CH17 | MCT

Recruiting Talent (2)

Park Cheol-wan.

A real estate visionary with an unparalleled eye for property and ambitious urban development plans. His influence extended beyond Cheong-il Construction, leaving a lasting mark on South Korea’s history as a real estate development expert.

"If I had to name Park Cheol-wan’s three greatest achievements, it would be Daechi-dong Cheong-il Apartments, Cheong-il Land, and Cheong-il Steelworks."

Thanks to the Daechi-dong Cheong-il Apartments, Cheong-il Group solidified its image as a premier luxury construction company.

Cheong-il Land became an endless source of cash flow, a financial gold mine.

And finally, Cheong-il Steelworks.

It created massive industrial synergy with the group’s existing subsidiaries—Cheong-il Heavy Industries, Cheong-il Electronics, and Cheong-il Chemicals.

This steel mill would serve as the foundation for Cheong-il Group to rise as South Korea’s leading conglomerate in the heavy chemical industry.

"So this is the man they call the architect of Cheong-il Group. I’ve heard the name countless times, but seeing him in person is a first for me."

By the time Tae-soo had begun making a name for himself within Cheong-il Group, Park Cheol-wan had already passed away.

Many speculated that if not for his untimely death in a tragic accident, he would have become the true power behind the group.

"Could it be that he was assassinated, just like the others?"

There was no concrete proof, only a gut feeling. But the possibility was high.

From a glance, Park seemed to be around the same age as Tae-soo.

And as the son of Park Tae-jong, the president of Pohang Steel—a direct rival of Han Cheong-il—there was no way Han Il-kwon would have left him alone.

"What is Park Cheol-wan like right now? He probably hasn’t caught Han Cheong-ho’s attention yet."

Curiosity flickered in Tae-soo’s eyes as he observed the man.

Park was one of the finest minds behind Cheong-il Group’s real estate empire.

He wondered what kind of thoughts ran through his head.

"Why did he choose to work at Cheong-il Construction instead of his father’s company, Pohang Steel?"

That was the first question that came to mind.

The jeep rumbled over the unpaved road, kicking up a cloud of dust.

With a sharp jolt, a pile of books haphazardly stacked in the backseat tumbled to the floor.

Tae-soo reached down and picked up a few of them.

《Standards for Real Estate Appraisal》
《Factors in Real Estate Site Selection》
《Introduction to Real Estate Studies》
《Theory of Land Price Analysis

A Perfect Excuse.

Tae-soo seized the opportunity.

"You have quite a collection of real estate books."

"Ah, it's just a hobby."

"You're being modest. These are highly specialized books, hard to find even in Japan, aren’t they?"

"Oh! You recognized that? No one has ever pointed that out before!"

At the mention of his favorite subject, Park Cheol-wan brightened up, clearly pleased.

Tae-soo flipped through the pages, nodding in admiration.

"This… is far more than just a casual hobby. You've studied a great deal."

"It's embarrassing to admit, but I try to read every real estate book that hits the shelves. I suppose you could call it an indulgent pastime."

"The father in steel, the son in real estate."

Tae-soo grinned.

"I know that Park Tae-jong isn’t planning to pass his steel empire down to his son. But is there a deeper reason behind it?"

Until the day he died, Park Tae-jong never owned a single share of Pohang Steel—not even one.

Neither did his family.

For a man who built a steel empire and reached the ranks of Korea’s elite, it was an unbelievable fact.

So, Tae-soo decided to probe a little.

"If you plan to inherit your father’s steel business, shouldn’t you be studying metallurgy instead of real estate?"

Park Cheol-wan’s response was calm and unwavering.

"That’s not mine to inherit. It belongs to the country and its people."

"And if your father chooses to leave it to you?"

He shook his head.

"My father will return the steelworks to the nation. He won’t pass it down to me, so such a scenario doesn’t exist."

"How can you be so sure? A father’s heart—"

"As his son, I understand better than anyone what the steelworks mean to him. You seem unaware of how this mill is being built."

"I know. But wouldn’t you resent him for it? Pouring his life into building this only to give it all away… isn’t that unfair?"

Tae-soo had expected hesitation, maybe even frustration. But the response he got was the complete opposite.

"Resentment? Regret? No. I’d be proud of him."

Cheol-wan spoke with conviction, a satisfied smile on his face as if he were already imagining the moment.

"I have my own path to follow. I’m an adult—I can’t spend my life riding my father’s back."

"A chaebol father’s back must be a comfortable place to be."

Cheol-wan chuckled.

"Hah! My father is a soldier through and through. His back would be stiff as a board. I’ll have to politely decline the piggyback ride."

His voice carried confidence and strength.

"He’s different from what I expected. Strong-willed. A lot like Park Tae-jong. I like him."

Tae-soo nodded.

"You have a clear dream."

