Chapter 26: Daeha Securities (3)

July 1st, 1987.

South Korea was ablaze following President Jeon D00hwan’s June 29th declaration; everyone’s attention was fixated on political issues.

I, however, was in a dimly lit room deep within Daeha Securities, plotting and gleefully laughing.

“Sihyeon, isn’t this fun?”

“…What do you mean?”

She seems to barely understand, diligently taking notes.

“Just… hmm, plotting in a dark room?”

“Is that your hobby…?”

She looks at me incredulously. I shrug.

“Something like that.”

I enjoy this, mastermind games.

Childish, but fun. Seeing the world dance to my tune would be intoxicating.

I’m inherently power-addicted.

Lee Sihyeon organizes some documents and asks.

“You’re doing this now, not by chance, right?”

“You’re perceptive. Chaos makes embezzlement easier.”

Transferring funds from Korea to the US legally is difficult.

I’ve operated within the law until now, so the US side is fine, but the Korean side is problematic. Illegal transfers from Korea make it illegal in the US.

Government approval is necessary.

Bribing officials solves both problems. I can’t miss this opportunity.

“…I should do this, right?”

“Yes. That’s why secretaries exist.”

I smile, relying on her efforts.

“Haa… I didn’t expect this… I thought I’d just be a nanny. Now, I’m… ugh… this kind of person.”

Lee Sihyeon looks at her hands, sighing.

“Don’t worry, I’ll pay well. You won’t have to do these tasks later; enjoy it now.”

Lee Sihyeon is my first confidante. She needs to be valued, but I can’t keep her doing menial tasks forever.

“…Ugh, your expectations are too high. If we’re caught, we’ll die, right? Will I end up buried in some mountain, silenced?”

“Not if you’re loyal. Ah… if you make a mistake, I’ll have to eliminate you…”

Lee Sihyeon shakes her head, horrified.

“Haa, that’s harsh.”

It won’t come to that. I’m not doing anything extremely illegal…

But it’s fun to tease her.

“Hmm, I trust you’ll take care of yourself. I’ll take care of your siblings.”

I whisper, smiling mysteriously. Lee Sihyeon shivers.

“…If I fail, I’ll be… killed?”

“Probably. You’ll avoid torture, so it’s not all bad.”

“That’s disappointing. You’re too cold.”

“I’ll cry at your funeral. I still have tears left.”

“After eating that Shin Ramyun, you cried your eyes out. Remember…?”

Lee Sihyeon chuckles, stretching.

She’s not panicking; that’s fortunate.

“You’ll learn.”

This is something she must do alone; she cannot rely on the secretary’s office.

Lee Sihyeon has shown vulnerability; I’m worried.

Is my first secretary ready to get her hands dirty?

“Yes. Just tell me what to do, Miss.”

She nods decisively.

***

I glance at the calendar.

July 1st, 1987…

1987 is approaching.

There’s another reason I haven’t told them. Why now…

‘Black Monday.’

Any financial professional wouldn’t miss this. This is my US starting point.

Black Monday… October 19, 1987. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted 508 points in a single day.

That’s 22.6%! Even the Great Depression didn’t see such a drastic daily drop.

The cause remains unclear. Everyone panicked.

But it was influenced by the newly computerized stock market. Real-time trading led to rapid panic.

Normally, people would meet, rumors would spread, then trading would occur…

Technology accelerated the process. The market drop was obvious, and automated trading systems exacerbated it.

Systems that automatically sold below a certain level. Panic selling was inevitable.

Policies changed afterwards to prevent such rapid crashes—circuit breakers, etc.

It’s like temporarily unplugging a computer to cool it down. “You’re panicking; take a break.”

But, I said it was Black Monday. These measures didn’t exist then.

Black Monday… a short-selling opportunity…

With minimal capital, I can start a hedge fund.

A few days later.

I find Ha Jusung at Daeha Securities. But this time, we’re joined by a third person.

“This is… the person who’ll manage our… fund.”

I’m still a minor. I need a proxy.

And this proxy must be trustworthy.

“Yes, my name is Ha Youngil. I’ve heard a lot about you, Miss.”

A tall, handsome young man bows. Tall, good-looking… physically suitable…

“But… hmm, your last name… it’s familiar…”

Could it be?

I look at Ha Jusung, who proudly pats the young man’s shoulder.

“My son. He’s a US citizen, born while I was working there. Ivy League graduate.”

“…”

He meets my requirements: capable of operating in the US, and with financial knowledge, being Ha Jusung’s son…

His Korean origin? Wall Street prioritizes results. George Soros was a Hungarian immigrant.

His Korean origin could be advantageous in the 1990s.

Korea is not a backward country. After Japan’s bubble burst, Korea would experience rapid growth.

Korea’s proximity to Japan and China leads to self-deprecation, but Wall Street considered Korea important in the 80s. Plenty to exploit.

The financial market was primitive, yet Korea had a leading semiconductor company? It’s seen as easy prey.

And he’s the son of an executive. He can leverage local connections.

This will work.

And…

He’s incredibly trustworthy. We’re naturally bound by fate, without formal contracts.

Blood ties are paramount.

I suddenly understand the prevalence of family-run chaebols. There’s no alternative.

“How old are you?”

“23 years old.”

Hmm, three years younger than Sihyeon… Twenty-three…

Is this right?

I glance at Ha Jusung, who smiles smoothly.

“Well… you’re ten years old, Miss.”

That’s… true…

While Wall Street prioritizes ability over age and experience, Nick Leeson, who brought down Barings Bank, was 28…

Hmm…

I don’t care.

Twenty-three years old, Ha Youngil: approved!

Good. You’ll become a Wall Street legend.

***

On the way home, Lee Sihyeon whispers.

“My siblings will be adults soon.”

“…So?”

“Well… there are trustworthy people…”

Hmm, should I hear their names?

“Who? I only heard about your siblings; I don’t know their names. Two, right?”

“Ah, the boy is Siwoo, the girl is Sia. Twins.”

Damn it.

My biggest enemy is right here. Et tu, Brute?

“Rejected. Tell them to change their names.”

“Why? Why?”

I just don’t like their names.