How a Salaryman Became an Underworld Boss

Bzzzz! Bzzzz!

I had leisurely prepared and eaten breakfast, and just as I was about to head out to work, my phone rang. Picking up my mobile and glancing at the screen, I was surprised. It was Chairman Park Yeongil, something that rarely happened.

“Chairman, what’s happened so early in the morning?”

“Mr. Jiham, are you working right now?”

“There are hardly any orders in the morning, so I’m fairly free.”

“Glad to hear it. I called because I wanted to hear in detail what happened in the interview room yesterday.”

‘The game is already over, so why is he interested now?’

“Chairman, do I really have to talk about it?”

“There’s no particular reason. Curiosity got the better of me, that’s all.”

“All right. There were four candidates in the room and five interviewers.”

Without hiding or embellishing anything, I told Park Yeongil everything that had happened during the interview.

“...Thinking the whole thing absurd, I answered carelessly and hurried to end it.”

“I see. And you weren’t angry about being treated so dismissively by the panel?”

“To be honest, Chairman, I felt resentment toward you more than anger.”

“Resentment toward me?”

“If you hadn’t helped me pass the document screening, I wouldn’t have had to endure such humiliation.”

.........

Silence filled the line.

I myself was rather shocked by my own behavior. Since I had nothing to my name, I always tried to live peacefully and avoid conflict. In a situation like this, it would have been natural for me to give Chairman Park a vague and tactful answer.

Yet, against my own will, I had given a sharp reply that struck right at the sore spot.

‘Could it be... has that sedative made my personality harsher?’

Just as I tried to blame the miraculous pill for the change in my behavior, his quiet, subdued voice came through the phone.

“Mr. Jiham, I’m truly sorry things turned out this way.”

“Chairman, I spoke too harshly just now. I sincerely apologize for my words.”

“But I’m the one at fault. Let’s talk again later.”

***

Click.

After hanging up, Chairman Park Yeongil rose from the sofa and approached the window. Folding his arms, he stared at the snow-covered slopes of Bukhansan in deep thought. Behind him stood Chief Secretary Kang Inhan with a worried expression.

After a long while, the old man finally finished his reflections and turned around.

“It seems that in pursuing my own interests, I hurt Mr. Jiham’s feelings. I can’t let that rest.”

“Could it be that Cha Jiham is simply looking for excuses to cover up his failure at the interview?”

“And after meeting Mr. Jiham, you still understand nothing about him?!”

“...Please forgive me.”

Chief Secretary Kang Inhan immediately bowed after being rebuked by Chairman Park.

“How do I make amends and ease Mr. Jiham’s anger?”

“How about teaching those interviewers who humiliated Cha Jiham a lesson?”

“What good would punishing such small fry do?”

“Surely you don’t mean...”

Kang Inhan stopped midway, as though he had guessed his employer’s intentions.

“Exactly. We’ll cut off the head of the leader controlling that small fry.”

“Haha. I’ll make preparations for the trip.”

***

At the same time.

Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun of Hangang Group was listening to a report from Human Resources President Kim Jinho and Executive Director Lee Myeongjeong regarding the results of the intern interviews.

“Vice Chairman, the applicants demonstrated extremely high enthusiasm during the examination.”

“Mr. Kim, what do you think is the reason?”

“I believe the main cause is the complete stagnation of the job market.”

“That’s possible. Make sure we select truly valuable talent that will benefit our company.”

“I always keep your words in mind, Vice Chairman.”

Ignoring Kim’s assurances, Yoon Sanghun turned to Lee Myeongjeong.

“I’d like to hear about the results of Yun Sola and Cha Jiham, whom I personally pushed through the document screening.”

Refreshing his memory, Lee Myeongjeong answered.

“I personally conducted the interviews for Yun Sola and Cha Jiham. As for Yun Sola, we decided to request the original documents proving her Harvard MBA immediately after her final approval.”

“Proceed. And her language skills?”

“She speaks six languages, including English, almost at a native level. Furthermore, her ability to translate documents from Korean into foreign languages on the spot is nearly perfect.”

“So we can hire Yun Sola without any doubts?”

“I completely agree with your conclusion, Vice Chairman.”

With satisfaction on his face, Yoon Sanghun took a sip of tea.

“And what was the result of Cha Jiham’s interview?”

“He appeared in improper attire and answered the questions very carelessly.”

“Forget the clothing. Why do you think he answered so irresponsibly?”

“In my opinion, he developed an inferiority complex because he realized he had no chance of passing.”

“So he understood that his résumé and qualifications were vastly inferior to those of the other candidates?”

“Unless he’s a complete fool, of course he understood.”

“I understand. Strike Cha Jiham’s name off.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You both must be busy. You may go.”

Receiving the clear order, Kim Jinho and Lee Myeongjeong left the office.

As soon as they disappeared, Chief Secretary Cho Seongjin cautiously spoke.

“Vice Chairman, what if that person becomes dissatisfied because Cha Jiham was eliminated?”

“As far as I know, he only asked the Chairman to let the boy pass the initial document screening.”

“You mean his failure at the interview itself won’t cause problems?”

“You just heard Director Lee describe Cha Jiham’s attitude.”

Yoon Sanghun dismissed the matter indifferently.

***

“What?! Park Yeongil came personally?!”

Chairman Yoon Jongu looked at Chief Secretary Song Dosok in disbelief.

“Yes, Chairman. However, unlike usual, he looked extremely grim.”

