Episode 31. Strong Supporters (1)
Today, Kang Dae-oh finished his discussions after touring the stores, checking for any potential problems and how best to address them if they existed.
When there were only two stores, the main branch and the second branch, it was easier to get around.
They weren’t far apart from each other, and since there were only two stores in total, it didn’t take long.
However, with the merger with Etoile, the number of Amare’s stores exploded.
Just this quarter, two more stores opened, covering additional regions.
Because of this, it has now become impossible to visit all the stores in a single day.
Nevertheless, Kang Dae-oh’s goal was to visit all stores periodically, even if it took several days, as long as he had the capacity.
That was because it would instill a sense of urgency in both the branch managers and employees working there.
Even so.
‘I can’t help but feel tired.’
Kang Dae-oh, who had finally returned to his office, sat down on his chair with a thud! as if collapsing.
His legs instantly gave out.
Still, this level of exhaustion was relatively mild compared to last year.
‘If it were me last year, I wouldn’t even be able to sit down.’
Thanks to his family’s encouragement, he had consistently gone to the gym, improving his physical stamina and allowing him to maintain his mental strength until now.
‘Seung-yeon is also continuously exercising and managing her figure because of her modeling work.’
Seeing his wife like this, he, as a husband, felt an urge to keep up with her.
So, as soon as his family suggested going to the gym, Kang Dae-oh immediately registered at a gym near his company that he had been eyeing the very next day.
Before going to work, or after work, whenever time allowed, Kang Dae-oh was stamping his attendance there.
‘Since I probably won’t have time to go to the gym today…’
He turned his gaze towards the dumbbells placed in a corner of his office.
After all, his office was Kang Dae-oh’s private space.
This meant.
‘Whether I work out here or do anything else, I won’t be interfered with.’
Kang Dae-oh loosened his tie and rolled up his shirt sleeves to his elbows.
Just as he was about to do a hammer curl after a deadlift.
“CEO-nim. Excuse me…”
Executive Director Yoo In-seok, who had opened the door and entered, and Kang Dae-oh both froze simultaneously, as if a pause button had been pressed.
The moment their eyes met, both of them let out an awkward laugh without anyone starting first.
“Oh, you were exercising. No wonder. I knocked, but there was no response.”
“I apologize, Executive Director-nim. It’s become a habit to listen to music while exercising.”
Kang Dae-oh took out the Bluetooth earphones from his ears.
Because music was constantly playing at the gym, Kang Dae-oh had developed a habit of needing to listen to exciting music to feel energized when working out.
However, he couldn’t play music loudly through speakers, as the sound might spill out.
So, he chose Bluetooth earphones, but he never dreamed such an awkward situation would arise.
Kang Dae-oh, who had put down the dumbbells, adjusted his clothes as if nothing had happened, though it was already far too late, and greeted Executive Director Yoo In-seok normally again.
“What brings you here?”
“I have something to ask you, CEO-nim. It’s about this.”
Executive Director Yoo In-seok held a poster related to the Seoul Coffee Expo scheduled for the latter half of this year.
As soon as he saw it, Kang Dae-oh’s eyes lit up with vitality.
Before being a CEO who operates an F&B business, Kang Dae-oh was also a coffee enthusiast who loved coffee.
Whenever he heard news of a coffee expo, he would always try to clear his schedule and visit for at least a day.
That was because at the expo, Kang Dae-oh could see many unique and unusual coffee beans that he couldn’t easily access.
Being able to experience opportunities domestically that would normally require going abroad was a huge advantage.
Until now, he had been a visitor to the event, but this year, it was decided that Amare would participate by setting up its own booth for the first time.
Since it was their first time participating with a booth, there were many things they needed to pay attention to.
For this reason, Executive Director Yoo In-seok came to Kang Dae-oh, who had extensive experience participating in coffee expos, to seek more specific and professional opinions.
Of course, a slightly embarrassing incident occurred in the middle, but they decided to quickly erase that from their minds.
Both of them focused on the main topic.
“I hear rumors that several other famous coffee brands are also participating.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Fevertime and Coffee Angel’s participation is almost certain.”
These were major corporations that dominated the Korean cafe industry even before Amare.
They were also rivals that Kang Dae-oh and Amare would have to surpass someday.
Hearing that they might face them head-on at the Coffee Expo, Kang Dae-oh’s mind became increasingly complicated.
It wasn’t because he was afraid of competing with them.
Since they were going to face off anyway, he was just trying to figure out how to win decisively.
Watching Kang Dae-oh’s eyes change as soon as he heard the news of rival companies participating, Executive Director Yoo In-seok chuckled, as if he had expected it.
“It seems they are also preparing a lot this time. I have spies planted there. They say the scale of the Coffee Expo in Seoul this time is unprecedented, and they are full of enthusiasm, planning to launch a proper marketing campaign with this opportunity.”
