I opened the door to Private Room No. 3 of the luxury Chinese restaurant Hwaryong in Hannam-dong, where I had arranged to meet Chairman Kim Ae-Ryeon, and stepped inside.
Private Room No. 3 was separated from Private Room No. 4 by a sliding partition so it could accommodate larger groups. Normally, the partition was left open to create a spacious atmosphere, but seeing it closed today, it looked like Room No. 4 had also been reserved.
"Oh? Chief Jung, you're here." Kim Ae-Ryeon was sitting alone at the round table, sipping jasmine tea. She greeted me with a smile.
"Yes, Mrs. Chairman. But where's Secretary Chief Yoo Ye-Sung?"
As I took the seat beside her, Kim Ae-Ryeon answered, "Those old men are suspicious by nature, so they asked that the secretary chief not come. Oh, and you'll have to hand over your phone later too because of recording concerns."
Considering how meticulous they had been when I met them before my regression, that sounded about right. I nodded in understanding, but Kim Ae-Ryeon's expression seemed unusually bright today.
"We're about to have a serious discussion with media owners. Why are you in such a good mood?" I asked.
"Oh~ because I can tell they've lost some of their confidence."
"Lost their confidence?"
"You may not realize it, but media owners are some of the most powerful and prideful people in Korea. Under their pens, members of the National Assembly rise and presidents are made. That's why they usually summon people through subordinates and throw their weight around. But this time, they contacted me personally and asked for a meeting. That means yesterday's situation didn't go the way they expected, and now they're feeling uncomfortable."
The rise of social media and platforms like MeTube had weakened the influence of traditional media compared to the past. Even so, until before my regression, they still wielded enormous power over society.
I said, "Or they may have some other scheme in mind."
"Maybe. That's possible. But I'm not worried. I've got you, Chief Jung."
"Me?"
"That's right. The fact that you agreed to come so readily means you already have a plan, doesn't it?"
She really did know me well now.
I nodded and lightly tapped the small backpack I had brought. "That's correct. The plan is right here."
"Can you show me?"
"I'm sorry. It's something I'd rather not use if I can avoid it."
Kim Ae-Ryeon looked disappointed. "Alright. Oh, and just so you know, if things really don't work out, I'm willing to make some concessions."
It sounded as though she was prepared to give up part of her stake in Daechon Media if necessary.
I nodded. "Understood. By the way, who exactly is coming today?"
"Chairman Jo Hyun-Gu of Spotlight Daily, Chairman Hyun Joo-Taek of Central Daily, Chairman Lee Cheol-Seung of Donghyang Daily, and Chairman Ahn Ho-Jin of Everyday Daily. All four of them."
Those were the owners of Korea's top four newspapers. Spotlight Daily owned the cable network TVC, Central Daily owned JNBC, Donghyang Daily owned Channel B, and Everyday Daily owned the cable channel MAN.
In other words, these major media owners were also shareholders in the very type of comprehensive broadcasting network that Daechon Media hoped to establish.
"All four of them?" I asked.
Kim Ae-Ryeon nodded. "Yep."
That was good news for me. If all four appeared together, the card I had brought with me would become even more powerful.
Just then, we heard a knock on the door.
Knock. Knock.
-The guests have arrived.
"Looks like they're here. Anyway, I won't leave everything to you, Chief Jung, so don't worry too much. I've got a card to play as well."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Then shall we welcome our guests?"
Kim Ae-Ryeon took a deep breath before calling toward the door.
"Tell them to come in!"
-Yes, ma'am.
The female employee answered, and a moment later the door connecting to Private Room No. 4 clicked open. But instead of the media owners, only Son Hyung-Tae, the president of CK Entertainment, walked in alone.
'What exactly are they plotting?'
***
"Looks like you got here before me. Sorry I'm a little late."
Son Hyung-Tae bowed slightly and dropped into the seat across from us.
Kim Ae-Ryeon looked toward the employee who had opened the door. "Is there nobody else?"
Instead of answering, the woman immediately requested our phones. "Please hand over your phones. This is to prevent any recording."
Son Hyung-Tae smiled and surrendered his phone first. "Here you go."
The employee took it. Since we had already been informed beforehand, both Kim Ae-Ryeon and I handed ours over as well. After collecting the phones, the employee bowed and began checking the room with a metal detector.
Then she asked to inspect my backpack. I unzipped it and showed her the contents, proving there were no electronic devices inside. After looking through it, she nodded.
"That's fine."
At that moment, Kim Ae-Ryeon spoke up. "Hey. The elders aren't here yet?"
The employee replied expressionlessly, "Mr. Son is the only person scheduled to attend today. Your phones will be returned when you leave."
