The Famous Millionaire

“KOVE DREAM… Did you say it was a fake?”

What was more ridiculous was Seoul Broadcasting’s attitude? Wasn’t it one of the three major networks in Korea? How can they play into the hands of a trickster?

“By the way, who are these men of Dream Korea?”

“I hear it is a coalition of dream teams with DAS Toy as the core. They’re pretty ecclectic.”

The moment Hyunwoo heard about DAS Toy, he immediately realized how things began to go wrong.

Hyunwoo let out a sigh before he knew it, “He is a much worse guy than I think. In fact, he…”

Hyunwoo told Jaeyol all about Hyongbok Lee, the owner of DAS Toy.

Hearing the whole story, Jaeyol also sighed deeply and said, “How can he do that because his company was not included in the KOVE DREAM project list? What the heck is Seoul Broadcasting doing now? Why are they taking side with him and covering that?”

Hyunwoo felt that someone gave Seoul Broadcasting a wrong tip on KOVE DREAM.

Though DAS Toy was despicable, Seoul Broadcasting was just as despicable. How can a major broadcasting network play into the hands of such a liar?

But Jaeyol seemed to understand the position of Seoul Broadcasting.

“Reporting is also a competition. As the reporters of Seoul Broadcasting failed to get the scoop on KOVE DREAM, they might be pursuing Dream Korea as compensation. I feel so sorry for them, though. It’s a big nothing burger anyway. I don’t have to care at all about them,” said Jaeyol.

Hyunwoo was of the same opinion. While digging into that, they would realize that the tip was false.

What he was really concerned about was the city government of Seoul. He heard that the Seoul City officials were accompanying the shooting team of Seoul Broadcasting for the feasibility study of the trade fair.

“I don’t worry about other things, but I wonder if the projected trade fair can be affected by Dream Korea.”

“Don’t worry. They don’t have to draw a line between KOVE DREAM and Dream Korea. Didn’t I tell you that the trade fair case was already approved by the Seoul mayor?”

Hyunwoo grinned from ear to ear. Though he expected so, he felt like a million dollars when he heard the news from Jaeyol.

“That’s news to me. I wish you had tipped me off on that earlier.”

“Hahaha. Actually, I’m so absent-minded these days. They are going to form a team soon to support our program. If all things go well, I guess the trade fair will be held sometime in May.”

It was thrilling news to Hyunwoo. He expected he could hit gold if he prepared for the trade fair well from now on.

“Terrific job! When are you coming back from Vietnam? I’d like to treat you to dinner.”

“Wonderful! I would love that. I think we can finish it a bit early thanks to the excellent work of Real Film. I think I can return home soon, so find a good bar for me.”

“Got it, brother!”

After the call, Hyunwoo clenched his fist and yelled for joy.

***

There was a secret meeting going on in Vietnam about the same time. There were a total of the presidents of eight companies gathered there, and the central figure was Hyongbok Lee of DAS Toy.

Hyonbok began to talk about ‘Dream Korea.’ His point was simple. He argued that as the KOVE DREAM team formed its own group of companies, it was necessary for those excluded from the KOVE list to form a group of their own, but the presidents gathered there were not happy.

“Isn’t it true that our technological abilities are not up to the standards set by KOVE DREAM? How can we compete with them?”

“Instead, our products are cheaper than theirs, right? In terms of the quality of products, KOVE DREAM set the bar high for us, but our products are much better than Chinese goods.”

“That’s true.”

“Even if the companies of KOVE DREAM are all combined, they are less than ten, all told. I hear two more companies are joining the list, and with that, it’s eleven at the most. On the contrary, we are twice as many and are united more strongly. There is no reason for us to lag behind the competition.”

The presidents began to go seesaw gradually by Hyongbok’s persuasion, but the problem was their image. It was impossible to create the kind of image that could surpass that of KOVE DREAM.

Of course, there was an expedient answer.

“Why don’t we coin our name as ‘VEKO Dream’ or ‘Dream KOVE’ like them?”

But Hyongbok shook his head and said, “No, they’re very cunning. I was thinking of that, but they already registered all such names.”

Hearing his explanation, all of them began to be resigned to the reality.

“Let’s think about how to survive from now on.”

Hyongbok curled his lips and thought to himself, Done! I think it’s not impossible to crush KOVE DREAM by using Seoul Broadcasting well.

***

Saturday morning Suji headed to Samhwari in the city of Hwasung with her parents, where Hyunwoo’s Mom’s factory was located. They wanted to take a look at the new house they would move into.

They found the lot was much more spacious than expected. Mrs. Kong was all happy.

“In fact, I love a country house better than a condo in the city. What a scenic view from here! I’m worried about you, Suji. You will go through lots of inconveniences living in the countryside.”

“Well, I like this place, too.”

They looked around the new house here and there, when there was heard a familiar voice.

“Suji, when did you get here? Uh, your mom and dad are also here. How are you?”

Turning her head, she saw Hyunwoo, who was sticking his head over the high wall on the other side and looking down on them.

With a bright smile, Suji waved her hand.

“It’s cold out there. You might catch a cold. Please come this way and have some hot tea,” said Hyunwoo.

“Shall we?’

