IWSF – Ch 208

CL Group Chairman Yang Jun-mo’s granddaughter, Yang Hana.

Her father, Yang Ho-young, is the president of CL Chemicals, and her mother, Hong Eun-joo, was a famous actress. The wedding of a second-generation conglomerate heir and the era’s top actress was quite the sensational event at the time.

Yang Hana inherited her mother’s charisma and looks, making her beauty rival that of most celebrities, enhanced by careful grooming.

When she appeared in a CL Group promotional commercial, it created a significant buzz, leading to an influx of offers from entertainment agencies. Photos capturing her at parties or events became newsworthy.

As soon as she entered the hall, all eyes were on her. If she hadn’t come with her father, men would have rushed over to speak to her.

While Yang Hana enjoyed the party atmosphere, Yang Ho-young looked worried.

“Has Kang Jin-hoo not arrived yet?”

Just as Seosung Group partnered with OTK Company, CL Group was collaborating with Eunsung Motors in the fields of automotive electronics and battery production.

In terms of scale and revenue, CL Electronics couldn’t compare to Seosung Electronics. However, in battery production, CL Chemicals had secured the top position in South Korea, surpassing Seosung SB.

The biggest issue in the battery industry right now is the next-generation battery developed by Professor Kim Ho-min.

If commercialized successfully, the benefits would naturally go to the joint venture TS Company and Seosung SB. CL Chemicals, lacking this new technology, would fall behind.

Though they could manage without OTK Company in the automotive electronics sector, they needed their cooperation in battery production.

Thus, this was a valuable opportunity to forge connections.

Yang Hana reassured her father.

“Don’t worry. I’ll talk it over and try to set up a meeting.”

Beyond group matters, she was personally interested in Kang Jin-hoo.

Many young men in the business world had pursued her, but none stood out to her.

However, the CEO of OTK Company was different.

OTK Company is a non-listed firm, with Kang Jin-hoo holding 80% of the shares. Considering the current corporate value, his personal assets exceed 100 trillion. With this standing, he is not only the richest in Korea but also ranks among the world’s wealthiest.

‘What’s so special about Kang Jin-hoo? He’s just a man after all.’

Born into a family ranked fourth in the business world and endowed with natural beauty, Yang Hana was quite confident.

She greeted acquaintances alongside her father. However, she had a feeling that the attention of those around her was dispersed.

When she turned her head, she saw a woman around her age. The woman was a beauty with a cute face wearing a casual dress with a short skirt. What was unusual was that her hair was blonde.

The business world is conservative, so it would be safe to assume that no one dyed their hair blonde to such an extent.

If she had seen her before, she would have recognized her at a glance due to the hair color.

‘Who brought her as a partner?’

In any case, it was unsettling to think there was another woman drawing attention besides her.

As she pondered this, Kang Jin-hoo finally entered the party venue. His appearance in a suit was not much different from what she had seen on broadcasts.

‘He’s not bad-looking.’

Surprisingly, he was with a Caucasian woman with brown hair. From her face and proportions, she seemed to be a model. Beyond her pretty face, she exuded a unique, alluring aura.

‘Where did that woman come from?’

Not much is known about Kang Jin-hoo’s personal life. Was she simply accompanying him as a partner, or was she his girlfriend? If she was, how deep was their relationship?

Kang Jin-hoo greeted the people from Seosung Group. As Chairman Im Jin-yong and President Im Soo-mi moved elsewhere, Yang Hana, who had been watching for an opportunity, approached Kang Jin-hoo to greet him.

“Hello, CEO Kang Jin-hoo. I’m Yang Hana, the granddaughter of Chairman Yang Jun-mo from CL Group.”

Kang Jin-hoo shook her hand.

“Yes, hello. Nice to meet you.”

She said, flashing a wink.

“I’ve really wanted to meet you for a long time. If it’s okay with you…”

However, before she could finish her sentence, he was already looking at someone else.

“What brings you here?”

“It’s been a while.”

Next to him stood the blonde woman she had seen earlier. From their conversation, it seemed they knew each other.

Yang Hana bit her lip slightly.

“Why are there so many women around? Is he a player?”

