Golden Spoon Investor

Hannam-dong, Seoul.

It was the weekend, and Chairman Park Tae-hong, dressed casually in khakis and a short-sleeved polo shirt, sat alone on the sofa in his study. He was carefully wiping the leaves of his cherished orchid with a soft cloth, dedicating time and effort to each one.

As he gently held a leaf and dusted it off, its smooth, glossy surface regained its luster.

Chairman Park preferred orchids to colorful flowers because of their resilience and understated beauty. Their solitary, elegant blooms, exuding a subtle yet profound fragrance, resonated deeply with him. To him, orchids reflected his own life—behind the title of a conglomerate owner lay hidden challenges and the weight of constant, difficult decisions.

Even with his hectic schedule managing the group, these quiet moments spent tending to his orchids offered him peace and solace.

The sunlight streaming through the study window made the orchid's red petals appear even more radiant.

Having meticulously cleaned all the leaves, a serene smile spread across Chairman Park's face.

"Perfect," he muttered in satisfaction.

At that moment, Mrs. Cho Deok-rye entered the study carrying a tray.

"You're taking care of your orchids again?" she asked, glancing at the plant on the table.

"Plants don't just thrive with water alone. You need to care for them and pay close attention, or they won't grow properly," he replied.

Mrs. Cho, well aware of her husband's love for orchids, nodded knowingly. She placed a white bowl of sujeonggwa (a traditional Korean cinnamon punch with pine nuts) on the table and sat on the empty sofa.

"Take a break and try this," she suggested.

"Oh, sujeonggwa," he noted.

"I had the housekeeper make it with plenty of honey. I brought it so you could try it and tell me what you think."

Setting down the cloth he had been using to clean the orchid, Chairman Park picked up the white bowl and took a sip.

"Hm, it's sweet and quite good," he said.

"I tasted it earlier, and it turned out well. Drinking too much coffee isn't good for you, so why not have this at home instead?"

"Alright, I'll do that," he agreed.

Satisfied, he quickly finished the bowl.

Just then, there was a knock at the door, followed by his eldest son's voice.

"Father, it's Jin-hyung."

"Come in," Chairman Park said, setting the empty bowl down.

The door opened, and Executive Director Park Jin-hyung entered.

"You're both here," he remarked.

Mrs. Cho Deok-rye's face brightened upon seeing her eldest son, whom she hadn't seen in a while.

"I heard you just got back from your business trip to China?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm sorry I couldn't make it to Grandfather's birthday last week," Jin-hyung replied with a tinge of guilt.

"If work keeps you busy, there's nothing you can do about it. You called him, didn't you?"

"I made a quick call to wish him well the morning of his birthday. I only regret that it was so brief."

"That's more than enough. You did well," she reassured him.

As the mother and son chatted, Chairman Park cleared his throat softly, signaling a shift in conversation.

"I need to speak with Jin-hyung privately for a moment. Why don't you step out?"

Mrs. Cho rose gracefully, picking up the empty bowl. She turned to Jin-hyung.

"You haven't eaten lunch yet, have you?"

"No, not yet."

"Then eat at home before you leave. I've made crab stew, your favorite."

"Thank you. I will."

Mrs. Cho gave a small smile and left the study.

Once the wooden door closed, Chairman Park gestured to the sofa. "Don't just stand there. Sit down."

"Yes, Father," Jin-hyung replied, sitting across from him.

Chairman Park moved the orchid to the side and looked at his son.

"What was your impression of China after seeing it firsthand?" he asked, cutting straight to the point.

"I'll provide a detailed report later, but both the central government and local governments are highly proactive about attracting foreign investment," Jin-hyung replied confidently.

Chairman Park had been considering relocating their domestic textile factory to China due to declining profitability. Before making a decision, he sent his eldest son on a preliminary inspection.

"Among the regions I visited, the governments in the northeastern provinces offered the most favorable conditions," Jin-hyung continued.

"The northeastern provinces? Are you referring to the regions bordering North Korea?" Chairman Park asked.

"Yes, Father."

The northeastern region, commonly known as Dongbei San Sheng, includes Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang provinces.

Chairman Park frowned slightly. "Isn't that the complete opposite side of where our first plant in Shenzhen is located?"

"That's correct. The distance between Shenyang, a major city in the northeast, and Shenzhen is about 2,300 kilometers, making it quite far."

"You're not seriously considering relocating the plant there, are you?"

"At first, I was skeptical too. But now, I think it's worth serious consideration," Jin-hyung replied calmly.

Chairman Park crossed his arms, signaling he was willing to listen. "What changed your mind?"

"The main reason we're relocating the plant to China is to lower production costs, correct?" Jin-hyung began.

"That's right."

"Labor costs in Shenzhen are less than half of those in Korea. However, the northeastern provinces are among the most underdeveloped regions in China and offer even cheaper labor," Jin-hyung explained.

"Hmm," Chairman Park muttered, listening.

"Additionally, the proximity to Korea is a significant advantage. Products can be transported efficiently through Dalian Port, reducing logistical challenges," Jin-hyung added.

