Dongju (Dongju)
A leading company in the chemical industry in Korea.
The rice mill that Dong-yool Yoo, who was born as the only child of a wealthy family in Chungcheongbuk-do, established when he moved to Seoul during the Japanese colonial period, became the origin of Dongju Chemical. After the Korean War, he took over the factory abandoned by Japan and set up a soap factory, which can be seen as the beginning of today's Dongju Chemical.
Grandfather Yoo Dong-yul was a patriarchal man. Women were not allowed to participate in the front line of business, even if they were his children, and at family gatherings, daughters-in-law always had to prepare food with the housekeepers. The fact that Confucianism was deeply ingrained in him could be seen from the way he shared the table with the adults and children.
At the table where Kang Hyun was sitting, there were only cousins, and they were all eating cautiously, like mutes who had eaten honey. It was partly because of his grandfather, but also because he had seen Kang Hyun before. As evidence of this, Yoo Jin-seok could not properly look at Kang Hyun's face.
"Sir, this is pickled crab made by my youngest daughter. Please try it."
It was a housekeeper who had been living in my grandfather's house for a long time. She brought out the crab I had brought in a fancy-looking bowl, and the looks in my uncles' and aunt's eyes changed for a moment. My grandfather stared at the crab for a long time before picking it up.
"You've digested the liver well."
It was just a short word.
Still, a look of discomfort crossed my uncles and aunts' faces. I tried hard to suppress a snicker. Aren't all humans always anxious about having their rice bowls taken away?
'Tsk.'
After my grandfather passed away.
Idiots who can't even manage their own property properly and end up ruined.
Dongju Chemical, which my grandfather had worked on for decades, was split into four companies and absorbed by foreign capital in just ten years. I haven't heard anything from my uncles since then. I heard the last news from my great uncle was from Jeongseon, Gangwon-do, right?
"Father, I think it would be a good idea to stay home and rest while watching your grandchildren's talents."
My great uncle cautiously raised his voice. He was a grandfather who held onto the management rights even at the age of seventy. My grandfather put down his chopsticks with a loud noise and looked at my great uncle and my little uncle alternately. A suffocating tension settled over his tiger-like eyes.
"Beomjin, Beomkyung."
Grandfather called out the names of his great and little uncles softly. The uncles, who were in their forties, straightened their backs like students receiving a lesson. Even his aunt and uncle showed a nervous expression.
"Recite the process of making Dongwha detergent."
It was a laundry detergent released by Dongju Chemical. My uncle and little uncle couldn't speak easily. Dongwha detergent was a liquid detergent, not a powder detergent. At the time, most laundry soaps used powder detergent. Liquid detergents were not used much because they had weak cleaning power and were expensive. However, my grandfather guessed that liquid detergents would surpass powder detergents in the future.
"These executives don't even know what their company is making, so they want me to step aside?"
"Father, that's not it······."
"stop!"
The aunt was startled by the shouting and hiccupped.
Grandfather looked at his older and younger uncles in turn and said.
"If you guys can't handle things properly, Dongju Chemical will be handed over to professional managers. I can't hand over the company I've spent my entire life working for to a bunch of idiots who don't know anything. You guys will always have to go to work thinking that you're salaried workers."
My uncle and uncle's faces turned pale in an instant. They were clearly angry, but they tried to hide their expressions by lowering their heads. I was surprised inside. I had never imagined that my grandfather would act so strongly.
'And yet you're saying that it caused the company to fail later?'
The saying that people cannot be rewritten was exactly right. Even though my grandfather had been so self-deprecating and scolding me, my uncle and uncle were the ones who would later ruin Dongju Chemical. My aunt was just fanning the flames.
Dongju Chemical.
I swallowed a bitter smile as I heard the name that had now faded even from my memory.
* * *
Spio Spio Mememe─!
The cicadas' chirping echoed clearly in the rich village. The sunlight streaming through the window warmly brightened the morning. It was the first bed I laid down on after returning to the past. I heard that it was the room my mother used to use. It was neatly organized and free of dust, reflecting my grandfather's heart that was always waiting for my mother.
"Hyun-ah, what do you want to do in the future?"
At the breakfast table, my grandfather asked me. Unlike the bustling night before, there was only my grandfather and I at the table. I couldn't easily answer my grandfather's question. If I put my mind to it, it's not impossible to re-enroll in the law department of Korea University, and even pass the bar exam. I have lived a life as a lawyer for several decades. Although I wasn't a fair and upright lawyer who protected justice.
"I want to make my parents happy."
A strange expression appeared in the grandfather's eyes at the unexpected answer.
"You're a filial son. Are you saying you'll make a lot of money?"
Money······.
