The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 9

9. Becoming a Villain in a Chaebol Family – The Blood of a Chaebol 05 –

***

December 21, 1981.

Chairman Jung Woo-sun’s office at the Daewoon Group in Jongno [a district in Seoul].

Chairman Jung Woo-sun concluded the final meeting of 1981 with the following words:

“Now that the oil shock seems to be over, let’s do things properly next year.”

The presidents of Daewoon Group’s affiliates bowed their heads in unison, echoing Chairman Jung Woo-sun’s words.

“We will do things properly next year.”

After the meeting, Chairman Jung Woo-sun called in Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik and Managing Director Jung Min-seok separately.

“Chief Secretary Hong.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“You’ve worked hard this year.”

“It’s nothing.”

1981 was not an easy year for South Korea. Political instability aside, the aftermath of the oil shock that began with the Middle East war remained, hindering the economy.

Daewoon Group also had a difficult year. Several affiliates suffered losses that couldn’t be overlooked, and there was even talk of liquidating one.

“How is Hyun-woo?”

It had been almost a month since Chairman Jung Woo-sun had last inquired about his grandson, Jung Hyun-woo.

“He still hasn’t returned to school.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, tsk, if only he were half like his father.”

Jung Min-hyuk, Jung Hyun-woo’s father and his eldest son, was a brilliant man who graduated from Seoul National University with excellent grades.

If he hadn’t lost his life in Sudan, there would have been no need to worry about the group’s successor.

“I will look into it further.”

“Will he be able to come for the New Year’s holiday?”

In 1981, South Korea did not observe the Lunar New Year. Instead, they celebrated the New Year starting from January 1st.

Just as Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik was about to answer, Managing Director Jung Min-seok interjected.

“I don’t think it will be easy this time.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun’s gaze turned to his second son.

“How do you know about Hyun-woo’s affairs?”

“Isn’t Hyun-woo my nephew?”

“Is that so?”

Managing Director Jung Min-seok clasped his hands together and said,

“The aftereffects of losing his brother seem to be significant. I think it would be better to watch him for a few more years…”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun cut him off, raising his voice.

“How long are we going to keep watching! How can we just leave a guy who’s doing drugs when everyone else is studying for college entrance exams!”

“…”

When Chairman Jung Woo-sun was angry, no one could stop him.

As he raised his voice, Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik stepped in to defuse the situation.

“Chairman, I will make sure he can return to school next year.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun, frustrated, emptied the water next to him in one gulp.

“Is it over once he returns to school? What about university?”

“He doesn’t go to school, but he has a private tutor.”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun scoffed at Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik’s words.

“Do you think that guy will listen to a private tutor?”

“I heard it’s a bit different this time.”

“Different?”

“Chairman, he hasn’t caused any trouble for half a year. When has Hyun-woo ever been this quiet?”

Chairman Jung Woo-sun still seemed frustrated.

“Is it enough that he’s not causing trouble?”

Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik bowed deeply as if he had done something wrong.

“Chairman.”

“Enough! My head hurts just hearing about that guy.”

He was the one who brought up the story first. But it always ended like this.

After the conversation with Chairman Jung Woo-sun ended, Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik and Managing Director Jung Min-seok came outside.

“Managing Director Jung, about Hyun-woo.”

“Senior, is there a problem?”

“Wouldn’t it have been okay for him to come this New Year’s?”

On January 1st, there was a family event where all the members of the Jung family gathered.

However, Jung Hyun-woo had not been able to attend this event for three years.

Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik thought it would be okay for him to show his face now.

However, Managing Director Jung Min-seok’s answer deviated from his intention.

“As I said before, it’s not time yet for Hyun-woo.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Do you think he can withstand the attention of the people?”

“…”

He wasn’t being invited for Jung Hyun-woo’s sake.

‘But how long are we going to keep avoiding it?’

If he keeps hiding, he will become someone no one looks for.

Managing Director Jung Min-seok turned his body and said,

“I heard he’s deeply engrossed in games these days, so it would be best to leave him alone.”

Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik looked at his retreating figure and thought.

‘He’s not intentionally excluding Hyun-woo because of the succession battle, is he? If so, his capacity is too small.’

The chairman of Daewoon Group had to have a large capacity to embrace everyone.

However, Managing Director Jung Min-seok’s capacity did not seem that large.

***

“There was no talk of inviting me this year either.”

Jung Hyun-woo showed no particular reaction to Choi Kyung-min’s words.

“No one likes me anyway.”

“Young Master.”

“I prefer it here anyway. Sera is here too.”

After the release of Zero Space, Sera’s visits and time spent had increased significantly.

Of course, all of this was a secret from Choi Kyung-min.

“I’m going on a ski trip with Sera for Christmas, so you can take a break at the end of the year.”

“Another trip?”

“The Hilton Hotel is free, so I can’t not go.”