***

As expected of a Ceylon hotel, the lobby seems to reinterpret traditional styles in a modern way. Instead of a giant chandelier, soft lighting embedded in the walls and ceiling illuminated the surroundings.

When I entered with Ellie, I felt the gazes of people focused on us.

The first to approach were Chairman Im Jin-yong and President Im Soo-mi.

“It’s nice to see you both together here again.”

I had met Chairman Im Jin-yong when I was in Silicon Valley with Ellie. We exchanged shares of CarOS and Seosung Electronics at that gathering.

I said to President Im Soo-mi, “Congratulations on the hotel opening.”

“Thank you for coming.”

President Im Soo-mi greeted Ellie, saying, “As I heard, you’re quite the beauty. Representative Kang Jin-hoo must be smitten.”

Ellie politely replied, “Thank you.”

Hyun-joo’s comment about the modern-day noble party was no joke. The business world has its hierarchy based on company size.

If the top five groups are dukes, the next ten companies are marquesses, and the twenty below them are counts, perhaps the bottom tier in the business world is barons?

It feels like almost everyone who drives the Korean industry is gathered here.

There are unfamiliar faces, as well as some I’ve seen on TV a few times. I’ve met a few at a meeting hosted by Ronald.

“There are many foreigners too,” President Im Soo-mi remarked.

“They’re representatives from luxury brands.”

The hotel business doesn’t have a high operating profit margin. Therefore, most operate on a large scale globally, like Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott, or are usually part of a conglomerate.

Contrary to its name, the main business of Ceylon Hotel is duty-free shopping, and most of its operating profit comes from the duty-free shops.

Noticing that I seemed a bit tense, Chairman Im Jin-yong smiled and said.

“There’s absolutely no reason for you to be nervous. The one who should feel regret is on the other side.”

That’s true. What do I have to regret in front of the CEOs of major corporations?

“Just think of this as an opportunity to familiarize yourself with faces.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll greet the others and come back.”

As the host of the party, it was my duty to take care of the guests. Chairman Im Jin-yong and President Im Soo-mi mingled around the hall, greeting people.

While meeting the granddaughter of the CL Group, I spotted a familiar face.

I was taken aback.

“What are you doing here?”

“It’s been a while.”

She wore a short off-shoulder dress that fully revealed her shoulders, with slender legs extending beneath the knee-length hem. The most striking feature was her light blonde hair. But she wasn’t a foreigner.

“Did you come where you’re not supposed to?”

“Not exactly, but….”

I was just surprised to see a school junior in a setting like this.

Yuri beamed at me.

“I came with my dad.”

As the vice chairman of RCK Bros, he could easily be invited to such events.

“What about Chairman Ryu Cheol-gyun?”

“Uncle is currently in China.”

“I see.”

I’ll have to greet Vice Chairman Shin Byeong-doo later.

“Do you come to these kinds of parties often?”

At my question, Yuri shook her head.

“I’m a newbie too. I heard a rumor that you were coming, so I got curious and checked it out. It’s been a while since I saw you.”

Thinking back, it really has been a long time. A lot has happened in between.

“You made it here.”

Yuri bowed her head to Ellie.

“Hello, Ellie unni. You look so beautiful today.”

“Thank you. But in my eyes, you’re much prettier. You shine the most among everyone here.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

I asked Yuri, “Did you have vacation yet?”

“Of course.”

“Did you get good grades?”

At that, Yuri rolled her eyes.

“Senior, you sounded just like my dad. Do you really have to bring up such unpleasant topics at a nice gathering?”

“…Sorry.”

Seeing her respond like that, I felt like I had messed up. I wanted to show her my report card to comfort her.

“There will be a lot of people wanting to greet you, so I’ll come back later.”

“Okay.”

After Yuri left, Ellie asked me, “Isn’t Yuri really pretty?”

“Yeah, sure.”

I absently glanced around and murmured, “When is Hyun-joo unni coming?”

Ellie replied, “Ah! There she is.”

I turned my head toward the entrance.

Henry, dressed in a tuxedo, looked just like a Hollywood actor who had stepped out of a screen. Beside him was an incredible beauty.

