Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 733

“In the future, Nongshim will maintain its current state without any major issues. However…”

Hyun-sung added a condition with the word ‘however.’ Shin Min-ki immediately asked,

“However? Does that mean you have something else to say?”

“Yes, that’s right. There are a few shortcomings. If those are improved, Nongshim will be able to grow into an even more developed form than it is now.”

“What is it?”

Shin Min-ki asked as soon as Hyun-sung finished speaking. His eyes were shining more brightly than ever before.

This meant that he was taking Hyun-sung’s words very seriously.

Perhaps that was a natural reaction.

As someone in a position to represent the company, it was only natural for him to worry about the company’s future.

“There are a few things.”

“A few things?”

Shin Min-ki’s expression seemed to tense up a bit at Hyun-sung’s words.

His gaze turned to Hyun-sung’s mouth.

Hyun-sung nodded and continued speaking.

“Yes, that’s right. The first thing I want to mention is the investment in new products. In the future, many companies will jump into the ramen business much more actively than they are now.”

Shin Min-ki nodded as if he had expected it to some extent. Seeing that, Hyun-sung continued.

“In the end, it’s a battle of new products. Who will create the ramen that consumers want more?”

“I suppose so.”

“So, what I want to say is that we need to invest more in new product development than we do now. Of course, it may seem like the most basic thing to say, but in the end, the outcome will be determined by the investment in new products.”

Perhaps it was obvious. But Hyun-sung deliberately mentioned that part again. The reason was that Nongshim released fewer new products compared to other companies at that time.

Shin Min-ki’s expression became serious. It meant that he was contemplating it in his own way.

Hyun-sung observed his expression for a moment and then continued.

“But there’s one thing you must keep in mind.”

“What is it?”

“It’s Shin Ramyun. No matter what anyone says, Shin Ramyun is Nongshim’s flagship product. You must never overlook that.”

“So, you’re saying that we should invest in developing new products while also making consistent investments in Shin Ramyun?”

Shin Min-ki’s expression was quite serious as he spoke.

That meant he was taking Hyun-sung’s words seriously.

Confirming that, Hyun-sung nodded and immediately replied.

“Yes, that’s exactly it. People and things can become complacent when they’re doing well. Shin Ramyun is at that point right now. It’s achieving the best results in the ramen industry, without a doubt.”

Hyun-sung continued.

“As the saying goes, people lose their initial intentions the moment they become arrogant. The same goes for Shin Ramyun. If you neglect investing in Shin Ramyun just because it’s doing well now, consumers will soon notice, even if you don’t realize it at first. And then, at some point, consumers will leave. By then, it will be too late. Bringing back consumers who have left requires several times more effort than the first time. I think the Chairman knows that better than anyone.”

It was the most basic thing to say.

The purpose of Hyun-sung saying this was to tell Chairman Shin Min-ki to protect the basics.

Was it effective?

Chairman Shin Min-ki’s eyes deepened. He then continued.

“I understand what you’re saying. I was planning to reduce investment in existing products next year, but I will reconsider it carefully.”

“Let me say it again, Nongshim’s main product is Shin Ramyun, and you must never forget that. If the main product collapses, Nongshim will collapse with it. It may be presumptuous, but I wanted to say this.”

“Presumptuous? Why would you say that? I’m listening to every word you say, President Kim.”

Shin Min-ki sighed in relief.

In fact, he thought that Shin Ramyun had completely established itself, so he was planning to reduce investment in it.

But after listening to Hyun-sung, he realized how dangerous that thought was.

Shin Min-ki picked up the soju [Korean distilled spirit] bottle in front of him.

“President, have a drink. Thanks to you, I think I avoided making a big mistake today. I’m glad I came to see you.”

Pouring.

Shin Min-ki filled Hyun-sung’s glass with soju. Then, Hyun-sung also took the soju bottle and poured soju into Shin Min-ki’s glass.

The two of them held out their soju glasses as if they had made a promise.

After emptying his soju glass, Hyun-sung picked up a piece of pork rind and placed it on Shin Min-ki’s plate, saying.

“Try this one this time. It’s a little cold, but it might taste better than when you had it warm. Pork rind is usually more delicious when it’s slightly cold.”

