The Chairman Who Wants to Play and Eat

Episode 10. How about semiconductors?

President Im Doo-won of Seonghyun Electronics was feeling anxious before the meeting.

‘The young master is coming to the meeting.’

The youngest son of the vice chairman’s family, who entered Korea University’s law school, suddenly started working at the electronics division and studying semiconductors,

and it was no coincidence that he was the first third-generation member in the group’s history to attend the monthly presidents’ meeting.

It was not a misconception.

It was rather close to certainty.

The moment when a clear course had to be set came sooner than expected.

If you’re late, you get nothing.

Even if the decision is late, the action must be swift.

Perhaps today,

‘How did I get here, I can’t make a mistake at this point.’

He steeled himself as he watched the executives enter one by one.

They were all familiar faces.

Not just in the sense of knowing them.

They were people who knew each other inside out in various ways.

So,

Vice President Kwak Beom-geun of Seonghyeon Steel, who was pretending to be the most loyal while looking at Hyun Seung-jae from the front, was one of the closest aides managing 3 billion won in slush funds for Seonghyeon Construction,

And the friend watching Hyun Woo-jae with hawk eyes from the back was Yang Jin-soo, the third brother-in-law who parachuted into Seonghyeon Namdong Heavy Industries a few days ago.

That’s how it was.

Of course, such things were not major flaws.

Whether they were flaws or not was entirely up to the royal family to decide.

Im Doo-won knew that well.

Although he was currently in a position with declining performance, he was once an ambitious person.

He was not a fool.

He was not naive enough to think that Hyun Deok-jae, the general vice chairman, would naturally become the successor just because he was the eldest son,

Nor was he unaware that such small flaws were not enough to firmly establish his position to the extent of eliminating his younger brothers from the competition.

It was advantageous, but not 100%.

Moreover, Chairman Hyun Byung-geon, even in his seventies, was still holding onto the group’s major and minor affairs.

In such a situation, to clearly determine a successor?

It was impossible.

No one dared to bring up such a topic in front of Chairman Hyun.

Therefore, the next leadership was still shrouded in mystery.

Once a month,

This meeting, where they reported and coordinated big and small matters in front of the captain holding the key to the conglomerate Seonghyeon, was more important than any other.

It might even be the only place to gauge Chairman Hyun’s intentions.

However,

‘And those empty seats.’

A seat significantly larger than the other chairs,

Even when empty, it boasted a greater presence than any other seat, the chairman’s seat in the center, with the seats of the three sons placed side by side.

Up to this point, it was the same as usual.

There was one difference.

One chair in the corner that was not usually there.

It was the seat of Hyun Sang-yoon, the youngest son of Vice Chairman Hyun Deok-jae, who was attending this meeting for the first time today.

Im Doo-won recalled his first meeting with him.

‘Even if you don’t know elsewhere, please call him Sang-yoon here, as this is a place for studying.’

The voice still rang in his ears.

It was not the thoughtless words of a frivolous chaebol heir.

It was a confident voice that could only come from someone who had come to Seonghyeon Electronics with a clear plan and definite intention.

The chairman was the same.

Among all those grandchildren, he specifically called Hyun Sang-yoon to this place.

There must be a reason for that too,

‘I must find it out. Absolutely.’

Once the meeting starts, there will be no more time to think.

There was a similar tension among the other people in the conference room.

‘Did you say Young Master Sang-yoon is coming?’

‘I heard so. It’s hard to guess the chairman’s intention this time.’

‘It’s probably nothing. He just wants to show off his grandchild who got into a good school in front of the executives.’

They whispered in low voices.

Everyone had a different interpretation.

Some interpreted this move as confirming the succession structure of Vice Chairman Hyun Deok-jae, Hyun Sang-yoon’s father,

While others saw it as a message to the other three sons to strive harder.

Either way, it was the same that they had to align themselves well.

That was the source of the tension.

At that moment,

‘This way, Young Master.’

