Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 734

737

How much time had passed?

Chairman Shin Min-ki, who had been contemplating with his eyes closed, slowly shook his head and opened his eyes. He looked at Hyun-sung and said, “President Kim, no matter how much I think about it, I truly don’t know. Could you please just tell me directly?”

“You really don’t know?”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s like I almost grasp it, but it’s strangely elusive.”

*Tsk.*

Hyun-sung clicked his tongue, feigning disappointment. After a moment’s thought, he turned to Director Yoon Seung-hyun, who was standing next to Chairman Shin Min-ki, and asked, “Perhaps, Director Yoon, do you also not know why I brought up that story at this point?”

“Well, I’ve pondered it a bit, but nothing is coming to mind clearly.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Hyun-sung looked back and forth between Director Shin Min-ki and Chairman Yoon Seung-hyun, then addressed Director Yoon Seung-hyun again. “Director, what do you think was the reason why Shin Ramyun sales increased by 10% back then?”

“Well, wouldn’t it be because Nongshim actively stepped up to help the flood victims?”

“Yes, good. Then, how do you think people who watched that on TV felt about Nongshim as a company?”

“Well, of course, they would have a good image… Ah, wait a minute!”

Director Yoon Seung-hyun stopped mid-sentence and slapped his knee as if he had an epiphany. He immediately said to Hyun-sung, “President, are you perhaps talking about image marketing right now?”

[Image marketing refers to creating a positive perception of a brand or company in the consumer’s mind, often through emotional appeals rather than direct product promotion.]

The goal is to increase the company’s sales by cultivating a favorable image.

Hyun-sung nodded with a smirk instead of answering. Director Yoon Seung-hyun’s expression immediately shifted.

“That’s exactly it! That’s what you wanted to say, President.”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s a way to increase sales without directly advertising the product. And that effect is much greater than advertising each product individually.”

Just then, Chairman Shin Min-ki interjected, “So, President Kim, you’re saying we should aim for advertising effects by appealing to consumers’ emotions?”

“Yes, that’s right. That’s exactly what image marketing is.”

“So, in the end, you’re using that incident as an example to improve the image of Nongshim as a company.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Hyun-sung nodded. Then, Chairman Shin Min-ki asked again, “Are you suggesting we use that method again?”

“I don’t think there’s a better method than that food truck, but what do you think, Chairman?”

“Hmm, a food truck…”

Chairman Shin Min-ki stroked his chin and fell silent, pondering the idea.

After a moment, Chairman Shin Min-ki tilted his head and looked at Hyun-sung. “President, you see, there are no flood-stricken areas right now, so how can we use a food truck for image advertising?”

“Think carefully. What’s out there?”

“Well, I don’t know if it’s because I’m not thinking straight, but I can’t think of a way to use a food truck right now. Hey, Director Yoon, do you have any ideas?”

Chairman Shin Min-ki suddenly looked at Director Yoon Seung-hyun, who was standing next to him. Director Yoon Seung-hyun, momentarily flustered, flinched and seemed unsure of what to say.

Seeing that, Hyun-sung asked Director Yoon Seung-hyun, “Director, do you not have any ideas either?”

“Well, that’s…”

Director Yoon Seung-hyun only moved his lips and couldn’t continue. Chairman Shin Min-ki made a hollow expression and said again, “Director Yoon, are we going to have to skip dinner tonight?”

“I’m sorry. It’s not easy.”

“No, it’s not like Director Yoon has to be sorry…”

Chairman Shin Min-ki gave a bitter smile and then looked at Hyun-sung again. “President Kim, I’m sorry. We’re at a loss. Please stop now and give us the answer. If we keep going, my blood pressure will only rise further. Hehe…”

Chairman Shin Min-ki gave a hollow laugh as if he had given up. Seeing that, Hyun-sung looked at the two of them with a wry expression, as if he couldn’t help it, and said, “Alright, then. I’ll tell you. What I’m thinking of is free meals.”

“Yes? Free meals?”

Chairman Shin Min-ki looked surprised. Director Yoon Seung-hyun, who was standing next to him, seemed equally surprised. He immediately asked, “Are you saying that Nongshim should provide free meals using food trucks?”

“Do you understand now? As you know, there are so many people struggling due to the IMF crisis [The International Monetary Fund crisis of the late 1990s caused widespread economic hardship in many Asian countries]. It’s really hard to even get one meal a day. Of course, there are other volunteer organizations providing free meals nationwide, but the number is very insufficient.”

