Chapter 1: 2. Death of a Giant
Last night, Chairman Jang Young-bok of Taesang Group passed away at the age of 74. Chairman Jang collapsed on the morning of the 23rd due to acute myocardial infarction and never regained consciousness. Condolences for the deceased continue, regardless of their position in the business world.
━ Yes, first of all, our news channel S expresses condolences for the deceased. How is the atmosphere within Taesang Group after the sudden passing of its leader?
━ The deceased is survived by two sons and one daughter. As they are all actively involved in various industries, there is anticipation for a succession struggle for the position of the next chairman.
━ The inheritance left behind by Chairman Jang is also a topic of discussion.
━ That's correct. Chairman Jang Young-bok was once listed among Forbes' top 20 richest people in the world. The estimated value of his estate is more than 30 trillion in total.
"Oh my, look at that. No matter how much money you have, what's the use? Even in the afterlife, it won't be of any worth."
Manager Oh Myung-sik sighed as he watched the news.
"Well, why are you worried about that, Manager?"
The voice belonged to Kim Young-ha, an associate sitting across from me.
"Hey, look at this guy."
"Oh no, it's just that. Chairman Jang was such a successful person in his life, and he might regret not being able to take his wealth with him after death. Manager, it's not like we should be concerned about celebrities and conglomerates."
"No, I mean, that's true... Kim, forget about that for now. Did you organize the data in the Excel sheet as I asked?"
Kim Young-ha, the associate, quickly became flustered by Manager Oh's words.
What is Taesang Group?
Nowadays, it's almost embarrassing to call it a Korean company; it's a colossal dinosaur in the global market.
In 1961, when South Korea was still struggling in the aftermath of war, Taesang laid the foundation of its business in construction.
From its early days in construction to heavy industries like automobiles, semiconductors, smartphones, and advanced IT technologies today—any significant business was inevitably associated with the name Taesang.
Especially, the growth of Taesang owes much to the current protagonist of the news, Chairman Jang Young-bok, the second-generation chairman with exceptional capabilities.
It was during the IMF crisis when numerous companies faced bankruptcy.
Chairman Jang directly acquired struggling companies with advanced technology that lacked capital, one by one, after purchasing dollars from foreign banks, merging them into Taesang.
At that time, the high-ranking executives at Taesang struggled to deal with Chairman Jang's actions.
They even went so far as to say he had lost his mind, as he would hold his breath and wait for waves to pass, just to initiate mergers for the company's survival.
"These people! This is the time for us to seize opportunities! While foreign capitalists are snatching up competitive companies for a pittance, are we supposed to just hand everything over without a fight?!"
This was an anecdote later revealed, a statement by Chairman Jang Young-bok, now shared as folklore.
Ultimately, Chairman Jang's gamble paid off.
South Korea overcame the foreign exchange crisis, and the technologies acquired at low costs by Chairman Jang brought the company immense profits.
People began to praise Chairman Jang Young-bok as the giant who safeguarded the Korean economy against foreign capital and led to the growth of Taesang, which eventually became a representative brand of South Korea.
But that's not all. Chairman Jang's ability to read market trends far surpassed what anyone could anticipate.
During his tenure, Taesang Group consistently thrived.
"For a while, things will be noisy. The issue of restructuring ranks, and also that 30 trillion. It won't be easy for even conglomerates to reduce inheritance taxes, you know?"
"Indeed, you're quick with calculations, Associate Kim. But why are you worried, Manager?"
Turning toward Manager Oh, Kim Young-ha's voice slightly wavered.
"Well, see. Just listen to this. It's not even about an ordinary correction; they're talking so casually about the deceased's existence! Who is Chairman Jang Young-bok? He was someone our CEO respected! If it weren't for our CEO and Chairman Jang, you wouldn't even have a job now!"
Then, a voice that made my brows furrow was heard.
A creaking sound.
Manager Lim Hong-bin.
At 42 years old, he was a shining example of a dreadful superior in our office.
Ironically, he seemed to draw strength from his close relationship with Chairman Jang Young-bok and our CEO, often speaking with unusual confidence. He had his reasons, of course.
