Securing a 400 billion won loan from a mainstream bank was no easy feat.
Especially for Taewoo Group, which had a high debt ratio—essentially barring it from further loans. That’s why they had been relying on private loans or borrowing from foreign sources to keep their cash flow going.
But now, CT Bank had approved a massive 4...
As scheduled, the executive board meeting was convened, and for the first time, I was in attendance.
Since it was my first time, should I start with a polite greeting?
“Good day, everyone. My name is Min-jae Kim, and I am attending the executive board meeting for the first time as the Head of the Audit Division. I look for...
It was almost time to leave work, so I headed to the parking lot.
A former special forces driver, personally recruited by Captain Kang, was waiting for me.
“I need to see Captain Kang. Please take me to his office.”
“I’ll drive you comfortably.”
As the driver pulled the car out of the parking lot, two vehicl...
As expected, Executive Director Lee had been waiting.
It took at least four hours to travel from Changwon to Seoul.
Yet, less than two hours after the audit team contacted him, he confidently walked into the office.
He went straight into the investigation room upon arrival.
Deputy Manager Yoon pressed him with evidenc...
The true owner of Changwon Factory was the loan sharks.
In fact, it wasn’t just Changwon Factory.
To expand its manufacturing facilities, Tae-woo Group had borrowed money from countless sources.
Most of its subsidiaries, not just Tae-woo Motors, had been built with borrowed funds.
So when the foreign exchange...
The next day.
A new notice appeared on the Taewoo Group Audit Team bulletin board—this time, issued under the name of the Executive Director.
At first, employees approached it cautiously, wondering if it was related to promotions.
But when they read the content, their shock far outweighed any thoughts of promotion.
...
As the tumultuous year of 1997 drew to a close, news outlets reported on the sale of some of Chunha Trading’s business divisions.
Amidst the collapse of corporate giants, the news of a mid-sized company like Chunha Trading selling off some of its divisions, rather than going bankrupt, was a relatively minor story. However, it garnered a...
Korea Investment & Securities, Hanna Group, Dongseo Securities, Cheonggu Group.
These were the large corporations that collapsed within just one month of Korea requesting an IMF bailout on November 21st.
The Korean won plummeted, reaching over 1,200 won per dollar and approaching 2,000 won. Companies that had r...
The trading floor was always a warzone—dozens of traders shouting into their phones, phones ringing incessantly from all directions.
But today, it was sheer chaos, as if a massive hurricane had torn through a dense forest, leaving the trees thrashing in utter turmoil and panic.
Riiing! Riiing!
Lehman Brothers juni...
Tuesday, January 9, 1996
Under a clear blue sky without a single cloud, John Miller entered the anteroom, dressed in a cashmere coat and carrying a leather briefcase in one hand.
The female secretary, who had been seated at her desk working, quickly stood up as he entered.
"Good morning, sir."
Miller,...
January 5, 1996
The sky was overcast from the morning, heavy with clouds, as if another snowfall was imminent.
Seok-won, having had a simple breakfast via room service, now sat on the penthouse living room sofa, sipping a cup of rich, aromatic coffee while reading The Wall Street Journal.
“Ugh…my head…”
Yoon Seok-hyung woke up with a groan, clutching his aching head. He looked around the unfamiliar room in a daze.
“Where am I? This isn’t my house.”
He remembered drinking too much with Park Jong-bum, who had been so understanding and agreeable.
He recalled going to a room salon with Park J...
“Yes, yes, I don’t understand why I have to do this. Goodbye.”
I hung up the phone with a disinterested tone, shaking my head. I had been politely answering every call, playing the role of a kind and hardworking self-made entrepreneur. Maru, puzzled by my sudden change in attitude, asked,
“Why were you so dismissive?”
...
Tuesday Morning, January 2, 1996.
Snow had been falling steadily since last night, blanketing the city in white.
Inside the CEO’s office of P&P Partners, located in a high-rise overlooking the New York Stock Exchange, a stocky middle-aged man—John Miller—stood by the window, speaking into his cellpho...
As a blonde singer in a backless dress stood before the microphone, serenading the room with a soothing pop song accompanied by a soft piano melody, a waiter arrived with the amuse-bouche.
On a pristine white porcelain plate, a beautifully plated trio of tomato velouté, shrimp, and green bean tart resembled a miniature work of art.
