Story of a Big Player from Gangnam

Gun-Ho was talking with Senior Director Hyeong-Woo Lee on the phone.

“Ever since you joined our company, Mr. Director Lee, Dyeon Korea has experienced significant fluctuation in its stock price recently. You are aware of it, aren’t you?”

“I just heard about it, sir. Since I’m away from Korea, I am not very quick in getting news on things that are going on in Korea these days.”

Gun-Ho smiled bitterly as Director Hyeong-Woo Lee said that he didn’t know about it until recently.

‘I don’t buy it. I’m sure you joined Dyeon Korea with a purpose. When Dyeon Korea’s stock was 6,500 won per share, someone bought a massive number of shares. I suspect that it was you, Mr. Director Heyong-Woo Lee. Well, I made my money as well.’

Gun-Ho didn’t believe what Director Hyeong-Woo Lee said, but he continued to talk to him with a smile, “As you joined our company, and because of the subsequent price increase of our company’s stock, we made profits when we sold our major shareholders’ company stock.”

“That’s right. I heard about it as well. I read it from the news online too. It was talking about Dyeon Korea’s recent sales of its major shareholder’s stock in the stock market.”

“You know how to establish a business entity in China, don’t you?”

“I haven’t done it before, but I know how to do it, sir.”

“While you form a business entity in China, if you have a question, you can always give a call to President Min-Hyeok Kim in Suzhou City and ask him. I will talk to him, so he can expect your call.”

“Thank you, sir.”

After getting off the phone with Director Lee, Gun-Ho made a call to Director Kim.

“Director Hyeong-Woo Lee sent me the pictures of a factory that he found in Guangdong Province.”

“I received them too, sir.”

“I think you should go there to check it.”

“You are not going there, sir?”

“I will soon resign from my position as president. I have only 15 days left. I think you should go to Guangdong Province, China and make sure that we have the right factory there.”

“Understood, sir. I will make a trip there. And, I will take Mr. Adam Castler with me.”

Gun-Ho received a call from Director Woon-Hak Sim in Shanghai, China later that day.

“It’s Director Woon-Hak Sim, sir.”

“Yes, Mr. Director. How are you?”

“I think our movie— Menghuan Yinghua— will be a big success. It has been only 1 week since we started showing the movie, and more than 4 million people came to watch our movie already.”

“Hmm, really? How much do you think would be our movie’s— Menghuan Yinghua— break-even point?”

“According to Chinese people here, when we see 6 million audiences, it will be our break-even point.”

“If we see more than 10 million people coming to see the movie, can we consider the movie a box office hit?”

“Sir, we have to keep in mind that the movie is showing in China, not Korea. If a movie is top 10, that means more than 50 million people watched that movie.”

“Hmm, I see. I guess that’s because China is a huge country.”

“For example, one of the most successful movies in China— Zhan Lang (wolf warrior)— was watched by 150 million people. The staff here are hoping that our movie— Menghuan Yinghua— attracts well above 30 million people. I went to a temple with the staff here yesterday to pray for our movie’s success.”

“Haha, you did?”

“Yes, sir. We even burned incense sticks in prayer.”

Right after Gun-Ho got off the phone with Director Woon-Hak Sim, his phone rang again. It was from President Jong-Suk Park.

“Bro? Is it a good time to talk?”

“Yeah, it’s good. What’s up?”

“Today is GH Machines’ payday, and I noticed that I missed something in calculating everyone’s wage.”

“What did you miss?”

“Your wage, bro. I forgot to determine the amount of your wage.”

“If you need more time to stabilize the business and its financial situation, you can start paying my wage later.”

“We are making money, bro. Of course, I have to pay your wage. I was told that all other GH companies including GH Development and GH Media are paying your wage as well. I can’t make it high, but I will still pay you.”

“How much profits do you think GH Machines is making?”

“The product orders from Isehara Machines are steadily increasing. We are making more than 200 million won per month. We are also making 100 million won on a monthly basis from the maintenance service that we provide several factories in this area. Also, we received a new product order from Dyeon Korea. They need machines for their future factory in Guangdong Province in China. We are working on it right now.”

“Okay. Well, you determine my wage then, considering the company’s financial ability.”

“How does 5 million won per month sound? Since you don’t come to work here every day, it’s less than what I receive.”

“Haha. Sounds good. Thank you.”

“Haha. You are the owner of GH Machines. Don’t thank me.”

“I’m not the sole owner of GH Machines. You are its co-owner.”

“That’s not a fair statement. You are the one who is holding 80% of GH Machines’ ownership interest. Also, GH Machines is generating profits because of the help from other GH companies.”

“So, can I expect to get my wage starting this month?”

“Yeah. As I said earlier, today is our payday. You will receive your wage along with all of my employees here.”

After getting off the phone with Jong-Suk, Gun-Ho did the math.

“I’m receiving my monthly wage from GH Mobile, Dyeon Korea, GH Development, GH Media, GH Logistics, and now GH Machines. I believe my monthly wage combined with them all will be about 40 million won. That amount is enough to cover my living expenses and other personal spending.”

Gun-Ho made a call to Seung-Hee sister.

“Can we talk? Are you busy right now like being with a client or something?”

“I’m good. We can talk. I’m actually in the SH Investment Partners’ office. I was working on an insurance contract for one of my clients.”

“That’s good. Can you then come by my office after you are done with your work there?”

“I can come now. My work is done here. I was about to leave for the day and go home in Bucheon City.”

After a while, Seung-Hee sister entered Gun-Ho’s office. She was carrying a box of beverages.

“You brought beverages for me?”

“Haha. I’m receiving my wage from SH Investment Partners. I want to bring something for you to show my gratitude.”

“Thank you. Well, please take a seat.”

As Seung-Hee sister sat on the sofa, Gun-Ho took a sip of the beverage that Seung-Hee sister had brought, and he said, “This is your bank book that I’ve been keeping with me temporarily, Seung-Hee sister. A significant amount of money will be transferred to this bank account soon.”

“How significant will it be? Around 1 billion won, maybe?”

“The exact amount will be 136.7 billion won.”

“What?! 136.7 billion won? How is that possible?”

“That fund is our investors’ money. We invested their money in the stock market and made profits. We have to return the fund to them.”

“I guess there are a lot of investors who participated in the investment, huh? It’s a huge amount of money.”

Seung-Hee sister was not shaking her body in surprise as before.

“Once the fund is transferred to your bank account, the fund will again have to be transferred to my stock account. I will have to return some of the fund to some investors who want to get their money now, and I will continue to make investments with the remaining fund for the investors who want to make another investment with me”

“Sure. I will transfer the fund to your bank account. I have to do it, right?”

“If you can come and make the transfer while being present at your bank, that would be great. The fund will come to your bank account throughout the period of several days, and you just need to send them to my account as they arrive. And, I’m pretty certain that your bank will ask you about the source of the money.”

“Should I tell them that I don’t know?”

“You can’t do that. I want you to tell them that you had collected the funds from several investors to make an investment for them, and as your investment plan had been cancelled, you will have to return the funds to those investors.”

“I wish even a small portion of those funds is mine. I would be so happy with one-tenth of the funds.”

“Haha. Many people would be happy with the money too.”