A residence spanning over a thousand square ters, located in the heart of Seoul. It has a well-maintained garden and antique-like stone tiles. The house is softly lit from the outside.
To think that such a house, the likes of which Ive only ever seen on TV, is now my house.
Chief Kim and I open the front door and enter together.
My eyes are greeted by an interior that radiates sophistication.
I also see Go Dae-man, who is sitting on a sofa, reading a book.
You are late, he says.
You have not retired to your chamber yet? Chief Kim says in surprise, bowing.
It is rare for Go Dae-man to still be awake past midnight. He maintains his routine immaculately, so his sleep pattern is very regular.
Go Dae-man puts his book down and adjusts the position of his glasses on his face. He looks tired, but his eyes still show his sharp intelligence.
Where have you been? he questions.
Just taking care of so things here and there, I reply.
What happened to your face and clothes?
Hmm. How should I answer this one? Do I tell him that I had a run-in with the Spaniel?
As I hesitate, Go Dae-man clicks his tongue and puts an envelope on the table in front of him.
Its an invitation card, decorated beautifully with gold leaf. It reads: The honorable presence of Mr. Go Ji-hun is requested at the informal party celebrating the foundation of Gunbaek Construction.
You said that you will not live as you did before, so you will earn your keep, Go Dae-man says.
Youre telling to attend this? I ask.
It will be beneficial.
For who? For ? Or the Gogwang Group?
Where is the aning in that question? You are the Gogwang Group, and the Gogwang Group is you.
Im not interested. I have two older brothers for that, dont I?
If you break your obligations, you will have no freedom. Your card is not the only privilege that you have previously enjoyed.
Wow. Thats low. Its a half-threat, warning that he can cut off my access to things other than my card.
Seeing as Ive already spent 5,000,000 won, I cant say much, though.
People dont realize what they had until they lose it all, Go Dae-man says, repeating the very words I said to him the first ti I t him. But once they have, it is already too late.
What are you trying to say? I ask.
I cant read his face. His expression is stern and yet soft at the sa ti.
Go Dae-man closes his book and stands up. Consider this advice from Dad. Make the correct choice before it is too late, he says.
Do you not want to beco a police officer? I ask.
Chief Kims eyes open wide; its the first ti hes hearing of this.
I cant figure out why Go Dae-man is opposing . Is it because I want to be a re officer rather than sothing like a prosecutor? Is it because his son has co to his senses but doesnt want to join the company? Or?
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Is it because you think I will break down again? I ask.
Go Dae-man pushes his glasses up and stares at .
Go Ji-hun would never have been able to read his fathers thoughts. But as a forty-year-old third-party, I can see that Go Dae-man is worried in so way.
I smile softly and observe the changes in Go Dae-mans expression. Its as if theres a raging ocean storm swirling in his eyes. As if hes suddenly been overwheld.
But as expected, he quickly crafts a thin smile. How humiliating would it be for a son of the head of the Gogwang Group to fail at sothing such as being a re public servant? he says.
As I thought, hes stubborn. Hes thrown a punch and shot down my suggestion.
If I beco soone you can be proud of, soone who isnt a disgrace to the Gogwang Group I say.
I carefully examine Go Dae-mans expression before finishing my sentence.
Please grant one request.
It is getting late, Go Dae-man says.
With his book in hand, he disappears into his bedroom.
Given his nature, the fact that he did not give a certain answer essentially ans that he has agreed.
I sigh with relief and go up towards my room on the second floor.
As if today wasnt busy enough without this conversation. Im so damn tired.
Chief Kim shuffles up the stairs.
It seems that the president is very concerned about you, Young Master, he whispers quietly.
Thats good to know, I say.
He stayed up late to wait for you. He even gave you advice.
Forget it. Make sure you rember too, Chief Kim. Im not going to the party. Theres a mountain of things I need to do.
***
Several days later.
Im watching the night cityscape drift by slowly through the window of a cruise ship. I pull at the suffocating tie around my neck.
Why throw away a good thing thats been so well-prepared? Chief Kim says with a small smile, as if reading my mind.
I thought he was looking elsewhere, but he was watching out of the corners of his eyes. Hes quite incredible in a lot of ways.
You look very sharp today, he says.
Yes, yes. Thank you, I say.
With my hair tidily combed over, I look handso, like a foreign model.
A sharp nose and eyes that capture the gaze. A perfectly fitting suit.
Go Ji-hun lived every day looking at this face. No matter what anyone says, its a good life.
The lighting on the ship is quite dark overall, but I can feel the surrounding gazes directed towards .
Its freezing outside. Well freeze to death, having a party on a boat, I say.
But its warm inside, says Chief Kim.
Shit. Money is the root of all evil. As soone who is financially dependent on the president, I had no choice but to attend the party. It seems that I have to tread carefully around him until I beco a police officer No, at least until I catch the Spaniel.
The night view is nice, though, I say.
I can see the Dangjeong Bridge through the window. The tall reinforced concrete arches stretch upwards, its lights shining like the stars that decorate the night sky. This is considered to be the most wonderful bridge built by Gunbaek Construction.
