Episode 52. Investment (6)
As soon as Kang Dae-oh heard the words ‘senior cafe’, his mind became very complicated.
It was because an unexpected item had popped up.
And coincidentally.
‘His idea is similar to mine?’
At one point, Kang Dae-oh had also thought about perhaps setting up a senior-concept store for the elderly.
It was because one day two years ago, he had seen elderly people sitting at an outdoor convenience store table on a cold day, talking to each other.
Concerned by this, Kang Dae-oh had once guided the elderly people to Amare, which was nearby.
The elderly people, unaware that such a warm place existed where they could enjoy a cup of coffee and chat freely, repeatedly expressed their gratitude to Kang Dae-oh.
For the elderly, the concept of a cafe was strongly associated with the image of a ‘dabang’ (traditional Korean cafe) from old times.
However, the image of cafes today has changed significantly from back then.
They can be a space for healing, and sometimes they are used as a place to focus on studies or work.
The elderly still hadn’t fully grasped how much things had changed since those days.
Thanks to them, Kang Dae-oh had seriously considered a senior cafe.
Although he hadn’t been able to push it forward because he was currently focused on expanding Amare.
Still, Kang Dae-oh had the will to turn his idea into reality someday if the opportunity arose.
With Choi Bok-hyun suddenly mentioning a senior cafe in this situation, many thoughts couldn’t help but cross his mind.
“Instead of things like kiosks, we plan to have separate staff to take orders so that seniors like me can order comfortably. It won’t just end with taking drink orders and serving them; we’re also planning to have staff talk to lonely elderly people when needed, or even conduct basic health tests, similar to the role of a social worker. We’re drawing up a plan like that.”
These were details, if one were to call them that.
Although his speaking speed was significantly slower compared to the other young participants, he was able to clearly convey the core of what he was envisioning to the judges.
Even if his vigor, energy, and vitality were lacking compared to the younger participants.
‘You can’t ignore the experience he’s accumulated.’
Kang Dae-oh inwardly admired the inexplicable composure he felt from participant Choi Bok-hyun multiple times.
It was like seeing a hidden master, perhaps.
‘I have a good feeling about this?’
Kang Dae-oh decided to firmly engrave the three-character name, Choi Bok-hyun, in his mind.
After participant Choi Bok-hyun’s brief explanation ended.
Kang Yeyoung handed the microphone to the judges.
“First…”
The moment Kang Yeyoung was about to pass the first turn to Kang Dae-oh.
Kang Dae-oh took the microphone and said.
“I’ll speak last.”
It would be a waste to reveal the highlight from the beginning.
So, Kang Dae-oh deliberately postponed his turn.
Kang Yeyoung, seemingly agreeing with Kang Dae-oh’s idea, gave a short nod and temporarily changed the order.
The judges revealed their thoughts in turn.
Most of them gave evaluations like ‘not bad, it’s good’.
Oh Myung-woon also praised participant Choi Bok-hyun’s idea, saying it was unexpectedly good.
“To be honest… I’m very sorry to the elder, but I didn’t really have high expectations. But I was very surprised because the idea seems better than I thought.”
Despite the continuous praise, participant Choi Bok-hyun didn’t show unrestrained joy.
This was because he hadn’t yet heard the thoughts of the person who would give the practical evaluation.
Kang Dae-oh, who was receiving everyone’s attention, finally raised the microphone again.
“Perhaps because cafe startups are popular these days, my area of expertise comes up a lot.”
Laughter erupted not only among the participants but also among the cast members.
Kang Dae-oh lightened the mood with a casual joke.
Now begins what he truly wanted to say.
“I too had the same thought as CEO Oh Myung-woon. However, participant Choi Bok-hyun completely shattered my preconceptions through his brief 2-minute briefing.”
Breaking someone’s preconceptions is no ordinary feat.
Choi Bok-hyun, who is elderly, managed to achieve that difficult task.
Kang Dae-oh expressed considerable surprise regarding this point.
However, on the other hand, he thought it might have been precisely because he was Choi Bok-hyun that he could come up with such an idea.
Because.
He knew well what the difficulties were and how to solve them, having experienced them firsthand.
“Personally, participant Choi Bok-hyun’s idea is so good that I’m even tempted by it.”
There had never been a case where Kang Dae-oh praised something so highly.
Perhaps because of that, not only the participants but even Kang Yeyoung showed a surprised reaction.
Meanwhile, it was only after hearing such praise from Kang Dae-oh that a smile finally spread across participant Choi Bok-hyun’s face.
A major reversal unfolded in Group 1.
Perhaps because an interesting production emerged.
A blossoming smile appeared on PD Kwak Jong-soo’s face.
After finishing the first filming, Kang Dae-oh exchanged brief greetings with the staff with a tired expression.
PD Kwak Jong-soo clasped Kang Dae-oh’s hand and said.
“You really worked hard today, CEO. You played the role of a masterpiece creator very effectively, didn’t you?”
“Oh, really? I’m glad I was helpful.”
“It wasn’t just helpful. Today’s recording wouldn’t have even proceeded if you weren’t here, CEO!”
Just as Kang Dae-oh had praised participant Choi Bok-hyun, PD Kwak Jong-soo also showered Kang Dae-oh with high praise.
