Real Man

Swish.

Yoo-hyun slowly met the eyes of the board members.

The face of the one-man protester he met today flashed in his mind.

He was the president of a partner company who had lost everything he had built and was driven to the streets by the technology theft that Hansung Electronics had done as a custom.

The practice of monopolizing the work was also part of it.

Many new companies that lagged behind the starting line had withered away without seeing the light as Easy Market Korea soared.

This should not happen anymore.

They had to realize that the result of only caring for their own interests was eroding Hansung’s competitiveness.

Yoo-hyun spoke with determination.

“What if you miss the appropriate investment timing and lose more opportunity cost?”

“That’s why I think we should actively invest that money in creating an environment where new companies can grow. That’s the only way for Hansung’s future.”

Buzz.

The unexpected proposal made the hall noisy.

In the meantime, Professor Lee Myung-choon calmly asked.

“All of the acquisition funds?”

“Yes. If necessary, we should increase the scale by using the internal reserve funds.”

“Hmm. Could you please tell us more specifically?”

Even though he spoke so directly, Professor Lee Myung-choon did not raise his voice, but asked leisurely.

He wanted to check if Yoo-hyun had any hidden cards.

He had to admit his patience to tap the stone bridge before crossing it.

Usually, he would deal with him calmly, but now was the time to argue strongly.

He needed an opponent who could clap and make a sound, so Yoo-hyun turned his gaze to the man who was poisoned by the collision earlier.

“Mr. Ryu, the advisor, said earlier. There are no decent companies. That’s why I suggested that we should step up and grow them.”

“When will you grow them and when will you use them? You have to be realistic.”

Ryu Je-song, the advisor, sneered, and Yoo-hyun said as if he had been waiting.

“If we invest 50 billion won each, we can grow 100 companies at the same time. Don’t you think there will be at least one company like Easy Market Korea among them?”

“Even if we concede a hundred times, how long do we have to wait? Hansung is not a charity organization.”

“Apple, Google, Amazon, they are not charity organizations that invest heavily in new companies. It will eventually come back to us.”

“This is ridiculous. Do you think our situation is the same as Silicon Valley? You don’t seem to know the reality…”

“So we should revive the Korean venture ecosystem like Silicon Valley…”

Ryu Je-song, the advisor, was an economic expert who served as the director of the economic research institute.

Yoo-hyun fiercely countered him.

Thanks to that, the topic smoothly moved from the MRO company acquisition to the big discourse of creating a venture ecosystem.

It was as Yoo-hyun intended.

Even if he pushed him with all kinds of knowledge, Yoo-hyun did not budge, and Ryu Je-song, the advisor, flared up.

“It’s a hard thing to do even for the political circles. How can Hansung alone create the base of the venture ecosystem?”

Creating the base meant investing a lot of money and running a foundation.

It was not just picking the fruits, but sowing the seeds in the dry land and watering them for a long time to make them sprout.

This process was not easy at all.

Yoo-hyun patiently suggested an alternative.

“Didn’t I tell you? As soon as Hansung, the national representative company, steps up, public opinion will be formed. Eventually, the political circles and other companies will join in.”

“What about the damage to Hansung’s shareholders in the process? They will surely resist if you do this. Why can’t you see the next step?”

Ryu Je-song, the advisor, raised his voice impatiently.

Then, Park Young-hoon, who had been silent, opened his mouth first.

“I’ll speak on behalf of the shareholders and say it’s okay.”

“Mr. Park.”

“Mr. Ryu, you know it’s a good direction in the long run. Don’t you know? Maybe the company that Hansung Electronics raised will become a global company?”

Park Young-hoon shrugged his shoulders and winked at Yoo-hyun secretly.

‘He said he wouldn’t care.’

Anyway, he was a brother who had feelings.

Yoo-hyun smiled inwardly and managed his expression to calm the atmosphere.

“…”

No matter how lightly Park Young-hoon spoke, he was a person who came as a major shareholder of Hansung.

No one here could ignore him.

As the atmosphere flowed strangely, Vice President Hyun Ki-joong panicked.

If Yoo-hyun’s will was done, he, the representative of Hansung Electronics, had to take responsibility and finish the work.

The process would not be pleasant at all.

He calmed his emotions and stopped Yoo-hyun.

“Mr. Han, I get what you’re saying. But the other companies won’t join in.”

“If Hansung leads the way, we will have the support of the political circles and the people on our backs. The other companies will have no choice but to join in.”

“That will never happen. Do you want to pour water into a leaky jar? There is no such company.”

It was hard to be sure of the outcome even if they invested money.

It was not an easy decision to use the company’s funds in such a place.

But it was a problem that could not be postponed anymore.

If this goes on, Korean companies will be isolated from the world market like the future that Yoo-hyun experienced.

They had to move to break the vicious cycle.

That was the only way for Hansung to gain competitiveness in the global market.

Yoo-hyun faced Vice President Hyun Ki-joong’s sharp eyes head-on.

“Water in the jar, I’ll pour it first.”

“What?”

“If Hansung just starts, I’ll invest 100 billion won in the name of River without any compensation.”

Slosh.

The shocking remark disrupted the atmosphere.

If this goes on, they might have to vote right away, so Vice President Yeo Tae-sik hurriedly cut off the flow.

“I understand Mr. Han’s opinion. Due to time constraints, we will vote on the last agenda item next time. Then I’ll end the board meeting here.”

Bang bang bang.

The board meeting ended with the sound of the gavel.

Yoo-hyun, who got up from his seat, approached Professor Lee Myung-choon and expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you for accepting my sudden suggestion.”