All bridges across oceans were built by Gunbaek Construction. This fact circulated as a joke, but its partially true. Thats how crazy an influence the company has in Korea.
Chief Kim leans his head towards and points sowhere with his chin. Do you see, over there? The one with the ribbon.
Theres a woman with a large ribbon on her waist, drinking champagne.
Thats the youngest daughter of the head of the Jayeong Group. She has recently graduated from university, and there are talks of marriage between her and the second-born Young Master, Chief Kim says.
Which makes her my future sister-in-law, I say.
As long as there are no unexpected complications.
Unexpected complications seem likely. If I rember correctly, Go Min-guk marries a lawyer from a family of prosecutors.
And the one with the gold-rimd glasses is the second son of the Airit Company. The one with the blue necktie is the nephew of the president of Su-eon Pharmaceuticals. The oldest son of the CEO of Uguk Life Insurance and his wife are here, too, Chief Kim continues.
I take a look around as I listen to his descriptions. This really is a world of stars.
But theyre all young, I remark.
All of them are young adults; theres not a single white hair to be seen. The oldest along them is probably the oldest son of Uguk Life Insurances CEO, accompanied by his wife.
Well observed. Todays party is essentially an announcent of who is going to be the next head of Gunbaek Construction. After all, they have appointed a fresh, green, young man as the head of their entry into the shipping industry, says Chief Kim.
Youre saying that theyve gathered us here to et each other ahead of the actual succession? I say.
Yes, Chief Kim nods. The second-born Young Master should be here sowhere as well.
What about the oldest? I ask.
The first-born Young Master, Chief Kim says pointedly, is still in China because his business trip is running behind schedule.
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I clear my throat. I an, my oldest hyeong-nim, I correct myself.
So, this is a gathering of the people who will lead Korea in the next generation. The formalities were prepared, but the event wasnt made publicly known. Its a party held for building relations.
The lights turn off, and lights turn on over a stage instead. A well-dressed man in a suit takes the mic.
His face looks like hes in his mid-thirties. He has a smooth and tidy overall appearance. His narrow eyes are attractive, but they also look a little cold.
Hello, everyone. Im Nam Sae-ha, an executive director at Gunbaek Construction and head of Gunbaek Shipping, he says.
Nam Sae-ha. The second son of the president of Gunbaek Construction.
He graduated from an elite overseas university and imdiately joined Gunbaek Construction. This caused controversy and accusations of nepotism, but he was recognized as a capable individual for his work ethic and drive for success. There were rumors that one of his friends from university was the connection that allowed Gunbaek Construction to get a commission to build a bridge for the Arabic royal family.
Is this why living overseas is such a good thing? Where the hell did he go to make friends with an Arabic prince?
Through this commission, Gunbaek Construction made great progress in the Middle East, and Nam Sae-ha rose through the ranks very rapidly. There were many different opinions about him within the company, but he was a man who produced trendous results.
There are so faces that I have not seen for a long ti, and others that I have not seen before at all, Nam Sae-ha continues. Thank you all for coming here today. It is thanks to you that I feel that Korea and Gunbaek are prospering.
A few laughs co from here and there in the audience.
Nam Sae-ha raises a glass of wine in his right hand. The people watching him from below raise theirs.
Chief Kim raises his own glass and gives a nod.
Yeah, yeah. I know. Ill play along.
I lightly raise my glass.
Nam Sae-ha looks around, then gives a satisfied smile. To our nation, the Republic of Korea.
To the Republic of Korea! the audience repeats, and the clinking of glasses rings out.
As expected, Chief Kim tips his glass towards . I smile and touch my glass to his.
Finally, music starts playing and waiters begin walking around with food and glasses of beverages.
I dont know whether its because theyre all young or because they all know each other, but I feel like there is a sturdy wall being built between and everyone else. Not that I want to be included in the first place.
I lean against the corner of the room and look around the party venue, listening to Chief Kim tell about the people.
Do you see that man and woman over there? They were dating and then broke up, but then their siblings married each other, so they are family now.
What a dysfunctional family.
The one over there recently divorced after his past affair with an actress was revealed, and the one over here blew his half of the stocks that he inherited. The leadership of his company was taken from him by his younger brother.
I thought this was a world of stars, but looking at how theyre living, I can see that theyve got as much on their plate as ordinary people, if not more.
Chief Kim takes his cell phone out of his inner pocket.
Young Master. Please stay here for a mont, he says.
Where are you going? I ask.
Chief Kim runs out without replying to my question. Maybe its a personal call. His girlfriend, perhaps?
I just stand there awkwardly, sipping my drink.
Suddenly, I spot a face that I recognize. Go Min-guk, the second son of the president of the Gogwang Group.
Cunning-looking eyes, small features, and slightly thinning hair. He strangely resembles Ms. Lee Mi-sook, but not really in a good way .
It looks like hes spotted ; he makes a surprised-looking frown as if wondering what Im doing here.
I know were only half-brothers, but isnt this treatnt a little cold towards soone who basically died and ca back to life?
I just give a small nod and then look elsewhere.
Hmm. It seems that my familial relations are completely dogshit.