For a moment, I thought it was someone other than Hyun-joo unni.

She had taken off her glasses, which she always wore, and had let her usually neatly tied hair down on one side. She wore a form-fitting, deep blue evening dress with a plunging back, paired with high heels.

I was taken aback.

Is that beauty really Hyun-joo unni?

Her expressions and movements seemed natural, as if she were familiar with such occasions. In contrast, Henry appeared much more nervous.

“Unni, you looked that beautiful?”

I had known her since middle school, but this was the first time I’d seen her like this.

Ellie nodded, beaming with pride.

“Absolutely. She was a hit at the Hong Kong party, you know.”

When I just heard about it, I thought it was an exaggeration, but seeing Hyun-joo unni now made me realize it was true. Plus, she must have been even younger back then.

The sight of them together was truly that of a handsome couple.

“Seeing them like this, they match perfectly.”

For some reason, her expression seemed even more proud.

“I think so too.”

Ellie waved her hand, and the two approached us.

I said with genuine admiration, “You look so beautiful I almost didn’t recognize you. If Taek-gyu saw you, he would have been shocked.”

Hyun-joo unni blinked and said, “Thanks, even if it’s just words. But it’s a bit uncomfortable since I haven’t worn lenses in a while.”

Ellie smiled brightly and handed champagne glasses to both of them.

“Alright, let’s all have a toast.”

We clinked our glasses.

A moment later, Senior Sangyeop also arrived. Next to him was a tall, slightly slim beauty.

It wasn’t the actress he was rumored to be dating before (he claims they only had a fling), but rather a fashion model he started seeing recently.

He’s as dedicated to his dating life as he is to work.

Since K Company has many contacts with large corporations, Senior Sangyeop knew the faces of many people.

He spoke to me in a low voice.

“Do you see those guys over there?”

When I turned my head, I saw a group of young men gathered in one corner.

“Those guys are the heirs of chaebols, and they probably don’t like the current situation. Look at their faces; they seem sour.”

“Why’s that?”

“They think it’s a talent to have good parents, and suddenly you show up and steal all the attention. They can’t exactly complain to the CEO of OTK Company.”

Senior Sangyeop pointed to another direction this time. There were young women gathered over there.

“Why do you think those women came so well-dressed? If they came alone, there would be plenty of women rushing in wanting to be near you.”

“Oh, come on.”

“Think about it. In any group, if you marry someone, you’d be a top contender in the business world instantly. Would such a good opportunity come by again? If chaebol families married solely for love, do you think ‘Beomseongseongga’ or ‘Beomunseongga’ would exist?”

“…That makes sense.”

I wasn’t particularly interested, though.

People greeted Senior Sangyeop first.

“Hello, CEO Park Sangyeop.”

“Oh! It’s been a long time, Executive Yoo.”

Then, naturally, Senior Sangyeop introduced me.

“CEO Kang Jinhoo. This is Executive Yoo Jeonghyeon from GJ Shopping.”

“Nice to meet you.”

It took quite some time just to greet everyone individually.

As I took a moment to breathe, unlike earlier, the surroundings felt a bit noisy.

Suddenly, I thought of Taek-gyu. Since he said he left Busan earlier, he must have arrived in Seoul by now.

Ellie noticed my expression and asked.

“What’s wrong?”

“I was thinking about Taek-gyu. I wish he could have come with us.”

At my words, Hyun-joo noona chuckled.

“He’d probably hate it. Let’s just be thankful if he didn’t show up in training clothes and slippers.”

“That’s true.”

Still, I felt somewhat guilty being the only one here.

We had originally planned to go to the game show together, but I felt bad sending him alone due to work. Should I have just followed him?

“I feel like I can hear Taek-gyu’s voice from somewhere right now.”

Ellie smiled.

“It’s probably just your imagination.”

I nodded.

“I know. But somehow it feels like Taek-gyu is desperately calling for me… Huh?”

Is it an auditory hallucination?

As I thought this and turned my head, the smile that was on Hyun-joo noona’s face had stiffened.

Without even saying who should go first, both noona and I shouted.

“Oh Taek-gyu!”