Articles about me, newly appointed as the head of Dreamhigh Investment’s Korean branch, appeared in Koryeo Daily and the major newspapers.
It wasn’t enough to take up the front page, but every paper covered it in considerable depth.
The day after the inauguration ceremony.
I conducted an exclusive interview with Koryeo Daily.
Since I had already decided to reveal myself publicly, it was better to firmly imprint my presence for the future.
“It’s been a while, President Kim Muhyuk. Ah, should we be calling you Branch Manager now?”
The people who visited Dreamhigh’s Korean branch for the interview were reporters I already knew personally.
“Call me whatever is comfortable. What matters isn’t the title. It’s the person.”
The questionnaire had already been coordinated in advance.
The oldest reporter opened the conversation with an easygoing smile.
“Thank you for giving Koryeo Daily your first interview.”
“Not at all. It’ll probably be both my first and last interview, so if it wasn’t with Korea’s number one newspaper, Koryeo Daily, then who else would I do it with? Frankly, having your name constantly mentioned in the media isn’t exactly a good thing, so I’ll probably refrain from interviews in the future.”
“Then that makes it even more of an honor. We’ll do our very best with this interview, Branch Manager.”
After loosening up the atmosphere with some light small talk, the interview officially began.
“Hello, Branch Manager Kim Muhyuk. Congratulations on your appointment as the head of Dreamhigh Investment’s Korean branch. Thank you for agreeing to this interview today.”
“It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for inviting me. I feel a great deal of expectation and responsibility regarding the new role I’ve been given.”
“First of all, there’s something we simply have to ask about. Shall we start with the story of how your name first appeared in the media as the perfect scorer on the CSAT?”
The first question was about my perfect score on the college entrance exam.
It was only natural. That was the easiest information to find when searching my name.
“How do you remember that time? You’re remembered as the first perfect scorer after the transition from the old academic aptitude exam to the College Scholastic Ability Test. And I believe your legendary comment, ‘Studying was the easiest thing,’ earned you years of resentment from students across the country.”
A faint smile spread across my face at the reporter’s words.
“Looking back on it now, I think it was just youthful bravado.”
“So are you retracting your statement that studying was the easiest thing?”
“No. I still think so. Studying really is the easiest thing.”
The reporter waited for me to elaborate.
“When I was attending university and preparing for the bar exam, life was still easier than when I started preparing for business after graduation. Students probably don’t realize it yet because they’re still young. Society is the wilderness. The moment you graduate, the fence called school stops protecting you. So to all the students and exam takers across the country—study while you can still do it with peace of mind.”
“That sounds like the kind of statement that could spark controversy all over again.”
“I can’t exactly lie. I wandered a lot when I was younger too. The moment I truly started enjoying studying was...”
I deliberately spent quite a long time talking about my school days.
The story of a troublemaker who did nothing but fight instead of study eventually getting his act together, earning a perfect CSAT score, and entering Korea National University’s law department as the top student.
After all, it was the kind of story that gave people hope—a dragon rising from a stream.
“I heard that Centrist Party Floor Leader Lee Myungsoo was your classmate in Korea National University’s law department.”
“Yes, that’s right. To me, before he’s a National Assembly member, he’s just a hometown friend I went to middle school and high school with.”
“Are you still in contact?”
“Of course. No matter what position Lee Myungsoo holds, that doesn’t change the fact that he’s my friend.”
“Could you share an episode about him?”
“Was it our second year of middle school? Back then, Lee Myungsoo was a very timid kid. He got picked on a lot.”
I intentionally brought up one of the more provocative stories involving Myungsoo.
Up until now, it hadn’t caused any problems, but going forward, it would probably become one of the biggest controversies.
“So Assemblyman Lee Myungsoo was a victim of school violence? That’s surprising.”
“At the time, people didn’t even really have the concept of school violence, so he probably didn’t think of it that way either.”
