Phase 2 clinical trials for Luktic's new drugs officially began.
In general, clinical trials follow a standard process.A company seeking approval for a new drug first designs a trial plan, obtains approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), and then commissions certified clinical trial institutions to conduct the trials.
Once the trials are completed, the MFDS reviews the results and determines whether the drug has passed the clinical testing stage.
In most cases, clinical trials are divided into Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3.
Phase 1 trials focus on verifying whether the drug causes serious adverse effects in the human body.(Safety verification)
Phase 2 trials aim to determine whether the drug is genuinely effective in treating or improving the target disease, and to identify the optimal dosage and method of administration.(Efficacy and optimal dosing verification)
Phase 3 trials, conducted after Phases 1 and 2 are completed, involve long-term administration to a large number of participants in order to confirm long-term safety and to verify the previously observed effects in greater detail.
However, the President had instructed the MFDS to take measures that would allow Luktic's new drugs to skip Phase 3 as much as possible.
Under South Korea's current regulatory system, a drug can receive immediate sales approval after only Phase 2 trials if clear therapeutic effects against cancer or rare diseases are confirmed during Phase 2.
For that reason, the MFDS ordered that the Phase 2 trials for the Skin Regeneration Agent and Elixir specifically evaluate their effectiveness in treating cancer.
As a result, clinical trial institutions were now verifying whether the Skin Regeneration Agent and Elixir had anti-cancer effects.
Patients who had voluntarily consented to participate in the trials were preparing for administration in the hospital ward.
They were patients suffering from various types of cancer.
Among them were individuals whose cancer had metastasized extensively—patients for whom modern medicine could no longer offer effective treatment.
When news spread that Luktic's new drugs—already widely reported for producing miracles—were entering clinical trials, applications poured in from across the country.
The number of volunteers was so overwhelming that participants ultimately had to be selected by lottery.
Doctors and nurses gradually filled the ward, and before long, administration began.
There was nothing particularly unusual about the process.
Participants in the Elixir trial simply drank 200 ml of Elixir, which carried a sweet, fruity aroma.
Participants in the Skin Regeneration Agent trial merely applied the agent to the affected areas of their skin.
That was all.
Both the patients and the medical staff looked slightly puzzled.
"Is that really it…? Can this possibly work?"
But it didn't take long for meaningful changes to appear in the patients' bodies.
One week later, an interim examination was conducted to assess the patients' conditions.
What they found was astonishing.
"Th-This can't be real…"
"How could something like this happen…?"
Every doctor and researcher involved in the trial stared at the results in disbelief.
For cancer patients who had received Elixir, most of those in Stage 2 showed near-complete destruction of cancer cells.
Even among terminal-stage patients, tumors at the original cancer sites had shrunk dramatically, while metastatic cancer cells throughout the body were significantly suppressed.
Patients with skin cancer showed similarly shocking results.
After applying the Skin Regeneration Agent, the affected areas quickly reverted to normal skin, with cancer cells almost entirely eliminated—placing them close to complete recovery.
"J-Just drinking a single dose of medicine, and this kind of result appears…?"
"Applying cream just once, and skin cancer is almost cured…?"
The sheer potency of the drugs—far beyond all conventional medical understanding—left everyone in stunned silence.
"This is impossible…This drug could rewrite the entire history of human medicine.It's an unbelievably powerful anti-cancer agent, yet no significant side effects are being observed…"
"And to think it was developed by Luktic's CEO, a man named Hyun Si-woo…What kind of person is he?How did he create something like this…?"
"I can't even begin to guess the mechanism behind these treatments.It feels like I'm watching magic unfold."
***
After receiving reports on the progress of Phase 2 trials, the MFDS Commissioner spoke with the Vice Commissioner.
"This exceeds even our imagination.How could something like this be possible?"
"I agree…Luktic's technology seems to surpass our expectations every single time."
"The President has instructed that if Phase 2 confirms the effectiveness of Elixir and the Skin Regeneration Agent in cancer treatment,we are to grant emergency fast-track approval to Luktic as quickly as possible."
"Then we should accelerate the approval procedures immediately.But Commissioner… are we truly certain it's acceptable to skip Phase 3?"
"On that matter, the President's determination was firm.It should be fine."
"…Understood.Once Phase 2 is completed and the anti-cancer effects are officially confirmed,I'll instruct the working-level staff to prepare immediate fast-track approval."
"Yes. Please proceed."
***
Meanwhile, inside a studio, filming was in full swing for a Luktic Cream commercial.
Countless cameras and production staff surrounded a single beautiful woman.
She was Min Seo-ah, who had recently returned to the entertainment industry after recovering from severe burns caused by an acid attack.
Standing beside me, Dong-sik gazed at the filming set with a dazed expression.
"Wow…How can someone be that beautiful…?"
Amused, I teased him.
"You like her that much, Dong-sik?"
"Hehe…I'm really glad I agreed when you suggested we become partners back then.After founding Luktic, this moment right now feels like the most rewarding one yet."
"That much?You've totally fallen for Min Seo-ah, haven't you?"
I was joking, but I couldn't exactly disagree.
Min Seo-ah, having fully regained her former appearance, was breathtaking—enough to make anyone gasp at first sight.
