The Famous Millionaire

In the evening, Hyunwoo had dinner with the staff of KOVE DREAM.

When he had no appointment with Suji or his friends, he made lots of effort to spend time evenly with the staff of KOVE DREAM, Ani & Funny, and Haenim School.

It was impossible for Hyunwoo to eat together with all the employees of KOVE DREAM because there were too many. He had to dine with the warehouse workers one day, and the office workers on another day.

By the time he was almost done with eating, Hyunwoo’s cell phone buzzed. It was a call from Mr. Na in Vietnam. It was about Hyunwoo’s plan to create the minor league of KOVE DREAM.

“Why don’t you fly over here when you have free time? I’ve got lots of things to discuss with you.”

In fact, Hyunwo had some business to take care of in connection with Ani & Funny. It looked like Yu Zuung was homesick these days, so he was planning to visit Vietnam with her.

“Got it. As you said so, let me fly there this coming Friday, three days from now.”

“Got it. Let me stand by.”

After the call, Hyunwoo hurried up. As he already had a clear purpose of his visit, all he had to do was decide who he would go with.

The purpose of his visit this time was related to KOVE DREAM and Ani & Funny. So, he decided to include some core members of the two companies.

Juhwan was the right person from KOVE DREAM. Though Hyunwoo wanted to take Songjong, too, she couldn’t go because of her babies. Still, he wanted to ask how she felt.

She usually got off work at around 5 pm, so she didn’t attend a dinner get-together with her staff.

After he parted with KOVE DREAM staff after dinner, he called Sonjong.

But she reacted favorably, contrary to his expectation.

“Of course, I can go with you. My parents can take care of my babies.”

“Do you think you will be separated from them too long? We’re flying there Thursday evening and coming back the next Tuesday afternoon.”

“Oh, it’s a long business trip.”

Sonjong was hesitant for a minute but came up with an idea.

“Can I fly there a bit late or come back a bit early? I don’t have to stay there for six days, right?”

Come to think of it, her suggestion was not a problem.

“Sure. You can go back on Saturday morning then.”

“Oh, no! That’s too early. Why should I come back so early? I haven’t gone overseas in a long time. Let me come back on Sunday evening. Hoho.”

Hyunwoo giggled at that. Given her reaction, he felt she was traveling overseas travel, not going on a business trip.

“Okay. You can wrap up your work by Friday then take care of the rest on your own.”

“Wow, I’m so happy!”

After the call, Hyunwoo suddenly thought of Suji. If Suji could reschedule her work, she could join him on his Vietnam trip.

Suji was working late today. Most likely she would be working in the office by now.

He called her and explained about his business trip.

“Why don’t we go on a trip to Vietnam if you have free time this weekend?”

“Oh, I have an appointment this weekend. And you’re going there for your own business. I’m afraid I can disturb you while staying there.”

“Got it. Take care.”

He then headed for the Ani & Funny office.

He chose Kyungsu and James Lee from Ani & Funny. Of course, he included Yu Zuung.

As they already had passports, all they had to do was to buy the plane tickets.

Kyungsu and James were happy because they were flying to Vietnam for free.

In particular, Yu Zuung jumped for joy. She was so overjoyed she almost hugged Hyunwoo in the presence of other staff. If Hyunwoo had not stopped her at the right moment, she would have hugged him.

Hyunwoo guessed right. Though she pretended not to, Yu Zuung missed her family very much.

On Friday, Hyunwoo arrived in Ho Chi Minh City with his entourage. Mr. Na, chief technicians Dohyok Kim and Jungsu Kwon could not come because they were too busy. Instead, Na sent several staff members including the beautiful Zuhm Ahn to welcome Hyunwoo and his companions.

Hyunwoo divided his entourage into two teams, the KOVE DREAM and Ani & Funny team.

He did so because he couldn’t deal with multiple business deals at the same time, and he didn’t want to limit his members’ individual freedom while they’re staying in Vietnam.

He felt the most important principle of his business was the morale of his employees. He believed that when the president of a company showed generosity toward his employees, they would work harder with high morale.

Hyunwoo gave the Ani & Funny staff surprise gifts.

“I’m going to deal with KOVE DREAM business until tomorrow evening. Let me tackle Ani & Funny business on Sunday. So, you guys are free to travel until then. You have to come back to the N&C lodging by midnight. Got it?”

At that moment, Ani & Funny staff were at a loss how to respond then yelled for joy.

“Hooray! Thanks so much.”

Hyunwoo had one more gift for them. It was a Vietnamese tour guide who could speak Korean. He secured one by asking Na.

“I guess you didn’t plan to travel here as we drew up our schedule hurriedly. If you have planned it on your own, just go ahead. If you have not, you can follow this guide. Yu Zuung, you can stay with your family and come to the branch here when I call you on Sunday.”

“Okay.”

This time Hyunwoo looked at Juhwan and Sonjong.

“You can have your free time starting Sunday and enjoy touring. You have to do some work with me now.”

Ani & Funny team followed the travel guide and Juhwan and Sonjong headed for N&C with Hyunwoo.

