“After hearing the announcement of passing(?), Senior Sang-yeop exhaled with a relieved expression.
“Ah, now I can catch my breath. I was actually quite nervous.”
“Then relax now and drink to your heart’s content.”
I filled his empty glass.
Senior Sang-yeop gulped down the beer like a thirsty person and asked, “How should I address you? CEO? President? Should I start using formal speech?”
I chuckled.
“Just call me as before. I’ll consider it when we have formal titles and more employees in the future.”
“Who else is there at OTK Company now? Surely not just the two of us?”
I shook my head.
“There is one more person.”
“Who is it?”
Taek-gyu said, “She’s Oh Hyun-joo, my older sister.”
I explained that I am currently working at Golden Gate Asia branch and have received various assistance, including establishing the corporation, thanks to her.
Senior Sang-yeop nodded in understanding as if it only made sense now.
“So that’s how you were able to accomplish such remarkable tasks.”
Hyun-joo sister’s joining was planned after everything was done. But we decided to talk about it gradually.
“What are the plans for the future?”
“I’ll tell you slowly. Let’s just drink today.”
We moved to a nearby pub and ordered dried snacks and soju.
As I poured the soju, I asked, “How was your academy work? Somehow I think you did well, as a senior.””
“Even though he was a popular instructor.” Because he taught a kid who could only do basic arithmetic and helped him get 70 to 80 points. When he said he was going to quit, the director pleaded with him saying he would increase the bonus. If that was the case, they should have done it sooner.
He is the type of person who sees things through once he starts something. He probably would have been quite successful if he had continued to be an academy instructor.
These days, don’t star instructors make tens of billions in salary?
“Have you thought about continuing?” I asked, and Sangyeop senior burst into laughter.
“It’s just that my body feels too restless. The world has changed significantly in recent years, and it will change even more in the future. Whether the market is rising or falling, there are plenty of opportunities if you look for them. But real big opportunities don’t come easily.”
“Big opportunities?” Sangyeop senior nodded in response to my question.
“The recent events are completely different from the past. It’s not just a matter of whether a company is doing well or not, but rather a process of complete restructuring of industries.”
When Taekgyu asked, Sangyeop senior lifted his smartphone.
“This is a classic example. Initially, when Apple released the iPhone, the dominant players in the market ignored or mocked it. They thought there was no need to spend money on something they could already do with existing devices. But how about now?”
In less than 10 years, smartphones have displaced feature phones and become essential items in daily life. Not only that.
Not only specialized but general devices like digital cameras, PDAs, MP3 players, calculators, and electronic dictionaries have been pushed out of the market by smartphones.
Geniuses change the world, but ordinary people only realize once the world has completely changed. But even if you’re not a genius, it’s entirely possible to read the trends of change and ride along.
“Do you think now is the opportunity?” Sangyeop senior shrugged his shoulders.
“What do you think?”
“I have the same thought.”
A new industry emerging is a huge opportunity for both entrepreneurs and investors.
It seems like all this time, in the academies, they were just teaching the kids, but it looks like someone has been watching the market very carefully.
I raised my glass and said, “Cheers. To OTK Company.”
“For OTK!”
We drank and shared overdue stories until dawn.
**”
I woke up to find myself sprawled on the floor.
“Ugh.”
Sleeping on the hard floor instead of a nice bed made my back ache. I must have been the first to pass out among us three.
How did I even get home?
I vaguely remember being carried by a taxi.
Looking at my phone, I saw several missed calls.
The date was suddenly December 31st. Another day and it would be the next year. Time really flies.
I checked the missed calls and called my mother first.
“Hey Mom, it’s me. Don’t worry, Taekgyu and I are doing fine. I’ll visit home soon. Are you coming tomorrow? Okay, got it.”
The newly purchased house in Dongtan was undergoing major renovations and interior work. Despite paying extra to speed up the process, it would still take a month until completion, so my mother would keep staying in the current villa.
My mother insisted on spending the New Year with family, saying she would bring side dishes tomorrow, and then she hung up.
I made some coffee first. The living room table was piled high with reading materials.
It’s frustrating not to see anything that sparks an idea. I hope I’m not just beating around the bush endlessly.
“I wish someone would organize my investments into a portfolio and display it as a hologram right in front of me, showing where and how to invest… Am I asking for too much?
Once again, as I picked up the materials to read, Taekgyu came downstairs.
“Ugh! I’m dying after drinking for the first time in a while.”
He rubbed his temples with his hand, chugging down a bottle of water.
“Looks like you have a call.”
Buzz!
My phone placed on the desk vibrated.
Yuri’s name appeared on the screen. There were several missed calls from her in the morning, but I couldn’t answer them as I was asleep.
Taekgyu glanced at my phone and asked seriously,
“Is Yuri Japanese?”
“Why would she be Japanese?”
What a strange question?
I was trying to ignore the call, but Taekgyu reached out and answered it before handing the phone to me.
“Why ignore it? Just answer.”
Was this kindness really necessary?
Reluctantly, I brought the phone to my ear.
“Hello.”
Immediately, a woman’s voice came through.
“Hello, senior. I’m a junior in the Business Administration department, Shin Yuri. Did you not save my number?”
“Well, not exactly…”
“Then why haven’t you been answering my calls?”
“…”
Why keep calling someone who doesn’t answer?
I wanted to ask.”
“Oh. I was sleeping earlier.”
