Chapter 240
Chapter 240: Chapter 234
“Is there anyone here?”
Raising his voice, Juhwan came into the building. Following him, Hyunwoo looked around.
It was a small factory located in Inju Industrial Complext in Ansan City. As it went bankrupt, there was nobody in the factory, not even a security guard.
A little later the door opened and came out a middle-aged man. He seemed to be a short man in his early 40s wearing glasses.
“Are you President Hyunwoo Jang?”
“Yes, I’m Hyunwoo Jang. Are you President Sungjin Yim?”
Hyunwoo came forward and held out his hand. Sungjin bowed deeply to him, holding his hands with both hands as if he met a nobleman.
“Thanks so much for coming as far as here to see me!”
He again bowed to him and expressed thanks.
Then he showed Hyunwoo and Juhwan into his office.
As it was the office of a bankrupt company, the atmosphere was bleak, as it had been deserted a long time ago.
Sungjin quickly wiped the sofa for Hyunwoo.
“Please have a seat here. It’s so dirty, isn’t it?”
“Not a problem.”
Sungjin served him mixed coffee then sat across him.
Then, he began to introduce himself.
A second-generation Korean-American, Sungjin was a successful engineer with an American LED company. He made lots of money for his excellent technical skills while working for 20 years.
And then he decided to form an independent LED company with two like-minded friends. His friends were LED engineers.
After three years of preparation, they founded an LED factory in Ansan City called Hanbit Lighting. That was two years ago.
“We were full of confidence then. We were confident that our company would emerge as the matchless leader in the LED industry with our technology in Korea. But that was my mistake.”
LED was an item whose technological progress was so quick. And late bloomers like China were catching up with their technology fast.
Hanbit Lighting found itself sandwiched, after all. It lagged behind Japanese and American products in terms of technology, and Chinese products in prices.
The more products Hanbit Lighting sold, the more losses it suffered. It ran out of money in two years.
“I wish we had started business in China. We would have been much more competitive.”
“It’s not too late. Why don’t you start again?”
This time Hyunwoo told him about KOVE DREAM. Even without his explanation Sungjin was already well aware of it.
Actually, he was agonizing over his future. He and his friends were seriously poring over whether to go to Vietnam for a comeback.
“In fact, if I want to have a job, I would rather go to America. The conditions are better in America, and I would be better off going to America for my children’s education.”
“What about going to Vietnam as an investor, not as a salaried man? Isn’t that your dream?”
“As an investor?”
Hyunwoo briefed him about DF Technology that badly needed outside investment.
“I want to recommend that you close the business here and invest in DF Technology. In other words, you, along with your friends, invest in that company with your technology. I think there is a good chance of success.”
“But I don’t have money. If I sell the factory site and building and pay off the debt, I’ll be broke.”
“I can financially support you. What’s important is whether you can find a chance of success there.”
Hyunwoo persuaded him to change his mind.
Sungjin was deeply agonized over it, but could not come to a conclusion easily.
“Let me think it over and discuss with my friends.”
“Sure. Let me wait for your decision.”
KOVE DREAM’s warehouse was busy as ever. Working with the staff there, Hyunwoo wiped the sweat from his forehead and caught his breath.
“Phew, are you almost done?”
“Sir, we’ll take care of the rest, so go home now. If you continue to stay here we are uncomfortable,” said Juhwan.
“Okay, take care then.”
Hyunwoo came out of the warehouse and went to a nearby shower room for a quick shower.
Dressed in clean clothes, he headed for the office of Ani & Funny.
At that moment, he received a call from Sungjin.
“You said it was DF Technology, right? Can we visit the factory one of these days? I think I can make the decision after checking it out first.”
That was a welcome decision in Hyunwoo’s eyes.
In fact, Hyunwoo was not sure of DF Technology’s success with his investment. Though Mr. Na’s technician friend said the technical prowess of the factory was good enough, he could not trust that technician’s ability.
But Sungjin and his friends were different. They were recognized engineers in America.
