Amid a stock market that couldn't shake off its weakness due to soaring oil prices and growing fears of a global economic slowdown, one stock suddenly surged, forming a massive bullish candlestick—SA Oil.
[SA Oil Achieves Explosive Performance, Recording 832.2 Billion Won in Quarterly Operating Profit Amid Oil Market Instability]
Most investors had already anticipated that SA Oil, a refinery company, would perform well under high oil prices, and much of that expectation had already been priced into the stock. As a result, the market did not initially react strongly.
However, the reason the stock price shot up like a pillar of fire and drew cheers from the market was due to the announcement that followed immediately after.
[SA Oil Announces Decision to Repurchase and Immediately Cancel 200 Billion Won Worth of Treasury Shares
Following the close of the market yesterday, SA Oil disclosed alongside its earnings report that it would repurchase 200 billion won worth of its own shares from the open market and retire them.
The company stated that this decision was made as a measure to return profits to shareholders, and that dividends would also be paid at the same level as last year.]
↳What did I just see?
↳They're buying back shares and canceling them? Wasn't the norm to hold onto them?
↳Why are they suddenly doing something they've never done before? Did something happen internally?
↳I work at SA Oil, and apparently Chairman Park just went full Chairman Park, lol
↳Damn, as expected!! I believed in him!
↳He's just a god-tier legend
↳Honestly, if it were other conglomerates, they would've bought back shares just to use them for management control
↳Damn it, I'm trying to buy SA Oil and what the hell is this stock price
↳LOL, that's why you should've bought early like me, trusting Chairman Park
↳Wow, dividends plus share buyback and cancellation… I'm seriously jealous of SA Oil shareholders
↳Seriously, why didn't you get in sooner? If Chairman Park's name is involved, you buy no matter what
↳Same here, he's an undefeated icon
↳Guys, it's not too late—at least go buy Bluehole Securities stock
↳Why would you buy that?
↳Because Chairman Park is the largest shareholder, and their performance is amazing—won't they do a buyback and cancellation like SA Oil?
Riding on these investors' expectations, not only SA Oil but also Bluehole Securities formed massive bullish candlesticks, both hitting the upper limit side by side.
***
Late at night, after returning home, Seok-won happened to read through the comments on an article about the share cancellation on the laptop spread out on his living room table, and let out a faint chuckle.
"What can I say—Bluehole Securities also posted strong results this time, so buying back and canceling treasury shares wouldn't be a bad idea either."
Unlike SA Oil, a refinery that required massive facilities and high operational costs, Bluehole Securities had relatively lower fixed cost burdens, making it much easier to return its earnings to shareholders.
"Come to think of it, Bluehole Securities' stock price has gone up quite a lot."
Since the thought crossed his mind, Seok-won moved the mouse and checked the stock price.
[Bluehole Securities: 263,450 (▲142,550)]
After merging with Daegwang Securities—which had been put up for sale following the bankruptcy of its parent group—Bluehole Securities had significantly expanded in size, and its stock price had already surpassed 200,000 won, now approaching 300,000 won.
At this rate, it seemed highly likely that it would comfortably exceed 300,000 won per share within a few days.
"Considering that most other securities firms are priced in the tens of thousands of won, this has definitely gotten expensive."
Considering that Samsung Electronics—long regarded as the market leader—even had its stock trading in the 270,000 won range at the time, it was clear what level Bluehole Securities' stock price had reached.
In reality, Bluehole Securities had firmly risen to the number one position in the industry in both performance and market share, so its stock price wasn't inflated by any bubble.
With Seok-won—an individual possessing overwhelming capability and presence—as the largest shareholder, and unlike other securities firms that relied heavily on transaction fees for most of their revenue, Bluehole Securities was generating enormous profits through active proprietary trading in connection with the Eldorado Fund.
On top of that, the massive success of the Park Seok-won Fund, launched in partnership with WB Bank, also played a significant role in increasing its market share.
And since the company was distributing high dividends every quarter using the money it earned this way, it was only natural that investors would be pleased.