“You didn’t answer a few days ago either.”
“Did I? Sorry.”
I received a few phone calls and texts, but with so much on my mind, I just let them slide. Someday, when all these trials surrounding me come to an end, I planned to call her back.
Yuri spoke in a softened voice.
“Have you had your meal?”
“I was about to eat.”
“Where are you now?”
“I’m in Samseong-dong.”
“Then would you like to have a meal together? How about 2 o’clock?”
“Um…”
Come to think of it, it was thanks to her that I found out about the L6 shutdown.
Well, maybe I could have found out the same information elsewhere, but the fact remains that I received help from her.
I had been meaning to treat her to a meal sometime…
Looking at the clock, I had about an hour until 2 o’clock. “Where should I meet you?”
In response to my question, Yuri cheerfully said,
“Is it okay to meet in front of Cheongdam Gallery Department Store?”
“Got it.”
“Yes, senior. See you later~”
After the call ended, Taekgyu asked,
“Who was that?”
“A junior from school.”
“Hmm, a junior you contact privately.”
His gaze turned cold.
“At such an important time, this OTK Company CEO is dating!”
I exclaimed in confusion, “Dating? She’s just a junior!”
Taekgyu tapped my shoulder and said, “Don’t forget your duty, my friend.”
I muttered, “What duty?”
“Come out with me and we’ll talk when you get back.”
I quickly washed up, put on some clothes, and checked my wallet before putting on my shoes. There were only three 10,000 won bills in my wallet. I had money left from selling the house, but I didn’t have a separate card.
Cheongdam-dong must be expensive for a meal.
“Hey, can you lend me some money?”
Taekgyu looked surprised, “You have money.”
I thought, What’s the point of earning billions? It’s all tied up in overseas accounts.
I only had 30,000 won on me.
“Come on, lend me 100,000 won. I’ll pay you back later.”
Taekgyu reluctantly took out two 50,000 won bills from his wallet and handed them to me.
“Use it wisely. Don’t be extravagant.”
I never thought I’d end up in this situation with this guy. I felt unjust and thought maybe I should work at a cafe part-time.
But for now, I politely accepted the money with both hands as every penny counted.
“I’ll be back.”
***
Gallery Department Store is located at the beginning of Cheongdam-dong Luxury Street.
On the first floor of the department store, well-known international luxury brands boast glamorous interiors, and following the guidance of the parking attendant, luxury cars kept entering the parking lot one after another.
The atmosphere was filled with year-end vibes on the street. Christmas decorations that had not been taken down yet were still visible in various places, and the people passing by had excited expressions.
Even though it’s in Gangnam, the feeling of being in an affluent neighborhood was stronger.
Coincidentally, a model-like woman was being photographed against the backdrop of the street nearby. She seemed to have come out from a shopping mall for the shoot.
After taking a few photos in a coat, the woman went into a Benz parked nearby, changed her clothes, and came out.
Surprisingly, this time she was wearing a thin short-sleeved shirt. She struck a lively pose as if she was enjoying the hot summer sun.
Wearing a short-sleeved shirt in such freezing weather!
What’s the point of that at minus 10 degrees Celsius?
Earning money must be so difficult.
Continuing to watch, a familiar face appeared across the street. Dressed in tight blue jeans, a white knit top, and a half coat on top. Black loafers on the feet.
Unlike last time, she had her blond hair tied up in a ponytail. As she walked, the ponytail swayed, revealing her pure white nape.
Whether it was due to her bright hair color or her appearance, she definitely stood out.
Maybe I’m not the only one who thinks so, as people passing by glanced at her, and even couples holding hands turned to look at her.
She’s undeniably beautiful.
The person in front of me slightly nodded their head.
“Hello, senior. Have you been waiting long?”
“I just arrived. What would you like to eat?”
Surely they wouldn’t suggest going to a fancy restaurant, right?
Then it’s settled, we’ll split the bill.
“Since it’s cold, how about some warm udon? There’s a famous place nearby.”
“Udon?”
“Do you dislike it?”
“No, I like it.”
Surprisingly choosing a cheap menu. Admirable.
The udon restaurant was located on a side street near the department store. Even though it was past lunchtime, there was a long line in front of the store. Among them, several Japanese people could be seen.
Curious, I asked, “Why are Japanese people lining up at a Korean udon restaurant?”
It’s like Koreans lining up at a kimchi stew restaurant in Tokyo. Suddenly craving hometown food during travel?
“This is a restaurant operated by Keye Lee. That’s why many Japanese fans visit here. It’s also mentioned in travel guides.”
“Who is Keye Lee?”
“A member of BCB. Don’t you know?”
I nodded.
“No, I know.”
BCB is a globally famous idol group, not just in Korea.
Yuri looked at me meaningfully and said, “Looks like you’re only interested in female idols, senpai?”
“No, it’s not that.”
I wasn’t originally interested in female idols. It’s just that due to the senior soldiers in the military constantly watching idol shows, I’ve become somewhat familiar with them now.
The line quickly decreased. The turnover rate seems fast here, given the menu.
We sat down. Coincidentally, the tables on both sides were occupied by Japanese tourists. As Japanese could be heard all around, it was getting hard to tell if this place was for Koreans or Japanese.
Seems like Taek-gyu would like this atmosphere. Should I bring him next time?
The ordered udon quickly arrived.
“Enjoy your meal~.”