“Oh, is that so!”

Shin Min-ki looked pleasantly surprised and dipped the pork rind on his plate in soybean powder before bringing it to his mouth.

“Haha, this is the taste. It’s much chewier and tastier than when I eat it warm. How fascinating.”

Shin Min-ki had a satisfied expression.

He ate a few more pieces of pork rind in a row and then looked back at Hyun-sung and asked.

“What else is there?”

“Welfare.”

“Welfare?”

“Yes, that’s right. What I want to say is that you should increase the welfare of the employees more than you do now.”

Back then, employee welfare was severely lacking. Hyun-sung wanted to talk about that point now.

Welfare is ultimately about money.

Perhaps it was because the topic of money came up.

Shin Min-ki’s expression suddenly darkened. He immediately opened his mouth.

“Are you saying that the current state is insufficient?”

“Yes, that’s right. Of course, salary is important, but welfare, including the working environment, is also very important. I want to tell you to take action before the labor union exerts its power. That will be more beneficial to the company.”

“Exert its power?”

Shin Min-ki’s eyes widened. That meant he didn’t know the atmosphere of the company’s labor union yet.

Hyun-sung continued.

“There will be a major strike at the end of next year. So, in advance…”

“Wait a minute!”

Shin Min-ki interrupted Hyun-sung. Then, as if thinking about something, he immediately asked.

“Is the new labor union leader who will be changing next year causing problems?”

“Problems? Is that all you see it as, Chairman?”

Hyun-sung’s eyes sharpened.

The purpose of Hyun-sung telling him that first was to improve things in advance and operate the company in a more progressive manner.

But Shin Min-ki immediately used the word ‘problem,’ so he couldn’t help but feel upset.

Shin Min-ki’s expression changed instantly. He also sensed that something was wrong from Hyun-sung’s expression.

His reaction came immediately.

“Ah, that’s not it, I was just saying…”

“I don’t think it’s just a problem. The company is the one that provided the cause.”

“Yes, I understand. I will go back to the company and have a deep discussion with our working-level staff about that part.”

“I hope you will take more care of your employees with the thought that they are family. If employees don’t have affection for the company, the company won’t last long.”

“Family…”

Shin Min-ki seemed to think for a moment at Hyun-sung’s words and then nodded.

“Yes, let’s do that. I understand what you’re trying to say. I will also consider it positively.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“No, I should be the one thanking you. Where else would I hear these things?”

Shin Min-ki’s expression looked more relaxed than before.

Confirming that, Hyun-sung said again.

“Then, I’ll say one last thing.”

“Already the last one?”

Shin Min-ki stroked his chin as if he was disappointed. Then, Hyun-sung smiled slightly and continued.

“Yes, this is the last thing I want to say. You have to do everything in moderation, right?”

“Haha, you don’t have to be so formal… But this is making me a little nervous. I wonder what you’re going to say this time.”

Shin Min-ki licked his lips as if he was slightly nervous.

Seeing that, Hyun-sung said briefly.

“It’s about giving back.”

“Giving back?”

Shin Min-ki stared at Hyun-sung as if he didn’t know what he was talking about.

Hyun-sung continued.

“To be more precise, I’m talking about social contribution.”

“Ah, social contribution.”

Shin Min-ki nodded as if he understood now. Then he immediately continued.

“So, you’re saying that the company should donate a certain portion of its profits to society?”

“Yes, that’s right. That will ultimately improve the company’s image.”

“Hmm, improvement…”

Shin Min-ki trailed off and stared into space. He was thinking his own thoughts.

After a while.

Shin Min-ki opened his mouth again.

“Are you saying that our company’s image is not good?”

“I think the Chairman knows that better than I do… I don’t think I need to say it directly.”

“Hmm…”

Shin Min-ki was silent again.

He picked up the soju glass in front of him and brought it to his mouth.

After emptying his soju glass, Shin Min-ki opened his mouth without even eating any snacks.

“President Kim, what should I do?”

“Hmm, I don’t know.”

“Don’t be like that, please tell me what you think so I can take it into consideration.”

