Molybdenum Price Surge (2)
Tae-soo’s parents were wide-eyed as they stepped onto the molybdenum mine site.
The place looked completely different from when Tae-soo and Han-soo first arrived.
The mining operation had advanced significantly.
“This is… much bigger than I expected.”
“Didn’t they say this was an abandoned mine from the Japanese occupation? That must have been an exaggeration.”
The site was bustling with miners...
Molybdenum Price Surge (1)
“Are you really going to leave behind your loyal employees, the mine, and the factory? Where will you go?”
The mine owner answered firmly.
“I have to go. I heard that the business has been taken over by a good person, so it's time for me to leave.”
“Let's work together. Just like we always have.”
“Together? Like before? Does that even make sense?”
The mine owner asked back as if he couldn't b...
Acquiring a Mine (4)
Jang Mal-dong smirked slyly.
“So, you're after Dae-yang Tungsten and Dae-yang Cement, huh?”
“That’s right.”
Tae-soo didn’t bother hiding his intentions. Meanwhile, Jang Mal-dong quickly ran the numbers in his head.
“Let’s see… As you know, those are solid, valuable assets. Two million won wouldn’t even come close.”
“Normally, that’d be true.”
Tae-soo grinned.
“But it won...
Acquiring a Mine (3)
Tae-soo helped the mine owner up from the ground, where he had been sobbing.
After settling him down properly, Tae-soo dusted off the dirt on his clothes.
“Ugh… To have my limestone mine and cement factory taken from me like this…”
“Are your family members safe?”
“Thankfully, they are. But I’ve lost the mine, the factory, even my home. I’ll be out on the streets in no time… Ugh.”
“As long a...
Acquiring a Mine (2)
Tae-soo began explaining.
"Gold and molybdenum have almost the same refining process. We can just repurpose the equipment used for the gold mine."
"Ah-ha!"
✔ First condition met: The mine must have molybdenum refining facilities.
"And they failed in their gold mining venture, right? Gold mining is all or nothing—if you find a vein, you strike it rich; if not, you go broke."
"Ah-ha!"
People rush into gol...
Acquiring a Mine (1)
“Hehehe, the Pohang Steel president has an exceptional taste in liquor. This whiskey is absolutely divine. Kaah!”
Hol-jjook threw his arms up in victory over the bottle of whiskey he had received from the Pohang Steel president.
If he had reacted like that back in the president’s office, Park Tae-jong would have been quite pleased.
Well, he had burst into hearty laughter—just for a different reason.
“You happy just ...
2025-04-11 02:42:51 +0000 UTC View PostNovember 5th, 10:30 a.m. — a wooded hill near Changbau Village in Yongdae-ri, Buk-myeon, Inje County, Gangwon Province.
As the bitter cold wind slashed through the sharply dropping temperatures, a unit of soldiers in camouflage gear climbed a steep hillside, cautiously advancing while using natural cover, their automatic rifles at the ready.
They were Special Forces Regiment troops and Special Warfare Command soldiers pursuing remnants of North Korean armed in...
As today marks the seventh day since the armed guerrilla sweep operation began following the discovery of a North Korean Sang-O class submarine off the coast of Gangneung, signs are emerging that the situation may become prolonged.
In response, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, currently overseeing the operation, announced a strategic shift. Rather than maintaining a tightening encirclement centered around Aninjin-ri, Gangneung—extending out in a 50-kilometer triple-layer perim...
September 17, 1996 — 11:00 PM, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung, Gangwon Province.
Roughly 10 kilometers off the coast, a dark submarine lay quietly on the seabed, its hull settled against the ocean floor.
Weighing in at just under 300 tons, the small vessel was a Sang-O-class submarine, operated by the Reconnaissance Bureau under the North Korean Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces.
Only 34 meters long and 3.8 meters wide, the cramped interi...
Attending a funeral and speaking ill of the bereaved is something one should never do.
Yet, Chairman Lee's grandson was an incredibly unpleasant person.
To rid myself of the filthy feeling, I went to the restroom and repeatedly washed my hands with soap.
“Here’s a towel.”
A man with a scar on his face handed me a towel.