“Still, what’s more surprising is that you stood up for your friend so boldly.”
“Because that was the only thing I could do. I think that’s when Lee Myungsoo and I truly became lifelong friends. And...”
I talked about the hardships of my childhood family situation and added that Myungsoo had helped me financially back then.
Once the personal questions ended, the conversation finally shifted to Dreamhigh Investment itself.
“One of the things many people are curious about is how exactly you came to hold such an important position. Do you have a special connection with Dreamhigh Investment?”
It was the question everyone was most curious about—and the one they found the most suspicious.
“In truth, I’ve had a very long-standing relationship with Dreamhigh Investment. I was one of the key early investors who provided the company’s initial capital. At the time, I believed in Dreamhigh’s vision and potential, and seeing that become reality has been extremely rewarding.”
“So you were one of Dreamhigh Investment’s investors?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
“Considering your age at the time, that’s rather astonishing. Weren’t you barely twenty years old? How did you end up investing in Dreamhigh?”
This was the most important part.
It was, after all, the explanation for where my wealth came from.
“Earlier, I mentioned that my family circumstances weren’t very good when I was young, right?”
“Yes. You said Assemblyman Lee Myungsoo helped you quite a bit.”
“My grandmother and I lived together in poverty, and then one day, I learned that I had a maternal grandfather.”
I calmly began telling the story of my grandfather.
“If you mean Chairman Cheon Taesan, then I’ve heard of him as well. He was known as one of the biggest figures in Myeongdong’s private lending market. So you were his successor, Branch Manager Kim Muhyuk.”
The term “loan shark” could leave readers with a negative impression.
I felt my expression stiffen slightly.
Forcing a warm smile onto my face, one that made me seem approachable, I continued.
“I understand that the term private lending carries negative connotations. So after inheriting my grandfather’s business...”
I explained how I inherited my grandfather’s business and contributed to the economy, carefully trying to erase the negative image as much as possible.
“I see. Still, it’s hard to understand how you were able to invest in Dreamhigh.”
“I met Representative Han Kyungyeong while he was still in Korea. At the time, he was a man with incredible talent who simply hadn’t gotten his chance yet.”
I modified the story of my encounter with Han Kyungyeong somewhat as I told it.
After all, I couldn’t exactly say that the future head of a world-class investment firm had once tried to jump out a window because he couldn’t pay off a relatively small debt.
“I made the investment purely based on Representative Han Kyungyeong’s abilities.”
“How did you move from being an early investor into this new role as head of the Korean branch?”
“I suppose my case is somewhat unique. My relationship with Dreamhigh evolved beyond simple financial support into deep involvement with the company’s growth and strategic direction. My expertise in finance and law, as well as my understanding of global markets, played an important role during the company’s early growth stages.”
The reporter let out admiring reactions every now and then as he focused intently on my story.
“Based on that background and my insight into the Korean market, after extensive discussions with the company’s executives, I took on the new challenge of leading the Korean branch.”
“So not only did you invest in Dreamhigh, but you were also deeply involved in management?”
“That’s correct. However, all final decisions were made by Representative Han Kyungyeong. You can think of my role as merely offering advice.”
After that, the reporters continued asking in-depth questions about Han Kyungyeong and Dreamhigh.
Naturally, questions about other influential figures couldn’t be avoided either.
“One of the most eye-catching moments at the inauguration ceremony was your mention that Russia’s Medvedev and Shanghai Clique Secretary Bo Xilai were your friends. The fact that both men attended the inauguration personally drew enormous attention. How do you think these international connections will influence your new role?”
“It’s truly an honor. At this point in time, Medvedev is one of Russia’s most influential politicians, and Bo Xilai also holds a significant position in China. My relationship with them goes beyond personal friendship—it presents opportunities to positively influence economic cooperation between Korea, Russia, and China.”
Medvedev and Bo Xilai.
The fact that those two figures attended the inauguration ceremony of an investment company’s Korean branch manager was highly unusual.