She bowed, then she left the room.
Thunk.
As the door closed behind her, Kim Ae-Ryeon stared at Son Hyung-Tae in disbelief. "What kind of stunt is this? What happened to the others who arranged this meeting? Why are you the only one here, President Son?"
"You used to call me oppa all the time. Now that you're chairman, it's 'President Son'? Wow, Kim Ae-Ryeon. You've changed."
"Quit talking nonsense and answer me! I came here because the owners of the four major newspapers contacted me. Why are you here alone?"
Son Hyung-Tae casually dug at his ear before answering. "You're noisy. The old men delegated this matter to me. Besides, if you think about it, I'm a media owner too, so I'm qualified to be here."
CK Entertainment wasn't just involved in movie theaters. It also operated in film distribution and media businesses. On top of that, it had invested enormous amounts of money to acquire roughly fifty percent ownership in Korea's cable broadcasting industry, along with substantial stakes in various entertainment newspapers. So while Son Hyung-Tae wasn't one of the traditional newspaper tycoons, calling him a media owner wasn't inaccurate.
Still, this wasn't what we had expected when we came to meet the owners of Korea's four biggest newspapers.
Kim Ae-Ryeon ground her teeth before looking at me. "Chief Jung. What do we do? Leave?"
I was tempted to leave as well. Then a memory surfaced from before my regression. The media owners had always been extraordinarily suspicious people. Before meeting someone directly, they often sent a representative first to gauge the other side's intentions. The moment I remembered that, I realized exactly what they were doing.
I calmly shook my head. "No. We need to hear what they're asking for first. We can't come up with a response until we know what they want."
Kim Ae-Ryeon, who had looked ready to storm out, took a breath and sat back down. "Fine. Then tell us why you wanted this meeting."
Son Hyung-Tae straightened his posture and relayed the media owners' proposal. "You understand that yesterday's boycott was just a preview, right?"
"And?"
"Our demand is simple. We want Daechon to abandon its media business. More specifically, give up on entering broadcasting."
Kim Ae-Ryeon answered in a bright, cheerful voice. "Bullshit."
As if he had expected exactly that response, Son Hyung-Tae didn't even blink before continuing. "I figured you'd say that. But if you don't give up, every major media outlet in Korea will become your enemy. So stop being stubborn and back down. Then we can go back to the good relationship we had before."
"When have the media and Daechon ever had a good relationship? Go back to what? And did you not see what Chief Jung accomplished without those trashporters? The press conference yesterday racked up three million views on MeTube. Three million! We don't need those reporters anymore!"
"Hey. They're still just MeTubers. What do you think happens when the mainstream media decides to get involved?"
"What happens? They'll get crushed by the view counts our videos generate."
"Sigh... You really don't understand the situation yet. Fine. I was trying to settle this peacefully, but if you don't want that, I can't help it." Son Hyung-Tae took a long breath before continuing. "I already know that former Chairman Sung Hak-Soo was arrested for solicitation of murder."
Kim Ae-Ryeon's expression instantly stiffened. "How did you..."
"You really don't understand the mainstream media at all. Did you think something like that could stay hidden? No matter how carefully it's covered up, information gets out through reporters and sources spread across the entire country."
Kim Ae-Ryeon faltered. If articles were published announcing that Daechon Inc.'s former chairman had been arrested for soliciting murder, the company's public image would collapse overnight.
Son Hyung-Tae continued, "Local elections are right around the corner. What do you think happens if every major news outlet talks about former Chairman Sung Hak-Soo's crimes twenty-four hours a day? What if every newspaper and news broadcast starts saying that an unethical company like Daechon should be dismantled? Do you still think Daechon can survive as a conglomerate?"
It was a threat. If the mainstream media coordinated their attacks and the government stepped in, Daechon Inc. itself could be torn apart.
"Damn it..."
Unable to find a response, Kim Ae-Ryeon bit down on her lip. She had claimed she had a card to play, but apparently it wasn't strong enough to counter this.
Seeing her waver, Son Hyung-Tae smiled smugly. "Well, if preserving your pride makes it difficult to abandon Daechon Media entirely, there is another option."
"What option?"
"Hand over thirty percent of Daechon Media's shares. In exchange, any broadcasting network owned by Daechon Media can never hold more than five percent ownership. And as for Chief Jung's shares over there? Wipe them out completely."
Rather than Daechon Media becoming the owner of a broadcasting network, the proposal was the exact opposite. The media owners wanted to become the owners of Daechon Media.
Kim Ae-Ryeon looked at Son Hyung-Tae with a dumbfounded expression. "You're telling us to surrender unconditionally?"