Her beauty wasn't merely striking; it carried an air of elegance and purity.
In other words, she was the perfect advertising model to elevate Luktic Cream's image.
During a break in filming, Min Seo-ah approached us.
"CEO Hyun Si-woo, Director Kim Dong-sik!How was the shoot just now?Did you like it?"
There was no need to say anything else.
She was clearly gifted in this field.
The fact that she had transitioned from a social media influencer to a lead actress in mainstream television dramas and talk shows proved she possessed talent beyond appearance—the ability to captivate and influence the public instantly.
There was a reason entertainers were once called "talents."
"Of course.Thanks to you, Min Seo-ah, Luktic Cream's image will become much more refined and elegant.This is going to be an outstanding commercial."
"Oh my, really?I'm so glad."
Smiling shyly, she continued,
"Do you have any specific requests?Like certain poses or expressions you'd prefer?"
"Haha, when it comes to this field, you and the director are far more knowledgeable than we are.We'll leave everything in your capable hands.Though there might be just one small request…"
"Oh? What is it, CEO?"
I glanced sideways at Dong-sik.
He looked suddenly uneasy.
"Uh… w-why are you looking at me like that, Si-woo…?"
Turning back to Min Seo-ah, I said,
"Our Director Kim Dong-sik here is a huge fan of yours.If you could give him an autograph later, we'd really appreciate it."
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh my, really?Director Kim, thank you so much!Of course I'll sign for you.Would you like to take a photo together after filming as well?"
Dong-sik stood frozen, his face bright red.
But I clearly saw it—the corners of his mouth and his cheekbones were unmistakably lifted.
Filming soon resumed.
With Luktic's financial situation now secure,we had hired a highly renowned director from the industry.
There was no doubt the commercial would be of exceptional quality.
Although Luktic Cream was already so well known in Korea that almost everyone recognized it,investing in premium advertising still mattered.
After all, cosmetics relied heavily on brand image.
There was a reason top brands consistently ran ads during prime time.
Moreover, Min Seo-ah herself was a symbolic figure—someone who had escaped a dark chapter of her life thanks to Luktic's technology.
In the long term,she could even become the face that symbolized Luktic as a company.
Phase 2 trials for the Skin Regeneration Agent and Elixir had already begun.
The government had promised fast-track approvalif anti-cancer effects were confirmed during Phase 2.
Personally, I believed the chances were extremely high.
Stage 1 Elixir had already shown remarkable effectivenessin treating my father's severe chemical poisoningand the rare immune disease suffered by Chairman Choi Chang-sik's youngest son.
Even Luktic Drink, created by diluting Stage 1 Elixir,had shown symptom-suppressing effects across a wide range of conditions—rhinitis, allergies, acid reflux, and more.
There was little doubt in my mindthat Stage 1 Elixir would demonstrate meaningful efficacy against cancer as well.
Even after the commercial shoot wrapped up,there was still plenty to do.
I needed to continue discussions with CTO Kang Joo-taeon how to secure the fastest possible approvaland commercialization of the newly developed hair-loss treatment.
If the Skin Regeneration Agent and Stage 1 Elixir received immediate approval after Phase 2,we could apply to the MFDS for modified new drug approvalfor the hair-loss treatment.
Once approved, the hair-loss treatment wouldn't just becomeLuktic's flagship product—
it could even become South Korea's leading export product.
That was precisely why we had to push for approval as quickly as possible.
That afternoon, I also had a meeting scheduledwith a guest from the United States.
It was Howard, an employee of the American distribution giant Target,who had previously emailed expressing interestin importing and distributing Luktic's products in the U.S.
If we signed a contract with Targetand opened a path into the American market—
If our products were actively distributed across the U.S.by a retail giant like Target—
Then the massive quantities produced by our soon-to-be-completed facilitieswould be exported to the U.S. in bulk,and Luktic's revenue would skyrocket at an astonishing pace.
This would go far beyond mere overseas direct purchases.
It would mark our full-scale entry into the heart of the global market.
***
A few days earlier, after arriving in Korea,Howard had been staying at a hotel in Seouland visiting large supermarkets and convenience storesfrequented by locals.
Even just observing the shelves for a short while,he could immediately tellthat Luktic's products were in high demandand had impressive turnover rates.
"As expected…This wasn't just online hype."
On his first day in Korea,Howard purchased Luktic Creamand applied it to his face that very night.
He wanted to see for himselfwhether the dramatic reviews were true.
The next morning, when he looked in the mirror,he was stunned.
Despite suffering from jet lag and poor sleep,his skin—which should have been rough and fatigued—looked exceptionally smooth and hydrated.
It actually seemed better than usual.
As for his acid reflux,which had begun resurfacing after a weeksince his last Luktic Drink—
after buying another bottle from a Korean supermarket and drinking it,the symptoms vanished once again.
"Incredible…How is this even possible?These products aren't just for the U.S.—they'll be massive hits worldwide."
Muttering to himself,Howard stuffed documents and his laptop into his briefcase.
Today was the day of his meetingwith Luktic's young CEO, Hyun Si-woo.
Thanking God inwardlyfor granting him such an extraordinary opportunity,Howard left the hotel with his briefcase in hand.