I had seen him by Chairman Lee’s side many times, and I had heard the chairman call him Mr. Park.
“You must b...
A week had passed since the launch of Platform.
In just that short period, President Woo Sung-il, who had initially been skeptical about the game platform, had completely changed his mind.
“The number of Platform users is growing exponentially. In particular, MCSoft’s ‘Linji,’ which you invested in, is generating tremendous popularity and revenue. We're earning tens of millions of won daily just from transaction fees.”
“This is only the ...
ESD (Electronic Software Distribution Network).
ESD was a method of selling software, including games, through the internet.
At the moment, software and games were sold via CDs, but with the growing popularity of the internet, there was no longer a need to distribute them on physical disks.
However, the concept of selling games online was still virtually nonexistent.
Even Steam, which would go on to become the world’s most famous ESD platform, wouldn’t launch u...
I left work early, stopped by home to pack, and headed straight to the Grand Dayton Hotel.
I parked in front of the hotel and waited for a moment before Ellie walked out, pulling a suitcase. She was wearing a sky-blue dress and a trench coat. Her long, slender legs were visible below the knee-length skirt. She was wearing Converse All-Stars instead of heels, which went very well with her outfit.
Ellie put her suitcase in the trunk and got into the car.
“Did you wait lon...
A Father and Son’s Dream
His son bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle, showing deep respect.
"It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Park Cheol-wan, the construction manager at Taeyang Construction."
"Huh—"
Cheol-wan handed something to his father, Park Tae-jong.
When he looked down, he realized it was a business card.
"Vice President of Taeyang Construction? You, Cheol-wan?"
Reading the card, Park Tae-jong’s mouth fell open.
Recruiting Talent (4)
Tae-soo’s proposal was unexpected.
Holjook quietly studied Tae-soo.
"You and me, Tae-soo?"
"Yeah."
"You don’t just start a partnership on a whim."
Tae-soo grinned.
"Holjook, let’s work together. Call it a partnership, call it whatever you want."
"Are you drunk?"
"Do you not want to?"
Holjook silently took another drink.
"Let me think about it."
That was an unusual r...
Recruiting Talent (3)
Park Cheol-wan quickly shook his head.
He was a smart man.
He knew his current position well.
"I'm still inexperienced and lacking. I've only vaguely imagined it—"
"Then this time, let's turn that imagination into reality."
For a moment, Park Cheol-wan almost gave in.
He quickly composed himself.
"But I have no experience in construction. I've never even carried a single brick—"
"Do you t...
Recruiting Talent (2)
Park Cheol-wan.
A real estate visionary with an unparalleled eye for property and ambitious urban development plans. His influence extended beyond Cheong-il Construction, leaving a lasting mark on South Korea’s history as a real estate development expert.
"If I had to name Park Cheol-wan’s three greatest achievements, it would be Daechi-dong Cheong-il Apartments, Cheong-il...
Recruiting Talent (1)
Tae-soo answered calmly.
"I’ll build a school."
"Wouldn’t a hospital or a shopping center be more profitable?"
"I know."
"You can still change your mind."
"No need."
Park Tae-jong looked at him, puzzled.
"Any particular reason?"
"Not really. If I’m going to build something, I’d rather contribute to educating the future leaders of this country."
"Hahaha!"
Park Tae-jong bu...
Pohang Steel: Park Tae-jong (4)
Park Tae-jong asked with a serious look in his eyes.
"How can I repay you?"
"I just need you to make a deal with me."
This was the very reason Tae-soo had come all the way down to Pohang.
Park Tae-jong smiled wryly, looking conflicted.
"I do owe you a debt, so it’s hard to refuse. But business is business. Let’s hear your proposal first. I’ll decide afterward."
"I want to supply minerals to...
Pohang Steel: Park Tae-jong (3)
Terrified, Ushiroda shouted hastily.
“President Park, this is a misunderstanding!”
Tae-soo scoffed.
“You still haven’t learned, huh? Still speaking down to people?”
“…President Park! This is all just a misunderstanding!”
Ushiroda switched to fluent Korean, now using honorifics.
Park Tae-jong let out a disbelieving laugh.
