I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 471

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 471
Emma Watton and Prince Harris stayed at the same hotel, but the Prince departed for England the day after Jeon Sun-hee’s party.
Left alone, Emma Watton reportedly completed all her Cannes Film Festival schedules without a partner.
On the airplane returning to Korea, Netflix’s Reed Stings Jr. and Director Bong Joon-ho traveled together.
And between them sat Ji-hee.
Ji-hee sat between the two, helping them communicate in English.
Though Director Bong Joon-ho’s English was excellent, someone of Ji-hee’s caliber was necessary for more detailed and nuanced communication.
I pretended to read a book while quietly eavesdropping on their conversation.
“Director Bong, may I ask about the film you’re currently preparing with Representative Jeon Sun-hee?”
“Well… actually, I’ve been in contact with several Hollywood production companies, but they all expressed considerable reluctance.”
“Why is that?”
“The story I want to tell this time is… hmm….”
Director Bong Joon-ho struggled with English, so he explained to Ji-hee in Korean.
“A pig that grew up as a friend for ten years was actually a super pig developed through genetic modification. A multinational corporation kidnaps this friend pig, and it’s a brutal tale of a girl fighting to rescue her friend… but slaughterhouse scenes are absolutely essential. Could you explain to him why Hollywood objected to that?”
“Of course.”
Ji-hee, who had listened intently to Director Bong Joon-ho’s explanation, organized his lengthy account and conveyed it to Reed.
“Director Bong Joon-ho wants to tell a story about a girl who spent ten years thinking a super pig developed by a multinational corporation was her friend, and then one day, when her friend is kidnapped, she fights to rescue her. To do that, slaughterhouse scenes are essential, but he says everyone in Hollywood expressed reluctance.”
“I see…”
Reed nodded vigorously, and Director Bong Joon-ho seemed quite pleased with Ji-hee’s interpretation.
“Hollywood is naturally quite conservative. Director Bong, I find that story very intriguing. May I ask about the current progress?”
“We’re working on the screenplay.”
“What about financing?”
“Representative Jeon Sun-hee is handling it for now, but given the scale of the project, we need additional investment.”
“I’d like to go to Korea and discuss this project in earnest.”
Both Bong Joon-ho and Ji-hee seemed somewhat surprised by that statement.
In fact, it was I who had arranged the first-class ticket on the same flight for Reed Stings Jr.
After speaking extensively with Director Bong Joon-ho at the party, Reed wanted to continue their conversation. However, the Cannes Film Festival schedule made it difficult to spare the time.
So I facilitated Reed’s trip to Korea.
Reed agreed immediately, as he had been considering Netflix’s expansion into Korea.
Soon, Director Bong Joon-ho’s delighted voice rang out.
“I’d like to work with a new medium like Netflix as well.”
* * *
The moment we stepped off the airplane, Director Bong Joon-ho approached me quietly.
“Representative Jeon, I’m so grateful you arranged this. Honestly, the project I’m preparing wasn’t going well, and I have a good feeling that meeting Reed will help resolve things.”
“I’ll accept your thanks once things work out.”
“By the way, Representative. Ji-hee—how does she speak English so well?”
“I pushed her hard with English studies from a young age.”
There was only one way to become fluent in English.
Drop a Korean person alone in American soil with no other Koreans around.
Of course, Ji-hee had picked up English from watching American dramas, but she had also learned much on her own in America.
“You’ve got a good older brother. Ji-hee seemed incredibly interested in this field.”
“She majored in law and said she wants to study copyright law in more detail and work in the content industry going forward.”
“Then, perhaps… I’m not sure if I should even ask this.”
Bong Joon-ho hesitated.
But I was prepared to grant him any request he made.
“If Ji-hee has the time, would it be possible for me to ask her to interpret for me when I attend film festivals and other events? Sometimes professional interpreters are provided, but often they’re not.”
“I should ask Ji-hee first, but I think she’d be delighted.”
“Ah, I see. Then I’ll speak to Ji-hee separately as well.”
“Of course.”