Suji led them to Hyunwoo’s house. As there was no gate to Hyunwoo’s house, they had to walk around the wall to get there.

Suji grumbled, walking around, “Looks like we have to pull down this wall.”

When they entered Hyunwoo’s house, his parents were ready to greet them with nice tea.

Mrs. Kong was familiar with Hyunwoo’s family thanks to her association with them at the alternative school, and her husband Taeho seemed to have made friends with them, too. He didn’t show any awkwardness in exchanging greetings with them or speaking with them.

Suji poked Hyunwoo in the ribs and said, “Won’t you show me around the house?”

“Didn’t you see it on your previous visit?”

“No, not in detail,” said Suji, looking at him.

Standing up first, Hyunwoo said, “Really? Okay, then. Let me show you around.”

Suji followed Hyunwoo and took a walk around the house.

“By the way, how come you decided to move here?” asked Hyunwoo.

“I told you already I might move here when the moment arrived, didn’t I?” said Suji, giggling.

“Hummmm… You might want to marry me, too, when the moment arrives. Hahaha,” said Hyunwoo heartily, which made her blush before she knew.

“Do you think I’m a vulnerable woman?”

“I’m just kidding. Hahaha.”

Hyunwoo laughed more heartily to clear an awkward silence.

“In fact, my dad…” said Suji, explaining about the real reason why she decided to move. It was because of her daddy’s research activities.

“Looks like you and your mother made a sacrifice for your dad’s research activities, after all,” said Hyunwoo.

“Not really. My mother and I love country life better. Of course, I’d like to keep an eye on you, too. Hohoho,” said Suji, cracking a joke.

Suji had a cute smile in her eyes. Whenever she smiled, her eyes shaped like crescent moons fascinated him before he knew.

“By the way, do you have any appointments this evening?” asked Hyunwoo.

“Well, I don’t have one. My friends keep calling me to see me, but I’ve told them I would stay home today.”

“Really? I’d like to treat you to a nice dinner.”

“Why are you going to treat me like this all of a sudden?” asked Suji, with a curious look.

“No particular reason. I just want to have dinner with you over beer.”

“Beer? How come you want to have a beer with me? Is today a special day?” asked Suji with open eyes, as if she couldn’t figure out.

Hyunwoo decided to be honest with her. A relationship between a man and a woman couldn’t be that different from their social relations. He thought the truth would pay off.

“As you know, I quit from Aurum finally. So, how can I spend such a monumental day without celebrating?”

“So?”

“I mean we have to celebrate the day.”

“With me?”

“Of course. Though there are lots of people that I know, you are the only one that I want to celebrate with.”

She gently nodded her head, pretending to give in.

“Alright. Let me be generous today. I was going to take a break at home today, but let me take time out for you. Promise to buy me dinner and beer, okay?”

“Sure. Thanks,” said Hyunwoo, and reached out his hand to pull her shoulder suddenly. She almost stumbled before she was wrapped in his arms.

Hyunwoo felt he acted naturally, thinking ‘we’re now on intimate terms, right?’

But Suji seemed to think differently.

As if she was surprised a lot, she quickly got out of his arms and looked around.

Fortunately, there was nobody who saw that.

“What are you doing now? What if someone saw this?” said Suji in a lower tone for fear someone overheard it.

“So what? Isn’t it natural that a good man and woman put arms around each other’s shoulders? Besides, you don’t know how much I like you” said Hyunwoo, revealing his genuine feelings toward her.

With a smile in her eyes, she looked at him and quickly walked off, saying, “Anyway, give me a call this evening. Let’s move inside as it’s cold out here. I guess my parents are obviously wondering why I am not coming back.”

Hyunwoo felt strange about what she said. It looked as if she was wary of them whenever she mentioned him.

“Do your parents disapprove of me?” asked Hyunwoo.

At that moment, she stopped walking as if she was struck by electricity and looked at him.

It seemed that Hyunwoo guessed right.

With a gentle smile suggesting he didn’t care, Hyunwoo said, “That’s what I expected. As you know I didn’t go to college. There are no parents who want to marry their daughter to a guy like me. Besides, a daughter like you who is beautiful and excellent.”

Suji kept silent, though. Instead, she looked at him with regret.

Finally, she opened her red lips, “You’re right. They are dissatisfied with you rather than disapproving of you for the reason you have just mentioned.”

Hyunwoo nodded calmly but didn’t feel sorry or unpleasant.

In fact, Suji’s parents didn’t know him very well. They simply judged him by his looks.

In that respect, Hyunwoo was not a good match for Suji. He had no college degree, his job was not impressive, and he had no money.

Of course, he was the president of two companies with his stocks worth more than 10 billion won, which Suji was not even aware of. What she knew was only Ani & Funny, but Hyunwoo still wanted to fight and win her heart.

Even without a good academic or financial background, he wanted to be a man duly recognized by her parents.

Tightening his stomach, Hyunwoo said confidently,

“Just wait and see. I’ll make them say to you, ‘grab him by all means,’ Okay?”

When he said so, Suji eased her hardened look and cheered him up with a smile, “You look great!”

“Are you serious, right?”

“You’re the best man I’ve met so far,” said Suji, nodding her head strongly.