Once news broke that IMF officials had entered the country in secret to begin their investigation, the market shook once more. The exchange rate spiked again to the point of another trading halt, and the KOSPI fell more than 5%. Worried voices began asking whether Korea, too, was headed for a bailout, and the market shrank back in fear. But government officials flatly denied any such thing, and the market continued to eye Korea with suspicion.

Amid this turmoil, Chung-seop Jo came to visit Seong-ho's home.

Chung-seop looked around Seong-ho's newly moved-into apartment with wonder.

"A palace. What did you say this was, 70 pyeong?"

"Yes, 70 pyeong."

"70 pyeong… the kids could play soccer in here. Enormous."

Seong-ho laughed lightly at that. The Pyeongchang-dong family had clicked their tongues, wondering why anyone would move to a place like this. But a neighborhood and a house that looked laughable to some could feel like an extraordinary blessing to others. Watching Chung-seop unable to close his mouth as he took in the apartment, Seong-ho thought most of Korea would probably feel the same way.

Still looking around, Chung-seop asked, "How old is this building?"

"About 20 years."

"Whew. Looks brand new for a 20-year-old building."

Chung-seop ran a hand along the gleaming marble wall and clicked his tongue. "When will I ever live somewhere like this. I'm envious."

"You could buy a place like this even now, couldn't you?"

Seong-ho led him to the living room sofa and handed him a glass of whiskey. Chung-seop took the glass and laughed awkwardly.

"I could buy it, sure. If I maxed out every loan, dumped every penny I have into it, and threw in a jeonse deposit on top."

Chung-seop savored the aroma of the whiskey in his glass and smiled broadly. "The scent is wonderful. How old is this?"

"Thirty years."

"Whew, why go to the trouble of pouring something this expensive for me? Seven years would've been fine…"

"When it's CEO Jo, of all people, coming to visit my home, I ought to bring out something good."

"Goodness, I'm the one…