Series: The All-Rounder Employee Becomes a Legend
Chapter: 41
Title: A Newbie?
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So he was the black sheep of the family.
Yoonji bowed her head once more.
The Taeseok she’d taken a liking to was a true Dirt Spoon, and the grandson of the group chairman she'd been aiming for was a scoundrel.
All her efforts up to now had been for nothing.
After the assignments for the next work placements were announced, people began to file out of the conference room.
Happy to see his colleagues after a while, Taeseok made a suggestion in a cheerful tone.
“Since we're all here together for the first time in a while, should we all grab a meal?”
However, Hyeonsu was the first to reply with an apologetic look.
“I have plans today.”
It was the same for Choi Jinyoung.
“I have plans too. Sorry.”
“Hey! You guys said we should all get together last time.”
“Sorry! I don’t think I can make it.”
And then Seo Yoonji came out.
“Why? Weren’t we supposed to meet up today?”
“Everyone’s busy. I guess we’ll see each other again in two months.”
“Yeah. Oh! You all submitted them to the Director, right? The improvement reports!”
“Yep. All submitted. I’m gonna head out first, then. See you later.”
“Okay! Let’s talk in the group chat. Ah! Hey!”
“Yeah?”
“Let’s invite Jang Donghoon to our group chat. He may have left, but he’s still one of us. It’d be good to exchange information.”
“Sure, why not? I don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind either. Invite him.”
Taeseok was left waiting only for Yoonji’s approval.
“Yoonji. What about you?”
“Yeah. It’s fine.”
“Alright. Okay. I’ll invite him.”
It was time for everyone to part ways, busy with their own lives.
They were close colleagues and hadn't seen each other in a long time, but there was nothing to be done if their schedules didn't align.
Everyone promised to meet next time.
After Taeseok had left, Yoonji remained alone outside the conference room, as if waiting for something.
It was because *he*, the one who had worked at the same place as her, was still inside.
Yoonji strained her ears.
The voices of the chaebol Kim Taeseok and the Director, who had remained in the conference room, drifted out.
“Director, am I on the Chairman’s bad side?”
“No. I’m not sure. Why don’t you go home and have a good talk with him?”
“No, it’s fine. Hooo, if the Chairman tells me to go overseas, I have to go. Since he’s put it this way, I guess I’ll just have to go and reflect on my actions.”
The Director of Strategic Planning bowed his head and replied to the chaebol Kim Taeseok’s words.
“Then, please endure it well. Ah! The Chairman, and of course the Vice Chairman, have instructed you not to reveal your identity and to work properly from the same position as everyone else.”
“Yes. I should. I understand.”
Tears welled up in the chaebol Taeseok’s eyes.
He hadn't meant any harm. It was just that his methods were different from others. He had been planning to get his act together and work hard. Thinking back, there had been too many misunderstandings.
At his first placement, El Sung Life, all he had done was cross his arms. He was just dumbfounded when a customer threatened to cancel a contract because of it.
And then there was the Team Leader and the branch manager who blew the situation out of proportion. Honestly, even after two months, he still couldn't understand it.
She didn't sign the contract just because of that?
That middle-aged woman probably had no intention of signing from the beginning.
He still felt that way.
And then his second placement. El Sung Electronics. His first impression of the workplace was truly awful. He hated seeing the employees struggle with difficult customers.
The obvious thing to do when a customer was being obnoxious was to give them a warning and kick them out of the store, but the employees just put up with it for 30 minutes, complaining amongst themselves behind their backs, saying things like, “What kind of bastards are they?” or “I wish they’d just drop dead.” He didn’t like that.
So he stepped up to set an example and told the obnoxious customers to get lost.
He wanted them to see his actions and change.
To act, not just talk!
He had wanted to show them that this was how you do sales. That was all he’d intended, but everyone said he had caused trouble.
Without even a three-way conversation, without even asking, they just assumed he had caused trouble and told him to apologize to the customer.
‘What did I do wrong? What! Fucking scumbags!’
That’s what he thought to himself.
‘I’m not the type to cause trouble for others. I’m just the type to speak my mind.’
He knew that delivery mattered, but he had thoroughly justified his own actions and still believed he was right.
The problem was that no one else thought so.
* * *
Someone was waiting for the chaebol Taeseok as he came out of the conference room after the conversation ended.
“Oh? Yoonji! What are you doing?”
She brought her hands together politely and opened her mouth.
“Ah, I’m sorry. I think I was a little rude.”
“What? Rude?”
“I guess I was a bit preoccupied. I worked with Taeseok Oppa for two months, and now that you’re being transferred somewhere else, I felt I should apologize. That’s why I stayed.”
“Oppa? I like the sound of that. Alright. I’ll accept your apology.”
The somewhat self-centered chaebol Taeseok and Yoonji looked at each other for a long moment.
He was the first to speak.
“Want to go up to the top floor?”
“Pardon?”
“You were assigned to the secretarial office, right? It’s at the top of this building. Let’s go up together. You should at least see your workplace, don’t you think?”
At the same time.
Taeseok stopped by the HR team to offer his regretful farewells.
“Section Chief! I’m really leaving now.”
“You’re going? Where to?”
“Yes, sir. To El Sung Life.”
The General HR Section Chief. It had been a short time, but it pained him to see such a capable young man leave.
“If you ever think of it later, apply to the HR team again. If there’s an opening, I’ll take you.”
“Do you mean that, sir?”
“I do. You did good work. We always welcome good workers.”
At that, Team Leader Kang Minyul also grinned.
“Taeseok! I had a drink with the Section Chief yesterday, and do you know how much he chewed me out? For not being able to keep you? Haha, you did well. You did really well for these two months.”
“…Just hearing about it makes me feel sorry.”
