Chaebol

Chapter 49: CH49



That night, Chairman Park Yong-hak visited Seoul National University.

He had heard the news that a "gift" from Poland had arrived.

The shipment included not only the Da Vinci piece's crack that Chairman Park had requested but also a proposal from Poland's Czartoryski Museum offering to lend about 90 of their artifacts for the opening of the Hyungang Art Museum.

It was a clear sign that they wanted to solidify a relationship and become reliable allies.

"Looks like there's someone with a sharp mind in Poland."

As Chairman Park entered the appraisal team's workspace, a familiar face bowed to him.

"Chairman, it's been a while."

It was the President of Seoul National University, Lee Woong-ho.

He held a PhD in Economics from Munich University and was being discussed as a potential candidate for the next Prime Minister.

Chairman Park lightly placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You must be busy these days. What brings you here to wait for me?"

"No matter how busy I am, I have to greet you, Chairman."

"Well, then. Come over for a meal sometime soon."

The moment Chairman Park finished speaking, his chief secretary flipped through his notebook.

After selecting a suitable date, President Lee Woong-ho responded with a bright smile.

Besides the president, quite a few professors were waiting to greet Chairman Park.

Deans of the College of Humanities, professors from the Department of Western History, Art History, and Aesthetics, and even the Dean and professors from the College of Fine Arts were all lined up.

Chairman Park, looking slightly irritated, turned to President Lee.

"Take these folks with you when you leave."

"Pardon?"

"What? You think they should just hang around when they're getting paid with tax money?"

"No, Chairman. We should get going."

The professors who had hoped to make their presence known with Chairman Park were filled with disappointment.

"Oh, is Jo Soo-deok here?"

At Chairman Park's question, Jo Soo-deok, who was standing at the far end, raised his hand.

All eyes immediately turned to him.

Their expressions seemed to say, "Who are you that Chairman Park knows you by name?"

But whether they stared or not, Jo Soo-deok smiled happily and bowed deeply.

"You were looking for me, Chairman?"

"I hear you've been busy preparing for your solo exhibition. Do you have time?"

"If the Chairman calls, I'd rise even if they were nailing my coffin shut."

Instead of replying, Chairman Park looked at President Lee.

"What are you still doing here? Go on now."

"Y-yes, Chairman."

As the professors lined up to leave, they all stole glances at Jo Soo-deok.

After everyone had left, only Chairman Park, Jo Soo-deok, and the appraisal team remained in the workspace.

"I guess you haven't been able to work because I came."

At Chairman Park's comment, Jo Soo-deok quickly waved his hands.

"The crack just arrived, and it will take some time to prepare for the appraisal."

It seemed like he was more at ease now that they were familiar with each other.

But even so, whenever their eyes met, for just a brief moment…

"..."

Jo Soo-deok would lower his gaze to the floor.

Chairman Park walked past Jo Soo-deok and headed straight to Martin.

"This is the leader, right?"

"Yes. He graduated top of his class in Physics from MIT."

Even though the conversation was in Korean, Martin seemed to understand and bowed his head.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Martin."

"I'm Park Yong-hak."

"I'm deeply grateful for your generous support."

As Martin finished speaking, Chairman Park turned to Jo Soo-deok.

"But why is he looking somewhere else while talking? When you converse, you should look each other in the eye."

"Ah, yes. Well… for most people, meeting your gaze, Chairman, isn't exactly easy."

"Didn't he say he's from America?"

"American kids are even more scared. That's been my experience."

At this, Martin whispered something to Jo Soo-deok.

"What did he say?"

"Oh, uh…"

"Speak up."

"He said it feels like facing Darth Vader…"

Maybe because it was a phrase he had never heard before, Chairman Park slightly curled his lips into a smile.

"Let's get down to business now."

"Yes, Chairman."

Though Chairman Park was fluent in English, Jo Soo-deok handled the translation, as specialized appraisal terms might come up.

"How long will the results take?"

"He says it will take about a week to thoroughly analyze the composition of the two pieces. If it's confirmed that they were created using the same materials from the same period, the results will be sent to major universities around the world."

"You'll send it to other universities?"

"Yes. Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford, and Princeton will all receive the results to certify that the materials are identical."

While these universities may not conduct art appraisals, they can precisely determine if the materials used in the two pieces are the same.

In other words, this will be assessed strictly within the domain of science.

"If these prestigious universities reach a consensus, even the Oxford appraisal team will have no choice but to retract their previous stance."

"How long will it take for the American universities to respond?"

"Martin estimates at least two weeks, but…"

"But?"

"I have some connections with people at American universities. A few phone calls might cut the time in half."

Perhaps pleased with the answer, Chairman Park's gaze lingered on Jo Soo-deok for a while.

"So, from domestic appraisal to overseas verification, it'll be settled within two weeks?"

"Yes, we'll handle it thoroughly."

As Chairman Park was about to turn away, he changed his mind and slowly walked around the workspace.

The numerous machines, the artworks awaiting appraisal, and even the crack from Poland.