Moreover, with Seok-won, the majority shareholder, holding 71% of the issued shares, the amount of stock circulating in the market was far too scarce compared to demand.
"If demand exceeds supply, it's only natural for the price to rise."
With so many people wanting to buy, the number of shares available on the market was already limited—and on top of that, existing investors were reluctant to sell what they held—creating a situation where the stock price kept rising.
As Seok-won stroked his chin with one hand, lost in thought, the phone placed on the wooden table vibrated.
Checking the name on the screen, he immediately answered with a pleased expression.
"Obama! It's been a while."
[I was worried it might be too late to call since it's nighttime in Korea, but I'm glad you're still awake.]
The voice coming from the other end of the phone somehow sounded more energetic than when they had last met.
Seok-won stood up and walked over to the living room window, speaking fluently in English with the caller.
"Come to think of it, today was the day you officially announced your candidacy for the Senate, right?"
[As a matter of fact, I'm on my way to the scheduled event right now.]
"But you must have a lot to prepare—what made you call?"
At that, Obama spoke in a serious tone.
[Before officially announcing my candidacy, I wanted to first express my gratitude to you—my very first supporter and the one who has helped me the most.]
Sensing the sincerity in his voice, Seok-won, standing by the window, smiled.
"But wasn't your first supporter Michelle, not me?"
[Ah, right. Michelle would've been quite upset if she had heard that. Let's keep this a secret from my wife.]
"Haha. Of course."
[In any case, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to run for the U.S. Senate like this.]
"No. Even without me, someone like you would've surely left Illinois and gone to Washington to pursue greater and more important politics."
Seok-won spoke as he recalled that, before his regression, Barack Obama had become the first Black president of the United States.
[Thank you for thinking of me that way.]
Unaware of this fact, Obama seemed deeply moved by Seok-won's faith, his voice thick with emotion.
[Originally, I would've rented a press room at the state capitol and made a modest announcement with just a handful of supporters. But thanks to your strong backing, I was able to hold an event just as proper as any other candidate.]
It was only natural for Obama to feel grateful, since most of the campaign funds raised so far for his U.S. Senate run had come from Seok-won's own pocket.
As Barack Obama—who would become the next occupant of the White House in a few years—leaned heavily on him and showed unwavering trust, Seok-won's smile deepened.
"This isn't the end—it's the real beginning."
At that, Obama replied in a voice that sounded as though he had steeled his resolve.
[Of course. There are many hurdles to overcome, from the party primary to the general election, but I'll give it everything I have so that I won't be left with any regrets like last time.]
Even though he was officially announcing his candidacy today, it merely meant that he was declaring his intention to run in the Illinois U.S. Senate race.
The first major hurdle on the path to Washington—the Democratic Party primary—was not scheduled to take place until March of next year.
And considering that the general election, the main event, would be held several months after that in November, there were still nearly two years remaining.
'Even so, the reason he's announcing his candidacy this early is that his name recognition is lower compared to the other candidates.'
Within Illinois, he was a fairly well-known young politician, but his recognition was ultimately limited to his own constituency—the South Side of Chicago.
True to the vast scale of the United States, with a population exceeding ten million, even after serving several years as a state senator, there were still far more voters who didn't know Barack Obama than those who did.
'It's no different from how people in Korea barely know who their local provincial or city council members are.'
Because of that, if he were to declare his candidacy just before the primary, there was a high chance he would simply be overshadowed by other prominent candidates.
That was precisely why he chose to announce his candidacy this early, even though the election was still far off.
This way, he could get his face in the media at least a few more times.
"This isn't a sprint—it's a long marathon that runs into next year. You need to manage your pace carefully so you don't burn out early."
[That's true.]
Obama replied with a short laugh.
[Looks like it's time for me to head into the venue. I should hang up now.]
"I wish you success with your announcement."
[Haha. I will. And thank you—truly.]
With a hearty laugh, Obama ended the call.
Lowering the phone from his ear, Seok-won gazed out at the dazzling night view beyond the large floor-to-ceiling window and muttered to himself.
