Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire

Chapter 137 Kimchi Served (Third update of 10,000 words per day, please vote with monthly tickets and recommendations, and please continue reading)

Half an hour later, in the Suntory Group conference room.

Suntory's Marketing Director, Yamada, and Production Manager, Sato, are already in place.

Ling Peiyi didn't waste any words and quickly and clearly explained Chen Bingwen's "Open the cap for a prize, get another bottle" promotion plan.

The key points of the explanation included the core gameplay, objectives, cost accounting, and tight time requirements.

Yamada and Sato both looked shocked after hearing this.

“Director Ling, Mr. Chen,” Yamada spoke first, promising, “this proposal is very bold! And very attractive!”
Suntory fully supports you!
Regarding the molds, with slight adjustments to our existing production line, we can emboss the "Buy One Get One Free" message, and mold making and testing can be completed in as little as 48 hours!

Sato immediately added, "We can prioritize the production of the first batch of bottle caps, ensuring that the first batch of 50 'Pulse' bottles with movable caps will roll off the production line within 24 hours after the mold is confirmed!"

Ling Peiyi nodded: "Director Yamada, Mr. Sato, please make sure to ensure the deadlines are met!"
In addition, a clear operating manual needs to be developed immediately for the dealer buyback and subsidy distribution process, and this manual needs to be trained for every regional manager and frontline delivery person.

We need to ensure that when the campaign launches, retail store owners immediately understand how to operate the system and how to claim the subsidies!

"No problem!" Yamada assured him confidently. "We'll hold a meeting with the channel team tonight, and distribute the implementation details and training materials first thing tomorrow morning!"

"Scope of activities," Ling Peiyi glanced at Chen Bingwen and continued, "As instructed by Mr. Chen, the first phase will focus on drugstores and convenience stores in the core business districts of Tokyo and Osaka, especially key chains such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi, 7-Eleven, and FamilyMart."

Chen Bingwen nodded slightly and added, "The initial release will be limited to 50 bottles. We'll test the waters, gather feedback, and iterate quickly."

The subsidy is 5 yen per cap, but the explanation given to shop owners must emphasize that this is a 'limited-time incentive'.

"Understood!" Ling Peiyi noted it down and turned to Yamada to give instructions, "The first batch of event materials, including flyers and posters for shop owners, must be designed tonight and printed and distributed tomorrow!"
The themes prominently feature "Buy Gatorade, and you'll have a chance to get a free bottle!" and "The shop owner earns 5 yen for every cap they redeem!"

As Ling Peiyi finished making the arrangements, the meeting room was filled with the sounds of phone calls and discussions, and everyone was working at a rapid pace.

Chen Bingwen sat quietly in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over the busy crowd before finally settling on Ling Peiyi.

At this moment, she was confirming every detail with the Suntory team in a clear and organized manner, speaking calmly and giving decisive instructions, fully demonstrating her ability to work independently.

An hour later, all the key milestones, division of responsibilities, and timelines for the "Win Another Bottle" campaign were finalized.

Suntory employees immediately returned to their respective departments to deploy their work.

Ling Peiyi, along with Li Ming and others, began working tirelessly to implement the preparations for Chen Ji's project.

When Chen Bingwen and his party returned to the hotel, it was already late at night.

As soon as Chen Bingwen entered the suite, before he could even take off his coat, the phone on the table rang urgently.

He walked over and answered the phone: "Hello, this is Chen Bingwen."

A relieved voice came from the other end of the phone: "Mr. Chen! We've finally found you!"

I've been calling all day, but no one has answered.

"What's up?"

“It’s from South Korea!” Ali said quickly. “This afternoon, representatives from a South Korean company called ‘Seoul Food Trading,’ led by a chairman surnamed Kim, came directly to the headquarters of Weiye Building!”

They specifically requested to see you, and were very eager, saying it was about the aftermath of the "Drunken Master" movie's release in South Korea, and also about our bottled sugar water products!

Chen Bingwen frowned slightly: "Bottled sugar water? What exactly happened?"

Chairman Kim said that Drunken Master was a huge hit after its release in South Korea, especially the scene where the protagonist enjoys sweet soup at Chen's Dessert Shop, which sparked the curiosity and love of many South Korean viewers!

After watching the movie, many viewers inquired everywhere about where they could buy the "Chen's Dessert" featured in the film!
They see this as a huge business opportunity and hope to obtain the exclusive distribution rights for Chen's bottled sweet soup in South Korea!
Their offers seemed attractive; they were willing to pay a substantial deposit and promised to purchase no less than 50 bottles in the first year!

Ali paused for a moment and added, "Director Fang received them and got a preliminary understanding of the situation. It turns out that Seoul Foods has some roots in the Korean food distribution industry, mainly importing and distributing high-end food."

They are still on Hong Kong Island and insist on waiting for you to return for a face-to-face meeting.

Chen Bingwen held the microphone and remained silent for a few seconds.

South Korea?

syrup?

This was indeed a completely unexpected "pleasant surprise"!
His impression of South Korea was still that "kimchi is served at state banquets," that the economy was just starting out, the market was small, and the purchasing power was far from comparable to that of Japan.

In his original plan, he had not considered the South Korean market for at least one or two years.

He knew that "Drunken Master" was released in South Korea. Wu Siyuan had mentioned that it had received a good response, but he wondered if South Korean audiences would be interested in the dessert shop in the movie.

This was somewhat unexpected for him.

Although he wasn't particularly interested in the South Korean market, his keen business sense meant he would never let any potential opportunity slip by.

The other party's chairman came to our door in person; he must have something on his mind. It wouldn't hurt to listen.

