The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 191



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Episode 191 Brand value (5)

The Anor family was a business family.

The current head of the family, Bernard Arnor, was able to study at a prestigious school with the support of his family, but it was purely his ability that created a luxury empire.

He moved to the United States and accumulated wealth through the real estate business.

Based on that, he returned to France and created an empire by purchasing luxury brands.

Therefore, the most influential person in the Arnor family was Bernard Arnor, and the elders of the family treated him with caution.

“Hmm, I don’t want to be dissatisfied with Delphine’s decision to marry her, but aren’t Asian men a bit like that?”

“What does skin color matter? “As long as you have outstanding abilities, country and race do not matter.”

“Is Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae’s ability that great? “I think we are overestimating someone who is only in their mid-20s.”

Bernard, the head of the family, looked around at the elders of the family.

They were elderly people who had spent their entire lives in France, and in a way, they were like frogs in a well.

“Taewoo Group is the No. 1 business group in Korea. Since he is the successor to such a group, shouldn’t he be evaluated appropriately?”

“So, isn’t it only the first place in a country located on the periphery of Asia?”

“Do you know that I have many connections in the United States?”

“I know that you have made a lot of connections since doing real estate business in the United States.”

“Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae is not only the successor to Taewo Group, but he was also quite famous on Wall Street. “It is said that Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae’s personal abilities made him famous on Wall Street, not the power of Taewoo Group.”

Bernard Gaju found out information about Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae through his network.

However, even after mobilizing all of his connections, he was unable to find out detailed information.

I was only able to confirm fragmentary information, and that alone showed that Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae’s abilities were outstanding.

What’s more important than that.

Even though he was moving, information was blocked.

Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae had to be highly evaluated simply because he had the ability to block information.

“No matter how much it is, it can’t be compared to our family, right?”

“Taewoo Group’s sales are two to three times that of our family. “If you look at net profit alone, they are earning several times more money than our family.”

It was the Anor family that created a luxury empire.

Although it was generating enormous sales, it was still only in the growth phase.

“There is a difference in sales volume now, but aren’t we growing quickly? “In a few years, our family’s sales will surpass those of the Taewo Group.”

“I believe our family is growing at an unprecedented rate. However, it cannot be compared to the growth of Taewoo Group. “It stretches like a spider’s web across every industry.”

“Now stop telling me your true feelings. “For what reason are you trying to make the Taew Group heir the successor to Delphine?”

The head of the Bernard family was slightly embarrassed.

Although he prided himself on always maintaining a poker face, he could not hide his true feelings in front of the elders who had seen him since he was a newborn.

“This is so that our family can become the number one family in France. “We need the Taewoo Group to surpass the Bettencourt family and become the best family in France.”

“If that’s the case, can’t we solve it through collaboration with Taewo Group?”

“Isn’t there a better way than collaboration? “If we make Taewoo Group dependent on our family, we can create a huge empire that no one can surpass.”

It was Bernard, the head of the family, who smiled and spoke so brightly.

Like a child who has a toy in front of him that he wants to have.

“Are you planning to merge or merge Taewoo Group?”

“Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae is the only heir and successor. “If we can make him one of our people, wouldn’t the Taewoo Group become our family’s group?”

“Conversely, wouldn’t our family be subordinate to the Taewo Group?”

“Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae is the sole heir of Taewoo Group, but our family’s situation is different. Delphine has four younger siblings. That never happens.”

The Bernard family was not overestimating Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae.

Rather, he was underestimating and thinking of the Taewo Group as prey for the Anor family.

“Is that possible?”

“Of course it will take a very long time. It may take 20 years or more, but it is entirely possible. “It may be difficult to have to hide your claws during that time, but what can you do for your family?”

“Are you trying to act like a good father-in-law?”

“I plan to be a really good father-in-law, not just an impersonator. “At least for the sake of my grandson who will hand over Taewoo Group to us.”

Bernard, the head of the family, had already made all the plans.

I had a dream that if I could absorb the Taewoo Group into my family, I could not only become the number one family in France but also the number one family in Europe.

***

A few days later.

An unexpected guest came to the vice president’s office.

“You really like surprise visits.”

“I quickly set off because I wanted to tell you the good news in person.”

The identity of the surprise guest was Delphine Arnor.

I had no idea that she would return to Korea within a few days after returning to France.

“I’m even more excited to hear that Delphine brought good news.”

“The decision was made to collaborate with Taewoo Electronics. “Our family designers will be in charge of all designs, and you are free to use our brand logo.”

“This is better news than I expected.”

“Instead, you must promise that all parts that go into home appliances will be of the highest quality and handmade.”

“It’s already being produced that way. “We will meet all your requirements.”

These are the conditions.

