Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 313

Ordinary people’s imaginations are more limited than one might think.

Designers plan and design buildings and spaces. They can imagine how they will look. But normal people are different. They need to see a building to really understand it.

Architects, of course, can imagine what a building will look like when it is completed by watching the frame go up and the finishes being applied.

But ordinary people have difficulty imagining the completed form until the building fully reveals itself.

Perhaps that’s why, around 2020, people talked less about the SGBC.

This towering skyscraper was being built continuously, but people’s interest had waned since the start of construction.

However, as 2021 passed and 2022 began, articles about the SGBC started to appear again.

The reason was simple: the beautiful skyscraper had risen high above Seoul, enough for people to easily imagine it.

[Seo Woo-jin’s work, Samsung Global Business Center (SGBC). Achieved 95% completion rate in the new year!]

[The picturesque curtain wall pattern changes in a spiral. Architect Seo Woo-jin’s SGBC showcases the essence of digital architecture.]

[Scheduled for completion in May 2022? Could Seo Woo-jin’s SGBC become the most beautiful skyscraper in the world?]

[Cheonwoong Construction and WJ Studio. “Although it may not be the tallest building in the world, we have strived to build the most beautiful building.”]

Yeongdong-daero, a wide road always jammed with cars in Gangnam, Seoul, was now even more crowded. But this time, people weren’t just stuck in traffic. They were slowing down, craning their necks, and pointing their phones upwards.

The SGBC was almost finished, and it was impossible to ignore.

Its silver glass shimmered in the spring sunlight, twisting into a unique shape that no one had ever seen before. All over social media, photos of the building were popping up.

Then, in April, news helicopters started buzzing overhead, like giant metal dragonflies, filming the SGBC from every angle. Everyone was talking about Seo Woo-jin’s amazing creation. Excitement for the building was growing like wildfire.

At WJ Studio, people were buzzing with energy.

They talked about the news reports and shared photos of the SGBC on their phones.

“Team Leader Yoon, did you see the SGBC on the news yesterday?”

“Of course, I did.”

“It’s really almost finished now.”

“Why? Team Leader Lee, feeling sentimental?”

“Of course! I have a tiny stake in the SGBC design, you know.”

“Well, I admit it. We all stayed up for nights on end back then.”

“By the way, once the SGBC is finished, I hope our headquarters will move there.”

“Huh? Why is that?”

“It would be cool. I think I’d feel better going to work in such a building.”

“Don’t even think about it. Do you want to get frustrated commuting over the Yeongdong Bridge?”

“Ah… That’s right. The traffic there is terrible.”

However, among those talking about the Samsung Global Business Center, the person who was most eagerly awaiting the completion of the SGBC was none other than Woo-jin.

The person who had put in the most effort, sacrifice, and contribution to bring this SGBC building to life.

‘Finally…!’

So, on a certain day in May, Woo-jin’s heart began to pound from the morning.

After arriving at the office, Woo-jin immediately made a phone call.

Bling-Bling-

Then, a ballad that might have been popular in the 2000s rang out for a moment.

[Yes, CEO.]

A familiar voice flowed into Woo-jin’s ear.

[Clang! Clang!]

Noisy construction sounds could be heard as well, but Woo-jin didn’t care and asked into the receiver.

“Director Lee, how is the site situation?”

[What?]

The person who answered Woo-jin’s call was Park Kyung-wan, the director of WJ Studio, who was conducting the final site inspection with the construction supervision company at the SGBC site.

“I mean, is the finishing going well?”

[Well, so-so?]

Woo-jin asked him again in a subtle voice.

“Then today… is ‘that’ possible?”

Perhaps because he didn’t understand Woo-jin’s words at first, Kyung-wan’s reply didn’t come immediately.

But the next moment,

[That…? Ah. The lighting ceremony?]

“Yes. What else would it be?”

Kyung-wan, understanding what Woo-jin was talking about, laughed heartily and replied.

[You’re really excited, aren’t you?]

“Of course. I’ve been waiting for this day for so long.”

