Knight Versus Knight (1)
What does it mean to be an unfilial child? There's no need to look far—it's me, the very symbol of an unfilial son.
Ever since I started working at Next Planet, I had never once visited my parents. I didn't even have proper phone calls with them.
My parents, especially my mother, were really hurt, but even if I had ten mouths, I couldn't say anything in my defense.
So today, for the first time in about half a year, I stopped by my parents' home.
Since I came up to the metropolitan area, I had to take care of all my business, so I decided to meet Min Ji-na in the evening.
I planned to buy her a meal since she always gives me the information I need.
Originally, I wanted to see the chairman, but he's currently in India. Lately, Next Global has been going all in on breaking into the Indian market.
I had dinner and a light beer with Min Ji-na. True to form, she was very interested in my work.
Since she no longer works directly with me, it was easier to discuss my concerns about Next Planet with her.
There are certainly worries I can't share with my current main partners, Choi Hyena, Kim Junho, or Lee Yunjung—things I can't reveal to them.
She said,
"Yeah, I bet the theme park sees fewer visitors in the summer. It would help a lot if there was a water park right next door. But that's not the case, right?"
"It would help, sure. But Nonsan isn't exactly a tourist city. Wanting such a facility is asking for too much."
In that regard, I really envy Three Star World in Yong-in, Korea's top theme park.
Three Star World is directly connected to a zoo and water park.
Plus, there are plenty of tourist attractions nearby, like folk villages and various museums.
"By the way, from what I hear, your employees are working really hard alongside you. As their boss, you must feel pretty good about that."
"I do. I'm grateful too."
"With everyone working so hard, won't you manage to secure enough summer visitors?"
"That's a separate matter."
"Why are you so cold?"
"I think I can at least prevent a major drop. But I know I won't hit the level I'm actually aiming for."
"How ambitious is this goal, anyway?"
"A 10% decrease from the current level."
She frowned, twisting her hair around her finger for a moment before opening her lips.
"I heard that thanks to 115km, visitor numbers are up compared to usual. But you said Next Planet could see attendance cut in half during summer."
"That's right."
"Trying to limit the drop to just 10%—isn't that way too ambitious?"
Too ambitious.
She was right, and I knew it well.
Even so, why did I keep trying to set myself such unreasonable goals?
Honestly, there were parts of myself I didn't really understand.
"This kind of situation will keep happening in the future. If I pull it off this time, I think I'll be able to change myself."
"Change how?"
"Become someone who believes I can do it, no matter what. I'm not just a regular staff member anymore. That's why I want to change."
Min Ji-na smiled playfully.
"Oppa, ever since you joined Next Planet, you seem like a totally different person."
"Why? Have I lost my old innocence? Do I seem too much like a results-driven executive?"
"Innocence, huh. Honestly, you're even more innocent now."
I tilted my head in confusion.
She continued.
"Back then, even if you wanted something, you'd hide it and just live a normal work life. Now, you have something you truly want and you're trying everything to achieve it. If anything, being honest with yourself makes you even more innocent, doesn't it?"
She lifted her glass, and I clinked mine to hers. "Clink."
"I like this innocent side of you. You're also becoming more mature."
"Where's the maturity in all this?"
"You don't see it? I do. Your perspective just isn't as broad yet, oppa."
"Alright, alright. Since your experience serving the chairman means your perspective is already fully grown, please share your wisdom with me, Min Ji-na-nim."
She giggled.
"You're not just aiming for good results out of personal ambition. You want the organization to grow, and you want your staff to be rewarded for their efforts. How should I put it? Maybe it feels like you've become a real executive now?"
"I'm not that great."
"But I didn't say you were all grown up yet."
I ended up laughing without realizing it. Then I gathered my thoughts for a moment.
"Whatever anyone says about being an executive, what matters now is that I don't have a concrete plan yet."
"But you must have some ideas, even if they're not practical."
"There's something."
"What is it? I want to hear. It's about using 115km, right?"
I took a swig of beer. I wasn't confident, since what I was about to say wasn't fully formed.
"115km agreed to sing Your Touch at Next Planet. It's a kind of mini-concert."
"Wow! That's amazing. I really love Your Touch. You definitely have to invite me."
"I did some research. Turns out, a lot of other famous singers really like Your Touch too. I wonder if it's because of the song's unique vibe."
"Probably. I've seen a lot of singers singing Your Touch on YouTube too."
"So what I thought was, wouldn't it be great if other singers came to the same spot where 115km sang Your Touch and tried to do a challenge singing that song?"
"Huh? Wait. Isn't that huge? That could make up for the summer visitor slump. So, what's the problem? Even if the challenge only provides a temporary effect, if enough singers take part, the time frame issue is solved."
With a flushed and eager look, Min Ji-na looked at me, full of hope.
