Soho

Chapter 11: < Protect – Episode 10 – Kim Dae Gil [3] >

Kim Dae San is a detached person. Since the chairman of Daesan Group was the star responsible for the miracle on Han River, no one could say anything if he looked down on the supporting roles.

That was the case until yesterday.

“I’m sure you know already, but my father is a man of national merit who’s acknowledged for the Korean independence movement. Many people hate us because they think we used money to be here, but that’s not true. My father was an impressive man with a platform.”

His father, Kim Dae Myung went in and out of prison for opposing the name changing program and forced labor. The liberated him soon thereafter, but because of an illness he contracted in jail, he passed away before he could see his youngest come into the world. He was only forty at the time.

“I’m not as capable or personable as my father or big brother.”

Kim Dae Gil could not be like an elegant crane. However, even crows have special talents they hid within themselves.

Korea was a strange country from the start. They didn’t win their independence. It looked as if the world spoon-fed it-fed to them. As a result, the Korean Peninsula suffered humiliation after feeling victorious for defeating Japan.

“I was young at the time too, but you can’t imagine the chaos after Korea’s liberation. The Korean war was even worse. And what about the military coup? That’s not something people these days can understand.”

The young ones couldn’t understand the hardships our grandmothers and grandfathers faced while searching for hope from the horrible ruins. They went to school then, but books couldn’t teach you about how the world functions.

Ahn Soo Ho, who listened in silence, opened his mouth.

“What did your friends say?”

“They said they can’t help me.”

Kim Dae Gil didn’t go traveling to have fun. He asked all of his former lovers for help, but they turned him down. Unfortunately, that was his way of finding out what the world had reduced his capabilities into. Kim Dae Gil, who chugged soju out of frustration, looked at Ahn Soo Ho.

“What are you going to do?”

“Since I already signed the contract... I must prevent damage.”

“Can you resolve the entire thing?”

“Don’t you know me?”

“Yeah, yeah. You never liked to make guarantees.”

Ahn Soo Ho didn’t like the terms “100%” or “perfection.”

“Thank you for the meal.”

“I need to have another drink. Go ahead without me.”

“You shouldn’t drink too much at your age. Please take it easy.”

“You punk. I’m two years younger than my big brother, you know.”

“You’re both getting old.”

“This punk!”

“I’ll be going.”

Ahn Soo Ho vanished in response to Kim Dae Gil’s rage. He dropped his raised hand and smirked. The other door opened and a few men came in.

“Is that man really Mr. Guardian?”

“Yeah. What do you think?”

“He doesn’t look like he can keep secrets.”

“He doesn’t have manners either.”

“Yes. He was rude to you too.”

They went along with everything the vice-chairman said. Kim Dae Gil smirked again.

“It’s all an act.”

“Pardon?”

He didn’t care to explain further, so he continued to murmur to himself while sipping his drink.

“He’s a cute-looking killer whale...”

It was best he didn’t assume he’d be weaker than a shark.

******

“I came back from talking to Dae Gil.”

“Oh, sorry. I should have gone with you.”

Ahn Soo Ho exited the high-class restaurant and got into the car.

“Don’t say what you don’t mean. Did you receive it?”

“Yeah. But what is it?”

“Just keep it for now.”

The guest from the Chinese Embassy handed over something which fascinated Kim Dae Chan. Ahn Soo Ho ended the call and looked at Oh Joo Kyung.

“What happened with the divorce?”

“It’s going smoothly. The lawyer is in the middle of the consensual divorce procedure, so they would resolve the hearing by the end of this month.”

“This month... Can you make it any faster?”

“I’ll ask.”

Mrs. Park Ok Nam and Lee Hyo Geun’s divorce was processed by Daesan Group’s legal team. Even though it could cause issues within the group, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

“What about the test results?”

“They’re both in good condition.”

“That’s a relief.”

