» The Youngest Son of Sunyang
The Youngest Son of a Chaebol Family - Chapter 222
[222] It Must Be Revealed 2
Vice President Jang Dohyung also subtly let slip a delicate remark.
"Well, this is quite something. It feels a bit futile, having just gone through all that commotion in the meeting."
"What do you mean?"
"Ah, isn't it obvious? The insurance payouts Sunyang Fire and Sunyang Life Insurance will have to make because of this typhoon will be around five to six billion won."
Oh? What is this fellow trying to imply?
"So?"
"Fifty billion won from the company's donation fund, and five hundred billion won from your personal funds, Director. Compared to those amounts, isn't that just chicken feed?"
"So, are you saying that the executives gathering for an emergency meeting over such pocket change seems like a useless endeavor?"
Seeing my smile vanish, Jang Dohyung's face instantly stiffened.
"Vice President Jang Dohyung."
"Yes, yes."
"Have I ever laid my hands on company money?"
"What? Ah, no, you haven't."
"I am faithful to my role as the controlling shareholder of Sunyang Financial Group. I don't even hold an official position. That's why I don't take a salary, nor do I carry a single corporate credit card from any affiliate. You know this, right?"
"Yes. Of course."
"And aside from my Sunyang shares, not a single ten won of my personal wealth has ever come from Sunyang Group."
"I apologize. I misspoke."
He hurriedly bowed his head in apology, but I had no intention of stopping there. I needed to show them at every opportunity, so they wouldn't misunderstand or let their guard down, even for a moment.
"Up until now, I haven't uttered a single word about management performance. And I clearly stated today, didn't I? Not to argue over giving out insurance money, but to pay it out generously."
"..."
"My actions are precisely to be able to stand tall before the company's executives and employees. It's an effort not to repeat the criticized behavior of other chaebols."
Jang Dohyung's face was flushed, and he still couldn't say a word.
"But it's absurd that you, Vice President Jang, can't even distinguish between personal funds and company money. How could I possibly... use company money as my personal pocket change and merge ownership with management?"
"I apologize. It was thoughtless of me... I was rude."
He shot up and bowed deeply at the waist, so I decided to end it there.
"Please sit. It's even more perplexing coming from someone as knowledgeable as you. I won't bring this up again, but if there are any executives who harbor mistaken ideas, please make my intentions perfectly clear to them."
"Understood."
I couldn't pretend to be a good person forever. Gradually, I needed to make everyone fear me.
* * *
President Jo Daeho certainly handled things quickly and well.
In just two days, posts praising HW Motors' service appeared all over the internet and spread like wildfire.
Such a rapid spread was unnatural. They had undoubtedly used a PR agency.
And when the first consumer to receive a free vehicle replacement posted a lengthy message of praise and gratitude along with photos on a community website, the speed of its spread ignited. The reason it spread so quickly was that the primary buyers were young people in their thirties who were accustomed to online activity.
Thanks to this, the criticisms and ridicule that had appeared online against the HW Motors M21-1 gradually lost ground.
The 'factions' that had been chewing out the HW Motors M21-1, claiming it was "sports car in appearance only, subcompact in performance" and treating an obvious fact as if it were a defect, began to vanish under the attack of the HW Motors M21-1's proponents.
As it quickly rose in real-time search rankings, and as more people came forward who had received their vehicles, even the terrestrial broadcasters eventually had no choice but to throw up their hands.
Although it didn't take the lead story in the 9 PM main news, it was covered with significant emphasis.
"Wow, this is something else... It's like solving a problem without lifting a finger, the promotional effect is even greater than during the World Cup advertisements. With the main news praising it, the stock price is soaring vertically."
President Jo Daeho couldn't close his mouth.
"What about sales?"
"Inquiries are pouring in, actual sales are up slightly. However, other car models are benefiting greatly. Since the HW Motors M21-1 is, after all, less versatile, the effect of trust has shifted to those other models."
"That's a relief."
"The problem is that owners of flood-damaged cars of other models are calling. They're raising a fuss, demanding their cars, driven for several years, be replaced. Haha."
"They probably think it's an opportunity. After all, it doesn't cost money to try their luck and make a fuss."
There are always such people everywhere. People who make unreasonable demands and create a scene.
"Since we can't miss this opportune moment, we're rushing new car development. We're trying to move up the schedule as much as possible to launch it next year."
"Yes. Of course, you'll handle it expertly, Mr. President?"
President Jo Daeho said with a smile.
"Speaking of which, I'm thinking of fully proceeding with what we discussed last time. The matter of acquiring a foreign automobile company."
"Start anytime. I'll take care of the money."
President Jo Daeho's smile turned into a wide grin.
"These are companies sifted out by the development team. We're already making initial contact. Take a look."
President Jo Daeho smoothly handed over a few sheets of paper. It was a document containing the names and overviews of automobile companies.
"Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Pagani... These are Italian manufacturers."
"Right. If I had my way, I'd want Lamborghini, Ferrari, or Porsche, but there's no way they'd hand them over. These are supposedly the companies within reach."
"I have an Alfa Romeo myself. A two-seater, a Spider. That tiny thing was ridiculously expensive."
"What? You, a two-seater? I thought you weren't interested in cars?"
"I've been collecting them ever since I got my license. Only by driving various cars can I offer opinions born from experience. I wanted to know what a normal person, not a car enthusiast, would feel."
"You just said 'various,' didn't you? How many have you collected?"
President Jo Daeho openly showed his curiosity.
"Thirteen? Fourteen? Around there. Ferrari, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Aston Martin, Bentley, Maserati... Anyway, I have a good mix, from supercars to sedans."
As I rattled off the collection, President Jo Daeho's mouth fell open.