"Dreams are the privilege of the young. Am I being too grandiose? Hahaha."

"Not at all. I support you."

"T-Thank you."

‘It would be nice if he nurtured his dream and helped grow our Taeyang Construction into a giant like Cheongil Construction.’

Tae-soo had his own ulterior motives.

Park Cheol-wan was a construction mastermind, personally scouted by Han Cheong-ho after persistent efforts.

And Tae-soo wanted him too.

‘Let’s recruit him.’

His mind was set.

Meanwhile, Cheol-wan rubbed his eyebrow, looking embarrassed.

"Whenever I talk like this, people usually call me crazy or say I'm too privileged to appreciate what I have. No one has ever encouraged me before."

Of course not.

His father, Park Tae-jong, was the closest confidant of the most powerful man of their time and the head of Pohang Steel.

And this steel mill he was building?

Most parents were desperate to pass their companies down to their children, yet here he was, choosing a different path.

Who would believe that? People wouldn’t take it kindly.

"Is real estate that fascinating to you?"

"Of course! The more you study it, the more interesting it gets. Right now, people see real estate as undervalued, but as income levels rise, it’ll gain more and more recognition."

"You're absolutely right."

As the conversation shifted to his favorite subject, Cheol-wan became animated, chatting away enthusiastically.

He was surprisingly open and unguarded—a genuinely passionate man.

And his love for real estate was undeniable.

"Ah, I took a wrong turn. I got too caught up in talking about real estate instead of focusing on driving... Sorry about that. We’ll have to circle back."

"Let’s take a break in the shade over there. I'd like to hear more."

"Are you sure?"

Screech!

The car finally pulled over to the side of the road, and they stepped into the shade.

"Hahaha, this is the first time I’ve met someone I can talk to so easily about real estate. I’m absolutely thrilled!"

Park Cheol-wan was visibly delighted.

It seemed he genuinely enjoyed discussing his passion, and given his enthusiasm, he likely hadn’t found many people to share such conversations with.

Meanwhile, the skinny guy sitting beside them was miserable.

‘What the hell is this? Where are the ladies at the beach? The fresh sashimi and soju? I was expecting a lively drinking session with women, not this. Unbelievable.’

Resigned, he leaned his head against a tree trunk and squeezed his eyes shut.

The conversation around him was pure noise—completely incomprehensible.

Before he knew it, he had dozed off.

"Seoul is only going to develop further. Urban planning is critical, but too many people overlook that."

"Uncontrolled development will only destroy the environment and ultimately lower people’s quality of life."

"Every year, more people leave farmland behind, seeking education and jobs in the city. To accommodate this influx, residential land development will be necessary."

"And where do you predict that development will happen?"

"Gangnam."

The more they spoke, the more impressed Tae-soo became.

To be honest, he was surprised.

‘No wonder Han Cheong-ho was desperate enough to approach him three times. If only I could bring him into Taeyang Construction…’

Talented people were always in short supply.

Watching Park Cheol-wan speak so passionately about real estate, Tae-soo grinned.

"I think the same way. That’s why I wanted to ask you something."

He carefully steered the conversation.

"Would you be interested in Gangnam’s development? I’m planning to build apartments there."

"Apartments?"

Cheol-wan turned sharply, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Did you just say you’re developing Gangnam… and building apartments there?"

"Yes, I’m going to construct an apartment complex on the wasteland in Daechi-dong."

"Oh—!"

Tae-soo had set his sights on Gangnam’s development.

The government would soon begin actively promoting it.

‘Cheongil Apartments became a prestigious brand in real estate. This time, I’ll be the one to do it first.’

It was part of his grand vision.

And now, he has found the right person to help execute it.

"I plan to secure the land within two years and complete the apartments within five."

"Do you have a concrete plan?"

"A high-end apartment complex with spacious units. Elevators and ample parking secured. Surrounded by the finest school districts and a 14-lane boulevard, Yeongdong-daero. A large-scale residential complex dedicated to middle-class education. What do you think?"

Tae-soo laid out, step by step, the very construction projects and development plans that Park Cheol-wan would later implement at Cheongil Construction.

The more he spoke, the more Cheol-wan was in awe, his admiration growing with every detail.

"Incredible. I had only envisioned these ideas vaguely, but you’ve mapped them out so precisely!"

"As I thought, we were imagining the same thing all along."

"No wonder our conversation has been so effortless. Honestly, I don’t even know how to describe this feeling..."

Park Cheol-wan naturally recalled the phrase "知音知己"—a friend who truly understands, like a soulmate.

It was as if he had finally met someone who recognized and validated his thoughts.

His gaze toward Tae-soo was now filled with genuine admiration.

"Why don’t we work together on this real estate development?"

"M-me?"

Park Cheol-wan blinked, dumbfounded, as he repeated the question.