In the case of premium line products, the purpose was to enhance Taewoo Electronics’ brand image through small quantity customized production rather than mass production.

So, as long as they could promote that they were producing products in collaboration with the Arnor family, they could give up operating profits.

“But I have a question. Can I tell you?”

“As much as you want.”

“Why doesn’t Taewoo Group do department store business? “If we had owned a department store, we would have been able to collaborate on various businesses, but I’m saying this because it’s disappointing.”

“Taewoo Group also once owned a department store, but sold it because it did not fit the group’s direction.”

“It’s really unfortunate. I’m planning to launch several of my family’s luxury brands in Korea, but I’m wondering where to do it. “There are many department stores that want to launch, but there aren’t many that I like.”

I was a little disappointed too.

The size of Korea’s luxury goods market grows larger every year.

Before the regression, Korea loved luxury goods to the extent that it ranked among the top 10 luxury goods markets in the world.

But that doesn’t mean we can take over the department store again.

Even now, we are being criticized for being an octopus-style expansion, so we don’t know what more criticism we will get if we expand into department stores.

“We will share the data held by Taewoo Group. “The planning office has data analyzing the pros and cons of department stores across the country.”

“really? Then, shamelessly, I will accept it gratefully. “May I treat you to a meal as a thank you?”

“You came all the way to Korea, so I have to treat you well. “I will guide you to the most delicious restaurant in Korea.”

I went to the restaurant with Delphine.

I spent the afternoon with her, eating and drinking the finest wine.

***

next day.

I went to work with a slight hangover.

The planning director quickly handed out the daily report along with a hangover drink.

“I guess you drank a lot with the heir of the Anor family?”

“He has a slim body, but he has a world-class liver. “I can’t even remember how many bottles of wine he drank.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“But it looks like there’s quite a lot to report from the morning.”

“This is information related to India that the Vice Chairman told us to watch with interest.”

I straightened my posture.

Since we put a lot of effort into India, we couldn’t let it go to waste.

“I understand that Heo Jun’s drama has started airing. Did the viewership ratings go well?”

“The exact viewership ratings have not been released yet, but the response is said to be very enthusiastic. In particular, airing the documentary on Empress Heo was very effective.”

Heo Jun’s drama could be considered the beginning of the Korean Wave.

The drama had a viewership rating of close to 65% in Korea, and proved popular in China, Iraq, Turkey, Japan, etc.

It won’t be any different in India.

Especially because a documentary about his relationship with Empress Heo was aired earlier.

We were able to accept Heo Jun not just as a foreign great man, but as a great man also related to India.

“I’m glad it’s popular. How long will it be aired?”

“It’s 64 episodes, so it should be done early next year.”

“Very good. “It will be completed in time for the Indian general election season.”

Korea’s brand image was important in attracting IIT.

That’s why the popularity of Heo Jun’s drama was important.

“We are preparing various events at the planning office level, and we have also made plans for the main characters of Heo Jun’s drama to visit India.”

“You’re doing great. Are there any other reporting agendas?”

“I have something to report regarding illegal election funding.”

Illegal campaign financing is still not over.

Basically, a legal battle can last a few months or even several years.

“Is there anything else?”

“The prosecution made an interim announcement, and three additional top 10 companies were involved in the illegal campaign finance case.”

“Among businesses in Korea, it would be faster to find one that is not related to election funding.”

“Everyone thinks that way, and perhaps that’s why the prosecution is also investigating the Taewo Group.”

It was natural.

Most of the top 10 companies are involved in illegal election funding.

Who would believe it if only Taewo Group, the number one company in the business world, was not involved?

Therefore, the prosecution side was also conducting an intensive investigation.

“So did anything come out of it? “No matter how much we shake it off, there is no dust coming out of it, but we really have nothing to do with it.”

“After the foreign exchange crisis, the prosecution was unable to find any evidence because the group was very concerned about transparency. Of course, if you make an issue of what happened before the foreign exchange crisis, you can make it happen. “I don’t think they’ll go that far because the statute of limitations has expired.”

I was a little moved by the planning director’s words.

How much effort have you made to ensure transparency of Taewo Group?

We no longer created a slush fund, and our accounting data was being inspected multiple times through multiple external audits.

“Until next year, the political world will be in turmoil due to the fallout from illegal campaign funds.”

“I think the current atmosphere will continue until the 17th general election in 2004. “The problem started after the illegal campaign finance case quieted down after the general election.”

“The political world will not leave us alone. “Before that happens, we have to move first.”

I wanted to stop being influenced by politics.

Paradoxically, in order to do that, we had to create many of our own people in the political world.

We needed a politician who would work only for the Taewo Group, rather than an existing politician who was already entangled in complex interests.