The problem was, I couldn't meet those expectations.
"If we asked 115km, it might be possible. But just asking and encouraging a challenge is already a bit rude."
"It is rude... but it would be such a waste not to try."
"If singers weren't participating out of their own will, if they were forced to do the challenge, I don't think the results would be any good. That's usually how it goes—things done under pressure don't work out. I just don't want to bet on the uncertainty of coercion."
"So what do you want to bet on?"
"I want to bet on personal will and dreams."
"I'm not sure what exactly you mean, but it does sound pretty cool."
I shrugged. I was just showing off, since I had no real concrete plan.
"I want to create a situation where ordinary visitors at the spot where 115km sang can do the Your Touch challenge. If it goes well, that place could become a hot spot for challenges. Later, singers might come to do the challenge sincerely. The problem is, I want to make it happen, but I don't know how."
"Oppa, what would you do if I told you I had an idea?"
She grinned and raised her glass. I followed suit.
If she was acting like this, she clearly had something in mind.
"If you like my idea, you owe me a favor."
"What is it? Tell me quick."
"What if you made the challenge-winning visitor the star of a music video? Wouldn't that match Next Planet's philosophy of creating beautiful, unforgettable memories?"
"What do you mean? I'm not following."
"First, record 115km's performance. I'm sorry to Han Sang-il-nim, but use AI to remove him from the video. Then, insert the challenger in his place."
"Oh? I think I get it. Tell me more."
"That way, the challenger gets a music video of themselves performing with 115km. If you make this happen in real time as a gift, imagine how happy the recipient would be! If you use AR, spectators can even compare the live scene and the music video in real time."
The scene started to form in my mind's eye. That meant it was a great idea. But if there was a problem...
"How is that even possible?"
"Lee Hyunmin, have you lost your nerve? What's our company? The best game company in Korea, Next Global. We already have the equipment and technology to pull this off. We're already using it inside, but haven't commercialized it yet. The numbers don't add up."
"With the chairman around, even though Next Planet is a separate company, we can borrow Next Global's equipment and technology."
"Of course. And since this would showcase Next Global's technology at Next Planet, Next Global will probably love it."
As I calculated this in my head, she suddenly stood up.
"Oppa, let's go."
"Go where?"
"Where else, Next Global. Let's check if the equipment and tech are a good fit for Next Planet."
"Uh... Is that really okay?"
"You know me, Min Ji-na. Just trust me. I'll get the chairman's approval."
So, following her, I walked into my old company, Next Global.
We checked out the equipment and technology. I was certain it could be used.
First thing tomorrow at work, I would have to start discussions on this.
I never realized Next Global's technology was this advanced. I was in the game planning team, so I rarely got to see the tech side.
Now that I think about it, I remembered visiting the Hanshin Tigers' stadium in Japan, famous for hosting the Koshien.
There, I experienced content that let you tour the stadium with VR—it felt like flying over the stadium, and I loved it.
I'd have to actively consider bringing Next Global's AR and VR technology into Next Planet from now on.
Meeting Min Ji-na today gave me more than just one or two ideas.
"Ji-na, really, thank you."
"Now! It's time to settle up."
"Settle up? How?"
"I said if you liked my idea, you'd owe me a favor."
"Oh!"
"My favor is..."
She paused for a moment.
Maybe it was the bright lights, or maybe it was the alcohol bringing a slight flush to her cheeks, but I noticed her lips curve up in that ever-enchanting smile I always described as alluring.
Maybe it was the leftover alcohol in my system, but for a moment, a corner of my heart felt like it was burning.
"Let me be the very first one to try the Your Touch challenge."
***
After parting with Lee Hyunmin, Min Ji-na took a taxi home. In the taxi, she organized her thoughts.
'Using Next Planet to make Nonsan a tourist city. Is that really possible?'
He didn't have a clear vision yet.
Lee Hyunmin was reviving Next Planet, but from her perspective, it wasn't a dish ready to eat—not that appetizing yet.
It just had her interest, that's all.
'What if we built a water park next to Next Planet? All the land in that area already belongs to us, Evening Star anyway.'
She shook her head.
'Going too far. Not yet. But I should plan ahead regardless.'
Suddenly, her phone rang. It was a call from her closest friend.
"A blind date? No way, I'm not doing any blind dates."
Her friend nagged at her for a while: "It's a waste with how pretty you are, why don't you date, you'll be lonely when you get old," etc...
"My ideal type? Out of nowhere? I told you before. Broad shoulders, considerate..."
She paused to think.
"I guess I've really moved on from my teenage girl sensibilities. My tastes are changing. How? ..."
She looked out the taxi window. The city lights speeding by reflected her face.
"Someone with dreams. No, to be precise, someone who tries to make their dreams come true in reality."