But it seems that Go Min-guk finds my reaction to his behavior offensive.
Go Ji-hun. Co over here, he says.
Hes beckoning over.
I sigh. I feel tired already.
The people around Go Min-guk stop their conversations and look at .
Realizing that I have no intention of moving from where I am, he leads his colleagues over to .
None of you have ever t him, have you? Hes my younger brother, Go Ji-hun, he says.
Mr. Min-guks brother? Hes so good-looking that I thought he was a model, says one of the won.
His face is tiring to look at, says one of the n.
The won are showing so interest in , but the n are openly wary. Its probably because of my appearance. In a world where people only et in the sa closed groups, n who are as good-looking as are very rare.
Among the group is Go Min-guks fiance, the youngest daughter of the head of the Jayeong Group. I think her na was Park Hwa-seon?
Yes, thats right. Well then, Ill excuse myself now, I say as I try to leave.
But Go Min-guk grabs my arm. Where are you going? Crawling back to the corner of your room?
What is this son of a bitch thinking?
The atmosphere is awkward and unpleasant.
I try to shake his hand off, but a woman from the group grabs my arm as well, though for a different reason. Her alluring gaze is undoubtedly trying to entice to stay.
Alright, then. Who knows when Ill get the chance to see you again? I say.
Hey, says Go Min-guk, calling out to a waiter. Bring one more drink over here.
Still, he looks nothing like Min-guk. Hes really good-looking, remarks one of his friends disinterestedly.
The atmosphere turns cold. Its objectively clear that Go Min-guk has inherited all of the worst genes of his family. This is a fact that everyone knows, but nobody has said it out loud.
Hes getting hit by life from all directions. Im sure he has a lot of his own problems.
Where did you go for university? another friend asks in an attempt to break the tension.
Go Min-guks friends should know full well what kind of lifestyle Ive been living, though.
Hes only got a high school education. A general equivalency diploma at that, Go Min-guk says with a laugh before I can reply.
What? Why? asks his friend.
Id like to know that myself. Maybe hes given up on life or sothing.
Ah
He holed himself up in the corner of his room and wasted his ti away like a vegetable.
Everyone here either studied overseas or graduated from prestigious universities.
For one short mont, I feel their gazes on , filled with disgust.
Im an illegitimate third child with a re high school education. Even with the halo of the Gogwang Groups business over my head, I appear considerably inferior among these people.
In any case, Go Min-guk is quite the bastard. Ive heard a few things about him as well, and he wants to bring up university education? Pretty shaless from a guy who only got into his university after having a building built for them.
Is ones educational background really that important these days? says the woman from the Jayeong Group, raising her wine glass towards . Life expectancy is high these days. You have to live while doing the things you want to do.
Soone gives a small laugh. Youre absolutely right. Were still young, after all.
Speaking of which, youre graduating soon, arent you, Ms. Hwa-seon? says soone else.
The topic of conversation has shifted in an instant.
Park Hwa-seon, the youngest daughter of the president of the Jayeong Group. I guess she was chosen as a daughter-in-law candidate because she has an innocent appearance, is graduating from a prestigious university, and is well-mannered.
Go Min-guk, you son of a bitch. Youve managed to get a woman whos way too good for you.
The topic of conversation gradually broadens.
I t the director at the last general shareholders eting, and
Im talking about the French wine business. Theres a really fine one called Lemans Cronet
I heard about that too. Oh yeah, our company is
Blah blah blah economy, blah blah blah world. Theyre talking about how their businesses are going. Most of them gained their positions through nepotism, and yet theyre bragging as if their companies belong to them.
Their conversations go into one of my ears and out the other as I enjoy my drink and snacks. These delicacies that I dont even know the na of lt in my mouth before I can swallow them.
You heard that, didnt you, disabled person? Go Min-guk suddenly says in my direction.
The topic of conversation has shifted to a corporate regulation that is going into effect this year. Its an ambitious bill proposed by the new governnt to gain public popularity. It stipulates mandatory hiring of disabled people, welfare recipients, and veterans.
In any case, this is why its such a pain when the governnt changes.
We cant just ss around after investing so much money.
I an, even if we elect people who have lived overseas before, companies are barely running.
Still, its not bad for improving companies public images.
We can improve company image as much as we want with other thods.
If we have to pay expenses either way, wouldnt it be better to hire them?
All of them are expressing their thoughts and chewing out the governnts new bill.
As for , well, it doesnt concern .
But not saying anything actually causes another shot to be fired my way.
Mr. Ji-hun hasnt said anything for a while. Is he the quiet type? one of Go Min-guks friends asks.
Hed have to know sothing first if he wanted to speak, says Go Min-guk.
His friend laughs. Its not like were speaking a foreign language, Min-guk.
This son of a bitch doesnt even understand Korean, Go Min-guk smirks.
His closer friends giggle.
Youre not a child. What are you doing? In front of your fiance, no less.
I surreptitiously put down my glass and look around.
Where is Chief Kim and what is he doing? I still dont see him.
I think its about ti for to go. But before I do, I have to wrap up this conversation with these rude dimwits, dont I?
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