Story of a Big Player from Gangnam

Gun-Ho’s father proceeded with the ownership transfer of the condo in Guweol Town.

After paying the fee for the certified legal consultant and the required taxes, he made a call to Gun-Ho.

“Son, the condo’s ownership transfer is done. You can check it with its real property registration. I will send it to you.”

“Dad, you don’t have to send it to me. I can verify it on the internet. Thank you, dad.”

Gun-Ho received a call from his sister.

“Did you ask dad to transfer 50% of the ownership of the condo where we live right now to me?”

“Yeah, it’s done already.”

“You can’t do that. You shouldn’t.”

“Dad already completed the transfer.”

“You bought that condo with the money that you worked so hard to make. You can’t just give ownership to me. That’s nonsense.”

“It’s not a 100% ownership but 50%. I want you to have it. I thank you for living with our parents.”

“You have already done a lot for me. You can’t just give away that 50 pyung large condo like it is nothing.”

“You will feel more stable knowing that you own your home. When our parents pass away, their 50% of the ownership of the condo will be transferred to you automatically. So, basically, that condo is yours. I can’t live with our parents, so please take it for me.”

“I can’t believe it. I’ve never owned a property this big and expensive. I feel sort of scared.”

“Sister, you don’t have to feel that way. You have been to my condo. It’s worth 2 billion won. The condo in Guweol Town is worth only 300 million won. I have no interest in that condo. Young-Eun has no idea who owns that condo.”

“Thank you, Gun-Ho, and I’m sorry.”

“Stop saying that!”

“I will take good care of our parents for the rest of their lives. You don’t have to worry about them.”

“Oh, also, I’ve sent 35 million won to your bank account earlier today. Did you receive it?”

“35 million won? I haven’t checked my bank account yet.”

“Buy a Grandeur for dad. If that doesn’t cover the entire cost like taxes and registration fees, just let me know, okay?”

“Thank you, Gun-Ho. I really mean it.”

Actually, Gun-Ho’s sister was enjoying lots of benefits resulting from living with her parents. She didn’t have to look for a babysitter who could take care of her daughter—Jeong-Ah—while she was at work because her parents were taking very good care of her. Also, her father contributed living expenses with the salary he received from GH Mobile as a non-executive director. For example, he paid for all of the utility bills such as gas, electricity, and even HOA. Her parents also did most of the grocery shopping with their money. Moreover, they often bought things for Jeong-Ah like books, clothes, etc. While living with her parents, Gun-Ho’s sister’s savings account became fatter.

Gun-Ho was reading an economic newspaper in his office when he received a text message. It was from Min-Ho Kang who worked for a civic organization. He sent Gun-Ho the bank account information of the organization that would receive some donations from Gun-Ho. The recipient was the People’s Alliance for Progressive Movement.

Gun-Ho made a call to GH Mobile’s accounting director—Ms. Min-Hwa Kim.

“Ms. Director? It’s me.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I want you to send 1 million won to an organization called People’s Alliance for Progressive Movement. I will send you my bank account number and that organization’s contact number.”

“Okay, sir.”

“Ask them to get us a receipt. The organization is designated by the government as a qualified organization to receive donations. I believe we can get tax benefits for the donation amount.”

“Understood, sir.”

Gun-Ho didn’t want to send too much but just an appropriate amount for donation because he didn’t want them to set their expectations too high.

Gun-Ho received a call in the afternoon from Min-Ho Kang.

“President Goo? It’s me, Min-Ho. We’ve received your 1 million won. Thank you so much.”

“Oh, you did? I’m sorry that I couldn’t send more.”

“No, don’t say that. This is a windfall for us. We didn’t expect to receive a donation. It will help our organization a lot. Our organization publishes a monthly newsletter, and I will send it to you every month.”

“You don’t have to. I’m not involved in any civic movement, so you don’t have to send it to me.”

“It’s okay. I will send it to you, maybe to your company. What’s the address?”

“No, no. It’s okay, really. Well, I gotta go. There is a call waiting for me. I will talk to you later.”

There was certainly a feeling of pleasure in giving to others. The act of giving gave great pleasure to the people who received it as well. Gun-Ho always felt good when he heard ‘thank you’ from the person who he offered kindness to.

When Gun-Ho went home after work during weekdays, he was alone even though he was a married man. He could see his wife only during weekends. Staying home by himself always gave him a feeling of loneliness.

That evening, Gun-Ho fell asleep while watching TV by himself, and he had a dream.

In his dream, he was walking in Koen Dori, Shibuya, Tokyo. There was a woman with disheveled hair. She was walking toward Gun-Ho, and she was wearing no shoes. It was creepy.

“Huh? Mori Aikko!”

The woman with unkempt hair was Mori Aikko. She was crying.

“You said you would protect me for the rest of your life.”

Mori Aikko quickly turned her back on Gun-Ho after saying that. Gun-Ho followed her.

“Mori Aikko, you misunderstood the situation!”

“Misunderstood what situation?”

Mori Aikko turned around. She had no eyes, no nose, and no lips. Her face was empty.

Gun-Ho screamed. He then jumped out of his bed.

“Whew. It was just a dream.”

Gun-Ho had a cold sweat.

“Am I having this weird dream because I married another woman and forgot about Mori Aikko lately? But I was just a sponsor for her, not her husband.”

While Gun-Ho was thinking about Mori Aikko, he realized that he missed her.

“I guess I need to go to Japan next week. Let me see. Byeong-Chul Hwang’s wedding is next week. I will leave for Japan after attending his wedding.”

Gun-Ho tried to go back to sleep again.

Gun-Ho didn’t spend a significant amount of money in establishing GH Parts Company in China, which Min-Hyeok Kim was running and President Shin’s GH Media. Therefore, when he received his dividend of 950 million won from each company, he actually collected what he had previously invested in these two companies.

Gun-Ho, of course, supported these companies in any way he could. He had GH Mobile provide GH Parts Company with necessary technologies and experts. For GH Media, he financially supported it, so President Shin could expand the business aggressively. That was how GH Gallery generated good revenue. However, Min-Hyeok Kim and President Jeong-Sook Kim were the people who were actually making money for Gun-Ho.

Master Park in Goesan Town once told Gun-Ho that his time to make money himself was gone, and he would welcome the days where other people would make money for him. He was right.