Story of a Big Player from Gangnam

President Jang-Hwan Song who was the co-president of GH Mobile came to Gun-Ho’s office.

“We developed two products at our research center out of five orders that S Group placed. We are currently producing sample products. We will manufacture 5,000 for each product and send it to our logistics team today.”

“Good work.”

“I was impressed by the ability of our new chief officer of the research center. I was told that BMW’s research center didn’t want to let him go, and I now totally understand why. He is a bit sensitive but other than that, he is the best research chief officer I’ve ever seen.”

“Is he that sensitive?”

“It’s a very common disposition among high-level engineers. That sensitivity enables them to produce accurate and precise products.”

“I guess they will soon start developing the other three products, too.”

“I think we need help from Mr. Sakata Ikuzo who returned to Japan for one of the products, which S Group’s factory in Changweon location requested. The order quantity for that product is the highest.”

“Do you think we are not capable of developing it on our own?”

“We need to carve a metal for it, and that requires a person to have extensive experience. Even though the researchers in our research center have the perfect theory to develop the product, we don’t have that sort of proficiency. We can still develop the product; however, it will take a long time. Given the time and other resources that are required in developing a particular product, it would save a lot of cost and labor if we get help from Mr. Sakata Ikuzo.”

“Hmm, I see what you mean.”

“I will go to Japan and talk to Mr. Sakata Ikuzo myself. I will bring the design drawing to him.”

“Are you planning to go by yourself?”

“Well, I prefer to bring one more person with me, but that will cost us…”

“The trip could give a very good experience. Why don’t you go with the research chief officer? I understand that the chief officer is more on the theoretical side while Mr. Sakata Ikuzo has extensive hands-on skills, but I think our chief officer will learn a lot from this trip.”

“Okay. I will do that.”

“Do you have Mr. Sakata Ikuzo’s contact information?”

“Director Jong-Suk Park had Mr. Sakata Ikuzo’s business card, and it had his email address. I already sent an email to him, and he replied to us right away. He said that he is willing to help us any time.”

“Really? I suppose you know the Japanese language.”

“Not fluently, but I can speak a little bit. When I was in my mid-40s, I had worked in Japan for three years as a branch manager.”

“Oh, I see.”

Gun-Ho thought for a second to go to Japan with them, so he could see Mori Aikko, but he then thought it was not a good idea. He didn’t want to give any impression to President Song or the research chief officer that he was having too much fun traveling around.

Instead, Gun-Ho decided to go to China. Gun-Ho announced his trip to China when he had a meeting with the executives.

“I will have to go to Shanghai. Currently, President Song and our research chief officer are on a trip to Japan, so we have several absences. I hope you all stay put at your position until we come back.”

The internal auditor who was sitting next to Gun-Ho asked,

“May I ask what the occasion of your trip to Shanghai is, sir?”

“Oh, as you all know I have several companies that I am running. I will have to participate in an international book exhibition in Shanghai for the GH Media matter. So I am going to China with GH Media’s president.”

“Oh, I see. Hope you have a safe trip, sir.”

The executive officers were careful in choosing their words when they addressed Gun-Ho to show their respect even though Gun-Ho was a lot younger than them. It didn’t start off as such in the beginning, but they gradually found themselves doing so since they were working for the company that Gun-Ho owned after all.

Gun-Ho Goo and President Jeong-Sook Shin arrived at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, and they went to Hilton Hotel that was in the vicinity of the airport. Gun-Ho and President Shin had more than 10 years of an age gap, so they didn’t appear to be a married couple to the people who didn’t know them. Hilton Hotel at that location was a preferred hotel among Koreans since it was close to the airport and also close to the Korean town.

“It’s kind of early for lunch. Why don’t you take a break in your room and come to the lobby for lunch later?”

President Song responded while rubbing her belly.

“Sir, I think I will have to skip lunch today. I think I have an upset stomach since I had the in-flight meal. I think I’d better just take a rest at the room for the rest of the day.”

“I can get you medicine.”

“I brought some medicine with me. Thank you, sir.”

“Hmm. Really? Don’t worry about me. Just take a rest and get better.”

After President Shin left for her room, Gun-Ho sat on a sofa in the hotel lobby. He then made a call to Min-Hyeok Kim.

“Hey, it’s me. I just arrived in Shanghai.”

“You did? I can come to Shanghai tomorrow. I am in Tsingtao right now at one of our customer companies.”

“Oh, really? Sure. You don’t have to rush to come here. I can see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow, let’s go to the art exhibition.”

“Art exhibition?”

“Yeah. Remember that my father-in-law is a painter? He is having his art exhibition somewhere around People’s Park in Shanghai. If you have time, I want to go there with you.”

“Sounds great. Let’s go.”

After getting off the phone with Min-Hyeok, Gun-Ho called Seukang Li.

“Director Li? It’s me, Gun-Ho Goo.”

“Oh, Gun-Ho Goo. Are you in Shanghai right now?”

“Yeah, I just arrived. I am at Hilton Hotel near Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Tomorrow is the opening ceremony for your book exhibition, right? I will be there on time.”

“Hey, if you haven’t had your lunch yet, why don’t you come and join me for lunch? There is a Korean restaurant that specializes in ginseng chicken soup. The owner is Korean. It is a very popular restaurant in this area. If you are with GH Media’s president, bring her with you.”

“She is actually in her room taking a rest. She is having a minor stomach ache.”

“Oh, I guess her body is adjusting to a different environment. Well, why don’t you come by yourself then?”

Gun-Ho took a taxi and headed to City Hall. In China, they didn’t call it City Hall, but they called it People’s Government for the City.

Gun-Ho went straight to the bureau director’s office. A female worker asked Gun-Ho who he was, and Gun-Ho told her that he was President Gun-Ho Goo from Korea. He spoke in Chinese, of course. The worker let Gun-Ho in right away. Gun-Ho entered the office after knocking on the door. Seukang Li was talking with his guests in the office. He stood up and waved his hand when he saw Gun-Ho entering the office.

“Hey, Gun-Ho Goo!”

“Seukang Li!”

“Have a seat, my friend.”

“I can come later. It seems you have guests here.”

There were a man and a woman sitting on a sofa. The female looked sophisticated, and she was wearing dark sunglasses. She looked arrogant, Gun-Ho thought. She didn’t wear the sunglasses when Gun-Ho came into the office, but when he entered the office, she picked up her sunglasses and wore them.

The man was skinny, and he stood up and greeted Gun-Ho.

“President Gun-Ho Goo?”

Gun-Ho was surprised when he heard the man speak in Korean. When Gun-Ho looked at the man closely, he realized that he knew the man. He was the manager of BM Entertainment Management Company that he met before. The BM Entertainment manager gave a bow to Gun-Ho respectfully.

“It’s really good to see you again, sir.”

“Oh, you are the person in the entertainment field.”

Gun-Ho extended his hand for a handshake, but he wasn’t really thrilled to see him here again.

Director Li asked all of them to have a seat.

“Well, why don’t we all have a seat? I guess everyone here except me is Korean.”