6. Kukuan
"It's been a while."
An old man with white hair and a sophisticated suit holds hands with dignity.
"It's been a while, Director Baek. You're so busy these days, why are you calling me?"
"Wouldn't it be nice to see Director Cheon and have a delicious meal, all in one? Okay, I'll buy you a drink after a long time."
A clear liquid flows from a porcelain cup and rises with a refreshing sound.
"The economy is not doing so well these days, Director Cheon."
"The Yankees are raising interest rates again this time. The company atmosphere is really bad."
"Is it only small and medium-sized businesses like ours that should be worried? We are a leading player in the domestic platform industry, and we will recover soon."
"Wo Group is small? A passing dog would laugh. Director Baek, I haven't seen your joke before."
"It's only enough to start five or six companies. Even a passing dog would laugh at this."
The glossy tuna stew is crumbling.
“This restaurant is delicious. You didn’t call me here just to talk about the current situation. You probably wanted to hand over the leadership, right?”
The eyes that seemed to have no thoughts at all are sharpened.
"I guess honesty is the best thing to do with the director. I'm always amazed at how well he knows my feelings. At this point."
The sound of lightly tapping on the table continues.
"Actually, it's kind of obvious. There's a lot of talk in this industry about a big project coming up."
"A horse without legs can travel a thousand miles. As expected, the fastest thing in the world is the spread of rumors."
"This is an uncharacteristic choice for Director Baek, in my opinion. You acted too emotionally and hastily."
"Could you please tell me your opinion?"
"You have to prepare to take on two companies right now. Director, st Entertainment, the treasure trove of the domestic entertainment industry, and the leading platform company, standing firm behind the leadership you mentioned earlier. This will be a fierce battle between the two major companies that dominate their respective industries."
“Isn’t that why I’m sitting here right now trying to get the latter off my chest?”
Water is pouring back into the empty glass.
"There's nothing I can do about that. It's just a matter of justification. Jang Won-young and Ahn Yu-jin alone are the two people who will be at the center of the next generation of entertainment. Handing them over is absurd. Even if I gave them everything else, it would be difficult. If you ask for those two, there's nothing I can do, Director Baek."
"The only thing I ask of you, Mr. Cheon, is that you row when the water comes in. Just roll the oar on the board that has been laid out."
"It won't be easy, because the headquarters is being overturned by that country's cultural policy these days."
Apple box climbing onto the desk
"It'll be about 5 large ones in total. If things don't work out, we can send them to our company."
"I'll be in your debt again this time, Director Baek."
"I should be thanking you. Please don't say such things."
"Okay, then I'll get up first. I'm really busy."
Beyond the door that squeaks shut, a shadow blurs.
"You can come in now, Secretary Kim."
"What happened?"
"That rascally human being is truly extraordinary in that he takes the money and opens up his own way of living."
"I learned not to associate with people like that."
"They say that if three people walk together, one of them will become a teacher. It is said that there are things to learn from such people."
"I've definitely learned that I shouldn't be like that. Isn't it a waste to spend 500 million won to learn just that one thing?"
"We've now taken hold of the pillars of Kukuan by the neck, saying that those who have taken advantage of it can't be angry. 500 million isn't bad for that. So what happened to the investigation and the press?"
"The background check is complete, and the materials have been neatly organized and left in my office. The press release is also nearing completion. Now, all that's left is to break the news."
"Then let's go to headquarters first. Let's get started."
(P.S. Kukuan owns approximately 60% of the leadership stake, effectively exercising management rights as the majority shareholder. Through its octopus-like expansion, it currently operates the largest platform in Korea.)