"Most of them were direct imports, so they cost a fortune."
"Why have I never seen them? Do you drive all of them?"
"No. I only ride in the BMW sedan driven by my chauffeur. I'm really not much of a driver."
"Hey! Then you just left them parked? Without driving them?"
"No. I buy them and drive them for a day or two at first. But what's the point? It's like a pearl necklace on a pig, you know. There's nowhere to really open them up, and I'm not good at doing so anyway."
President Jo Daeho seemed dumbfounded, continuously sighing.
"Oh, right, would you like to take them and tear them all apart?"
"What?"
"Wouldn't it be helpful for the research center to examine them? Ah! Have they already torn them all apart...?"
"Hey! Why would we tear apart supercars? We'd tear apart rival models. But... are you serious about what you just said?"
"About what?"
"Can we take your cars to the research center and tear them apart?"
"Yes. They just sleep in the parking garage anyway, so take them all. Most of them have less than 5,000 km, so they're practically new."
President Jo Daeho's expression changed as if he had found a wallet on the street.
"Those guys at the research center just hit the jackpot, completely. To be able to tinker with billions of won worth of cars like toys."
"Please tell them not to be too happy, as it's not free."
"What? Are you saying... they have to buy them?"
"No. Instead, tell them to submit a thorough report. And tell them that if a proper report isn't submitted, I'll deduct the car's value from their salaries."
President Jo didn't even wait for me to finish speaking before picking up the phone.
He spoke for a long time in an excited voice, like someone anticipating a grand party, and by the time he hung up, his excitement had calmed.
"Having a dutiful chaebol scion by my side certainly comes in handy in many ways. Haha."
"So, hurry up and acquire a car company. That way, my money won't be wasted."
"Oh, right, let's finish what we were talking about."
"Yes."
"Even if it's not a complete acquisition, we'll join hands with a company that promises the technology transfer we want. There will be various methods, such as equity investment, royalties, or paying technology transfer fees."
"Anything is fine. The goal is to secure the technology, after all."
"Right. I'll keep various channels open and proceed."
If possible, I wanted a 100% acquisition. A Korean company that acquires an Italian manufacturer. This is because it's necessary to grow our scale in preparation for the upcoming mergers and consolidations in the automotive industry.
* * *
"It has become a hot topic that the anonymous donor who generously contributed five hundred billion won to the Disaster Countermeasure Headquarters has been revealed to be none other than Jin Dojun of Sunyang Group."
"Jin Dojun has long been known as a financial wizard, dubbed 'Korea's George Soros'. This latest donation, in particular, has sparked even more curiosity about the extent of his wealth."
"Jin Dojun's donation is the largest ever amount, and it's nearly ten times the amount contributed by a major corporation. Civic groups have hailed it as a true example of 'noblesse oblige'. He politely declined numerous media interviews, stating, 'I merely did what was necessary when it was needed, it's nothing to boast about,' and Sunyang Group announced that he was embarrassed by his good deed being revealed."
Vice President Jang Dohyung had handled the matter flawlessly.
Newspapers, the internet, and even broadcast stations were abuzz with my story.
"What's this about? Embarrassed that it got out? It all went according to your script. You hypocritical bastard."
"Hey! Why are you talking to my son like that? He did a good deed, after all."
"Don't be fooled, man. You don't really know what kind of guy your proud son is."
My father and CEO Oh Sehyun were cheerfully laughing with their drinks in front of them.
"It's a combination of things. Does there have to be only one purpose? There's also throwing a stone and hitting two birds, you know."
As I said, smiling at Oh Sehyun, he asked seriously.
"Tell me honestly. What's your real goal?"
"A strategic move, perhaps? It's part of a mid-to-long-term plan."
"See? Didn't I tell you? I told you, it's all proceeding smoothly according to a plan!"
My father pretended not to hear Oh Sehyun's words and sat down beside me.
"Whatever your purpose, I don't care, Dojun."
"Yes."
"Shall we talk about my work for a moment?"
"What? What work?"
It was very rare for my father to speak in such a subtle tone. Moreover, didn't his expression look just like a salesperson's?
"The company, you see, has thrown an enormous mission my way."
"What kind of mission?"
My father silently pointed at me with his finger.
"Huh? Me?"
"Yes. You, like a true third-generation chaebol, sometimes make headlines, but the content is entirely the opposite. While the other kids all cause trouble and grace the social pages, you're in the economic section. Even if it's the social section, it's filled with good news."
"Perhaps...?"
"Right. Let's get an interview. Our broadcasting station is starting a new entertainment program..."
The moment I heard the word 'entertainment program,' my face nearly twitched.
"Oh dear, I can't do such a thing. An entertainment program?"
"It's not just any entertainment program. It's infotainment, combining entertainment with information. I won't tell you to be funny, so just think of it as an interview."
"Wow... Look at this guy, he's got a good son and he's just reaping the benefits. You even refused interviews from terrestrial broadcasters, but you're getting an exclusive interview on a cable channel with viewership as low as the national anthem."
At Oh Sehyun's teasing, my father glared.
"You'll be the first guest on the first episode. The production director was making a fuss, saying that if you appeared, the ratings would surely hit 2%, no, 5%. He told me to get you, no matter what. Please, I'm asking for a favor. Help your father out, consider it saving a program."
"It's the first broadcast, and you want me? Ah, cast Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo instead. Aren't they causing a stir in Japan right now because of 'Winter Sonata'? They've set the Japanese archipelago abuzz... With your power, they'd come running with just a snap of your fingers, so why are you so desperate?"
"They can't; they have Japanese schedules. They won't be back for a while."
I tried to get away, but it was impossible. Instead of a drink, my father firmly grasped my wrist and wouldn't let go.