Observing his father's contemplative expression, Jin-hyung pressed on. "There's also the benefit of a substantial Korean-Chinese population—over two million ethnic Koreans live there. Employing them would greatly simplify communication and operations."

Chairman Park nodded slightly. "Communication issues are indeed the biggest challenge in managing overseas factories."

"That's right," Jin-hyung agreed. "When we established the first factory in Shenzhen, the language barrier caused considerable difficulties between local workers and our dispatched staff."

He continued, "While I was in Shenzhen, a high-ranking official from the Liaoning provincial government visited me after hearing about our plans. He showed strong enthusiasm for attracting our factory and offered very attractive incentives."

Chairman Park leaned forward, intrigued. "What kind of incentives?"

"They're offering a 25-acre site near Shenyang, rent-free for 55 years, and will take care of all infrastructure, including roads and utilities," Jin-hyung revealed.

Chairman Park's eyes widened slightly. "Twenty-five acres? That's more than twice the size of our Cheongju factory."

"Exactly. On top of that, they're willing to halve corporate taxes for the first 10 years," Jin-hyung added.

The chairman's eyes gleamed with interest. "They're prepared to offer such terms?"

"Yes. Liaoning's provincial government is so keen that we could potentially negotiate even better conditions," Jin-hyung replied confidently.

Chairman Park stroked his clean-shaven chin thoughtfully. After a moment of silence, he spoke decisively. "I'll discuss this with the other executives before we make a final decision."

"Understood," Jin-hyung said, bowing slightly in acknowledgment.

Chairman Park shifted topics. "By the way, I asked you here for another reason."

Jin-hyung perked up, curious about the sudden change in tone.

"You're aware that we plan to list Daeheung Venture Capital on the stock exchange by year's end?"

"Yes," Jin-hyung replied.

"Before that, I'm planning to transfer 15% of my shares in the company to your younger brother," Chairman Park announced.

"…!" Jin-hyung was momentarily taken aback but quickly masked his surprise.

"You intend to entrust the financial subsidiaries to Seok-won?" he asked cautiously.

Chairman Park regarded his son carefully. "Why do you think that?"

"You placed him in the securities division instead of the main office, and now you're transferring shares in the venture capital company to him. It seems like you're preparing him for a key role in finance," Jin-hyung reasoned.

The chairman observed his eldest son intently, impressed by his insight yet wary of potential resentment.

"While nothing is set in stone, that is my intention for now," Chairman Park admitted.

"I see," Jin-hyung responded evenly.

"Do you feel slighted?" the chairman asked abruptly, his gaze unwavering.

"Not at all," Jin-hyung replied without hesitation. "Seok-won is your son too, and I trust your judgment."

Relieved by his eldest son's sincerity, Chairman Park softened his tone.

"Remember, a harmonious family lays the foundation for success outside the home. Don't forget that," he advised.

"I will keep that in mind," Jin-hyung assured him.

Chairman Park nodded approvingly. "One more thing—President Noh will retire at the end of the year and assume an advisory role."

"…!" Jin-hyung's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected news.

"When that happens, you'll be promoted to president of Daeheung Textile. Prepare yourself for the responsibility."

This announcement signified that Jin-hyung was a step closer to becoming the heir to the conglomerate. He steadied his excitement and responded calmly.

"I'll do my utmost to meet your expectations."

"Good. Just remember—greater responsibility comes with higher positions. Work diligently," Chairman Park said firmly.

"Yes, Father," Jin-hyung replied, his voice steady with determination.

***

New York, USA.

In the fitness center of the Plaza Hotel in New York, sunlight streamed through large windows as Seok-won jogged on a treadmill. The city's energy outside—gleaming skyscrapers on Fifth Avenue and the lush greenery of Central Park—seemed to invigorate him.

After running intensely for over 30 minutes, sweat drenched his body, revealing his muscular frame beneath his T-shirt. Gradually slowing down, he stepped off the treadmill, wiped his face with a towel, and caught his breath.

Reaching for a water bottle on a nearby bench, he took a drink just as his phone buzzed with an incoming call.

"Hello?"

[This is Drew Evans. Do you have a moment to talk?] came the voice on the other end.

Hearing the name, Seok-won's eyes lit up with interest.

"Go ahead," he replied after ensuring he was alone in the room.

[Are you truly going to remain an investor without interfering in management?] Drew asked skeptically.

"If the company faces challenges or underperforms, I'll step in. Until then, I'll fully support you," Seok-won assured him.

[If you agree to guarantee the current management team's positions for three years, we're willing to move forward with the deal.]

Without hesitation, Seok-won responded, "That works for me."

A moment of silence passed before Drew spoke again, [I expected you to take time to consider. Your quick answer caught me off guard.]

"If the best management team is staying on board, why would I hesitate?" Seok-won replied, his confidence unwavering.

Drew Evans, who had been feeling a little anxious and suspicious until the very end, was finally able to shake off his uneasy feelings after hearing Seok-won's reply.

[You were sincere when you said you invested because you saw growth potential.]

"Of course. I'll give it my all, so if you need any help, just contact me."

[Thank you for your kind words.]

Ending the call, Seok-won smiled to himself.

"Now all I have to do is watch the profits roll in."