Mrs. Park and Lee So Hye had no illnesses needed tending to. After Ahn Soo Ho sighed, he fell deep into thought of the promise he made with Kim Na Hee. Things would get bothersome once he called Jang Seol Hyun. He was afraid ignoring her would cause future problems, and though there was a big age difference, it was clear Kim Dae San and Kim Na Hee were siblings because of how stubborn they both were.

“I hate the prejudice against women.”

Don’t Korean men still look for a good wife and a wise mother in women? To be honest, most men thought intelligent women were tiring. It’s not the military talk or the women-only subways and housing that’s important. The problem was people deluded the gender equality movement into thinking discriminating against discrimination was the way to establish equality.

“Ms. Oh, aren’t you ever going to date?”

Oh Joo Kyung sighed at Ahn Soo Ho’s question. “Why are you asking about my personal life again?”

“I’m sorry. But I can’t help asking. It’s weird that a young and beautiful woman just works all the time.”

His serious comment made her speechless, but she talked with a composed manner

“Work and love is a difficult topic. Especially for a woman who wants a career for herself. How many female executives do you think Daesan Group has?”

“You mean the top executives?”

“Yes.”

“Hm, five? Or six?”

“There are two. Among the thirty-five affiliates, there are only two.” The glass ceiling was too high and sturdy in Korean society. “It’s not just here. There is a lot of short-term female politicians, but few made it for the long haul.”

“Is your goal to become a CEO?”

“For now.”

“So you’ve given up on love?”

“Meeting the one isn’t something you can force.”

“The one? I didn’t take you for a romantic. Thank you for sharing. I won’t ask you again.”

Treating a subordinate however you want does not differ from sexual harassment. By talking to Oh Joo Kyung, Ahn Soo Ho could determine where he had to draw the line.

“Women are complicated...”

Entertainment was now a legit industry.

“In all honesty, is Jung Hoon so talented that no one else can replace him?”

“I wouldn’t say so.”

There are plenty of other trainees who were just as good-looking with comparable acting ability.

“Then this won’t affect the upcoming drama. If a problem arises, please don’t hesitate to call me.”

Since Ahn Soo Ho didn’t seem like he would explain himself, Lee Seon Mi could no longer persist. He’s an executive from Daesan Group, and they can fire anyone no matter how well Shinhwa Entertainment was doing. However, she was still curious.

“Why are you doing this?”

Ahn Soo Ho swirled his cup of cold coffee. Why was he doing this? To be honest, he was jealous. Unlike himself, Jung Hoon received his mom’s support and got into an Ivey league school, but he refused to study hard and dreamt of becoming a celebrity instead.

“I guess we all have a right to dream.”

He didn’t care about him having a dream, but he didn’t agree with his ways. He tricked Mrs. Park. He fooled her into thinking her son was studying hard in a foreign country and did everything she could to wire him money. Her husband was a crazy pushover, and her son was an unrealistic dreamer. Park Ok Nam’s life sure was unfortunate.

“Why am I doing this?”

If the agency canceled Lee Jung Hoon’s contract, he would get desperate. But what if a top Korean advertisement agency contacted him right at that moment? How he would respond was obvious.

Ahn Soo Ho smirked.

“Whether it’s in entertainment or any other field, there’s nothing scarier than a difficult client.”

That’s why he signed no contract without thinking it through.

“I want to know what that punk is thinking. Without proper determination... you can’t achieve anything no matter what field it is.”

He was curious if Lee Jung Hoon loved this job so much it was worth quitting school his mom worked so hard for. Lee Seon Mi nodded at his seriousness but continued to resist.

“What if the board of directors or our CEO refuses? Then what?”

Since this was too difficult for a team leader to accomplish, she would perhaps report this to her superiors, but if the CEO refuses, there isn’t much else he can do.

“His permission... doesn’t really matter.”

“It doesn’t?”

“I don’t want to go this far... but if your boss refuses...” Ahn Soo Ho shrugged his shoulders. “I’ll just have to buy your company.”

All it takes was a different CEO and board of directors.

< Protect – Episode 10 – Kim Dae Gil [3] > The end.