ICGE 01

Chapter 01

After Service

Ten-year-old Kim Taejun’s birthday was filled with white and black.

In the photo buried among white chrysanthemums, his parents smiled, yet no one smiled along.

“Ah, how pitiful. How could they close their eyes leaving such a young son behind…”

Instead of celebrating Taejun’s birthday, people offered their condolences.

The day before Taejun’s birthday, his parents were returning home after an annual event when they died in a car accident. Because there was also a child in his mother’s womb, three lives were lost.

The driver had crossed the center line and couldn’t avoid a truck coming from the opposite direction. Or rather, in the sudden swerve of the wheel, the driver survived, but Taejun’s parents, seated in the back, died instantly. It was a catastrophe caused by drowsy driving.

Kim Seokwoo, eldest son of K-Group chairman Kim Jaepil and president of K Electronics, and broadcaster Seol Jinhee, a former beauty pageant winner—the tragic news of their deaths became a public sensation. Reporters gathered in front of the funeral hall, some even taking photos inside.

Amid all the commotion, the deceased’s only son, Kim Taejun, conducted himself with remarkable composure at the funeral. On the day his parents passed, he had cried inconsolably, unable to believe it, but in the fast-moving events, he calmed himself step by step. People were astonished at the maturity of a ten-year-old who carried himself with such dignity.

In truth, Taejun’s emotions remained trapped inside.

“Grandfather, what about the man who killed Mom and Dad?”

After the funeral, in the car returning home, Taejun asked Kim Jaepil.

“Is he sentenced to death? Or will he spend his life in prison?”

Jaepil, who had been pressing his lips into a thin line at the unexpected question, finally spoke after a moment.

“I don’t know yet, but it won’t be death, nor life imprisonment. The sentence will probably be one or two years.”

“Why? Mom and Dad are dead!”

Taejun’s eyes blazed with anger. It was the first time he had felt his grandfather, a man who commanded the world through a massive corporation, seem so powerless.

“Grandfather, don’t you feel sorry for Mom and Dad? That man should spend his life in prison. Dad was the president—what about Dad’s company? That man should pay a hundred billion in compensation!”

“We are such people, Taejun.”

Understanding the child’s heart, Jaepil spoke gently. The truth of the world that a child must know. The unacknowledged burdens of those who live as the ruling class.

“When you have a lot, there are times you’ll face unfair treatment. No one will understand our grievances. No matter how much you hate the driver, you can’t just corner him. Even if you wanted to chase him to the ends of hell and make him feel the same, you have to forgive. That’s what social status means.”

“……”

“It may be hard to understand now, but someday, you will.”

“No. Then I’ll give up social status.”

At his grandfather’s rebuke, young Taejun clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

“I’ll just live cursing that man forever.”

When they reached the mansion and the gate opened, Taejun jumped out of the car and ran.

“Taejun!”

“Leave him be.”

Taejun’s aunt, Seokhwa, called out quickly, but Jaepil held her back.

Taejun ran through the mansion’s vast garden. That was the maximum rebellion a child could show.

Taejun knew well that he had more than others, but nothing he had could replace his parents.

Now, his life would be solitary.

Running until he was breathless, he finally reached the staff dormitory. In the tear-blurred scene, a small girl of seven or eight stood, holding a lollipop in one hand and the mansion chef’s hand in the other.

It was the girl he occasionally saw in the mansion’s garden.

Han Soeun. Taejun quickly realized that she was the daughter of the driver who caused the accident.

“Auntie, when is my dad coming? Why isn’t he here yet?”

The child lifted her head innocently and asked. The lollipop sliding between her lips shone like her eyes. Her pale face and short, neatly braided hair…

She sparkled, making her unforgivable.

Kim Seokhwa, president of K Electronics’ Home Appliances Division, waited for her only nephew at a restaurant.

A few minutes after taking her seat, her nephew Taejun appeared.

Her nephew, now thirty years old.

Seeing Taejun from afar, Seokhwa’s eyes revealed pure delight.

Before Taejun greeted his aunt, he first showed courtesy to the waiter.

“Thank you.”

Polite, with a calm, soft, low voice.

Kind in appearance, yet broad-shouldered and tall, giving a reassuring presence.

Sitting down, Taejun spoke to his aunt.

“Sorry. Did you wait long?”

“No. I just got here myself.”

Seokhwa could see no trace of the boyishness in her thirty-year-old nephew. She could barely stop smiling at his growth.

“You get more handsome every time I see you. Truly striking.”

It was a natural reaction to her nephew’s looks. Taejun, as if used to hearing such comments, only stretched his lips slightly.

Soon, appetizers were served.

Even facing the only aunt he had met in a year, Taejun showed no fuss. Strictly instilled manners dictated a quiet meal—no chewing sounds, no clinking cutlery. Seokhwa’s gaze kept returning to him.

With the noble appearance inherited from his parents, Taejun had become a perfect young man, suitable for any setting.

“Anyone chasing after him? Any girlfriend?”

“If he had one, would he have returned to Korea?”

“No girl following him?”

“No way.”

“There should be. Why not?”

“Perhaps his personality is difficult?”

“Right? Otherwise, there’s no reason.”

Taejun let out a small laugh at his aunt’s joke.

“It’s about time for you to marry, Taejun.”

“I’m going to live like you, without marrying.”

“I’m saying you can’t marry? Not that you won’t.”

Seokhwa looked shocked, and Taejun’s gentle laugh widened. Dimples appeared on his cheeks. The sight made Seokhwa think of her brother, who had passed away twenty years ago, tightening her chest. She hid it and continued softly.