“So, you’re saying we, Nongshim, should fill that gap?”

Director Yoon Seung-hyun’s eyes sparkled. He now fully understood what Hyun-sung was talking about.

This time, Chairman Shin Min-ki spoke up. “As expected, President Kim, you’re different. I can only admire how you came up with such an idea. That way, we can provide meals to those in need, and of course, the company’s image will improve as well. Isn’t this killing two birds with one stone? No, it’s more than killing two birds with one stone. The effect will be much better than the investment.”

Chairman Shin Min-ki had a satisfied and pleased expression. Seeing that, Hyun-sung smiled slightly and then continued, “Investing in about ten trucks should be enough.”

“Ten trucks?”

“Yes, we’re deploying ten food trucks across the country. We’re cooking Shin Ramyun on the spot and providing free meals.”

“Not rice, but Shin Ramyun… This is an amazing method. If that happens, Nongshim’s image will be…”

“Wait a minute!”

Hyun-sung raised his hand and interrupted Chairman Shin Min-ki’s words. Chairman Shin Min-ki stared at Hyun-sung, curious. He immediately asked, “Why? Is there perhaps a problem?”

“What’s important here is the purpose of the free meals.”

“Purpose? What purpose are you talking about?”

Chairman Shin Min-ki tilted his head, confused.

Hyun-sung’s answer immediately followed. “What I want to say is that the primary purpose of free meals is not to improve the company’s image.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

For Chairman Shin Min-ki, it was a confusing statement. He thought that the purpose of free meals was naturally to improve the company’s image. But Hyun-sung was now saying that wasn’t the case.

Then, what is the real purpose he’s talking about?

Chairman Shin Min-ki immediately asked, “President Kim, I don’t really understand what you’re saying right now. I thought the purpose of us providing free meals was naturally to improve the company’s image, but if that’s not the case, then what is the purpose?”

“Meals for those in need.”

“Yes? Meals for those in need?”

Chairman Shin Min-ki tilted his head and looked at Hyun-sung. He still didn’t understand what he meant.

At that time, Director Yoon Seung-hyun, who was standing next to Chairman Shin Min-ki, asked Hyun-sung, “Are you talking about the priority of the purpose right now, President?”

“Yes, that’s exactly it. That’s the part I want to talk about. The priority should not be changed here.”

Chairman Shin Min-ki, who heard Hyun-sung’s explanation, spoke again. “So, President Kim, you’re saying that we should think about the people receiving free meals first, rather than improving the company’s image?”

“Yes, that’s right. What’s most important here is people. We shouldn’t try to use them to film advertisements. We need to approach them with a pure heart to help them, just like the former chairman did in the past, and then the company’s image can improve secondarily.”

Hyun-sung’s words immediately followed. “If we approach it with the purpose of improving the company’s image from the beginning, people will soon realize the intention, and that will only have the opposite effect.”

“The opposite effect…”

Chairman Shin Min-ki seemed to be thinking for a moment, then immediately continued, “So, in the end, consumers will know the original purpose of providing free meals?”

“Yes, that’s right. And that gaze is surprisingly perceptive. Moreover, that gaze won’t be just from consumers.”

“Who else is there besides consumers?”

“The same industry. Their schemes will be no joke. That’s why we need to make the purpose even more clear.”

“Ah, yes… I guess there could be that.”

Chairman Shin Min-ki nodded as if he acknowledged it. Then, he immediately opened his mouth again. “This wasn’t simple after all.”

“No, it’s simple.”

“Yes? What does that mean again? When I think about it, there are more than one or two things to worry about.”

“All you need is the Chairman’s sincerity.”

“Are you talking about sincerity right now…?”

Chairman Shin Min-ki slowly asked back. His expression seemed quite serious, unlike before.

“Yes, that’s right. The problem ends when the Chairman’s sincerity is included. If that’s the case, no matter who tries to twist it maliciously, the Chairman will eventually win.”

“Sincerity…? This isn’t something that’s visible, and it’s difficult.”

“As I said a little while ago, the only problem is including the Chairman’s sincere heart that pities those in need. Why, isn’t there a saying that sincerity gets through?”

“Sincerity gets through…? Hehe, you’re giving me a difficult task.”

A strange smile spread across Chairman Shin Min-ki’s lips.