[If nothing goes wrong, we’ll be done before 6 o’clock.]

“That means the electrical inspection will be finished by then, right?”

[Yeah, you rascal.]

At Kyung-wan’s cool reply, Woo-jin couldn’t hide the wide smile spreading across his face.

“Then I’ll dash over there by 6 o’clock.”

But at Kyung-wan’s next reply, he couldn’t help but tilt his head again.

[6 o’clock is too early.]

“Why? You said you’d be finished before 6 o’clock at the latest.”

And towards such Woo-jin, Kyung-wan’s playful voice continued again.

[Hey, think about it. Which lighting ceremony would be more impressive, one at 6 o’clock or one at 8 o’clock?]

“Ah…!”

[Why are you acting like an amateur?]

At Kyung-wan’s reply, Woo-jin nodded his head involuntarily.

“You’re the best, Director Lee.”

Lighting literally means turning on the lights.

So, a building’s lighting ceremony refers to the event of turning on the lights in the building.

Of course, it wasn’t just a simple turning on of the lights.

It was about turning on all the lights in the building at once, or creating beautiful lighting according to certain patterns.

It was about controlling the numerous lights in the building all at once, creating a spectacle that is generally difficult to see, and that was the building’s lighting ceremony.

This was usually an event done right before completion to check the electrical work.

Woo-jin was very much looking forward to this event.

[If you have time, let’s grab dinner together at 6 o’clock.]

“Sounds good. Shall we eat in Samsung?”

[We’re having the lighting ceremony today, how about some Korean beef to celebrate? It’s really delicious and special.]

“The completion day is also a completion celebration, isn’t it?”

[Of course.]

“Well, I understand. Reserve whatever you want to eat.”

[Ooh…! That’s our CEO!]

After hanging up with Kyung-wan, Woo-jin immediately called the marketing department’s extension.

“Director, is it a good time to talk?”

[Yes, CEO. Go ahead.]

“The lighting ceremony seems to be proceeding as scheduled today… Please make sure the preparations I mentioned yesterday go smoothly.”

[I understand. I was just about to call the Aviation Administration again.]

“Have you set up all the filming equipment as well?”

[Of course!]

After ending the call with the marketing team, Woo-jin leaned back in his chair.

The day was full of tasks, but Woojin found it hard to start. His head felt fuzzy, like he hadn’t slept well. He blinked, trying to clear his thoughts. *Click* – his chair creaked as he leaned back, closing his eyes for just a moment.

“Oof!” he mumbled, quickly sitting up straight. He needed to focus. *Click, click* – his fingers tapped on the desk, but his mind kept drifting to the lighting ceremony. He had to get his work done first.

And so, a little after 5 o’clock.

“I’m leaving a bit early,” Woojin said.

“Samseong-dong, right?” his team leader asked.

“Yeah. Finish up here, then come join me later. Don’t be too late.”

“Got it!”

Woojin packed his things and hurried to Samseong-dong.

Woojin’s pace was faster than ever.

Maybe it was the coming summer, or maybe it was just his excitement for tonight. Whatever it was, the late afternoon sun in May seemed to stretch on forever. By the time Woojin finished a quick dinner and met Kyungwan, it was already seven in the evening. As they walked to the car, Woojin glanced up at the sky.

“It’s still so bright,” he murmured.

“I know,” Kyungwan agreed. “Maybe we should have planned the lighting for nine?”

“Hmm… No,” Woojin said thoughtfully. “The early evening sky has its own kind of beauty.”

The place the two were heading was not the SGBC site.

Rather, Woojin’s car was heading in the opposite direction of the site.

“Hey! Where are we going?” Kyungwan asked, sounding confused.

Woojin just smiled. “You’ll see. It’s a surprise.”

Woojin, carrying Kyungwan who had an puzzled expression, drove silently for about 10 minutes along the Tancheon Stream, and soon parked the car in front of an unexpected building and got out in the parking lot.

Then, Kyungwan, who got out of the car, asked Woojin with a puzzled expression.

“Hey, we don’t have much time!” Kyungwan said, checking his watch.

