Soho

Chapter 12: < Protect – Episode 11 – Do Kyung Ho [1] >

Lee Seon Mi left and Ahn Soo Ho remained.

Since they had rented the entire 2nd floor of the café, he could contemplate in peace.

As a secretary, Oh Joo Kyung’s capabilities were like no other, and she had very quick wits. She was so skilled that she didn’t lose to his ability to look through people.

“She’s here.”

After Oh Joo Kyung notified him, she went off into a corner. He could see someone’s head soon thereafter. How is going around fully clothed from head to toe help conceal the fact she is indeed a famous person? Jang Seol Hyun sped up as soon as she spotted Soo Ho.

“Mister!”

“Hey.”

If he hadn’t gotten up to receive her hug, he would have gotten stuck. If one of her fans saw the way she hugged him, their mouths would foam. After pushing himself out of her grasp, she observed her refreshingly beautiful appearance.

As a twenty-six-year-old this year, she’s living through the best years of her life.

Jang Seol Hyun, who debuted as a high-teen star, was active as a Korean actress since she was a teenager. Once she his adulthood, her fame spread across Asia. If she hadn’t failed in Hollywood, her filmography would have been perfect. In contrast to what the rumors said, Jang Jeol Hyun thought she was very fortunate to have had that experience in the States.

“If I hadn’t gone to the States, we never would have met.”

That’s what she said when Ahn Soo Ho asked her if she didn’t regret attempting to work in Hollywood. If a man said they don’t love Jang Seol Hyun, there’s something wrong with their head. Ahn Soo Ho didn’t care if rumors were to spread about her or if she retired from the entertainment industry altogether, that’s why he isn’t fond of a lovable girl like her.

The fact that that’s how he sincerely felt left him more perplexed.

“You will stay for ramen today, right?”

“Hm.”

Even though Ahn Soo Ho was behind on Korean humor because of his time abroad, he wasn’t clueless. Jung Seol Hyun, whose seductions became more explicit over time, shared a few parodies and comedic repertories every time they met, which made him sigh. He noticed his sighing was increasing these days.

“Be honest, Seol Hyun. I’m not that good-looking.”

“But you have a good physique.”

“There are tons of celebrities with good physique and handsome faces though. Pick any of them of them instead.”

“I don’t like kids.”

“I wasn’t referring to kids... Ugh, I don’t know. Do what you want.”

“I will.”

The reason Jang Seol Hyun adored Ahn Soo Ho so was not at all special nor was it triggered by a chart-topping phenomenon. It was because he turned a cocky, white Hollywood celebrity into a half eunuch... No, more like Van Gogh.

“Why do you think I failed?”

“It’s just how I feel.”

“How you feel?”

“Yeah. Western people don’t like women just because they’re young and pretty.”

In Asian countries such as Korea and Japan, being young was the ultimate weapon, but not in the States. The States had stricter standards for the under-aged, and it was a little harsher towards those who just became of age.

“There’s a stereotype that young ones aren’t good at anything.”

They often looked down upon young adults in their early to mid-20s, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t like child geniuses.

“Critiques told me my problem is the fact that I’m Asian.”

“I don’t know. There are lots of Asian actors in Hollywood. The difference between you and them... might be the nationality.”

“Are you saying it’s because I’m Korean?”

“Our country isn’t as acknowledged as China or Japan. That’s the sad truth.”

If you stop random Americans on the streets and ask them if they know Korea, one or two out of a hundred might say yes. Americans didn’t have much interest in international affairs. Why else would an educated professional speak on live television how Disney Channel and MTV were ruining the younger generation? Same goes for adults. Not all Americans had pride and passion for American democracy.

“What we think is discrimination doesn’t register as discrimination in their minds. What would you call it? Tradition? Custom? On the contrary, what they think is discrimination rarely registers as discrimination in our minds either.”

As a result, the chaos in multiracial countries was indescribable. This is the sole reason why the States wanted their government to achieve dominance over their citizenry. It was to nip riots in the bud. The States had extreme violent incidents the Koreans wouldn’t be able to imagine.

“It’s not just the States though.”

Ahn Soo Ho, who has traveled all around the world, felt there was a big difference in opinion. Would a twenty-six-year-old understand even if he tried to explain it? He let out a bitter laugh.

“I’m no different from white men.”

She’s twenty-six, a respectable young woman whom the world shouldn’t treat like a little child. Jang Seol Hyun tilted her head at Ahn Soo Ho’s strange expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing. What are you up to these days? Filming commercials?”

He changed the topic.

“A lot of projects are coming in, but I don’t like any of them.”

“It sounds like you’re running out of fuel.”

“Maybe.”

No one can work hard for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. People who worked hard needed breaks. It’s not her body that’s tired, but her mind.

“But don’t rest for too long. You might never get back to work.”

“That’s what Manager Kim said too.”

“How’s he doing?”

“What do you mean?”

“Did he take responsibility for your failure in Hollywood?”

Ahn Soo Ho gestured his fingers cutting his throat.

“No, that won’t happen. If the company fires Manager Kim... I told them I’d leave with him.”

“Wow. You’re so loyal.”

He saw Team Leader Kim Woo Jung come up the stairs right at that moment. He frowned as soon as he saw Ahn Soo Ho. It looked as if he was her father who saw a man trying to steal her precious daughter away. He understood what was happening, but that didn’t he mean it didn’t ruin his mood.

“Let’s go, Seol Hyun.”

“I don’t want to... Can we cancel my interview?”

“You made a promise. If you keep acting like this, I’ll quit.”

“... Fine.”

Jang Seol Hyun got up with a pout on her face. She turned around to look at Ahn Soo Ho now without a pout, but with a heartwarming smile. Kim Woo Jung noticed her incredible skill in changing her expressions and shook his head thinking there was no use raising a child like this.