Hyun-sung seemed to think for a moment and then immediately opened his mouth.

“Yes, alright. Since you asked me that way, I’ll speak frankly, even if it’s rude. First of all, make the amount of ramen for export and domestic consumption the same. Of course, the amount of ingredients in the soup should also be the same.”

It was a well-known secret that the quality of Shin Ramyun for export and domestic consumption was different. Hyun-sung was talking about that now.

“I didn’t want to talk about this, but it’s not right to play around with the soup ingredients, of all things.”

“Ahem…”

Shin Min-ki couldn’t say anything else and just cleared his throat.

That meant that he was already aware of that fact.

“I’ll stop talking about that here. So, that’s why I’m saying that there’s a need to improve the company’s image.”

When Hyun-sung finished speaking, Shin Min-ki was silent as if he was contemplating. But his contemplation didn’t last long.

“President Kim, since you’ve already started, can you tell me if there are any other ways to improve the company’s image?”

“Hmm…”

Hyun-sung thought for a moment and then immediately opened his mouth.

“Do you know what happened in Gangneung in the spring of 1988 when the Olympics were held?”

“Gangneung in the spring of 1988?”

“Yes, there was a big incident in Gangneung at that time…”

“Well, I was in Japan at that time, so…”

Shin Min-ki tilted his head as if he didn’t know. Then, he suddenly gestured towards the window.

“Hey, Chief Yoon.”

Shin Min-ki called Yoon Seung-hyun, who was the chief of the secretary office.

Yoon Seung-hyun jumped up and ran to Shin Min-ki. Then, Shin Min-ki immediately asked.

“Chief Yoon, do you know what happened in Gangneung in the spring of 1988?”

“The spring of 1988… Ah, I remember.”

Yoon Seung-hyun seemed to think for a moment and then said that he remembered and continued.

“There was a lot of rain in Gangneung at that time. It was a disaster overnight. The Namdaecheon River overflowed and part of the city was flooded. Fortunately, there were no casualties due to the quick response of the Gangneung mayor, but the property damage was enormous.”

After listening to Yoon Seung-hyun’s story, Shin Min-ki tilted his head and looked at Hyun-sung. Then he immediately said.

“President Kim, I’m sorry, but I don’t know what this story has to do with our Nongshim…”

Instead of answering, Hyun-sung looked at Yoon Seung-hyun. Then, Yoon Seung-hyun nodded as if he understood and immediately continued speaking to Shin Min-ki.

“Chairman, I’ll tell you about that. At that time, our Nongshim deployed ten food trucks to Gangneung.”

“Food trucks? Are you talking about those trucks that make food?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Really? But what about it?”

Shin Min-ki still tilted his head as if he didn’t know what he was talking about. Then, Yoon Seung-hyun, seeing that, spoke again.

“At that time, the former chairman used ten food trucks to cook ramen and provide it to the citizens who were affected by the flood for two months.”

“For two months?”

“Yes, that’s right. It took two months to recover from the damage caused by the flood victims. During that time, he cooked ramen and helped the flood victims every day without fail. Of course, it was under the special instructions of the former chairman.”

“Hmm, my father…”

Shin Min-ki was silent for a moment as if he was thinking about something.

At some point, Shin Min-ki opened his mouth again.

“So, what happened?”

“Something strange happened.”

“Something strange? What is it?”

“Shin Ramyun’s sales increased by 10%. It was an unexpected and enormous result.”

“Wow, 10%…”

Shin Min-ki had a blank expression as if he couldn’t believe it. His gaze was directed at Hyun-sung.

“President, are you the one who came up with that idea?”

“Of course, that’s true, but I didn’t do it for advertising purposes from the beginning. I was just looking for a way to help the flood victims, and that resulted in an increase in Shin Ramyun’s sales.”

“It wasn’t for advertising purposes, but it ended up being advertising?”

Hyun-sung nodded. Then, Shin Min-ki immediately asked again.

“Can I ask why you’re telling me this story now?”

“It’s up to the Chairman to find the answer. Think carefully. Why am I telling you this story at this point in time?”

“Well, um…”

Shin Min-ki narrowed his brows and closed his eyes tightly. It was a moment of deep thought.