Chapter 181
Incheon International Airport.
Inside the airline’s VIP lounge.
“Wow, first class really is something else.”
“Dedicated VIP counters, a private lounge...”
Executive Director Baek Seonghan kept letting out exclamations of admiration as he sat with the rest of the group in front of food prepared at the level of a five-star hotel.
“Don’t eat too much.”
“They’ll serve an in-flight meal too.”
I smiled at Baek Seonghan, grabbed two cups of coffee, and walked over to Han Taesung, who was sitting by the window.
Joining Han Taesung and me on this trip to the United States were Executive Director Baek Seonghan, a lawyer from Hanshin Media’s legal team, the head of the Strategic Planning Office, and the head of Mega Cinema’s Operations Management Team.
Quantum had proposed that Hanshin Media continue managing Mega Cinema on a consignment basis until Quantum could establish its own personnel and management systems.
Han Taesung had readily agreed.
So Han Taesung and I had assembled a task force to handle the practical work involved in the outsourced management arrangement, and they were accompanying us to the United States.
“CEO Han, coffee.”
Han Taesung, who had been silently watching planes move across the runway through the floor-to-ceiling window, turned toward me and smiled.
“Ah, thanks.”
I sat beside him.
“Now all that’s left is the signature.”
“Yeah.”
“A lot happened along the way, but it’s finally coming to an end.”
Countless emotions crossed Han Taesung’s face as the events of the past seemed to flash through his mind.
He took a sip of the coffee I handed him, then continued.
“I know this probably sounds repetitive by now, but if it hadn’t been for you, we never would’ve pulled this off either.”
“No.”
“I just did what I needed to do.”
“And this isn’t the end.”
“The really important part is what we do after the sale.”
Han Taesung laughed as though there was no stopping me.
“You really never rest for even a moment, do you? Hahaha.”
It had taken us a full year and a half to make this sale happen.
But all of it had been groundwork for the coming age of OTT.
Han Taesung understood better than anyone what I meant when I said this sale wasn’t an ending, but a new beginning.
For a while, we simply stared through the window in silence.
The sight of a massive airplane dragging its heavy body down the runway before rising into the sky was magnificent in itself.
And just like that plane...
We too were preparing to take off.
We arrived at San Francisco International Airport at two in the afternoon, local time.
The fatigue from the long flight still lingered in my body.
But the moment I stepped off the plane, tension pushed the exhaustion aside.
After clearing immigration and reaching the arrivals gate, I spotted a familiar face waving energetically toward me.
“Director Min! CEO Han!”
It was Ha Sangdo, along with Frank, Quantum’s Head of Asia.
“Hyung, you came out too?”
Ha Sangdo and I greeted each other with a warm hug.
“Of course I had to come pick you up. Hahaha.”
While I was greeting Ha Sangdo, Han Taesung and Frank were exchanging greetings of their own.
“CEO Han, you must be exhausted after such a long journey.”
“Not at all.”
“Oh, are these the task-force members you said would be coming with you?”
I quickly introduced everyone to Frank.
“Yes.”
“They’re the TF staff who will be handling the practical work related to Mega Cinema’s outsourced management.”
“I see.”
“Let’s talk on the way.”
“The car is waiting outside.”
When we stepped out of the airport, California’s clear, pleasant weather welcomed us.
And waiting nearby was the kind of long limousine I had only ever seen in movies.
“Wow.”
“Now this is America.”
“The scale really is different.”
Baek Seonghan and the others stared with wide eyes.
“All right, everyone.”
“Let’s head to the hotel first.”
At Ha Sangdo’s words, a driver who appeared to be Hispanic quickly loaded our luggage into the trunk.
The interior of the limousine was spacious enough for all eight of us, with room to spare.
It even had a mini refrigerator and a bar.
Ha Sangdo and Frank poured champagne that had already been chilling in an ice bucket and handed glasses around.
“You’ve all had a long trip.”
“Vice President Richard is looking forward to this too.”
“He keeps saying, ‘It’s finally over.’ Hahaha.”
Frank laughed with obvious relief.
Han Taesung smiled in response.
“Our Director Min told me something.”
“He said this isn’t the end.”
“It’s the beginning.”
“Ha.”
Ha Sangdo laughed.
“That really does sound like Director Min.”
“I already thought he was unusual when I first met him at Cannes. Hahaha.”
I smiled awkwardly at the three of them, then quickly changed the subject.
“By the way, what time are we visiting headquarters tomorrow?”
Frank answered.
“Five in the afternoon.”
“After the final signing ceremony, there’ll be a small closing dinner with Quantum executives.”
“And as we mentioned by email, the practical meetings regarding outsourced management will begin the following day and continue for about three days.”
Everyone nodded.
“Oh, come to think of it, I haven’t properly greeted the TF members yet.”
As Frank introduced himself to each person one by one and we discussed the next day’s schedule, the limousine arrived at our hotel in downtown San Francisco.
“Please get plenty of rest tonight.”
“Thank you so much for coming all the way out to pick us up.”
“Not at all.”
“We’ll send a car at the appropriate time tomorrow.”
After escorting us to the hotel, Ha Sangdo and Frank left, promising to send transportation for us the next day.
After resting briefly in our respective rooms, we met at the hotel restaurant at six in the evening and had dinner together.
“What’s everyone doing after we eat?”
Baek Seonghan looked around the table.
“If you’re not too tired, should we walk around downtown a little?”
The others immediately chimed in excitedly.
“Sounds good.”
“I checked tourist spots online, and the Golden Gate Bridge isn’t too far from the hotel.”
“I can see the Golden Gate Bridge from my room.”
“Attorney Park, you can’t see it from yours?”
“Really?”
“I guess my room faces the opposite direction, so I don’t have the bridge view.”
I waited until the conversation died down before speaking.
“I think I’ll just stay at the hotel.”
“I barely slept before we left because I was sorting out a bunch of things.”
“Really?”
“Then do that.”