"Chungsik Motors."
It's the name of the company I work for.
We produce and deliver car headlights as our main product in a workforce of about 200 employees—a second-tier vendor.
Well, to be honest, it's subcontracting piled on top of subcontracting.
In any case, the products we deliver ultimately end up in Taesang Group's subsidiary, Taesang Motors.
To give a bit more context on Chungsik Motors' history, it all started with our CEO, Kim Jung-sik, who established the company after retiring as an executive from Taesang Motors.
This is where the connection between Lim Hong-bin's pride in his relationship with Chairman Jang Young-bok and our CEO comes in.
According to CEO Kim Jung-sik, Lim Hong-bin was Chairman Jang Young-bok's right-hand man and the person Chairman Jang would confide in.
Of course, nobody believed this claim except for Lim Hong-bin.
- Senior, have a look at what Lim is saying. He's calling him 'Your Honor.' Haha, it's maddening.
Sure enough, as soon as Lim Hong-bin finished speaking, Kim Young-ha, the associate, messaged me directly.
- Leave it be. People only believe what they want to believe and see what they want to see. Living while only focusing on what you want to see and believe is also a form of happiness.
- By the way, Senior, how about a drink after work today?
- Alcohol? I need to go to the gym.
- Even you, Senior. It's Friday, isn't it? Even gym-goers take a break on Fridays. You wouldn't want to seem like a person with no plans.
- Don't you have a girlfriend? Doesn't she say anything?
- Oh, haha, even my girlfriend can't do anything against you, Senior. If she hangs out with you, Senior, she wouldn't even be able to say anything. You're already so highly regarded.
- Regarded? I understand, see you.
"But by the way, how about it? Associate Han, from the MZ generation. You know, these days the younger folks like saying whatever is on their minds. Is what I said correct, Kim?"
"Ah... haha, well, I don't really know much about the MZ generation."
"Hey, you should take more interest in the world. It's your duty as an employee to be interested in social issues. Duty! When I told you
to read five newspapers, that's exactly what I meant—become aware."
As usual, the latte that couldn't be missed...
"Well, anyway, Associate Han, my intention isn't to offend or upset you. I'm not even stating something untrue. We're like a family, aren't we? It's like we're family."
"Ah, yes. Like 'family,' right."
Cli━
With a deliberate intention, he emphasized the character '족' in 'family' as he spoke.
Kim Young-ha, the associate, covered her mouth and couldn't help but laugh.
"Well, anyway. It's not like Chairman Jang Young-bok had no connection to us. Let's remember the pioneering spirit he left behind! Let's reflect on that. Instead of just sitting around, passing the time when we come to work, find something substantial to do on your own."
Just passing the time by sitting around.
Yes, I heard your introduction, Chairman.
"Associate Han, how about it? You're from the MZ generation, right? Associate Han, I don't know if you know, but these days, the young people like to speak their minds exactly as they are. Kim, my words are correct, aren't they?"
"Ah... haha, well, I don't really know much about the MZ generation."
"Hey, you should take more interest in the world. It's your duty as an employee to be interested in social issues. Duty! When I told you to read five newspapers, that's exactly what I meant—become aware."
As usual, the latte that couldn't be missed...
"Well, anyway, Associate Han, my intention isn't to offend or upset you. I'm not even stating something untrue. We're like a family, aren't we? It's like we're family."
"Ah, yes. Like 'family,' right."
Cli━
With a deliberate intention, he emphasized the character '족' in 'family' as he spoke.
Kim Young-ha, the associate, covered her mouth and couldn't help but laugh.
"Well, anyway. It's not like Chairman Jang Young-bok had no connection to us. Let's remember the pioneering spirit he left behind! Let's reflect on that. Instead of just sitting around, passing the time when we come to work, find something substantial to do on your own."
As the chatter continued, the noise in the office was disrupted by the sudden appearance of a person.
"I'm back. I brought coffee."
Choi Ye-ri, who had been absent from her seat, appeared with hands full of coffee.
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