Zuhm An guided Hyunwoo’s companions.

“Everybody is gathered in the big conference room. Let me guide you there.”

“Sure.”

When Hyunwoo entered the room, he was surprised. The room was not just a simple conference room but a huge conference hall.

What was more surprising to him was that a lot of local Korean CEOs had gathered. They sat around the circular table numbering more than 100. Most of them were unfamiliar to Hyunwoo.

Initially, Hyunwoo felt satisfied to see them. The size of the conference room and the participants seemed to represent the symbol of the growth of KOVE DREAM.

But he felt something strange when his eyes met Mr. Na’s, who was seated at the front of the conference room. Na didn’t look bright.

There was a reserved seat for him in the front, but Hyunwoo didn’t take it readily, scratching his head.

“I wonder if I can take a seat here,” said Hyunwoo.

“Of course, you should,” said one CEO

“Sure, who else can sit there?” said another.

Those around him asked Hyunwoo to take the reserved seat.

At last, Na took his hand and forced him to sit.

Only then did Hyunwoo sit, pretending not to resist Na’s request.

Juhwan and Sonjong sat in the back seats side by side as if they were his protectors.

Hyunwoo leaned over to Na and asked in a low voice.

“How come you don’t look good?”

Na also leaned over toward him and replied,

“Well, more than half the CEOs here gathered here to protest.”

“Why?”

“Did you ask me why? Because they are not qualified to join the minor league of KOVE DREAM.”

Hyunwoo now seemed to understand the situation.

The meeting began soon. As if they were waiting for the chance, the participants began to denounce KOVE DREAM one by one. Most of their complaints focused on the lack of fairness of KOVE DREAM’s criteria to select its minor league members. Some even argued that the criteria was fanning the division of the local Korean companies.

As more than 100 CEOs attended the meeting, there came out so many complaints. Only a few supported KOVE’s criteria, but they were ignored by the overwhelming number of malcontents who vented their anger on them.

As a result, the conference room was getting more and more heated with the growing complaints of those who were excluded from the minor league of KOVE DREAM.

Hyunwoo just listened to their complaints because he could not persuade them even if he tried in such an atmosphere.

Then a decisive chance came along for him to defend himself. Somebody pointed at him and gave him a chance to explain.

“What do you think of our complaints? Many companies are now suffering so much because of your minor league idea. Are you going to build a wall against us with KOVE DREAM to the end?”

Hyunwoo was still not ready to talk because the conference room was disturbed by their grumbling noises.

He waited a little more until the disturbance stopped and then took the mike.

Everybody was looking at him intensely.

Hyunwoo first threw a question at the very man who violently complained to Hyunwoo, shaking his finger at him.

“Did you say you were the president of UMD?” asked Hyunwoo.

“Yeah”

“What do you think KOVE DREAM is?”

“I understand it is a consortium of the local Korean companies in Vietnam. You guys allegedly select companies with excellent technical skills, but don’t you think the selection criteria is too arbitrary? This is serious discrimination.”

Hyunwoo asked him again, “How can I avoid discriminating against you? Do you want me to include all the Korean companies here?”

“Well, that is impossible, but the current criteria is nonsense. You guys set the criteria arbitrarily, right? I think the criteria need to be more objective. In that respect, you should set the bar much lower than, so that more companies can join the minor league and enjoy its benefits.”

“How can I make the criteria more objective? And how many companies do you want me to include?”

“Well, that is…” the angry CEO stammered, unable to reply.

A little later Hyunwoo replied on his behalf,

“I will accept them if you present the objective criteria that everybody can agree. I can promise that. But I will apply the existing criteria until then. I can’t eliminate KOVE DREAM just because it has room for improvement, can I?”

“Why don’t you set the bar a bit lower?” someone abruptly shouted.

Staring at him, Hyunwoo asked,

“You said the companies that fail to pass the new criteria would raise complaints again, right? What should I do if they insist that the criteria be lowered further to include them?”

“Of course, it is impossible to include all the companies. But if you change the criteria to include several specific companies, that would be controversial, too,” said another CEO.

“That’s why I decided to expand KOVE DREAM by creating its minor league. I guess you have heard that,” said Hyunwoo.

“Even that criteria on joining the minor league is still high for us. We think our companies’ technical skills are not as advanced as you think. How many companies do you think can pass that criteria?”

“That’s right. The current criteria is too high,” seconded another CEO.

Their complaints exploded again like a firecracker.

Hyunwoo closed his mouth again until their disturbances subsided.

On the other hand, he agonized over their complaints.

In a way, it was natural that they complained like that.

Come to think of it, KOVE DREAM didn’t have only a virtuous cycle. It also caused a vicious cycle. Those companies that lack technical skills, which couldn’t join KOVE, couldn’t sell their products. They would be put in serious financial difficulty, which would make it impossible to attract investment to enhance their technical prowess.

He wanted to embrace them, too. But the thing was how to end the vicious cycle of those companies with less technical prowess.

How can I help them?