Story of a Big Player from Gangnam

Gun-Ho asked more about Suk-Ho’s stores and the area,

“The area at Gyeonridan Street was located close to Itaewon Town where the business was already developed, but here…”

Gun-Ho then stopped right there. He didn’t want to say anything negative at this point. Maybe what Suk-Ho needed now was encouragement and hope.

“Well, since you bought three stores, once this area is developed, you will be able to sell them for a much higher price than your purchasing price.”

“Yeah, maybe I will sell them once the price goes up, but for now, I’m thinking of operating the stores myself.”

“So you have some clothes in the store already. Did you bring them from Korea?”

“Right. I bought them from Dongdaemum Market. They are selling well.”

“Did you already register for the business?”

“Yes. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to receive the residence visa.”

“What about the stores themselves? Did you register your ownership of them?”

“Not the ownership, but I do have the contract for the lease.”

“Hmm.”

Gun-Ho became a bit worried for Suk-Ho. The big problem was that Suk-Ho couldn’t understand the Chinese language at all. He was heavily relying on the interpreter who was Korean Chinese. Since he was living in Xita where he could freely communicate in Korean, he wouldn’t need to learn the Chinese language. He wouldn’t really feel uncomfortable without knowing the Chinese language.

“Well, it’s good to see you here and your stores. Just like your bar at Gyeonridan Street, I hope your stores here do very well. Since I came here to see a friend, I will buy you a drink.”

“Shall we go to Xita where we can find the Korean town?”

“I… don’t usually go to Korean town.”

“I have a friend who is running a Karaoke there. I want to help his business. Let’s go to his Karaoke, please?”

“Haha. Sure, why not? Let’s go to Xita.”

The Karaoke that Suk-Ho brought Gun-Ho and Min-Hyeok to was located in the basement level. Its building was old, and it had many rooms. Gun-Ho saw several half-naked women in the hall, who seemed to work there. The Karaoke was selling liquor and maybe it was providing some other services by those women.

Once they sat in a room, Suk-Ho called for a female worker in a loud voice and said,

“Ask the owner to come to this room. I’ve brought a very important client here. Ask him to come quickly.”

A moment later, Suk-Ho’s friend came into the room. He was wearing a red shirt.

“Hey, you are here.”

“Hey, I came with my friends. This is the person who is running a big factory in Cheonan City and who also owns a huge building in Gangnam District.”

“Hello. Thank you for coming.”

“How’s your business?”

“It’s so so. The market is not very good these days.”

Suk-Ho placed his order grandly,

“Hey, Mr. Owner! Bring us a bottle of western liquor and three girls who are the most beautiful in this store.”

“Okay. What kind of western liquor is on your mind?”

Suk-Ho looked at Gun-Ho’s face.

“What would you like to drink, President Goo?”

“You choose one, anything you like, Suk-Ho.”

“How do you like Chivas Regal?”

“Sure. That’s good.”

“Hey, bring us a Chivas Regal and girls.”

“No problem!”

A moment later, a staff brought Chivas Regal along with small dishes such as fruits and dried food. Three girls came into the room as well. They were half-naked.

“Come on girls. Have a seat here with us!”

The three girls sat next to Gun-Ho, Min-Hyeok, and Suk-Ho. Gun-Ho couldn’t say the girls were pretty. They were short and not good-looking at all, and their faces were covered with a thick layer of makeup. Their perfume was strong. They were Korean Chinese. Gun-Ho wanted to finish this “gathering” as soon as he could.

After taking a few glasses of liquor, Suk-Ho started slow dancing with one of the girls while embracing the girl. He must be very drunk already.

“You girls, have you heard of Itaewon Town in Seoul City? I made huge money there.”

“Is that true, oppa?”

“Of course! Ask these gentlemen sitting right there. I’m telling the truth!”

Gun-Ho looked at Min-Hyeok’s face, who was sitting next to him. Min-Hyeok was talking in a low voice with the girl next to him. The girl was holding his arm.

“Oppa, you don’t like me? Why don’t you show me some interest? Look at me, and talk to me, oppa.”

The girl next to Gun-Ho sat close to Gun-Ho. Gun-Ho just kept drinking his glass of liquor without saying a word.

When they almost finished the bottle of liquor, Gun-Ho thought it was the time he had to say he wanted to leave before Suk-Ho could even suggest having one more bottle of liquor. He didn’t want to stay even one more second there.

“Hey, I guess it’s time to go. I feel so tired today since I came all the way from Suzhou to Shenyang. Let’s call it a night.”

“You are leaving already? I just started, man.”

“We can have more later.”

Gun-Ho turned on the light of the room. Once the room became bright, Gun-Ho could see the girls more clearly. They were really really not pretty at all. Gun-Ho couldn’t understand why these girls chose to work in this field. They could work in a factory which was a healthier job than this. Gun-Ho took out his wallet from the inner pocket of his jacket.

“Thank you for today. Please take this.”

Gun-Ho placed two 200 Yuan on the table for the girls.

“Oppa, you are awesome.”

The girls gave a kiss on Gun-Ho’s cheek before leaving the room. Gun-Ho could hear the girls laughing outside the door.

Suk-Ho pouted.

“Hey, Gun-Ho Goo! I just started having fun. I liked the girl who was sitting next to me.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m so exhausted today, and I have to get up early tomorrow morning to go to Dandong City to Economic Development Zone. Where do we stay tonight?”

“It’s at the Crown Plaza Hotel on Taishan Road. It’s close to Beiling (where Hong Taiji’s tomb is located) Park. You can take a tour there before you leave tomorrow.”

“I don’t know if we will have time for a tour tomorrow.”

Three men walked out of the Karaoke building. Many people were still on the street, and they seemed to be having fun.

“Well, Suk-Ho, I guess I will see you when I see you. We are heading to the hotel now. You don’t have to come to the hotel tomorrow. We will go to the airport on our own.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I wish you success in your new business. Thank you for today.”

The following day, Gun-Ho and Min-Hyeok arrived at Dandong Economic Development Zone. It was after 1 pm. The deputy director person greeted them with excitement.

“It’s really nice to meet you. We do welcome Korean businessmen fervently.”

Gun-Ho gave his business card to the deputy director.

“This development zone is located on the riverside of Amrok River facing Sinuiju City in North Korea. That’s why we also call this area Dandong Border Economic Cooperation Zone.”