“The scale of this event has certainly grown tremendously.”
In Korea, coffee is an inseparable part of life.
After a meal, a cup of coffee is almost universally accepted as the norm.
Because of this, many places around the world were showing great interest in Korea’s coffee market.
In fact, there had been news articles stating that many foreign companies had applied for booths.
Domestic companies were formidable enough. If they had to deal with foreign companies on top of that, Amare also seemed to need to prepare thoroughly.
“Isn’t there a good way?”
“First, it would be good to have an element that strongly attracts people’s attention. When I went to a coffee expo before, one company had installed a huge screen, almost like a movie theater. The advertising video was clearly visible from afar, so you couldn’t help but look that way.”
“That’s a good idea too. But I’m not sure if that’s possible with the size of the booth we’ve secured.”
“How many booths was it?”
“Four booths.”
The booths of the coffee expo sponsors were placed along the walls.
Their size was also two to three times larger than Amare’s.
Fevertime and Coffee Angel fell into exactly this category.
To surpass them and become the main attraction of the expo, they needed to secure fresh and unique promotional ideas.
“When is the event?”
“Early next month.”
“There’s still plenty of time, so let’s think about this slowly.”
“Yes, alright.”
Ideas don’t just come instantly.
Before leaving the CEO’s office, Executive Director Yoo In-seok said to Kang Dae-oh with a meaningful expression.
“Then, have a pleasant workout time, CEO-nim.”
Kang Dae-oh let out an awkward chuckle and briefly replied, “Thank you.”
The next day.
Kang Dae-oh, who woke up in the morning and came out to the living room, tilted his head as he watched Kang Yera getting ready for school in her uniform.
“Are you going to school today?”
“Yes.”
It felt like a long time since he had seen his eldest daughter go to school.
Before, there was summer vacation, and before summer vacation, she had hardly gone to school for about a month, focusing on album activities.
Including all these periods, it would easily be about three months.
His daughter going to school after three months felt very unfamiliar today.
“Should Dad take you?”
“Don’t you have to go to work?”
“Being able to flexibly adjust work hours is a CEO’s privilege.”
No one would scold Kang Dae-oh for coming to work late.
Kang Yera reacted with honest joy, as if she had hit the jackpot.
If Kang Dae-oh didn’t drive her, Kang Yera would have had no choice but to take the bus or subway to school.
“Wait. Dad will wash up and be right out.”
Hearing that, Min Seung-yeon asked Kang Dae-oh.
“Breakfast?”
“I don’t think I’ll have time.”
“Then at least eat a few of these before you go. Coincidentally, today’s breakfast menu is kimbap. Take it and have Yera feed you one by one in the car.”
That wasn’t a bad idea either.
There was no way kimbap made by his wife and fed by his daughter wouldn’t taste good.
Kang Dae-oh quickly washed up, took the lunchbox Min Seung-yeon handed him, and rode the elevator to the parking lot with Kang Yera.
Beep!
As soon as the car’s lock was released, the two of them amicably got into the front seats.
Kang Yera got in the passenger seat gracefully, paying attention to the pleats of her school uniform skirt.
A soft smile spread across Kang Dae-oh’s lips as he quietly watched his eldest daughter.
At her dad’s reaction, Kang Yera couldn’t help but tilt her head.
“Why, Dad?”
“I was thinking how much our daughter has grown. When you were a baby, you couldn’t even get into the car without Mom and Dad’s help. Do you remember?”
“Of course, I remember.”
Even then, Kang Yera was only a child in body, but inside, she was already a grown young lady, just like now.
There was no way she wouldn’t remember.
Kang Dae-oh could feel the rapid passage of time as he watched his daughters grow.
It was amazing that the baby he saw in the nursery had grown up and was now wearing a middle school uniform.
“Is school manageable?”
“Yes. The kids welcome me a lot every time I go.”
“That’s a relief.”
Kang Dae-oh had, at one point, worried that Kang Yera might not be socializing well with her friends since she went to school sporadically.
But who was Kang Yera?
She was a daughter with a personality that couldn’t live without friends.
Kang Dae-oh soon realized that he had worried for nothing.
“Oh, right. By the way, I’m scheduled to have a photoshoot at school today.”
“What kind of photoshoot?”
“I guess the school selected a few students to represent the student body and take photos for the homepage. I was chosen for that.”
“Are you talking about being a school model?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Indeed. If not Kang Yera, who else would be a suitable student for a model?
In Kang Dae-oh’s eyes, there was no one.
Whether in the entertainment industry or at school.
Kang Dae-oh’s eldest daughter continued to do well.
Watching his daughter succeed, Kang Dae-oh felt proud. He thought, ‘I raised my daughter well.’