"Right now, he's just an unremarkable young local politician, but once he delivers the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in Boston next July, he'll rise as a nationwide star. I should tell Landon to pay a bit more attention to him."
The convention speech, delivered before an audience of over nine million Democratic Party members across the United States, left a powerful impression—propelling Obama from a U.S. senator straight toward the White House in one swift leap.
Anticipating the moment when the stock he had bought at the bottom would skyrocket and hit the jackpot, Seok-won curled one corner of his lips upward.
***
The next day.
Seated at his desk in his private office, Director Choi Ho-geun was monitoring the movements of the stock market across the six monitors in front of him when he lifted his head at the sound of a knock.
As the door opened and Manager Jung Hwan-yeop—dressed in a shirt and silk tie—walked in, Choi spoke briefly.
"You're here."
"Yes. You called for me?"
Leaning back in his chair, Director Choi Ho-geun made an annoyed expression.
"Hey. I called you ages ago—why are you only coming now?"
"I was in the middle of a trade, so I couldn't come up right away."
"What? Why is a manager like you doing trading personally?"
Manager Jung Hwan-yeop grinned slyly as he flicked his fingers as if playing a piano.
"You've got to keep your hands moving from time to time so you don't lose your touch. You know how it is—once you lose your edge in this field, it's over."
"Ugh."
Since it wasn't wrong, Director Choi Ho-geun pressed his forehead and let out a groan.
"Hehe. But why did you call me up during trading hours for work?"
As Jung Hwan-yeop spoke with his usual cheeky expression, Director Choi Ho-geun let out a deep sigh.
"Honestly, you're the reason I'm ageing. Really."
Saying that, he held out a file folder that had been set aside.
"What is this?"
"Don't ask—just check it yourself."
At the curt reply, Manager Jung Hwan-yeop picked up the file folder and shot back smoothly.
"You've been pretty irritable lately… could it be early menopause already…?"
"Hey! How old do you think I am?!"
"See? You're getting worked up even now."
"That's because you keep raising my blood pressure!"
"Well, then I guess I'm great for treating low blood pressure. Wow, thanks to me, that's one less health concern for you."
"You little punk."
As Director Choi Ho-geun raised his eyebrows with an angry expression, Jung Hwan-yeop finally began to rein himself in.
"I'm joking. Just joking."
"And how is it that you still haven't changed even after becoming a manager?"
"Isn't consistency a good thing? If a person suddenly changes, they die."
"Honestly, I think it might do you some good to die once and be reborn."
Bickering as usual, Manager Jung Hwan-yeop flipped through the documents inside the file folder, then made a puzzled expression.
"What is this?"
Director Choi Ho-geun snorted in response.
"Can't you tell? It's a list of stocks we're going to start buying from now on."
"They're all internet security stocks. And for Joseongbeom Virus Research Institute, we already hold about 15% of the shares—are you saying we should buy more?"
Director Choi Ho-geun shrugged as if to say there was nothing he could do.
"It's an order from the Chairman."
"Is there some other information I'm not aware of?"
"I asked the same thing. He said that as internet usage continues to expand, demand for security will grow. And since stock prices are at the bottom due to the aftermath of the dot-com bubble collapse, we should buy in while they're still cheap."
Although it was a sudden directive, even he himself had been using the internet far more than before, so he nodded in agreement.
"If the Chairman said it, then it must be right."
At the very least, no one within Bluehole Venture Capital questioned Seok-won's judgment.
Especially the employees in the Asset Management Division, who had personally witnessed his incredible investment skills and the enormous profits he generated, showed absolute trust in him.
"And he said to finish all the buying within this week, so get moving."
"That quickly?"
"Yeah."
Manager Jung Hwan-yeop scratched his head with one hand, looking troubled.
"If we want to meet the deadline, we'll have to move fast."
"Exactly. When I call you, you should come right away—who told you to take your time?"
Director Choi Ho-geun chuckled as if it served him right and gestured for him to get going.