Episode 37. Solo Concert (1)
The store where Park Yeon-seong was appointed as branch manager finally began its first day of business.
As Kang Dae-oh had calculated, the place garnered significant interest from nearby residents even before its opening, thanks to the realization of Park Yeong-seon and her husband’s unfulfilled wedding dream.
A wedding at a cafe, of all places.
Since something that one might imagine at least once became a reality nearby, it was natural for people to show interest.
In addition, an article about Park Yeon-seong and her husband’s story was published, amplifying people’s interest even further.
Perhaps thanks to this effect.
From the very first day of opening, a long queue formed.
When Amare branches first opened, most stores started with a lot of interest, but…
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a queue this long.”
Executive Director Yoo In-seok muttered his thoughts while watching the line of people from a distance.
He was currently observing the store’s situation quietly, sitting in the same car as Kang Dae-oh.
Originally, he had intended to visit the store with Kang Dae-oh to show support, but…
With so many customers flocking in, it must be chaotic. He thought that going there would only be a hindrance, so he decided to postpone the visit indefinitely.
“The CEO’s strategy worked perfectly.”
“Rather than a strategy, it was a wish.”
“Haha. Is that so?”
It was truly fortunate that things went well.
Kang Dae-oh briefly stepped out and smiled faintly as he watched Park Yeon-seong hand out papers with waiting numbers to people.
‘It went well.’
Although he seemed incredibly busy, Park Yeon-seong’s expression was the brightest Kang Dae-oh had seen recently.
Just by witnessing his friend’s appearance like this, Kang Dae-oh felt that coming all this way was worthwhile.
“Shall we head straight back to the company?”
“Yes, understood.”
The driver immediately took the wheel.
During the drive, Kang Dae-oh received an additional report from Executive Director Yoo In-seok regarding his work schedule.
“I heard that a forum related to the food service industry will be held at Baekyeon Grand Hotel at the end of this month.”
“Indeed, I heard about it from Sang-ho hyung… no, from CEO Do Sang-ho. He asked me if I would be attending as well.”
“Will you be attending?”
“Yes, I should.”
He had no intention of ending Amare’s expansion here.
Kang Dae-oh wanted to reach greater heights with Amare.
Later, he also had plans to expand beyond South Korea and into the global market.
To do that.
‘First, it would be good to diligently build a foundation in Korea.’
This includes not only business discussions but also matters related to networking.
By meeting key figures in the food service industry, having various conversations, and forming a network with them, Kang Dae-oh intended to gradually make his name and face known.
Executive Director Yoo In-seok also planned to fully support Kang Dae-oh’s endeavors.
“If necessary, you can bring your family along as well.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Many other company CEOs also bring their wives, sons, or daughters.”
“Understood. I’ll go ask them too.”
If he could be with his family at an important event, Kang Dae-oh would actually prefer it.
Because just having his family by his side gave him great strength.
As soon as he returned home, Kang Dae-oh decided to ask his family if they would like to attend the food service industry event with him, just as he had told Executive Director Yoo In-seok earlier.
The first to reply was Min Seung-yeon.
“I’m fine. I can go.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. And I also want to learn what to do when I go to events like this, following you around.”
“What are you talking about?”
Kang Dae-oh tilted his head.
Because to his ears, it sounded as if Min Seung-yeon was speaking like someone preparing for a business venture.
Kang Yebin explained the inside story on Min Seung-yeon’s behalf.
“Mom says she’s going to try starting a clothing business next year.”
“She’s starting a business?”
Min Seung-yeon nodded.
“Are you sure? You’re terrible at managing a company and handling money, aren’t you?”
“It’s fine. I have a business partner who will handle that side of things.”
At the mention of a ‘business partner,’ Kang Dae-oh couldn’t hide his unease.
Society is not so easy.
Especially in business.
To be more direct.
There are too many fraudsters.
In particular, South Korea was known as a very good country for fraudsters to commit fraud.
The penalties for economic criminals are also very lenient.
If you get caught by a fraudster even once, there’s a risk of losing a large sum of money all at once.
Kang Dae-oh showed a rather unenthusiastic reaction.
Then Min Seung-yeon said with a reassuring nuance.
“That unnie is trustworthy. She’s also very capable.”
“……Really?”
Even after Min Seung-yeon spoke several times, Kang Dae-oh’s anxiety was not resolved.
At that moment, Kang Yeyoung opened her mouth.
“It’s okay, Appa. You don’t have to worry.”
Not only Kang Yeyoung but also Kang Yebin nodded.
Kang Yebin and Kang Yeyoung had lived with their mother continuously before returning.
Kang Dae-oh, just in case, asked his two daughters.
“Did your mom ever do business before?”
“Yes.”
“Really? I didn’t know that.”
“It went incredibly well, much better than expected. The person she worked with back then is the same person who’s trying to partner with Mom now.”
“So, that means there’s no chance of her being betrayed, right?”
“That’s right. Yeyoung and I also saw her occasionally, and she was a kind and good person.”
Upon hearing from his two daughters, who had returned, that she was already a verified person, Kang Dae-oh’s anxiety vanished instantly.
If it were someone else’s words, perhaps not.
But his daughters’ words were unconditionally worth listening to.
Because they were speaking based on what they had seen, heard, and experienced firsthand in the future.