Bong Joon-ho smiled warmly and approached Ji-hee, who was just pulling out her luggage.
[So our Ji-hee will be standing next to Bong Joon-ho interpreting at the Academy Awards ceremony?]
I gazed at the two of them with satisfaction.
Indeed, all those years of rigorous education expenses had paid off.
Jeon Tae-guk approached me.
“Sung-guk, what did Bong Joon-ho say?”
“He wants to ask Ji-hee to interpret for him going forward.”
“The effect of you bringing Ji-hee to San Francisco and sending her to a boarding school with no other Korean students is showing now.”
“Well, I respect freedom, but I don’t trust it. Especially when it comes to education. Nobody wants to study anyway. So in those cases, forcing them is the answer.”
I smiled slightly.
“Anyway, there’s no stopping you. Well….”
Suddenly Jeon Tae-guk stopped mid-sentence. What was wrong?
“Hyung, is something the matter?”
“Father wants to see me…. I think I need to head straight to headquarters. Sung-guk, I’ll see you later.”
Jeon Tae-guk hurried out of the airport at his father’s summons.
* * *
Jeon Tae-guk stepped into the elevator with a slightly tense expression.
Summoned right after returning from the Cannes Film Festival….
He had an ominous feeling about this.
When the elevator stopped at the floor where the Chairman’s Office was located, Jeon Tae-guk entered under the guidance of Secretary Yang, who was already waiting.
“Secretary Yang, what does Father want to see me about? Give me a hint.”
“The Chairman is deliberating over your promotion to Vice Chairman, but there’s been some criticism about the lack of achievements.”
“What achievements do I need to make? That’s something the employees should be doing.”
“Still, a promotion to Vice Chairman requires justification. It seems the Chairman is planning something regarding that matter.”
“Father should at least discuss these things with me first….”
Jeon Tae-guk grumbled as he entered the Chairman’s Office.
* * *
The Chairman’s Office was unusually occupied only by Jeon Jae-hyung.
Secretary Yang had closed the door and waited outside.
Jeon Tae-guk approached the sofa hesitantly. He felt unnecessarily tense. Whenever he was alone with Jeon Jae-hyung in any space, it was usually to receive criticism.
“Father, what did you want to see me about?”
“I had a health checkup, and the doctor said my workload is too heavy and that I should reduce it….”
Given Jeon Jae-hyung’s age, it was natural advice.
“You’re an executive, but until now you’ve only shown your face at events… It’s time you took on a proper position and actually did some work.”
“But Father, didn’t you say that work should be left to capable employees…?”
“That’s true….”
Jeon Jae-hyung trailed off.
“I don’t have great expectations for you.”
Jeon Tae-guk no longer felt hurt by Jeon Jae-hyung’s blunt remarks.
“Still, to reach the position of vice chairman, you need results, don’t you? A public justification, so to speak.”
“I’ve done some business ventures following Sung-guk up until now….”
“Do it properly this time.”
Jeon Tae-guk scratched his temple.
It was his way of signaling that he had no idea what Jeon Jae-hyung was talking about.
“Look at this material once.”
Jeon Tae-guk picked up the documents on the table.
“E-Samjeon? What is this?”
“It’s about making investments focused on the IT industry. Like Son Jung-hoon does at Hard Bank.”
“You mean invest in promising IT ventures and generate profits?”
“Yes. I also think that the time you’ve spent with Sung-guk won’t have been wasted… If your investments succeed, the value of E-Samjeon rises, and you’ll ease concerns about gift taxes or inheritance taxes. E-Samjeon will be established with 70% equity in your name.”
Jeon Jae-hyung explained with unusual kindness today.
The kinder he was, the more tense Jeon Tae-guk became. It felt like a whip urging him to do better.
“Father, what if I happen to fail at this business?”
“That’s not in my plan….”
“Still….”
“Then I’ll have to create another justification. I’ll make you vice chairman….”
Jeon Tae-guk’s heart settled at Jeon Jae-hyung’s final words.
At least it didn’t seem like he intended to push him out of the successor position.
“Father, but… couldn’t we recruit Sung-guk for this? Every investment Sung-guk makes succeeds.”
