In the end, on the day he visited Luktic's headquarters,the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety applied a prototype versionof the hair-loss treatment directly to his scalp.
The next day, when he called,his voice was noticeably brighter than usual.
[CEO Hyun Si-woo… this is truly incredible…!How on earth did you develop something like this…?This is a medicine that will truly save the world—countless people!]
The man who normally spoke in a flat, emotionless tone—always exhausted from overwork—was speaking with genuine excitement for the first time.
"Haha… I'm glad our technology was of help to you, Vice Minister."
[It's astonishing.I must report this to the Minister immediately and submit it to the President as soon as possible!I'm certain the President will order full-scale support.A drug this remarkable must finish Phase 1 as quickly as possible and be released to the world without delay.]
For a moment, I wondered whether these words had really comefrom the mouth of a senior official at a regulatory agency.
But in the end—what did it matter?
It seemed the Vice Minister had completely become our ally.
[That said… this hair-loss treatment—or, to put it another way, this hair-growth agent—should probably be designated as a medication that can only be handled by medical professionals in hospitals.]
"That makes sense.The hair-growth effect is simply too powerful."
[Yes.Since hair grows even when it's applied to normal skin—not just the scalp—if we're not careful, we could end up mass-producing furry yetis across Korea.]
Indeed, the fact that massive amounts of hair could groweven on ordinary skinwas a dangerous side effect.
It was likely the inevitable trade-offfor a treatment powerful enoughto cure hair loss overnight.
And with that, the call with the Vice Minister ended.
The Vice Minister—who had visited me the previous day—had also added something during our meeting.
The President wanted to personally appear on live televisionto announce the approvalof Luktic's Skin Regeneration Agent and Elixir,together with me.
Recently, there had been news reportssuggesting that the President's approval ratings were unstable.
Clearly, he wanted to use this announcementto boost public support.
Of course, without the President's backing,the Skin Regeneration Agent and Elixirwould have taken close to ten years to passthe standard approval process.
From the President's perspective,fast-tracking everything within a single yearwas already an extraordinary political gamble.
Given that,it seemed only fairto repay him with this level of cooperation.
Besides, if I grew closer to the President now,it could mean even more convenience and supportover the remaining four years of his term.
So, I accepted the President's request.
***
The first time I met the President in personwas at the press conference hallinside the formal and meticulously prepared presidential residence.
The President was already waiting for me—dressed sharply in a tailored suit,his hair immaculately styled.
"Ho ho, CEO Hyun Si-woo.This is our first time meeting face to face.Yet you don't feel unfamiliar at all.I've been receiving reports about you and Lukticalmost every single day."
"Mr. President, it's an honor to meet you.I sincerely thank you for the full supportthat allowed Luktic's new drugsto receive approval so quickly."
"No, I should be the one thanking you.You've developed technology that brings honor to our nationand tremendous national benefit.If you ever need government support in the future,please don't hesitate to ask."
After that, the President's aides handed mea rough script outlining the flow of the press conferenceand explained how the press release had been prepared.
Then, the press conference began immediately.
President Kim Sang-hyun,a seasoned politician,completely dominated the atmospherethe moment the cameras started rolling.
His gaze, expression, and voicecaptured everyone's attention.
"Citizens of Korea,I stand here today to deliver some truly joyful news."
I stood beside him,fully within the camera frame.
I had already once held a nationwide live press conferencewhen counterattacking Shinjeon Group.
But standing beside the President himselfmade this moment feel far more nerve-wracking.
"Two new drugs developed by Luktic—which many of you are already familiar with—have officially received approval as of today.Furthermore, both the Skin Regeneration Agent and Elixirhave been confirmed to possess powerful anti-cancer effects."
As the prepared PPT slides appeared on screen,the President began his briefing to the nation.
He explained just how extraordinarythe effects of the Skin Regeneration Agent and Elixir were,and what kinds of incurable and rare diseasescould now be treated thanks to them.
After finishing his explanation,the President concluded with these words:
"I would like to express my sincere gratitudeto Luktic and CEO Hyun Si-woo,who developed such a great technologyand made us proud to be citizens of the Republic of Korea."
It was finally my turn to speak.
"You're far too kind, Mr. President.This swift approval was only possiblebecause of the President and the government's full support.For the promotion of public healthand the growth of innovative startups,I would like to sincerely thank the governmentfor sparing no effort in its support."
What followed was a sceneof the President and me smiling broadlyand shaking hands in front of countless cameras.
At last, the President would earnsome long-overdue positive public sentiment.
Perhaps that was the true reasonhe had supported us so strongly all along.
The world, after all,was built on give and take.
*
After the press conference,the President and I had a brief private conversationin his office.
