Story of a Big Player from Gangnam

Gun-Ho looked at President Jeong-Sook Shin and said, “I don’t know anything about costume play events, but I believe that you two could be a judge in that event.”

“We actually invited one more person to form a panel, so we could have three judges for the event, including myself and Mr. Yoshitake Matsuda. The third person to join us is an incumbent cartoonist. He is very famous.”

“That will do then.”

“Also, we will add Mr. Yoshitake Matsuda to our team in GH Media as a freelance journalist.”

“Hmm, that’s nice. Since Mr. Yoshitake Matsuda used to work as a journalist before, he should be good at writing.”

“The reason why we plan to host a costume play event on our own is to procure the contents that would be used for our costume play magazine. You are right, sir, about the cost that we have to bear for the event winner’s travel expenses to Japan.”

“I doubted that we could cover the event winner’s travel expense with the event participants’ entry fees. It should cost more than that.”

“That’s true, especially because we can only charge a nominal amount for the entry fees since most participants would be junior or high school students.”

“Have you thought of any plan to make up the deficiency?”

“Mr. Yoshitake Matsuda wants to bring some popular items from Japan and sell them during the event, like t-shirts and hats. Japanese cartoon’s character posters are good too.”

“Hmm, I think those will sell well.”

“Since Mr. Yoshitake Matsuda needs to focus on collecting data during the event, so he could write them in the magazine, I will bring our workers to sell those posters, t-shirts, and hats. The event will last for two days. We are expecting to see lots of photographers in the event as well.”

“Sounds good. Ask Young-Eun to come to the event, too.”

“Haha. Sure, I will bring her.”

After President Shin and Mr. Yoshitake Matsuda left the office, Gun-Ho thought about the costume play event. He decided that he would go to the event himself with Young-Eun to have fun.

“I’ve seen that kind of event on the internet, but I’ve never been to any in person. I will take Young-Eun with me. The event would be designed for children, so it won’t be chic or sophisticated, but it could be very fun. I’m sure she will like it.”

While thinking about going to the costume play event with Young-Eun, registering for KOAF crossed his mind. Young-Eun asked him the other day to register for KOAF and get a membership to support that Korean African medical volunteer work organization.

“Oh, I told her that I would send 100,000 won to that organization every month.”

Gun-Ho searched KOAF on the internet to find their website. After filling out their membership application and sending it to them, he set up the CMS auto payment with the bank as well. He then sent his first membership fee of 100,000 won to them. About an hour later after he submitted his membership application and 100,000 won of membership fee, Gun-Ho received a call from the executive director of KOAF.

“Mr. President Gun-Ho Goo?”

“Yes, this is he.”

“I’m the executive director of KOAF.”

“Of what?”

“It’s KOAF— Korean African medical volunteer work organization.”

“Oh, oh, KOAF.”

“We have received your membership application with your membership fee. I’m calling to thank you in person for your interest and support for our organization.”

“Oh, you’re very welcome.”

“Your invaluable membership fee will be used to save tons of African children who desperately need our help. We are publishing a newsletter every month. We will send you the monthly newsletter to the address shown on your application form.”

“Sounds good. Thank you.”

“Well, thank you again for your support and for becoming a member of our organization.”

The executive director must have been very grateful when Gun-Ho unexpectedly joined them with a monthly membership fee of 100,000 won. That’s especially true because 95% of their current members pay 10,000 won per month as their membership fee.

“Applicant Gun-Ho Goo? Who is he? What’s his occupation? He just wrote that he is a businessman, on the application form. His home address is TowerPalace condo in Dogok Town, Gangnam District. So, I guess that he is wealthy enough not to feel burdensome by donating 100,000 won per month.”

Gun-Ho received a call from GH Mobile’s President Song.

“I’ve contacted KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) to find out their next scheduled overseas business tour. They have one scheduled for June. I told the general affairs director to reserve one spot for you, sir, for that tour.”

“Why don’t you come with me, President Song?”

“I’ve been there several times already. Since it’s about investment, I think you should go. The staff from KOTRA will arrange a tour for you to visit Korean companies there and also the relevant Indian government.”

“I see.”

Gun-Ho was taking a class at the Advanced Center for Administrative Development when Attorney Young-Jin Kim poked his arm with a pen.

“Hey, do you have any plans for this Sunday?”

“Not really. I think I will just stay home and take a rest.”

“Oh, that’s right. You are a newlywed. You should spend a good time with your wife.”

“I don’t think that’s going to happen this Sunday.”

“Why not?”

“She is taking a night shift.”

“I see. Medical doctors have that kind of complications, huh? Every occupation has its own complications and hardship. It’s not easy to make money. For example, attorneys look cool to the outsiders, but we are usually suffering from an extremely heavy workload. Kim & Jeong Law Firm is especially notorious for it.”

“You and me, my friend, I guess our pleasure in life is making money, huh?”

“Let’s go play golf with me this Sunday then.”

“Wouldn’t it be too crowded on Sunday? Also, they charge more during the weekend.”

“What about next Wednesday then? I am off on Wednesday.”

“Where do you want to go?”

“Our law firm is a member of the Asiana Country Club in Yongin City. Let’s go there.”

“Their greens fee must be cheap then. If we go there during weekdays, it should be less than 100,000 won, right?”

“It’s 70,000 won if you play during weekdays. Of course, we need to pay for caddies and a cart.”

“Don’t we need two more people?”

“I was thinking of asking someone from the class, maybe a minister or a congressman.”

“I don’t like that. They are way older than us, and they are no fun. Why don’t you bring someone from your law firm?”

“That would be difficult. They are all busy during weekdays. I have spare time for next Wednesday, but my colleagues don’t. What about executive officers from your company?”

“Executive officers?”

Mr. Adam Castler popped up in his head.

Gun-Ho then said, “You know what? Maybe I can ask the joint venture’s vice president to join us. He should be lonely and bored living in Korea.”

“Oh, the American person? That’s good. Ask him to join us for playing golf. It will be fun.”

“I will ask Dyeon Korea’s Mr. Adam Castler and GH Mobile’s President Jang-Hwan Song to join us next Wednesday then.”

“Okay. I will make a reservation for four people with the country club.”