With only one day left before the arrival of 1996, it was a quiet Saturday.
In the spacious penthouse living room, overlooking a snow-covered Central Park through its floor-to-ceiling windows, Seok-won sat on the sofa with Landon, deep in conversation.
“So, you’re saying that the British hotel chain and the Saudi prince negotia...
A large bar in Myeong-dong.
It was a bar that was always packed, even on weekdays.
But tonight, there were only two customers.
One of them was Executive Director Lee Joon-soo, a cousin of the infamous Myeong-dong private loan market's "Big Four."
The other was his childhood friend, Jung Soo-chul, the 1st Division Chie...
A $7.5 billion derivatives contract.
Even to George of Quantum Fund, a man who had won against entire nations, this was a tempting prize.
"So, you’re proposing a trade—derivatives for equity. It depends on the company, but for now, I can say I’m interested."
"If I were to name one company first—it’s Apple."
...
The Kobe Earthquake
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the southern region of Hyogo Prefecture, causing extensive damage that spread as far as Osaka and Tokyo.
In South Korea, news agencies immediately dispatched correspondents to Japan.
Breaking news reports flooded the airwaves, providing real-time updates on the disaster.<...
“This is a requirement from the FDA. Proof of financial ability to complete the clinical trial to the end is essential….”
To start a clinical trial, secure the necessary budget first and then begin.
The condition set by the FDA is reasonable.
If funding runs out mid-trial, forcing a premature end, it would be a disa...
Rachel’s sudden proposal left me quite flustered. I never imagined the usually gentle princess would assert herself so strongly.
‘Or perhaps… it’s only natural?’
Thinking carefully, it wasn’t that surprising. For an idealist with a strong sense of justice, protecting the rights of Russian Roulette patients was a given...
7 PM.
As I descended to the Goldman lobby, a lively voice rang out.
“Sean! Over here!”
It was Rachel. Tonight, I had an appointment with David. Since I was briefly passing through New York, we decided to meet in person and talk. Rachel was also joining us because she had business with David’s fiancée, Jessie.
...
[This situation—trapped and unable to move in any direction— It’s like being cornered.]
“……”
At Raymond’s words, Gerard couldn’t even offer an excuse. There was no room for rebuttal. This round was a complete defeat for Gerard.
[What do you think is the decisive reason for being driven into this corner?]
Dding!
Gerard flinched at the notification that popped up on his smartphone. The sender was none other than Ha Si-heon.
<January 2014 Investment Status>
It was the monthly report promised to investors. A mandatory email, and yet…
Why did it feel like a summons to a duel? Gerard stared coldly a...
Ha Si-heon’s prediction hit the mark once again.
The side effects of OCA became a hot topic. It all began with an article in the Wall Street Times.
An official from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) stated, “OCA users are showing a trend of increased ‘bad cholesterol (LDL)’ levels and decreased ‘good choleste...
Honestly, it’s annoying. But keeping the public’s interest is also important, so I have to engage to some extent. I was about to casually pick someone to answer a question when… unexpectedly, I saw a familiar face among the questioners.
“Did you also come to apply for redemption?”
Everyone’s gaze shifted at my question...
There was no need to make an appointment.
The company was small, and there wasn’t a designated employee for handling visits, so showing up unannounced was all there was to it.
“Is this the place?”
“Yes, well. That’s right.”
In front of a tiny five-story building with no elevator.
“……”
After Carl left as if he were being chased, I approached Tennessee.
“You should hurry up with the acquisition.”
“Why? Got an urgent expense coming up?”
When I spoke in a playful tone, Tennessee replied in a similarly half-joking manner.
After that, we moved locations.
Somehow, class ended up being… we...
I ended up living in a mansion just because I was looking for a house near the school.
It wasn’t intentional.
‘On days like today, having a lot of guests, it turns out to be quite handy.’
The first person to enter the reception room was Victor Wenyar, CEO of the French luxury brand Malenciaga.
“As...
“From taking over Red Bull to branding. Can you entrust it to me?”
My answer was simple.
“Money? We need money to take it over, don’t we?”
“I’ll handle that.”
Huh?
“Since you came up with the idea, I’ll cover the costs.”
Hold on a second.
It’s a bit embarrassing to ask this...