"To start as a small startupand develop such incredible technology…It's truly admirable."
"From now on, the government will continueto fully support Luktic."
Praise and encouragement flowed endlesslyfrom the President's lips.
When he asked whether there was anythingI wished to say in return,I answered honestly.
"Mr. President,Luktic has actually developed another new drug.A hair-loss treatment.We plan to apply for its approval soon."
The President looked genuinely surprised.
"A hair-loss treatment?"
I briefly explained its effectsand how it was used.
The President was visibly shocked.
"Unbelievable.It hasn't been long since you developed two revolutionary drugs,and you've already created something like this as well?"
"Mr. President,would you be willing to support the approval of this hair-loss treatment?Once approved and sold—especially exported—it will undoubtedly contribute greatlyto the national interest."
"Of course.If this hair-loss treatment is approved,it could very well becomeone of Korea's core export products.I'll coordinate with the MFDS and the Ministry of Health and Welfareto ensure the fastest possible approval."
Then he hesitated briefly… and added:
"…And once it's approved,would it be possible for you to provide me with some as well?"
Only then did I notice—the President's hair was noticeably thinnerthan it had been before he took office.
Between relentless workand the stress of declining approval ratings,even President Kim Sang-hyunwas clearly suffering from hair loss.
"I can actually provide a prototype right now."
"R-Really…?"
"Yes.If you can spare some time soon,I'll personally bring it and apply it for you."
And just like that,following the Vice Minister,another person was addedto the list of those using the hair-loss treatmentbefore its official approval.
***
[President Kim Sang-hyun Announces Approval of Two Luktic Drugs]
[Outstanding Treatment Effects for Various Cancers and Rare Diseases]
[Luktic CEO Hyun Si-woo: "I sincerely thank the President and the government for their full support"]
[Unprecedented Drug Efficacy—Will Korea Produce Its First Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine?]
[Kim Sang-hyun Administration, Promised Innovation in Science and Industry—First Major Achievement]
[Foreign Media Intensely Cover Luktic Drug Approval]
[Hyun Si-woo—Who Is the Man Behind This Historic Achievement?]
After returning to headquarters and checking the news,I found the portals completely floodedwith articles praising both the President and me.
Of course, media outlets with opposing political leaningsran critical articles as well.
[Approval Process Too Fast—Is There a Problem?]
[The Double-Edged Sword of Fast-Track Approval: Innovation or Safety?]
But the criticism was relatively mild.
After all, openly condemning the approval of drugsthat could cure patients suffering in agonyrisked branding oneself as a public enemy.
As of today,Luktic's factories had begun producingthe newly approved prescription-only raw formsof the Skin Regeneration Agent and Elixir.
Within days,they would be shipped nationwideto medical institutionsand used in actual treatment.
Still, as I scrolled through the endless stream of praise-filled articles,I couldn't shake a subtle sense of unease.
I'd felt it before—back when Shinjeon Group had attacked us.
Public opinion was frighteningly easy to manipulateif one could control the media.
Although the current coverage was favorablefor both the President and Luktic,a faint bitterness lingered in my heart.
***
Meanwhile, news that the Skin Regeneration Agent and Elixirhad been approved in Koreabegan spreading across the globe.
Their officially announced efficacywas simply too extraordinary to ignore—almost unbelievable at first glance.
Media outlets worldwide reported the story extensively.
The announcement that these drugs showed remarkable effectseven against severe cancers and rare diseasesmade such coverage inevitable.
Watching those reports on televisionwith a meaningful expressionwas Howard,Head of Overseas Product Planningat U.S. retail giant Target.
He had already known in advancethat approval was likely to be granted within the week—Luktic had informed him.
And he had already prepared his response.
Howard's strategy was simple:
The moment news of Luktic's drug approvalspread through major media outletsand captured public attention,Target would move all at once.
Through every promotional channel,Target would announce that it held exclusive U.S. distribution rightsfor Luktic's productsand begin selling them simultaneouslyacross all retail stores and online platforms nationwide.
"Howard, it's finally time."
"Yeah.My heart's beating so fastit feels like it might explode."
After a brief exchange with a colleague,Howard—now the project lead—issued simultaneous ordersto distribution centers and retail stores nationwide.
Luktic products that had been sitting in warehouseswere to be placed on shelves immediatelyand sales were to begin.
At the same time,Target's marketing division launcheda massive nationwide promotional campaign—
TV commercials, online ads,sponsored news articles,and offline promotional events—everything.
Before he knew it,the import and distribution of Luktic's productshad become Target's largest project of the year.
"…Whew.I don't know how things grew this big,but let's see it through."
With those words,Howard clicked the send buttonon the company-wide directive message—addressed to every distribution huband retail store in the nation.