Eventually, a young man came in and sat down.

‘It’s the young master.’

‘It’s Hyun Sang-yoon, the young master.’

An uncomfortable atmosphere lingered for a while.

After a moment, someone from the executive side stood up. He approached Hyun Sang-yoon and greeted him first.

“Young master, do you remember me? I’m Go Moo-yeol.”

“You’re the president of Seonghyun Construction, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. I’m glad you remember.”

“Of course, I should remember.”

Go Moo-yeol, who had smiled once, continued speaking.

“Thank you. As you may know, the completion date for the Seongam Library at Korea University Law School is the month after next. We are doing our best to ensure there are no disruptions to your studies.”

The young man’s eyes shone.

“Thank you.”

“It’s something we must do.”

“It’s almost time for the chairman to come up. You should take your seat as well, president.”

“I will do as you say, young master.”

The other executives were watching closely as he publicly aligned himself with Vice Chairman Hyun Deok-jae.

After a while,

At exactly 3 PM.

“The chairman is coming in. Everyone, please stand up.”

Chief Secretary Joo Yong-hoon came in and announced the start of the meeting.

Finally, the emperor of Seonghyun, the iron-fisted dictator Hyun Byung-geon, was entering to preside over the monthly meeting. Behind him, Vice Chairman Hyun and his three sons followed in and took their seats.

Clatter, clatter.

Before long, the conference room was filled with silence, except for the sound of chairs.

The only thing filling that empty space was the presence of one person.

Eventually,

“How has everyone been?”

Chairman Hyun’s mouth opened.

“Yes! We’ve been well! Chairman!”

The voices of the presidents, sounding like newly enlisted soldiers, echoed through the conference room.

The meeting finally started.

*

‘What a mood killer.’

It was like the military.

I found another reason not to want to be the chairman.

It’s not just Seonghyeon. The so-called successful big companies like Jeongsang and Daewoon all have this atmosphere.

Hierarchy, strict order.

As I thought.

I don’t want to be the head of such a huge organization.

Think about it. How much work would there be and how many things would you have to worry about? Just imagining it is terrible.

The only thing good about being huge is my building.

The bigger, the better.

Meanwhile, the meeting started.

“Go Muyeol!”

“Yes!”

It’s called a meeting, but it’s really the grandpa chairman’s solo stage.

His eyes shot lasers at one person. It was Go Muyeol, the construction president, who had spoken to me earlier.

‘A grateful person.’

I suddenly thought so.

Although he scored points with grandpa, he helped me anyway.

There is a saying, mutual help.

Since he helped me, I should help him too.

But not here.

If I say something unnecessary, it might harm him instead. I have to endure it now.

While I was thinking that,

“Last year’s second half was a mess, but this year’s contract performance isn’t bad? Go Muyeol, what happened? Explain.”

He’s not asking because he doesn’t know.

He wants to hear directly how his subordinate reports.

This is the chairman’s way.

Go Muyeol knew well and instead of reciting a lengthy introduction, he delivered exactly what the chairman wanted to hear.

“Compared to the second half of last year, apartment contracts have been relatively stagnant, but we have found a breakthrough in other areas.”

“So, how?”

Chairman Hyun’s eyebrows twitched.

“Winning the contract for the Seongam Library at Korea University might have been the catalyst, as construction requests from comprehensive universities in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas have increased. I believe the fact that we shortened the construction period as much as possible, as per your instructions, was a positive factor.”

“So, you deviated?”

“I think it doesn’t matter how we get there as long as we reach Seoul.”

“That makes sense. So, did you reach Seoul?”

It was a confirmation of whether the desired results were achieved. President Go answered.

“We achieved 30% of this year’s target contract amount before the end of the first quarter. Of course, it was recorded as consolidated revenue from the subsidiary, but…”

The chairman cut off the blurred end of the sentence.

“If it’s recorded as group revenue, it’s the same revenue whether it’s from the parent company or the subsidiary. What does it matter?”