I was confident that I could become rich just by using the knowledge I had. However, I did not want to live a life obsessed with money. My past life was one of greed and power. When I stripped away the vanity, there was nothing left. Furthermore, my father and mother were not people obsessed with money.
"Literally, I want to live a happy life. Having a lot of money doesn't necessarily mean you'll be happy."
The grandfather nodded at Kang Hyun's firm voice. It was because his grandson's appearance now was so different from the one he had seen a few years ago. He had thought he had matured since he was the top student in the class, but his speech, behavior, and even his eyes had changed.
Just then, the housekeeper came in with the morning paper. My grandfather tended to drink coffee while reading the morning paper towards the end of his breakfast.
"Student Kang-Hyeon, would you like some orange juice?"
The lady asked me if I wanted orange juice, perhaps because she thought of my age. I nodded my head in thanks.
The front page of the morning paper was full of the image of Jeil Electronics CEO Son Il-seon. Next to him was Prime Minister Go Jin-woo. The company was later called Jeil Republic. Even though it was decades ago, its influence was enormous.
"Our country will really join the OECD."
My grandfather spoke softly while reading the newspaper. We will join the OECD. The good times of joining the ranks of advanced economies lasted only a few months. Our country did not have the power to stop foreign exchange speculation. Knowing the future, my grandfather's exclamation did not sound so good.
"Hyun-ah, let's have lunch with your grandfather's friend today. He's mad because he wants to show us his granddaughter."
"Yes, Grandpa."
I have never been alone with my grandfather like this before. This is the first time in my life that I have visited his house and stayed overnight. In my previous life, I had extremely despised my grandfather who did not help our family and my relatives who ignored us.
"My mother surprisingly has a girlish sensibility."
The wallpaper is pink. The bedspread has a flowing lace pattern. My mother lived in a wealthy family until she was in her mid-twenties. Now, I wonder how she could afford to wash other people's clothes. I guess that means she loves her father that much.
dripping.
The door opened slowly with a knock.
"Student Kang-Hyeon, have a snack."
The housekeeper brought out a tray of white milk and biscuits.
"Ma'am, do you know who Grandpa's friend is?"
I picked up a biscuit and asked the lady.
"Hmm, I don't know."
The mother also seemed to have no idea who the friend her grandfather was talking about was.
Thump.
I looked around my mother's room for a long time after my mother left. The things and clothes that my mother used to use were neatly organized. I felt my grandfather's affectionate heart, and my heart ached for no reason.
"uh?"
There was something that caught my eye under the desk. A case, to be exact.
I reached out and took out the case.
"Is that a violin case?"
It was an old violin case. But even that didn't have a speck of dust on it, as if someone had always cleaned it.
"Your mother played the violin."
That's why my mother liked me learning the violin so much.
I carefully opened the violin case.
A bow, a violin, and a hygrometer were neatly arranged.
Thump thump thump.
My heart raced when I saw the violin.
Just like when I listen to Beethoven's symphony.
I had been looking down at the violin for a long time.
"Student Kang Hyeon, the elder is looking for you."
My thoughts fled when I heard the voice of the old woman from beyond the door. I carefully closed the violin case and put it back in its original place.
He drove for a long time in a luxury sedan that was not commonly seen in the 90s. He also changed into a new outfit that the housekeeper gave him. Although he was young, he looked formal as if he was wearing a suit. My grandfather smiled happily.
"Kim Ki-sa. I was bragging to my friend that my grandson was first in his class. Do you know what that old man said to me?"
The driver sitting in the driver's seat smiled and answered briefly.
"Well, well, he was bragging that his granddaughter also got first place in the whole school. As they were talking like that, they ended up arguing that my grandson was better and his granddaughter was better. Today is the day they go head-to-head. Hehe."
no?
Was today's meeting like that?
My grandfather looked at me with a wide smile. I smiled at him in surprise. It was the first time I had seen my grandfather like this.
The knight was finding his way skillfully even though he hadn't even told him where to go. It didn't seem like he'd been there once or twice. But why?
'Somehow it feels familiar.'
This is a Seoul road from a few decades ago. Obviously, many things are different, but I was driving along a familiar road.
no way?
No way. A hypothesis came to mind, but I quickly shook my head.
But as the car gradually entered the street lined with luxury Western-style houses, my suspicions began to be confirmed.
'earthly.'
A large Western-style house was visible outside the car window. The high red wall obscured the inside, but judging by the size of the lot, it was incomparable to the surrounding luxury mansions.
"They're all here, Chairman."
I've been here before in a past life.
Although the mansion is no longer in use, he must have been living there in this era.
Gulp.
no way.
My grandfather's friend.
'He was Chairman Wang of Jeil Group!'