If they gave a green light after their visit to DF Technology, Hyunwoo could aggressively invest with confidence.
“If you let me know when you can fly to Vietnam, let me buy the tickets for you.”
“We can fly there even today.”
“Sure. Let me find the tickets to Vietnam as soon as possible.”
Hyunwoo called Yellow Balloon and bought the tickets of the flight bound for Vietnam in two. He also called Mr. Na in Vietnam to inform DF Technology of their visit.
He called Sungjin again.
“Your tickets are ready. You can fly there two days from now.”
“Thanks. As soon as we make the decision, I’ll let you know.”
Now, the die was cast. What Hyunwoo could do now is to wait for Sungjin’s good news.
Excitedly, Hyunwoo headed for the office of Ani & Funny.
As if he waited for Hyunwoo, Kyungsu briefed him about the business operation.
“Our branch in Vietnam sent us webtoons. Currently, we are dubbing them.”
“Really? Are they any commendable pieces?”
“In my mind, all 42 works look good. I’m serious.”
As Kyungsu said, each of the 42 works was interesting and attractive on its own. But all of them could not be posted in the form of a series in Story Mecca.
Hyunwoo used the Ani & Funny internet cafe for effective screening of the works.
“Just grade the ranking from the one to ten.”
He headed for KOVE DREAM after he left the Ani & Funny office.
KOVE DREAM was crowded with employees. In particular, its office was packed with people. Though it was newly built with a large space, KOVE DREAM expanded so rapidly.
So, there was another three-story building under construction near the second warehouse, due to be completed next spring.
“Hi, folks, I have an official announcement. Please pay attention!” said Hyunwoo.
“As you know, I’m running Ani & Funny. Ani & Funny has begun making webtoons. So, you guys will play the role of judges and make an evaluation of them.”
He gave them instructions on how to evaluate. They had to join the Ani & Funny internet cafe as a temporary member and log on to a special bulletin.
“When you join as a temporary member, the password is ‘2020.’ If you identify the top winner’s work, let me draw a lottery and give you a prize. So, don’t fail to participate.”
“Yes, sir!” said the employees resoundingly.
Hyunwoo approached Yenam Noh.
Yenam was completely accustomed to the atmosphere of the office. His performance was also excellent. In particular, he was good at speed reading, memory and calculation. As far as bookkeeping was concerned, nobody could beat him in the office.
“Hi, Yenam. Isn’t the job here hard for you?”
“Not at all, sir. It’s interesting,” said Yenam in a small voice. No matter how much he was accustomed to the office, he could not yet completely get rid of his autistic characteristics.
“How about a glass of beer after work this evening?” asked Hyunwoo.
“What? Beer? With you, sir?”
Yenam expressed like he didn’t like it, but Hyunwoo didn’t care. He actually forced him.
“I need to talk to you, so stay late this evening.”
“Ah… Okay, sir,” replied Yenam reluctantly.
When it was 6 pm, the employees were ready to get off work.
Yenam was left alone in the office. Though he really wanted to go home after work, Hyunwoo held him.
“What would you have for dinner?”
“Any food is okay with me.”
Chinese cuisine was one of Yenam’s favorite foods. In particular, he liked sweet and sour pork.
“Let’s order Chinese food then.”
When the order arrived, he brought some of the staff outside to take care of the remaining work and enjoy the food.
After eating, they all went back home.
Now, there were only them two, Hyunwoo and Yenam, left behind in the office.
“Just focus on evaluating the webtoons. Let me tell you something later. Let’s go out together then.”
“Yes, sir.”
Hyunwoo kindly helped Yenam join the internet cafe and opened the webtoons for him. Then, he went back to his seat.
Hyunwoo deliberately chose a seat. It was a bit far from Yenam, but Hyunwoo could watch from there what Yenam was doing, but Yenam could hardly watch Hyunwoo.
Hyunwoo turned on his notebook and connected to the internet. He then logged on to the Ani & Funny internet cafe and began to evaluate the webtoons.
Rather, he pretended to evaluate. Instead, he carefully watched what Yenam was up to.