“I’ll call you later. You’d better not disappear on me again. Okay, Mister?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Promise me! You’d better not ignore my calls again!”

Jang Seol Hyun looked back 3 times while going down the stairs. She left without covering her entire body the way she did when she came in, so the chaos outside ensued. He can hear their yelling from where he stood. Oh Joo Kyung, who was hiding, approached him.

“We’re not in that kind of relationship.”

“Pardon? What relationship are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about what you’re imagining.”

She shrugged as if she felt wronged.

“But if the world found out, it’d get very chaotic.”

“They won’t find out.”

“How do you say so?”

“Because I won’t let them.”

Oh Joo Kyung couldn’t help but smirk at his overconfidence, but she could not make fun of his bluff. That was enough private talk. Her face turned serious again.

“The chairman wants you at his house.”

******

“The tile-roofed house called.”

A tile-roofed house is, as the name implies, a house with a tile roof. Common houses had dark tiles as their roof while houses of high-flown people had blue tiles. During the Joseon era, only noblemen lived in tile-roofed houses. Sure, it was pricey, but it was also a way to differentiate people of various ranks. It’s ironic how the Korean President, who’s a symbol of democracy, was living in a house called the Blue House.

“They expect me to make a sacrifice for the good of this country and the future of the people.”

“Sacrifice? Did you actually use that word?”

Kim Dae Chan, who was listening for his father’s next words frowned in anger.

“This son of a bitch!”

“Watch yourself! How dare you use such words to the chief executive?”

“How can you say that right now? Father! You have to show them we’re not that easy!”

“Calm down, Dae Chan. So what are they offering?”

Ahn Soo Ho asked Kim Dae San as he tried calming Kim Dae Chan down.

“They’re offering to give my father an Order of Merit for National Foundation.”

“The late Kim Dae Myung?”

“That’s right.”

People considered Kim Dae Myung a man of national merit, but his achievements aren’t great enough for historians to note his name in textbooks. All he did was to go against the name changing program and forced labor. Even though he was more of an example than any of them, it wasn’t enough for the Korean people to sing his name.

“What are your thoughts, Soo Ho?”

“I got a response as soon as I contacted Russia and China.”

“Does that mean they are on our side now?”

“They’ve always been on the side that’d bring them profits.”

Ahn Soo Ho stroked his chin and lips while contemplating, the rich young man shut his mouth to prevent being a disturbance. Soon, Ahn Soo Ho smiled and opened his mouth.

“Can I spend some money, old man?”

“How much?”

“More the better.”

“Only up to a billion dollars.”

“I don’t need that much. I just need one hundred million.”

100 million US dollars is equivalent to 125 billion won, but Kim Dae San frowned. In such a capitalist society, money can be scarier than a nuclear bomb if given to the right user.

“Would that be enough?”

“It’s more than enough in a small country like this. I’d probably even have leftovers.”

If it was the entire world he was facing, it wouldn’t be enough, but if they have to restrict the fight had to Korea alone then it’s more than enough.

“What do you think is the easiest way to turn the tables around?”

“Hm. Bringing in more competition?”

“That’s a good method too.”

“Attacking the boss?”

“That’s good too, but it’s difficult.”

“Then?”

“Causing a commotion.”

Winning might be hard, but tying is easier than expected.

“As the situation becomes more uncertain, more people will try to pull out. Once one person pulls out, the rest will scramble around to do the same. So you have to accept the medal from the president.”

“Why?”

“Because we need to pull the president needs to out of the chaos.”

It wasn’t advisable to corner someone in power.

“Won’t he get played by those punks in the national council or whatever it’s called?”

“Do you even know why the group got into this situation today?”

Ahn Soo Ho sighed and Kim Dae Chan stared at the other two with a nervous gaze.

“Are you saying it was my fault?”

“If you don’t know this, I’ll be very disappointed.”

Kim Dae San let out a bitter laugh.

“Dae Gil said this a long time ago. He asked me if I was living in this world alone... But I didn’t want to acknowledge it at the time. I didn’t like how they compare my achievements on paving the way in establishing this country to foreign informants.”

During the establishment of Korea, the victorious country set up scarecrows, and it didn’t matter if they were national traitors. All that mattered was whether they were useful puppets or not. He, who was a Japanese informant back then, tried to guess who’d get the power between the States, China, and the Soviet Union. Is it true no fish live in clean water? Kim Dae San thought nonsense like that were excuses he made up to make himself feel better.

“Now that I think about it, Dae Gil was right. We don’t live in this world alone. The thing is, I didn’t want to accept it. I’d rather destroy everything myself before I let the disloyal bastards get at it.”

“Father?”

Kim Dae Chan was shocked by his father’s violent language.

“That’s what I want to do... but if I let my greed get the best of me, it will hurt many people.”

The fall of Daesan was at a whole different scale than other companies who filed for bankruptcy.

“Daesan is no longer just my company.”

“Wow! Dae Chan. You’d better brace yourself.”

Even though Kim Dae Chan glared at Ahn Soo Ho to stop the nonsense, Kim Dae San just nodded.

“He’s right, Dae Chan. If you’re not capable enough, I won’t hesitate to find another executive to take my place.”

“Father!”

Kim Dae San, who ignored his son’s defiance, stared at Ahn Soo Ho.

“I don’t care if you need one hundred million or a billion. You do what you need to do, Soo Ho.”

“Okay! There’s no turning back now, old man.”

Kim Dae San is a detached man.

And Kim Dae Chan inherited that same character.

“However, I’m not a Kim or a patriot.”

< Protect – Episode 11 – Do Kyung Ho [1] > The end.

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