“You are absolutely right, Chairman.”

“Good. Even if you didn’t reach Seoul, you got to Gyeonggi. That’s good enough. There’s still time left this year, so keep pushing. Get to Seoul. Understood?”

It was the highest praise that could come from Chairman Hyun, who was sparing with compliments.

“I will definitely keep that in mind.”

President Go quickly bowed his head.

But what is this?

Wait a minute?

Why are they both glancing at me while saying that?

It’s not me. Anyway, it’s not me!

Because of that, not only I, but also the two uncles sitting on either side of the chairman, and the aunt, became visibly uncomfortable.

‘Is it about that b*stard Sang-yoon again?’

‘Do we have to listen to that guy’s praise even in a meeting now?’

It was as if their eyes were saying that.

I felt wronged.

I understand that they might think that way, but this is not what I wanted.

“Good. Construction has done its job.”

Next up.

“Trading.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

The arrowhead now pointed at his big uncle, Hyun Seung-jae, the president of Seonghyun Trading. His face was momentarily colored with tension.

“How’s the Middle East deal going?”

“Well, that is…”

“Judging by your lukewarm response, it seems you haven’t even gotten off the table yet.”

“I’m sorry, Chairman.”

Hyun Seung-jae lowered his tail.

“But since we’re in the final adjustments, I am confident that you will receive satisfactory results within a month.”

Tsk tsk,

But what came back was the sound of Chairman Hyun clicking his tongue.

“Confidence is useless. We need results.”

“……”

“Everyone, listen carefully. I don’t believe in confidence. If it’s not visible, it doesn’t exist. Next time, bring visible results.”

The room suddenly became as quiet as if water had been poured over it.

Chairman Hyun turned his head. The next target, Hyun Woo-jae, flinched as their eyes met.

“Chemicals.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“How about you? Any results?”

“I’m sorry. By the next meeting…”

He didn’t even listen to the end of the answer. Next was Hyun Hee-jae.

“Department store!”

“Father, it’s not just us, all department stores are in chaos these days. The government is cracking down on luxury goods as part of social purification, so our sales have plummeted.”

“Not father, Chairman!”

“Chairman, anyway, our Seonghyun Department Store…”

That excuse was drowned out by Chairman Hyun’s angry voice.

“What’s wrong with everyone’s mindset?”

No one here could answer that question. Chairman Hyun’s eyes, searching for the next prey, moved to one side.

It was Im Doo-won, the president of Seonghyun Electronics.

“Electronics.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Alright, Im Doo-won. I trust you. Surely, you won’t disappoint me too.”

Finally, the moment had come.

“Before I report, I have something important to tell you, Chairman.”

“Go ahead.”

“Your grandson, Hyun Sang-yoon, is also here. And he has been coming to work at our electronics division for the past few days, studying with the employees.”

“I see. But why is that relevant?”

“I believe the young master has something to say about Seonghyun Electronics as well. I apologize, but I think it would be best if you heard him first before my report.”

Im Doo-won, who had finished speaking, bowed his head.

The atmosphere was strange.

It felt like the Chairman had orchestrated something.

No one else in the room could miss the hint. Silence filled the conference room. It was a brief moment.

“Alright.”

The Chairman called me.

“Hyun Sang-yoon.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

The gazes of countless people in the conference room pierced me like arrows.

The stares from my uncles and aunts were the sharpest.

In the meantime, my grandfather, Chairman Hyun, continued his questioning.

“I have many questions, but I won’t speak at length. If you have something to say, go ahead. What did you find when you went to the Seonghyun Electronics building?”

I swallowed hard.

“Semiconductors.”

I finally gathered my voice and answered.

“Semiconductors?”

“I heard you were looking for a new business field to pave the way for our electronics division.”

“And?”

There was only one thing I had to say at this moment.

“How about semiconductors as the new business?”

It was the exact answer my grandfather, Chairman Hyun, had been hoping for.