Perhaps not expecting PD Kwak to praise him so much, Kang Dae-oh showed an awkward reaction.
In addition, Kang Yeyoung also gave unstinting praise for Kang Dae-oh’s broadcasting abilities.
“Appa, you could distribute the practical work to other executives and turn broadcasting into your full-time job, you know? Especially when judging elder Choi Bok-hyun, changing the order was a truly excellent choice.”
Originally, the script had Kang Dae-oh going first.
However, Kang Dae-oh spontaneously suggested changing the order based on his own judgment.
It was because he thought it would make the broadcast more entertaining.
Of course, they wouldn’t know the result until it aired.
Kang Yeyoung believed Kang Dae-oh’s judgment was correct.
If Kang Yeyoung had been in Kang Dae-oh’s position, she would have made the same request.
Despite Kang Yeyoung’s suggestion, Kang Dae-oh shook his head.
“Still, I should work harder on the business side than on broadcasting.”
Kang Yeyoung hadn’t said it seriously either.
It merely indicated how well Kang Dae-oh had performed in today’s filming.
Overwhelmed by the torrent of praise from all sides, Kang Dae-oh didn’t know what to do.
After exchanging brief greetings with all the staff, Kang Dae-oh, just in case, asked about the whereabouts of the participants.
“Have all the participants gone home?”
“No. They’re probably cleaning up now. Why?”
“Because I have something I want to say. Not to those who passed, but to those who were eliminated.”
Anyway, those who passed today would see each other again at the next filming.
So, Kang Dae-oh moved his steps toward where the eliminated participants were, instead of the others.
As Kang Dae-oh appeared, the eyes of the participants who had tasted the bitter cup of elimination focused on him.
Kang Dae-oh raised his voice towards them.
“I have something I really want to tell all of you. Even though you were eliminated today, please don’t ever be discouraged. Starting a business is a continuous series of failures. And at the end of it, as long as you don’t give up, success always awaits. So, never give up. Even if you do give up, it’s best to do so after you’ve tried everything you wanted to do. That way, you won’t have any regrets left. Understood?”
“Yes, CEO!”
“Thank you!”
When they received the elimination judgment on stage, there were times they resented Kang Dae-oh.
But there was no one else who cared for the eliminated participants until the very end like Kang Dae-oh.
Perhaps because of this, the participants couldn’t hate Kang Dae-oh.
Engraving his advice deep in their hearts.
The eliminated participants decided to view today’s filming not as a failure, but as another opportunity to challenge themselves.
Returning home, Kang Dae-oh had a rare family dinner together with his family.
The main topic of conversation was the story of the first ‘In Future’ recording, in which Kang Dae-oh and Kang Yeyoung had appeared together.
Kang Yeyoung pointed at Kang Dae-oh and said.
“Appa, I’m telling you, you’ve become a complete broadcaster!”
“I know. You could really switch to broadcasting full-time.”
“Appa. How about coming to our agency this time?”
Kang Dae-oh had to express his refusal to his daughters’ numerous suggestions again today.
“As I told Yeyoung earlier, Appa likes his current position best.”
For every person, there’s a fitting ‘garment’.
For Kang Dae-oh now, the fitting ‘garment’ is business, not broadcasting.
Since he didn’t particularly covet broadcasting, he simply brushed off his daughters’ praises.
More than that, Kang Dae-oh had someone on his mind from today’s recording.
“There’s a person named Choi Bok-hyun. He talked about a good business idea today. So, I have something I want to ask you all.”
Kang Dae-oh had something he wanted to confirm with his daughters, who were regressed.
“By any chance, in the future you know, did senior cafes ever become popular?”
The three daughters looked at each other.
The first to speak was Kang Yera.
“I don’t know.”
Following her, Kang Yebin also shook her head.
“I’m not sure about the period after I regressed to the past. But at least when I was active as an actress, senior cafes don’t seem to have been popular.”
“Hmm, really?”
Kang Dae-oh finally looked at Kang Yeyoung.
He hadn’t heard her answer directly yet.
But Kang Dae-oh felt he knew what Kang Yeyoung would say.
“I’m the same as unnies.”
Indeed. It was as he expected.
If Kang Yeyoung had known that senior cafes would become popular in the future, she would have certainly told Kang Dae-oh this.
That Kang Dae-oh should seize participant Choi Bok-hyun’s idea.
Whether investing in Choi Bok-hyun, or Kang Dae-oh bringing Choi Bok-hyun to Amare to launch a new senior cafe brand.
She wouldn’t have held back any advice in any form.
Despite this, Kang Yeyoung didn’t act this way.
Why?
Because Kang Yeyoung also didn’t know whether the senior cafe would succeed or not.
It wasn’t a business idea with guaranteed success.
Nevertheless, Kang Dae-oh kept thinking about Choi Bok-hyun’s senior cafe.
The time had come to make a decision.
‘After all, business inherently involves taking on risks.’
Kang Dae-oh nodded and first informed his daughters and wife of his thoughts.
“I need to bring elder Choi Bok-hyun in.”
Even before the broadcast aired, Kang Dae-oh had already made up his mind.