“Ali,” Chen Bingwen made a quick decision, “Tell Director Fang to receive Chairman Jin and his entourage with the highest level of hospitality and arrange for them to stay at the Peninsula Hotel.”

Tell them I have urgent business to attend to in Japan and expect to return to Hong Kong Island tomorrow afternoon.

Tomorrow evening, I will host a banquet for them to discuss cooperation details.

“Understood, Mr. Chen!” Ali replied immediately.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Bingwen walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looked down at the Tokyo night view, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.

“Interesting. Even South Korea has experts.” He originally planned to fully promote the “Pulse” terminal counterattack in the Japanese market and was prepared to personally oversee the operation for a period of time.

But now, the South Korean market has come knocking on his door, and the entry point has been precisely on "Chen Ji Dessert," a product line that he also values.

He needs to make a strategic adjustment immediately.

In the Japanese market, the "buy one get one free" campaign is about to launch, and Ling Pei-yi's abilities and the team's cohesion have been tested, so we can fully entrust her with the responsibility.

This unexpected opportunity in South Korea requires him to seize it personally.

This not only relates to the overseas expansion of its sweet soup products, but may also become an unexpected breakthrough in Chen Ji's globalization strategy.

He turned to Zhao Gang, who had been quietly standing to the side, and said, "Notify Zhong Qiang to immediately book the earliest flight to Hong Kong Island tomorrow."

"Yes, Mr. Chen!" Zhao Gang immediately accepted the order and went to carry it out.

After Zhao Gang left, Chen Bingwen picked up the hotel's internal phone and dialed Ling Peiyi's room.

"Director Ling, it's me."

"Mr. Chen, you wanted to see me?" Ling Peiyi asked.

“There’s an urgent matter in Hong Kong Island that I need to rush back to handle tomorrow morning. As for the Japanese market, I’m leaving the ‘buy one get one free’ promotion entirely to you.”

Chen Bingwen explained, "You will be fully responsible for all subsequent coordination and decision-making on behalf of Chen Ji. If you encounter any difficulties or need to make any major decisions, please contact me by phone at any time."

On the other end of the phone, Ling Peiyi replied without hesitation, "Don't worry, I will do my best to ensure the smooth progress of the event and defend the Japanese market!"

"Okay!" Chen Bingwen nodded in satisfaction. "I believe you."

Get some rest. Tomorrow, this will be your battlefield.

The next morning, at Tokyo Haneda Airport.

Chen Bingwen shook hands with Ling Peiyi, Li Ming and others who came to see him off to say goodbye.

"Director Ling, I'm entrusting Japan to you." Chen Bingwen looked at Ling Peiyi earnestly, "Take it easy and proceed step by step. Communicate with us at any time when major decisions are made."

"Don't worry, Mr. Chen!" Ling Peiyi nodded vigorously. "I will report to you regularly."

"Li Ming, your marketing department should assist General Manager Ling well, and each of you should perform your duties."

"Understood!" Li Ming and the others replied.

Chen Bingwen said no more, and led Zhao Gang and Zhong Qiang to the boarding gate.

The plane soared into the sky, gradually leaving bustling Tokyo behind.

Chen Bingwen leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes to rest, but his mind was racing.

The trip to Japan yielded results far exceeding expectations.

The deep partnership with Suntory ensures saturated channel coverage;

The release of "Drunken Master" sparked a movie-watching frenzy;
Cheng Long's approachable image is deeply ingrained in people's minds;
Most importantly, they basically secured a top-tier endorsement deal with Momoe Yamaguchi!

The strategic framework of "dual celebrity endorsements" has taken shape, laying an unshakable brand foundation for the long-term development of "Pulse" in Japan.

Ling Peiyi's abilities and loyalty were enough for him to entrust this important market to her management with peace of mind.

Now, he needs to turn his attention back to Hong Kong Island and deal with that "unexpected surprise" from South Korea.

Although there is no particular ambition for the South Korean market itself, there is no reason not to seize the business opportunity that comes to them, especially since it is a demand that naturally arises from the popularity of their own films.

This not only brings direct profits, but also further verifies the universality of the "cultural output drives product output" model.

A few hours later, the plane landed smoothly at Kai Tak Airport.

3 PM, Weiye Building.

Chen Bingwen, looking travel-worn, walked directly into the small conference room.

Fang Wenshan immediately stood up and introduced: "Mr. Chen, this is Chairman Kim Sung-soo of Seoul Food Trading Company in South Korea."

"Chairman Jin, this is Mr. Chen Bingwen, the chairman of our Chen Ji Foods."

Kim Sung-soo looked to be in his forties, slightly overweight, wearing a sharp suit, his hair neatly combed, and a warm and respectful smile on his face.

Upon seeing Chen Bingwen, he immediately stood up and bowed deeply: "Chairman Chen, hello! My name is Jin Chengzhu, I have long admired your name! Please forgive my intrusion!"

A younger assistant followed behind him and also bowed quickly.

"President Jin, please don't be so polite, have a seat." Chen Bingwen smiled and gestured for them to sit down, then took his seat as well.

“Chairman Chen,” Kim Sung-soo said politely, “First of all, please allow me, on behalf of Seoul Foods and the many Korean viewers who love Drunken Master and Mr. Jackie Chan, to express our sincerest respect to you!”
Drunken Master caused a huge sensation after its release in South Korea!
Jackie Chan's unique kung fu comedy charm has captivated countless South Korean audiences!

He paused, then spoke with even greater enthusiasm: "The scene in the movie where Mr. Jackie Chan's character enjoys sweet soup at 'Chen's Sweet Soup Shop' left an extremely deep impression on the audience!"

Especially the bowl of tempting, refreshing-looking "Mango Pomelo Sago," which made many viewers want to try it after watching the movie!

(End of this chapter)