haha.”

“Anyway, please take care of the talented firms. With your insight, I’m sure you’ll succeed.”

“Yes, I’ll pay attention.”

“Then, please call me again!”

Click-

Joo-yeol hung up, his face completely different than before.

He had been annoyed by an online article before the call.

But the annoyance disappeared with the phone call.

He quickly forgot the name Seo Woo-jin.

An architect who had become famous by luck would soon be forgotten.

Joo-yeol smiled, confident in his plan. But miles away, in his quiet studio, Woo-jin was unknowingly stepping onto a path that would soon cross, and clash, with Joo-yeol’s ambitions.

Whether it was architecture or any other field, you have to plant seeds, water them, and harvest the fruit.

There’s no result without a cause, and no fruit without effort.

But until you pick that sweet fruit, architecture takes more patience and effort than any other field.

From the first design to the final building, even a small building takes six months to a year.

After returning to 2010, Woo-jin spent the last two years planting seeds and helping them grow.

The first project Woo-jin worked on was the Clio Apartment in Mapo-gu.

Even this project wasn’t finished yet.

The only project fully completed with Woo-jin’s help was the small Dodam Nursing Home.

So, 2012 could be called Woo-jin’s ‘year of harvest’.

Starting with the Mapo Clio Apartment, to Parafield in Wangsimni, and the International Living Fair and WJ Studio’s new office building.

In 2012, the seeds sown were finally bearing fruit.

‘This year is really a year of enriching the portfolio.’

Of course, fruit doesn’t grow just by waiting.

In architecture, harvesting also takes care and effort. Woo-jin was busier because he had more to harvest.

So, there wasn’t a comfortable day, but Woo-jin never got tired.

Woo-jin’s passion for his dream was strong.

“Seok-gu, what time can we use the crane today?”

“I booked it for six hours from 10 a.m.”

“If we skip lunch, we can use it until about 5 p.m.”

“That’s right.”

“Do you think we can install it in that time?”

“We’ll have to see. It’ll be tight, but possible.”

“Good. Let’s go now.”

“If we go now, we’ll arrive before nine. Can we do anything before then?”

“I’m going to measure the site again. We need to check everything before we start.”

“You’re so careful… Alright. Give me five minutes.”

“Okay.”

Woo-jin’s schedule today was about the Parafield pavilion in Wangsimni.

Parafield, designed by Bruno, was almost finished.

Now, before the finishing work, it was time to install the pavilion made by Woo-jin and WJ Studio.

Seok-hyun had worked hard on the pavilion, and Woo-jin was very happy with the result.

So, Woo-jin was excited for today.

Bruno’s wonderful space and the beautiful pavilion he designed to match it.

He wondered how wonderful it would be when they came together.

While driving to Wangsimni with Seok-hyun, Woo-jin’s heart was pounding.

If Dodam Nursing Home introduced architect Seo Woo-jin to the world, this Parafield Pavilion would show his design style to everyone.