“You should have stayed a little longer. Then you would have been assigned to the electronics headquarters.”

Taejun was actually slated to return to Korea a year later, at age thirty-one, to join K Electronics. That he returned a year earlier was surprising.

Except for military service, Taejun had spent most of his adult life abroad. The position offered was Head of K Electronics Service Central Headquarters. Though with a director title, it might have seemed insufficient to a third-generation Ivy League-educated heir.

“Your father went too far. Making the precious grandson the head of a service center? He should have started in the Holding Company’s Strategy Office, receiving applause.”

“No. I told grandfather I wanted to go there myself.”

Seokhwa defended her nephew and complained about Kim Jaepil’s decision, but Taejun denied it immediately.

“You decided yourself? Why?”

“I also need after service.”

Taejun smiled faintly and calmly continued his meal.

Seokhwa grew even more puzzled.

The essence of after service is speed. People coming to the center all have clear objectives, so no time should be wasted.

Yet the service center was always full. Even hurrying through tasks without a bathroom break, the pace of incoming customers could not be surpassed. More work accumulated than could be completed.

Sweat gathered on the bridge of her glasses. Soeun wiped it off roughly with a tissue and returned to work.

After a month-long unpaid leave, she had returned and spent the next month watching her colleagues carefully. Leaving without explanation and returning suddenly naturally caused some resentment.

But she couldn’t reveal the reason.

Fatigue accumulated as her body swelled, yet she couldn’t speak of it. Between sending one customer off and receiving the next, Soeun quickly massaged her legs under the table.

It’s okay. You did well.

You saved a life.

She repeated it to herself silently.

Two months ago, Soeun had removed 65% of her liver to save her boyfriend Yang Heewook’s mother, Kim Malhee.

Eight months into dating, she learned Kim Malhee was battling liver cancer. Heewook confessed with tears. Seeing him, usually strong and gentle, cry so bitterly shocked Soeun.

For Soeun, who had suffered much in her life, the warmth of Heewook’s family felt like sunlight. Kim Malhee had even brought up marriage first, welcoming Soeun warmly and assuring her not to worry about dowry or preparations.

They began marriage preparations and went for medical checkups together. Unaware of which tests were being done, Soeun followed Heewook’s instructions. When results came out, Heewook cried upon seeing them.

“Soeun, it’s good that you’re blood type O. I wish I were O too…”

Only then did Heewook tell Soeun about his mother’s health. Though he wished to donate his liver, blood types did not match, leaving the family in sorrow.

Though liver transplants are possible across blood types, risks remained.

Soeun was found to be a healthy match for Kim Malhee. That night, she could not sleep, knowing she could donate to her future mother-in-law. Organ donation from a non-relative requires proving one’s pure intent and obtaining governmental approval.

Soeun repeatedly met with social workers and prepared thick documents. Heewook helped with paperwork, but Soeun always accompanied him.

Finally, preparations were complete, and Soeun lay on the operating table. She dreamt of her life’s compass suddenly turning.

The surgery succeeded.

Afterward, Soeun woke alone, acutely aware of the lost part of herself through intense pain.

The first to rush in upon hearing she was awake was the nurse.

“Han Soeun, the surgery went well. It was laparoscopic, so the wound isn’t large.”

“And mother? And my guardian…?”

“She’s probably in the patient room. Since the recipient’s condition was more serious, everyone is there.”

It was natural, unavoidable. Yet Soeun felt strangely empty.

Her health remained secondary to Kim Malhee’s recovery. Soeun, though hospitalized herself, had to care for Kim Malhee.

Living in this limbo, preparations for her wedding fell behind. Heewook stayed with Kim Malhee during free time, and Soeun visited her future mother-in-law instead of preparing for her marriage.

Even while accepting this as normal, Soeun could not shake her feelings of disappointment.

After finishing work, Soeun headed straight to the hospital. Although a bus ran from Suwon to Seoul directly, it took considerable time.

On the bus, Soeun resolved:

‘Today, I’ll talk about the wedding. Better to book the venue soon.’

Though she had previously toured venues, nothing had been booked. Medical exams and Kim Malhee’s surgery pushed everything back.

Now, her future mother-in-law was gradually recovering, so wedding preparations could resume.

She would speak kindly to avoid upsetting Kim Malhee. Setting the wedding date would lift her spirits and aid recovery.

Soeun filled her mind with optimism as she approached the room.

Voices could be heard through the door—Kim Malhee and Yang Heewook.

“Choi Hyunji, was it? Same law firm, right?”

“Yes. A colleague lawyer.”

“She’s very polite. Busy, yet she even visited a colleague’s mother in the hospital. Married?”

“No, single.”

“Age?”

“Twenty-seven.”

“Same age as Soeun.”

Kim Malhee’s sigh came through the door.

“She’s so pretty. It’s a shame…”

Soeun let go of the door handle, feeling the sorrow in her future mother-in-law’s voice.

“All around you are smart, beautiful people. Parents alive, good family background.”

“Those with living parents and good families don’t donate livers to our mother.”

Soeun hurriedly covered her mouth, feeling a pang of emptiness.

Kim Malhee continued lamenting.

“I, the mother, am the culprit. I took the liver at the cost of our son’s bright future…”

“Don’t say that. Being sick isn’t a sin, Mother.”

“……”

“Mother, think only good thoughts and focus on recovery.”

Heewook comforted his grieving mother.