Choi Kyung-min knew that Jung Hyun-woo didn’t like him accompanying him.

‘He must feel like he’s being watched if I go with him.’

He didn’t bother to go with him on the last trip for this reason.

‘Besides, he hasn’t shown any interest in drugs lately.’

Recently, Jung Hyun-woo looked like a typical high school student engrossed in games and computers.

He was somewhat relieved by this.

“When are you leaving and when are you coming back?”

“Sera will tell you the details.”

“Is it because Sera planned the trip?”

“I’m just following along.”

Speak of the devil.

Ding-dong.

Sera arrived with the sound of the doorbell.

“Hello?”

“Good day.”

Choi Kyung-min asked her about the travel schedule. Sera answered, holding up a few fingers.

“We’ll be leaving the day before Christmas and coming back on January 5th.”

“That’s quite a long trip.”

The last field trip only took two days.

“Ten days is short.”

Ten days is short.

Choi Kyung-min couldn’t easily agree with this.

‘A few days is one thing, but ten days is too long.’

If something happened, it would all be his responsibility. As he narrowed his brow, Sera said,

“Tom, don’t worry. Charlie is a completely different boy now.”

“That’s true, but the trip is too long.”

“It’s an event where the Hilton family gathers, so you don’t have to worry.”

The Hilton family.

With this one word, Choi Kyung-min had no choice but to back down.

‘Perhaps this could be a good opportunity for the Young Master.’

Entering American high society.

This was something that even Jung Min-seok and other Daewoon Group heirs had not achieved.

“Sera, let’s go up.”

As Jung Hyun-woo urged, Sera waved to Choi Kyung-min and headed to the second floor.

Clack.

As she closed the door, Jung Hyun-woo changed his expression to a serious one.

“Sera, how did it go?”

Sera also changed her posture and voice.

“Sales? Or rankings?”

“Both.”

“Both are the best.”

Light shone from Sera’s face.

“Both are the best?”

“We beat Montana in the third week of December sales.”

Montana was a new game released by Atari, the absolute powerhouse of the North American game industry, aiming for the year-end market.

“That’s great.”

“Charlie, shouldn’t you be a little happier?”

“Should I shout ‘hurray’ or something? Tom will hear us if I do.”

Sera chuckled.

“Is it still a secret?”

“I plan to keep it a secret until the end.”

“Your tail will be stepped on if it gets too long [meaning you’ll get caught eventually].”

“I plan to hide it until my tail is stepped on.”

Sera handed the documents she had brought to Jung Hyun-woo.

“Here, check it out.”

Jung Hyun-woo accepted the documents showing sales and rankings.

“Wow, at this rate, 1 million copies isn’t a dream.”

“If it’s 1 million, is the royalty $5 million?”

In 1981, $5 million was 1.5 billion won [South Korean currency]. And this money was a fortune that could buy dozens of Apgujeong Hyundai Apartments, one of the most expensive apartments.

“Sera’s share will also increase to $500,000.”

Sera thought she had landed a good job.

‘A genius boy needs a supportive adult.’

Jung Hyun-woo didn’t know it, but she was standing at a crossroads in her life.

“The deposit is in two months.”

“Two months? That’s quite late?”

“Even if sales occur at the retail level, the money doesn’t come in right away.”

Jung Hyun-woo flipped through the documents and focused on the last page.

“There’s an arcade plan.”

Sera nodded and took the words.

“Robert called. He said he’s only going to make 1,000 units for now. Maybe the deposit will be faster on this side.”

1,000 units is $10,000.

The amount wasn’t that big. But if it succeeded in the arcade market, they could aim to enter the PC market.

‘The game market isn’t just about home consoles.’

If they broadened their horizons to the European game market, the PC game market was also a significant size.

“It’s like sailing with the wind [everything is going smoothly].”

“That’s because you made the best game.”

Jung Hyun-woo didn’t know that Zero Space would do this well either.

‘I was aiming to sell out 100,000 copies, but I surpassed that in the first week.’

He put down the documents and said,

“Sera, how is the joint venture going?”

Zero Space’s sales had far exceeded the 30,000 copies that the two had promised for their partnership.

“It’s in preparation.”

“The equity ratio remains the same, right?”

“You get 70%, I get 30%.”

He could have taken more shares if he had been greedy, but Jung Hyun-woo didn’t do that.

‘If the stake is too small, Sera may not work actively.’

He predicted that Sera’s connections and the Hilton family name would be of great help in the future.

‘The Hilton Group’s power is much greater than the Daewoon Group’s in the United States.’

Jung Hyun-woo could see her power at Activision.

‘If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have been able to pressure Robert.’

Robert lost his will to fight just by mentioning the Hilton Group.

“So, where are we going on this vacation?”

Sera twirled her right index finger and answered.

“Skiing on Wall Street!”

That’s right.

The two’s destination was not a ski resort, but New York.

And that was Wall Street.

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