It finally felt like things were moving.

"Hmm."

Though Chairman Park was genuinely passionate about art, he had never dared to covet a Da Vinci piece.

'I'm living it up thanks to my grandson.'

Thinking back, everything in this space had been arranged according to his grandson's plans.

And it seemed his grandson wasn't stopping there.

These days, he's frequently going to Yonsei University, cooking up some new schemes.

"Well, let's see how far you can take this."

With a hint of anticipation.

A wide smile spread across Chairman Park's face.

***

The next day.

I received a call from Jung Jin-wook.

"Boss, I inquired about it, and it turns out that Yonsei University doesn't have an official film club."

Just as I was about to express my disappointment, Jung Jin-wook continued.

"On a hunch, I contacted the student club union."

I could tell just by his tone.

'He's found something!'

Sure enough, Jung Jin-wook spoke with emphasis.

"Turns out that the student Bong Joon-oh has filed a request to establish a film club."

"Really?"

"Yes. He even asked if the school could support him with filming equipment, but they told him it would be difficult even if the club gets approved."

So that's why he's so desperate for the prize money.

It felt like the pieces of the puzzle were falling into place.

"I found out that he's currently working on a short film with students from Hanyang University's Department of Theater and Film, borrowing their equipment."

"Is he filming right now?"

"Yes. The shoot is set in Daehangno, so it seems he's practically commuting to Hyehwa-dong every day."

"Then if I go now, I can see him?"

"Pardon?"

There was a slight tremor in Jung Jin-wook's voice at my question.

***

In Daehangno.

It wasn't difficult to find the young Bong Joon-oh.

An amateur film crew in the middle of Marronnier Park.

Among them, one face was strikingly familiar.

A guy with notably thick and messy hair.

A male student in shabby clothes, holding a worn-out camera.

Though his face was thinner, Bong Joon-oh's distinctive features were still unmistakable.

"Watching Director Bong during his university days?"

It felt strange.

Like peeking into someone else's diary.

I quietly observed the filming from a distance.

There were three people.

Two actors and one cameraman.

This meant Bong Joon-oh was handling the filming, sound, and directing all by himself.

"Let's do it again!"

The shoot wasn't going smoothly.

Considering he was making a movie on his own, it would have been stranger if it had gone well.

After setting down the camera, Bong Joon-oh began giving acting directions with a serious expression.

Had he memorized the script by heart?

While the actors were reviewing the script, Bong Joon-oh began a solo performance, playing both roles.

For the soldier character, he lowered his voice as much as possible.

For the female student, he even altered his voice to sound feminine.

I'd heard that both students aspired to be actors, but it seemed like Bong Joon-oh was the better actor.

He meticulously guided not just the tone of the lines but also the hand gestures and the way the actors stood.

Finally.

"Let's give it a try."

Bong Joon-oh picked up the camera again.

"Don't worry about the camera. Don't focus too much on your lines. What matters is understanding the situation. Ready?"

"Ready, action!"

But not even 30 seconds in, Bong Joon-oh called for another take.

Once again, he began giving detailed acting directions.

"Hmm."

That would wear anyone out.

Sure enough, after a few more repetitions, the two actors began to voice their frustrations.

While I knew Bong Joon-oh's future, the two students' perspectives would certainly be different.

He wasn't even a film major, yet he was constantly directing their acting.

And since the camera wasn't capturing much, focusing so much on details probably seemed excessive.

"I get that you're passionate, but how many times is this already?"

"Honestly, have you ever directed a feature film? Have you ever won any awards at short film festivals? Who's to say your methods are right?"

Oh boy.

Leadership was being tested.

Words to persuade them?

"Do they exist?"

"I haven't won any awards yet… But this will sweep all the short film festivals…" Would they believe such an empty promise?

Above all, there was a University sticker stuck to the camera Bong Joon-oh was holding.

If the student went on strike, he'd have to return the borrowed equipment immediately.

In this situation.

"The actors are the bosses and Director Bong is the underling."

What else could I do?

When there's no breakthrough in sight, I should take the lead and score some points.

"Team Leader, hurry over."

Jung Jin-wook walked briskly toward Bong Joon-oh.

Meanwhile.

"Even our senior fourth-years aren't like this."

"Who do you think you are, Christopher Nolan? Where's your resume?"

Bong Joon-oh was cornered and being verbally pummeled.

Just then, Jung Jin-wook, dressed in an Armani suit, approached him and spoke.

"Are you Bong Joon-oh?"

As the three turned their attention to him, Jung Jin-wook calmly continued.

"I'm from the Hyungang Cultural Foundation. May I have a moment of your time?"

"You came to see me?"

"Yes. You submitted a work to our contest, correct?"

"Uh, yes, I did."

While the subject of their interest looked bewildered.

"Hyungang Cultural Foundation?"

"What contest is this?"

The students reacted strongly, almost as if they were Bong Joon-oh's spokespeople.

Without even glancing at the two, Jung Jin-wook said.

"Let's go. The Boss is waiting."


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