Son Hyung-Tae shrugged and answered, "Come on, don't call it surrender. Think of it as mutual cooperation. Daechon keeps its dignity, and we maintain our influence over the broadcasting industry."
Kim Ae-Ryeon trembled with anger before turning toward me.
Son Hyung-Tae chuckled. "Billions of won are on the line, and you're looking at Chief Jung for answers? I guess the great Chairman Kim is so shaken she's trying to grab onto any straw she can find. Wake up. This time, Chief Jung can't save you."
The fate of Daechon Inc. rested on the choice she made. Kim Ae-Ryeon hesitated, unable to speak carelessly.
Then, with her fists clenched tightly, she looked at me. "Chief Jung. That card you prepared. Can you use it now?"
I nodded. "Yes. I can."
"Then... Can I bet on you?"
I smiled and rose from my seat. "I'll make sure that trust is rewarded."
At the same time, I walked toward the sliding partition separating Rooms Three and Four.
Behind me, Son Hyung-Tae suddenly shouted, "Hey! What the hell are you doing?!"
Son Hyung-Tae's sharp reaction confirmed my suspicion. The people I expected were on the other side of that door.
Rrrk.
I slid the partition open. As expected, four elderly men in suits sat inside.
I smiled and said, "I brought a card of my own. Wouldn't it be better if you heard it directly, gentlemen?"
Chairman Jo Hyun-Gu, seventy-five years old owner of Spotlight Daily. Chairman Hyun Joo-Taek, seventy-two years old owner of Central Daily. Chairman Lee Cheol-Seung, sixty-seven years old, owner of Donghyang Daily. Chairman Ahn Ho-Jin, sixty-five years old, owner of Everyday Daily. All four men stared at me with hawk-like eyes.
Just like the first time Kim Dong-Soo and I met these men before my regression, they had been hiding in the next room, eavesdropping on our conversation.
***
In the private Room No. 4 at Hwaryong, everyone gathered around a single round table.
Hyun Joo-Taek clicked his tongue while looking at Son Hyung-Tae. "And here I thought we'd stay hidden..."
Son Hyung-Tae immediately bowed his head. "My apologies, sir."
"Forget it. We would've had to meet eventually anyway. Still..." Hyun Joo-Taek stopped mid-sentence and turned to me. "How did you know we were in this room?"
Before my regression, Kim Dong-Soo and I had been subjected to the exact same treatment when we first tried to meet them. Naturally, I couldn't explain that.
So I answered indirectly, "I assumed that if all four of you came, you'd stay together nearby."
"Because there are four of us?"
"Yes. If even one of you met with me privately and joined hands with me, the other three might find that uncomfortable."
"You think you're capable of disrupting the balance between us? Hahaha. What a young man with quite an inflated opinion of himself."
The owners of the four major newspapers were tied together through marriage and family connections. They were also part of a media cartel, protecting each other's territories and profits while preventing outsiders from entering their industry.
Yet beneath that friendly exterior, they were fierce competitors, each waiting for an opportunity to crush the other three. I knew that because, before my regression, I had witnessed the brutal lawsuits and public feuds that erupted among their heirs during succession battles.
At that moment, Jo Hyun-Gu, the most powerful of the four, finally spoke. "More importantly, I'm curious about this card of yours, Chief Jung. Why don't we see that first?"
The others stopped their grumbling and turned their attention toward me. I reached into my backpack and pulled out four tightly sealed envelope-sized packages.
"Then allow me to show my hand." I placed one envelope in front of each man.
Jo Hyun-Gu glanced down at his envelope. "What is this?"
"You'll understand once you open it."
"Hah. What an irritating man you are."
At that moment, Lee Cheol-Seung, the most impatient among them, immediately tore his envelope open with both hands.
Rip.
Inside was a sheet of paper folded several times.
I explained, "Each envelope contains one of your personal secrets. If you handle it that carelessly, someone else might see."
"What? Then you should've said so sooner!"
Lee Cheol-Seung hurriedly covered the paper with his hand. The others became noticeably more cautious as they opened theirs. Only Jo Hyun-Gu left his envelope untouched, staring directly at me instead.
A moment later, Lee Cheol-Seung was the first to finish reading. His face turned bright red.
"Y-You little..."
The information I had given Lee Cheol-Seung concerned an actress he had been secretly sponsoring for the past five years. She was Yoon Jung-Hae, thirty-two years old. Since receiving his support, she had risen steadily through the ranks and become one of Channel B's signature actresses.
Crunch.
Lee Cheol-Seung quickly folded the paper and shoved it into his pocket before anyone else could glimpse it.
Then Hyun Joo-Taek suddenly shouted at me, "You little bastard! Where did you learn this?!"