Internet communities were already exploding with heated arguments over the matter.
“How exactly did you become connected with those two?”
With a gentle smile, I began to speak.
Leaving out what needed to be omitted and embellishing what needed embellishing, I explained how I formed relationships with the two men.
“Building such a network seems like a very strategic move. What concrete benefits could these relationships bring?”
“Through these connections, we gain a broader business perspective and access to global markets. Figures like Medvedev and Bo Xilai play crucial roles in their respective countries, and that greatly helps our company deepen its understanding of the Russian and Chinese markets while exploring business opportunities there.”
At first glance, it sounded similar to what I had said earlier, but there was a subtle difference.
I needed to emphasize that my personal connections could benefit not just Dreamhigh, but South Korea as well.
“Furthermore, international connections play an important role in enhancing our company’s credibility and reputation. These relationships place both our company and Korean businesses in a favorable position when entering the Russian and Chinese markets. For example, opportunities for cooperation in areas such as trade agreements, joint ventures, and technological exchange will expand significantly.”
The interview was gradually approaching its conclusion.
The camera flashes that had gone off constantly throughout the session began to die down.
“Lastly, could you tell us about the future vision for Dreamhigh Investment’s Korean branch?”
“Dreamhigh Investment’s Korean branch will focus on discovering innovative and sustainable investment opportunities within the Korean market. In particular, we aim to support startups and small-to-medium enterprises so they can become competitive even on the global stage.”
I explained the direction Dreamhigh Korea should pursue.
When even the final prepared question had ended, the reporter checked the questionnaire and recorder before asking:
“That concludes all the prepared questions. Is there anything else you’d like to say?”
“I recently made a major personal decision. I will donate 500 billion won of my personal assets to establish the ‘Myeongdong Scholarship Foundation.’ Through this foundation, I want to expand educational opportunities for students facing financial hardship by providing scholarships. Furthermore, the foundation won’t stop at scholarship support alone—it will also provide assistance in areas such as educational program development, vocational training, and mentoring.”
“You’re saying you’ll donate 500 billion won to create a scholarship foundation?”
Perhaps because the amount was so enormous, the reporters were visibly shocked.
I nodded and continued speaking.
“The reason I made this decision is because I myself grew up in difficult circumstances. I deeply understand that education is one of the most important keys capable of changing a person’s life. I was fortunate enough to receive help from many people to reach where I am today. Now, I want to return that help to society and help even more people achieve their dreams.”
“That’s truly astonishing.”
The reporters’ eyes widened at this completely unexpected statement.
“Through the Myeongdong Scholarship Foundation, we hope to provide a light of hope to people facing difficult circumstances and help them realize their potential. This is merely the beginning of the foundation, and moving forward, we intend to create positive change through even more social contribution activities.”
Although this hadn’t been discussed in advance, the veteran reporter responded calmly without panicking.
With my final remarks, the interview—which had lasted nearly two hours—finally came to an end.
“Whew. Five hundred billion out of nowhere? You really surprised us.”
“Haha, my apologies. But giving back to society is a good thing, after all.”
“Of course. It’s an admirable decision. Thank you once again for agreeing to the interview. We’ll polish it up nicely and publish the article.”
“I’d appreciate that. Ah, and...”
At my subtle glance, Chief Ma approached and pulled an envelope from inside his jacket.
“It’s not much, but think of it as a little extra so everyone who worked hard today can go out for dinner together.”
“Oh my, you didn’t have to do this.”
The reporter accepted the envelope without hesitation.
Everyone was grinning from ear to ear. The thick envelope seemed to have put them in a very good mood.
“Then once the draft article is finished, we’ll contact you separately.”
After all the reporters left, I loosened my tie and set it on the table.
“This kind of thing is pretty exhausting too.”
“You worked hard, Boss.”
Starting today, there would probably never again be a time when I personally stepped into the media spotlight.