“I know, I know,” Woojin replied calmly.

“We need to be back by eight! Is traffic going to be bad?”

“Traffic’s not a problem,” Woojin said, a hint of mystery in his voice. “We’re not going back by road.”

“Wait… what?” Kyungwan frowned.

Woojin turned to the stranger who was approaching. “Right, Manager Park?”

Following Woojin’s gaze, Kyungwan’s gaze naturally turned as well.

There, a stranger was coming out of the building.

Leaving Kyungwan with a still puzzled expression, Woojin shook hands with him.

“Haha, it’s an honor to meet CEO Seo Woojin in person like this.”

“An honor? I’m not that great of a person… Haha.”

“You’re great enough. I always pass by SGBC on my way to work, and I’m really impressed every time I see it.”

“Thank you so much for saying that.”

While the stranger and Woojin were talking, Kyungwan looked around.

And after a while.

‘Ah……!’

Kyungwan was soon able to realize where this was.

Woojin had brought Kyungwan to an aviation company that specializes in helicopters.

“This is Director Park Kyungwan from our company.”

“Ah, nice to meet you, Director. My name is Park Seung-cheol.”

“Nice to meet you, Manager. I’m Park Kyungwan.”

Following the manager’s guidance, they entered the building, and the filming crew prepared by WJ Studio had already arrived.

“CEO! Director!”

“Haha, everyone’s here.”

And after a while.

*Dududududu-*! The loud thumping of helicopter blades filled the air as they climbed into the aircraft one by one. Inside, the noise was still strong, vibrating through their seats.

Since preparations had been made in advance, the procedure did not take long.

“What’s wrong, Director? Are you scared?”

“I’ve never ridden a helicopter before……”

“I don’t think there’s anyone here who’s ridden a helicopter twice, though?”

“……”

Soon, they lifted off the ground. Seoul spread out beneath them, twinkling with city lights as darkness deepened. In the distance, Woojin could make out the shape of the SGBC building, a tall, dark shadow against the fading sky. It was still just a black shape, waiting to be brought to life.

While Woojin and Kyungwan were on their way to the helicopter, the sky had become quite dark.

Because there were no lights on in the SGBC Tower just before the lighting ceremony.

[Passengers, hold on tight.]

Perhaps because they were traveling by air, the helicopter quickly arrived at the SGBC Tower and slowly began to approach the vicinity.

Flying over a building that was over 500 meters tall, Woojin was even afraid to look down out the window.

‘It feels completely different from riding an airplane.’

While the group was getting used to the helicopter, the pilot skillfully began to circle around the SGBC building.

And when the helicopter’s flight path stabilized.

The filming crew’s radio began to ring.

[Team Leader, are you ready?]

“Okay. We’re ready over here.”

[It’s 5 minutes away. Is it okay to proceed with the lighting ceremony as planned?]

The filming team leader, who received the call, reflexively stared at Woojin.

“CEO, shall we proceed?”

Woojin nodded his head, of course.

“Yes. Let’s go as planned.”

As soon as Woojin finished speaking, the radio was cut off, and the filming crew began to check their equipment once more in a flurry.

And after 3 minutes had passed like this.

[Ready… Cue!]” crackled the radio.

A moment of silence, then – *Ding*! A single light sparked to life at the base of the massive building. *Ding- Ding- Ding*! More lights followed, one after another, climbing upwards. Following the lines of the building’s design, pure white lights bloomed in a steady rhythm. It was like watching a giant pillar of light being built in front of their eyes, reaching up, up, up the 500 meters of the tower.

“Wow…” breathed someone in the helicopter. Everyone stared, mouths open in awe. From this high above, the unfolding spectacle was breathtaking, a once-in-a-lifetime view.

The lights spiraled upwards, wrapping around the building in a diagonal dance, until finally, they reached and illuminated the very top floor. Woojin stared, his heart swelling with emotion. *His* building. The most beautiful building in Seoul. At this moment, Woojin’s SGBC Tower, the building the world would soon admire, revealed its glory to the night.