“So you do know how to speak politely. Took me thre...
Pohang Steel: Park Tae-jong (2)
Park Tae-jong glared at Tae-soo.
“A business proposal? I wasn’t informed of any prior appointments. Did you go through the proper authorization process to enter?”
“Unfortunately, I understand that you have more pressing matters at hand right now. I’ll wait until you’re done.”
Park Tae-jong shook his head.
“I have no intention of discussing business. Just leave.”
So rigid.
Tae-so...
Pohang Steel: Park Tae-jong (1)
Tae-soo smirked at Holjjugi’s amazement.
"I make it my business to know these things."
Holjjugi let out a low whistle, still staring at the massive construction site.
"So, they’re actually building a whole town just for the workers? That’s insane."
"Of course. This is a years-long project, and they need a place for employees and their families to live."
All around them, workers hustled, sweat pour...
A Moonlit Night in July
The sun had set, and darkness had fallen.
Through the small, worn-out windows of the shantytown houses, warm lights flickered from within.
Tae-soo found himself smiling without realizing it.
It was such a familiar and comforting sight.
“Mother, we’re home.”
His mother was the first to rush out.
“Oh my, my boys are back! You must have had a tough day. Did everything go well?”
Tae-soo hand...
IOU from a Loan Shark (3)
Han-soo approached, his face rigid with tension.
"Are you okay? What happened in there? What did— No, never mind. As long as you’re fine."
Still, he was worried—after all, he was his older brother.
Tae-soo patted his younger brother’s shoulder.
"Let’s go home. Curfew’s coming up."
"That information you sold…"
"Shh. Knowing will only get you hurt. Just hurry up, Ice Pick."
"…"
...
IOU from a Loan Shark (2)
Jang Maldong—the biggest name in Myeong-dong’s loan shark business.
Since the Japanese occupation, he had been buying and selling information to support the Korean independence movement.
Over time, this trade became his main business, bringing him to where he was today.
As such, the fact that Jang Maldong dealt in information was a top-secret among top-secrets.
Even Tae-soo himself only learned of this years lat...
IOU from a Loan Shark (1)
Tae-soo’s eyes sparkled.
"Wanna make a bet?"
"What?"
"If I manage to get an IOU from the loan shark, you have to call me 'hyung' and speak formally to me from now on."
"Look, at least say something that makes sense—"
"Are you in or not?"
Tae-soo grinned slyly, infuriatingly.
Han-soo clenched his fists on instinct.
"Fine. But if you fail, you’ll work under me. You do everything I say...
Molybdenum Mine, and Brothers (3)
Tae-soo spoke calmly.
"We extract as much molybdenum as possible in the shortest time. Sell it at the highest price. That’s the goal."
Han-soo listened in silence.
Tae-soo was confident.
"This mine won’t be in operation for long."
"Why not?"
"Molybdenum is a national strategic resource. It’s strictly regulated and could be seized by the government at any time."
In fact, Oh Chun-sik...
Molybdenum Mine, and Brothers (2)
The miner swung his pickaxe with practiced ease.
With each strike, a cloud of stone dust rose into the air.
Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.
After a long while, a sharp crack echoed through the tunnel as a section of the wall crumbled away.
A hidden chamber was revealed, like a secret vault.
This is it!
That thick, unmistakable scent of money.
It was coming from t...
Molybdenum Mine, and Brothers (1)
After Tae-soo left, Song Jingu stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Jjakgwi."
"Yes, hyung-nim."
"Look into that guy."
"You mean that stubborn lunatic?"
"Yeah, him. He insisted on that mine even though he knew it was a lost cause."
Kang Tae-soo—there was something unusual about his eyes.
"I'm curious why he chose that mine."
"Is there really a reason? It’s just a worthless abandoned...
100,000 Won (3)
Kang Han-soo had been well-known for a long time.
"A kid who shines shoes at the market running a crew and acting as a fixer? They say he’s pretty capable and resourceful."
Of course, no matter how skilled he was, the gap between him and a top loan shark like Song Jin-gu was vast.
But kids like Kang Han-soo usually had their future carved out for them.
Either they’d end up as back-alley thugs—or loan sharks themselves.<...