Of course, it won’t be an easy problem. But if Chairman Shin Min-ki puts down his greed a little, it’s entirely possible.

Hyun-sung, who had been looking at Chairman Shin Min-ki for a moment, picked up the soju bottle.

“Would you like a drink?”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Chairman Shin Min-ki held out his glass. Hyun-sung filled the glass with alcohol and then filled his own glass. Then, as if they had promised, the two quietly clinked glasses and then brought them to their mouths.

The two were silent.

At this moment, there was no need for words. After all, they just needed time to sort out their thoughts. Of course, Hyun-sung had already finished sorting things out.

After a while, Chairman Shin Min-ki quietly put down his glass and looked at Hyun-sung, then slowly continued, “I will put my heart and soul into promoting the free meal issue well. I don’t know how much of that sincere heart I will be able to capture, but that will be up to me, so I would appreciate it if you would watch over me. I am determined to return to my original intentions and do my best on this occasion so that Nongshim can be reborn.”

“…”

Hyun-sung only nodded quietly and didn’t say anything else.

Whether Nongshim will grow to the next level now depends on Chairman Shin Min-ki’s hands.

He had done everything he could. Now, like he said, he just had to trust him and watch over him.

Hyun-sung slowly nodded.

It was just then.

The store owner approached Hyun-sung.

“President, this is a service.”

What the store owner brought on a small tray was none other than beef heart.

“President! Isn’t this beef heart!”

Hyun-sung’s eyes sparkled. The reason is that those who have eaten it know that the taste of this beef heart is amazing.

As a result, Hyun-sung, who knew the taste, couldn’t help but be excited. Moreover, this wasn’t even on the menu, so Hyun-sung’s reaction was even more intense.

“This isn’t even on the menu, how did this happen?”

“It’s a special service. Actually, I’ve been thinking about it since earlier, but I made up my mind a little while ago.”

“If it’s a decision…?”

“I’m talking about the rent increase you mentioned earlier. I’m going to trust your words and agree to raise it. After all, it’ll be a profitable business in a year. So, I prepared this out of gratitude.”

When he first entered the store, the store owner’s expression wasn’t good. So, when he found out the reason, it was because the landlord was suddenly going to raise the rent by 200,000 won [approximately $150 USD].

From the store owner’s point of view, it was naturally a burden.

But Hyun-sung knew that this place would be incorporated into the road in a year, so he boldly told him to raise the rent. After all, he would receive several times the compensation in a year.

But that was only Hyun-sung’s position, who knew the future, and it was different from the store owner’s position.

He couldn’t help but wonder if he should believe Hyun-sung’s words.

But after much deliberation, he decided to believe Hyun-sung’s words. So, he brought the beef heart as a special service to thank him.

“You thought well. My words will be correct, so don’t worry about anything and just work hard at your business.”

“Yes, that’s what I’m thinking. I haven’t been able to sleep properly for the past few days because of that problem, but from today, I think I’ll be able to stretch my legs and sleep well thanks to you, President. Thank you again.”

The store owner’s expression had completely changed from when he first entered the store.

Hyun-sung’s expression was also naturally good.

Because he knew the sad heart of a tenant better than anyone else.

As the store owner stepped back, Hyun-sung divided the beef heart into small plates. Then, he walked to the table of the two people by the window.

After a while, when Hyun-sung returned, Chairman Shin Min-ki pointed to the beef heart with his finger and asked, “Is this that precious?”

“You’ll know when you eat it. Just wait a moment.”

With those words, Hyun-sung started grilling the beef heart on the grill.

It was already partially cooked, so he only needed to grill it lightly on the grill.

“Chairman, try it now.”

“Is it already cooked?”

“Yes, it’s already partially cooked, so you only need to grill it lightly. And you can just dip it in a little salt.”

“Where, then…”

Chairman Shin Min-ki brought the beef heart to his mouth with a curious expression.

“Hehe, how can there be such a taste…”

Chairman Shin Min-ki’s face began to light up with smiles as if he was satisfied.

After a while, Hyun-sung asked Chairman Shin Min-ki, “Have you confirmed everything you were curious about with me now?”

“No, what I’m really curious about is something else. Actually, that’s why I came to see President Kim.”

“Yes?”

Hyun-sung was dumbfounded. He had been talking until his mouth was dry. But this wasn’t the end.

Hyun-sung asked again. “What is it?”