Kang Dae-oh himself was able to reach his current position thanks to his daughters’ advice.
“Then what kind of work will you be doing there from now on?”
“I’ll be designing clothes, and I’ll continue to do fitting model work like now. That’s how it’ll be. We’ve talked about it, and once I’m a co-CEO and publicly announce that I’m doing this business, that unnie will take care of everything else, including the practical work.”
Dividing their roles clearly from the start was a good choice.
When Kang Dae-oh was contemplating what to choose at the crossroads of dream and reality.
Min Seung-yeon was the one who supported his dream more enthusiastically than anyone else.
Now, it was Kang Dae-oh’s turn to support her dream.
“Okay. If there’s anything I can help with, tell me anytime.”
“Thank you, yeobo.”
Although a huge discussion came up in the middle, Min Seung-yeon reaffirmed her intention to participate in the event with Kang Dae-oh.
“What about you girls?”
Kang Dae-oh also asked his daughters if they would go with him.
Kang Yebin and Kang Yeyoung were okay with it.
Kang Yera was a no.
“I’m sorry. Around that time, I’ll probably be in the middle of album promotions with my new song, so I don’t think I can go.”
“Now that you mention it, you did say a new album was coming out soon, didn’t you?”
“Yes. My 3rd full-length album.”
Kang Yera, who had been officially active as a singer since elementary school.
It felt like just yesterday.
Now, Kang Yera had grown enough to wear a high school uniform.
This album was particularly important for Kang Yera.
Because.
“The possibility of my solo concert will be decided based on its performance.”
At the mention of a solo concert, Kang Yebin silently looked at her unnie.
On the other hand, Kang Yeyoung cast an envious glance.
“That’s great, unnie. Isn’t this your first solo concert?”
“It is my first.”
“You won’t get nervous and make mistakes on stage, will you?”
“If I did, it would be a disaster, wouldn’t it?”
Kang Yera laughed and playfully responded to her youngest sister’s words.
In contrast, Kang Yebin reacted to the solo concert with a very serious demeanor.
“Go and do well. Because it’s your first solo concert.”
“Well, it’s not even confirmed yet. I’ll just have to work hard first.”
“Unnie, holding a solo concert has been your dream since way back. Since that dream is right before your eyes, you have to do well so you don’t have any regrets.”
Unlike Kang Yebin and Kang Yeyoung, who had achieved some success in their respective fields before returning.
Kang Yera had returned without ever properly realizing her dream.
Perhaps that’s why.
Kang Yebin seemed to care more about her unnie’s unfulfilled dream than Kang Yera herself.
Because she liked her unnie.
Everyone present knew that she was doing it because she was worried about her unnie.
Kang Yera placed her hand on top of Kang Yebin’s head.
Then she began to affectionately stroke her head.
“W-what, suddenly.”
As Kang Yebin became greatly flustered, Kang Yera smiled sweetly.
“Because I thought, ‘As expected, there’s no one like my dongsaeng.’”
“……Don’t take it seriously. Just get angry like you usually do instead. It’s embarrassing.”
“Well, what’s wrong with it? Sometimes this is nice too, isn’t it?”
“……”
Perhaps her unnie stroking her head was somewhat pleasant, as Kang Yebin grumbled but didn’t try to avoid her unnie’s touch.
Watching the affectionate sight of his daughters, Kang Dae-oh felt that this family meal became even richer and happier.
Kang Dae-oh, along with his wife and his second and third daughters, traveled by car to the venue to attend the food service industry event that Executive Director Yoo In-seok had mentioned.
After a brief greeting with Executive Director Yoo In-seok, who had arrived earlier.
They immediately headed into the venue.
As soon as he saw them, CEO Do Sang-ho, dressed neatly in a suit, welcomed Kang Dae-oh.
“Dae-oh! Oh my, your wife is here too.”
“Hello, CEO. I’ve heard a lot from my husband. He said you take great care of him, whether on broadcast or in private settings.”
At Min Seung-yeon’s words, Do Sang-ho showed an awkward smile.
“No, not at all. Dae-oh is a dongsaeng I personally like. Rather, I always feel sorry that I couldn’t take care of him more. Oh, that’s right. Yeobo! Come and say hello to his wife.”
CEO Do Sang-ho also seemed to have come here with his wife, as they introduced each other.
Subsequently, Kang Yebin and Kang Yeyoung also met CEO Do Sang-ho and his wife and exchanged greetings.
Starting with Do Sang-ho, they continued their conversations, exchanging names with figures from the food service industry one by one.
After about 30 minutes of that.
Min Seung-yeon, who had finally sat down, massaged her legs and said.
“My face feels like it’s going to be paralyzed from smiling so much.”
“Meeting people is always tiring, you know. If you start a company later, it’ll be like this all the time, so think of it as adapting in advance and practice a lot.”
At Kang Dae-oh’s sincere advice, Min Seung-yeon fell into a brief moment of contemplation.
“Should I contact unnie and just tell her not to do it……”
“Uh-uh. You can’t do that.”
“It’s a joke, a joke.”
She was his wife whom he had lived with for many years, but…
Sometimes, whenever he saw her complaining like this, she looked like a child in Kang Dae-oh’s eyes.
‘Still a long way to go.’
Nevertheless, Kang Dae-oh found his wife’s efforts admirable and lovely.