The document in front of Hyun Joo-Taek detailed allegations that the son set to inherit Central Daily had attended parties with two actresses while using illegal drugs.
Then Ahn Ho-Jin spoke in an icy voice. "That crazy bitch finally became my downfall."
The information I had given Ahn Ho-Jin concerned his wife. Specifically, that she was a habitual visitor to casinos in the Philippines—and that she never went alone, but always with male models.
As each of them saw their own dirty secrets laid bare, they struggled to contain their agitation. Only one man remained calm. Jo Hyun-Gu still hadn't opened his envelope. He merely sat there, quietly watching me.
Then Hyun Joo-Taek spoke through clenched teeth. "Fine. I'll admit you've struck a painful nerve. But we're practically the Korean media itself. Who's going to publish any of this? Social media? We'll just dismiss it as lies."
He wasn't wrong. The mainstream media of Korea was firmly under their influence. If they chose to bury a story, they had the power to do it.
I nodded in agreement. "I never had the foolish idea of publishing any of this myself. Even if I asked, none of you would allow it to be printed anyway."
"Then why bring it here?"
At that moment, I looked at all four men. "Because I can always share the information with the people sitting right beside you. So if you'd rather not see the contents of your envelope end up in someone else's hands, then never interfere with Mrs. Chairman or me again!"
The scandals of media owners were impossible to expose through ordinary whistleblowing as editors would bury them immediately. However, if those same secrets were handed to rival media owners, they would become premium ammunition, exaggerated and splashed across headlines without hesitation.
The realization hit them all at once. The card I had placed on the table wasn't just blackmail. It was a weapon capable of shattering the cooperation that held their cartel together.
The faces of the media owners gradually turned pale—all except one.
Jo Hyun-Gu still hadn't opened his envelope.
***
"I won't forget what happened today. We'll see how well you manage from here!"
With the exception of Jo Hyun-Gu, the other three media owners finally agreed to back away from Daechon Media. After pointing fingers and issuing final warnings, they left the room. And just like that, I had forced the media tycoons to their knees using a classic divide-and-conquer strategy.
Yet Jo Hyun-Gu remained seated. His envelope was still unopened.
As I wondered what he was thinking, Jo Hyun-Gu turned toward Son Hyung-Tae. "I think I need to speak with Chief Jung alone. President Son, you should leave first."
"I'll stay."
"I said leave!"
"I'm... sorry."
Faced with the weight in Jo Hyun-Gu's voice, Son Hyung-Tae lowered his head and left the room.
Jo Hyun-Gu then looked toward Kim Ae-Ryeon. "It seems you've got a joker in your hand, Chairman Kim."
Kim Ae-Ryeon answered, "You could say that."
"I'd like a private conversation with that joker. Would you mind stepping outside as well?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that."
"Really? Then I'll have to play dirty. Starting this very moment, I'll order reporters to dig into every aspect of your children's lives. Is that acceptable?"
Kim Ae-Ryeon immediately bristled. "Mr. Chairman! Leave my children out of this!"
"I'd rather not do it either. So wait outside. This won't take long."
Kim Ae-Ryeon hesitated before turning toward me. "Chief Jung. Will you be alright?"
I nodded. "Yes. I'll be fine."
Grinding her teeth, Kim Ae-Ryeon headed for the door. "Five minutes, Mr. Chairman. Not a second longer."
"Alright."
Click.
The door closed.
Jo Hyun-Gu stared at me for several moments before speaking. "Using a divide-and-conquer strategy after understanding the relationships between us media owners... your mind is quite remarkable. To be honest, I didn't believe the stories claiming that a man not yet thirty had decided the future successor of Daechon. Now I understand. Someone of your caliber is more than capable."
"You didn't arrange a private meeting just to compliment me, did you?"
"Of course not."
The gleam in Jo Hyun-Gu's eyes suggested another motive. However, I wasn't interested. I had no intention of joining hands with him.
"By the way, Mr. Chairman. Aren't you going to open that envelope?"
Jo Hyun-Gu chuckled. "When you've reached my position, you don't need to open it. I can already guess what's inside. Information about the misdeeds committed by members of my family, correct?"
"Why not see for yourself?"
"No need. Don't fool yourself into thinking something like that can shake me. Besides, most of my family's scandals are already public knowledge anyway. The great Jo Hyun-Gu won't be rattled by something this trivial..."
I reached forward and picked up the envelope myself. "Who said I wrote down your family's scandals?"
"What?"
Rip.
I tore the envelope open and unfolded the carefully folded letter inside. At that moment, the smile vanished from Jo Hyun-Gu's face and it twisted into something far uglier.
What I had prepared wasn't some petty family scandal.
'You need to kneel too. Don't you, Chairman Jo?'