“Hehe. It was fun thanks to Mr. Han. I also liked your spirited appearance.”

The congressmen who fought and argued also shook hands and smiled after the debate.

Let alone the people of Hansung Electronics who were on the same boat, they had no reason to blush after the meeting.

Pat pat.

Professor Lee Myung-choon, who patted Yoo-hyun’s shoulder, passed the situation over with his witty style.

As the oldest member of the board, he embraced Yoo-hyun first, and the other outside directors did not say much either.

There were some clashes, but everyone accepted Yoo-hyun’s greetings.

Of course, not everyone had nice things to say.

Professor Ryu Jesong, who had argued the most fiercely, came over and offered a handshake.

Squeeze.

‘He seems to have quite a grip.’

He was smiling, but his eyes were not very friendly.

“Mr. Han, I am an advisor to the national policy department. I am in charge of comprehensive support and regulation for businesses.”

“Is that so?”

“I will keep an eye on Reverb too.”

He left a meaningful remark and turned away.

Yoo-hyun muttered as he watched his back, which seemed to have some resentment.

“That guy is quite spiteful.”

Yoo-hyun also greeted Vice Chairman Hyun Gijung, who had a rather stiff expression.

He looked like his pride was hurt by the last clash, but he tried not to show it.

“Let’s see each other again.”

“Yes. I understand.”

He left a formal greeting and left the conference room with the outside directors.

Two business heads followed him.

When the situation was somewhat settled, Vice Chairman Yeo Tae-sik approached.

He adjusted his silver glasses and called Yoo-hyun in a cold voice.

“Mr. Han, do you know why the chairman called you to the board meeting?”

“What do you mean?”

“He wanted to make connections for you. The outside directors and the executives of Hansung Electronics would surely help your business. Did I say something wrong?”

“No. You’re right.”

“Then why did you kick away the fortune that rolled in? You should have endured it even if you had different opinions. You could have resolved it later.”

Vice Chairman Yeo Tae-sik was mistaken.

Connections are not made by laughing and exchanging pleasantries, but by how much you can help the other party.

In that sense, today’s clash was rather good for making them aware of his presence.

Yoo-hyun did not bother to reveal his thoughts, but instead explained why he had to step up.

“It was something that I could only do at the board meeting.”

“Was it such an urgent matter?”

“Yes. It’s an important issue.”

Yoo-hyun did not back down, and Vice Chairman Yeo Tae-sik sighed.

“Huh. Anyway, you went too far this time. I’ll report to the chairman right away.”

“I’ll tell him if necessary.”

“No. Not today. You should sort out your thoughts and come back. I’ll tell him for now.”

Judging by the atmosphere, the post-meeting report would be quite long.

“I understand. I’ll see you next time.”

Yoo-hyun finished his meeting with Vice Chairman Yeo Tae-sik with a bow.

Park Young-hoon, who came up to Yoo-hyun, clicked his tongue.

“Tsk tsk. Are you okay?”

“What’s not okay?”

“Why, the chairman seemed quite angry.”

“It was his first board meeting as the chairman. He must have been annoyed that I messed it up.”

“Huh? Are you reflecting?”

“I’m just saying it as it is.”

Vice Chairman Yeo Tae-sik had not been in office for long, and it was his first time as the chairman of Hansung Electronics’ board.

He had a distant senior, Vice Chairman Hyun Gijung, next to him, and he couldn’t finish it properly, so he must have felt bad.

‘It’s lucky that he’s a nice person.’

Otherwise?

Even if they were close, he might have yelled at him.

But he wouldn’t have backed down anyway.

Park Young-hoon tapped Yoo-hyun’s shoulder, who was lost in thought.

“By the way, wasn’t my support good?”

“I don’t know.”

“Why. Hansung Electronics’ nurtured company might become a global company. Wow! It’s still good to think about it.”

“Oh, thank you for the cool comment.”

“Ouch. Were you touched?”

“Enough, let’s go eat.”

Yoo-hyun, who chuckled, walked out first.

Yoo-hyun took Park Young-hoon to the alley behind Hansung Tower.

As he walked along the narrow street, old memories came to his mind.

He had been with many people here.

“There were a lot of fun things too.”

Park Young-hoon asked Yoo-hyun, who was talking to himself.

“What?”

“No, just saying.”

“Boring. But this place needs some development too. The location is good, but it’s old.”

“Wouldn’t it be developed soon?”

According to Yoo-hyun’s memory, the redevelopment of this area was not far away.

“Should I invest here? The place seems pretty good.”

“Are you interested in real estate too?”

“Of course. I can’t just look at stocks. I think Gangnam will go up more in the future.”

“Oh, as expected from Mr. Park. You have a good eye.”

As they talked, they saw a soup restaurant.

Thump.

As they stepped inside the open door, they saw the inside of the restaurant.

It had been a while since they came, but the interior was not much different.

Yoo-hyun approached the lady who was facing a man at the counter.

As he was about to greet her with a friendly feeling, the man bowed his head.

“Auntie, thank you. I’ll pay you back later.”

“Pay back what? Come often. I’ll give you soup anytime.”

“Thank you.”

The man, who greeted again, picked up the picket sign on the floor.

Yoo-hyun was able to see the man’s face then.

‘Huh?’

He was the president of a subcontractor who had been protesting alone in front of Hansung Tower.

He passed by the man, and heard the lady’s murmur.

“Sigh. The young man is in a bad situation.”

“…”

Yoo-hyun watched the man walk away quietly, and Park Young-hoon was puzzled.

He was about to say something to Yoo-hyun when it happened.