“Tae-guk….”
Jeon Jae-hyung called Jeon Tae-guk in a grave voice.
Jeon Tae-guk tensed up again.
“Yes, Father.”
“If you recruit Sung-guk and succeed in your investments, will people see that as your achievement?”
“That’s true, but….”
“Tae-guk, I think you may not be smart, but you have good instincts. Don’t you understand what I’m saying?”
Jeon Tae-guk began to grasp what Jeon Jae-hyung was getting at.
“You mean I should carefully observe investments from beside Sung-guk?”
“There are many ways for you to succeed without recruiting Sung-guk.”
“Yes, Father. I’ll remember that.”
“We’ll start the corporation next week, so prepare yourself. And keep this absolutely secret from Sung-guk. Do you understand?”
“Yes….”
Jeon Tae-guk answered without confidence, but he answered nonetheless.
* * *
A Korean beef specialty restaurant in Gangnam.
Reed Stings Jr. was marveling at the Korean method of grilling meat.
“Grilling it this way really brings out the charcoal flavor, and it tastes wonderful.”
“The sauce isn’t too strong either, so it should suit your palate perfectly.”
“I’ll enjoy it, Sung-guk.”
Director Bong Joon-ho was also at the table with me.
It was also laying the groundwork to solidify Director Bong Joon-ho’s next project with Netflix.
“Sung-guk, I’m not sure I deserve such generous treatment.”
“Reed, I’m the one who invited you.”
I quickly sent some perfectly grilled Korean beef across to Reed.
“Reed, but… when are you thinking of Netflix’s full-scale entry into Korea?”
“Honestly, I have the desire, but the plan isn’t concrete yet.”
In other words, they had the will but not the specifics.
“Then, what if we use Director Bong’s film this time to test the waters? Director Bong is also the director most beloved by the Korean people. If such a director’s film premieres exclusively on Netflix, people will naturally show tremendous interest in Netflix. It would have dozens, or even hundreds of times more impact than TV advertising.”
Reed smiled at my words.
“Of course, the film production budget would be more than advertising costs. But Sung-guk, I’m curious about something.”
“What is it?”
“You said you already agreed to work on the film after next with the director, so why are you pushing his next project to Netflix so hard?”
“Well, because we need to make his next project quickly so I can work with him on the one after.”
“You certainly have the drive everyone says you do, Representative Jeon. I have some drive myself, and I’ve already left instructions with headquarters through Representative Jeon Sun-hee to review the director’s next project. But for some reason, I have an ominous feeling….”
Reed looked at me with a mischievous expression.
“What kind of ominous feeling?”
“That if I don’t sign a contract for the next project with Director Bong, I won’t be able to leave South Korea.”
I waved my hand dismissively and passed more Korean beef to Reed.
“Reed, don’t say such things. Just enjoy plenty of Korean beef while you’re in South Korea. Don’t worry about the cost.”
Director Bong Joon-ho gave a subtle thumbs up beneath the table.
I whispered quietly to Director Bong Joon-ho.
“Director, please prepare the film after next quickly as well.”
“Representative Jeon, understood.”
* * *
Four days had passed since I last saw Jeon Tae-guk’s face.
It was the first time he hadn’t opened the door to our home for such a long period.
And now I was beginning to understand why Jeon Tae-guk was avoiding me.
[Hmm… Is he preparing E-Samjeon?]
E-Samjeon was one of the few Samjeon ventures I had failed at in my previous life.
It was about investing in promising IT companies and generating profits, similar to what Son Jung-hoon at Hard Bank did, but in my previous life, I had no interest in the IT sector whatsoever.
Fortunately, by strengthening investments in semiconductors and opening new avenues, I more than made up for the losses and rose to the position of Vice Chairman.
It seemed the groundwork for Jeon Tae-guk’s succession as vice chairman was finally beginning to take shape.
In this life, would Jeon Tae-guk be able to lead E-Samjeon successfully, unlike me?
I posed the question to myself.
Of course, there was only one answer.
[Absolutely not!]

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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