“I understand. Bring him in immediately.”

Moments later, Chairman Park Yeongil entered the office. Yoon Jongu stood up from the sofa.

“Chairman Park, what brings you here without warning?”

“Do I need to give notice when visiting an old friend’s company?”

“Heh, you’re prickly today. Sit down.”

Park Yeongil sat on the sofa and addressed Song Dosok.

“Secretary Song, I don’t need hot tea. Bring me a glass of cold water.”

“Chairman Park, has something unpleasant happened?”

“You see straight to the heart of things. Then why are {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} you standing there?”

Hurried along, Song Dosok bowed and left.

Watching him go, Yoon Jongu cautiously asked,

“Chairman Park, does this unpleasant matter have something to do with me?”

“As the head of Hangang Group, I’d say it concerns you directly.”

“Is it that serious?”

“In an instant, Hangang Group’s decision changed someone’s fate. So yes, it’s serious.”

“Do I know this person?”

At that moment, Song Dosok returned with an assistant. Taking the glass of ice water from her, Park Yeongil drained it in one gulp, set the empty glass down with a dull sound, and continued.

“That person is sitting right in front of you.”

“In front of me? You mean yourself?!”

Yoon Jongu almost jumped out of his seat.

“If you listen carefully to what I’m about to say, you’ll understand everything.”

“All right. Speak.”

“But first, I want to ask you. Does Hangang Group even have standards when selecting talent?”

“What kind of stupid question is that? Of course we do.”

“Then what principles should HR employees follow?”

“What nonsense are you talking about? Are you making fun of me?”

Yoon Jongu’s voice rose in irritation.

Nevertheless, Park Yeongil continued calmly.

“HR personnel must remain impartial, evaluate objective facts, thoroughly assess a candidate’s abilities, and only then decide whether to hire them. You agree with that, don’t you?”

“Of course! Those are basic principles!”

“And yet!”

Park Yeongil paused dramatically.

“How did the HR staff in your company act?”

“I have no idea where you’re going with this. Get to the point.”

“I merely asked you to give Mr. Cha Jiham a chance to attend the interview. Your HR people inflicted upon him an insult beyond words.”

“What?! Is that true?!”

“If you doubt my words, you’re free to verify the facts.”

“I hear you.”

But Yoon Jongu’s humiliation had only just begun.

“In my entire life, I asked you for one favor. Not only did you fail to carry it out properly, you also showed complete disrespect. Since that’s how things turned out, I hereby declare our land sale agreement terminated. And because you are responsible for the collapse of the deal, I will not return either the deposit or the first installment.”

Yoon Jongu almost laughed out loud.

In exchange for allowing Cha Jiham to pass the document screening, he had demanded a prime plot of land in central Seoul from Park Yeongil. The old man had agreed without hesitation and had already paid fifty billion won as a deposit and another one hundred fifty billion won as the first installment.

And now, under the pretext that the HR department had supposedly insulted some random young man, this old fox intended to pocket two hundred billion won in one stroke.

“Chairman Park, are you declaring war on me?”

“You’ve got things backwards. You’re the one who started this conflict. And I have no intention of avoiding a fight when you forced it on me. I’ll be leaving now.”

Chairman Park Yeongil and Chief Secretary Kang Inhan rose from the sofa in unison and left the office.

Yoon Jongu and Song Dosok could only stare after them in shock.

“Chairman, what should we do?”

“If we go to war with Chairman Park, do you think we have any chance of winning?”

Song Dosok shook his head.

“First, let’s find out what started this entire mess.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Using the intercom, Song Dosok summoned Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun.

Soon, Yoon Sanghun and Chief Secretary Cho Seongjin entered.

Sensing the oppressive atmosphere, both men bowed respectfully and stood at attention.

“Chairman, you called for us?”

“Sit down immediately!”

Startled by Yoon Jongu’s roar, Yoon Sanghun and Cho Seongjin sat down at lightning speed.

Yoon Jongu glared at them with irritation.

“Chairman Park came here just now and declared war on our company.”

“What?! Chairman Park?!”

Yoon Sanghun was stunned.

“Chairman Park refuses to sell us the land for the hotel project. Furthermore, he says he won’t return the deposit or the first payment because I am responsible for the deal collapsing.”

“Do you know why Chairman Park escalated matters?”

“He claims that the interview panel inflicted an unforgivable humiliation upon Cha Jiham yesterday.”

Only now did Yoon Sanghun begin to understand what had happened.

Cha Jiham must have panicked over his inevitable failure and lied to Park Yeongil. The old man, enraged by complaints from his favorite, had rushed to Yoon Jongu and poured out his anger. Offended in return, Yoon Jongu had lashed back, and now the conflict had escalated into threats of all-out war.

“Chairman, the interviewers never insulted Cha Jiham.”

“And what gives you such confidence? Present the facts.”

“I personally asked Executive Director Lee Myeongjeong, who oversees intern recruitment, about the candidate’s interview.”

“And what did he say?”

“He said Cha Jiham arrived dressed improperly and answered the questions carelessly.”

“So Cha Jiham brazenly lied to Chairman Park?”

“There can be no other explanation.”

At that moment, Chief Secretary Cho Seongjin cautiously raised his hand.

“Chairman, Yun Sola was present during Cha Jiham’s interview. What if we summon her and hear directly what actually happened?”

“That would be best. Bring Sola here immediately.”

Events were spreading like ripples on water, drawing more and more people into their whirlpool.