And then, employee Kim Jungmi.
“Taeseok, you’ll do well wherever you go. So, work with that confidence and passion. I’ll be cheering for you.”
“Sunbae-nim.”
“What? You want my number? Should I give it to you? You joked around so easily with the university students, but you found it hard to approach me because I’m your senior, didn’t you?”
“Ah… no. That’s not it.”
“Haha, I enjoyed it. These past two months. I was happy, and it was fun.”
“Thank you.”
Finally, his colleague and older friend, Jang Donghoon, spoke to Taeseok.
“Take care.”
“Yeah. Hyung, no, employee Jang Donghoon, I’ll go and do my best. So you work hard as a key talent in the HR team. Got it?”
“Haha, you got it. I hope everything goes well for our employee Kim Taeseok, too.”
There was no team dinner.
Just a short farewell.
And then they parted.
Taeseok wrapped up his relationships on a good note until the very end before moving to his new department.
* * *
El Sung Life, Yeongdeungpo Branch.
Taeseok’s first day of work.
Of course, he didn’t go in knowing nothing.
The new employees’ group chat.
Kim Taeseok: What should I prepare for before starting at El Sung Life?
Kim Hyeonsu: LOL, just don’t act like the other Kim Taeseok.
Kim Taeseok: ㅡ.ㅡ^ Stop joking around!
Kim Hyeonsu: Get a good mentor. Preferably someone nice. That’s the most important thing.
Kim Taeseok: OK, ah! Hyeonsu .
Kim Hyeonsu: Yeah?
Kim Taeseok has invited Jang Donghoon. (Current members: 5)
Kim Taeseok: Donghoon hyung! I’ve invited you to the chat room you mentioned. Hyeonsu ! Say hi! This is Donghoon hyung, our colleague from Team A who applied for the Strategic Planning Office!
Kim Hyeonsu: Hello! (bows deeply)! It’s a pleasure to meet you.
Choi Jinyoung: Haha, networking before you even start. Hilarious.
Jang Donghoon: LOL, so this is that chat room?
Kim Taeseok: Yep. That’s right, hyung. Hyeonsu was assigned to the HR team! Please take good care of him.
Jang Donghoon: Got it. Hyeonsu, it’s a pleasure.
Kim Hyeonsu: Yes! I’ll do my best.
Seo Yoonji: Oh?
Jang Donghoon: Hello, Yoonji! This is Jang Donghoon from Team A.
Seo Yoonji: Hello.
Kim Taeseok was pleased. The chat room now had five members.
Proof that they had all gotten closer.
They shared information with each other in a chat room where they could speak freely.
Jang Donghoon: They’re giving the new employees from the first half of the year 5 days of annual leave. Usually, you get 10 days in the first year, but since we started in June, they’re giving us 5. So if you want to take a vacation, get approval from your respective department heads and then use it.
Kim Taeseok: Ah~ Okay, thanks hyung!
Jang Donghoon: Yep.
Yeongdeungpo Branch.
Taeseok arrives at work in a suit. As he comes in, an employee turns to him and asks.
“I’ve heard a lot about you. Strategic Planning Office?”
“Uh… yes.”
“Why so surprised? We all know already. Are you going to be here for two months like Kim Hyeonsu ? Or are you thinking of staying here?”
“I’m not sure yet.”
“I see. Well, Deputy Manager Kim Minseong said to bring you up to the second floor when he comes in.”
“Yes. Should I go now?”
“Yes. Go right on up. It’s Sales Team 3 on the second floor.”
“Yes. Understood.”
Taeseok entered the office of El Sung Life’s Sales Team 3 on the second floor of the building.
Lists of various insurance products were plastered closely together.
And on the wall was a poster of this year’s top-performing salesperson.
Team 1, Team 2, Team 3, Team 4, Team 5, CS Team.
A graph displayed the performance of each team.
But…
‘My mentor, Kim Minseong, is in last place?’
Taeseok shook his head.
He thought he’d be good… the best, even.
The man who had told Taeseok to learn under him was ranked last out of the three teams.
Just then, his senior showed his face.
“Taeseok, let’s shake on it.”
“Yes, sunbae-nim.”
A haggard face. His dress shirt reeked of cigarette smoke.
“You came at a great time. A really great time.”
“Did something happen?”
“Why ask? All that matters is that we do well from now on. So. How was it? In the HR team?”
“It was just fun. Nothing particularly difficult.”
“Right. Over there, you just have to do the seasonal tasks. You!”
“Yes.”
“From today, you’re sticking with me. Got it?”
“Yes. Understood.”
8:40 AM.
Suddenly, the employees who had just arrived at work began to head downstairs.
And his mentor senior also spoke to Taeseok.
“Let’s head down.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s the morning meeting. Don’t be too shocked if the branch manager gets angry.”
“Ah… okay.”
Shocked? Why would I be shocked?
Taeseok still didn’t really know what sales was like.
Hyeonsu hadn’t properly handed things over, and he’d also said there was nothing to learn beforehand, that Taeseok should just go and learn on the job.
But from his very first day, he began to understand why.
“Team Leader 1!”
“Yes. Team Leader Choi Seong-yoon here.”
The branch manager looked at a graph, then shouted as he threw a permanent marker at the whiteboard.
“Are you out of your mind?”
“I’m sorry.”
“What have you been doing for a week? How the fuck did you not close a single deal?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Hey! You should be closing at least five deals a week! And it’s not just you, you’re working as a team of three and you can’t even manage that?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Labor costs, rent… to put it bluntly, you think you can just fuck around with company money because it’s not yours? That you can just warm a seat? That’s why you only take home 1.8 million a month. Got it?”
“I’m sorry.”
Then, the branch manager called on another Team Leader.
“Team Leader 2~”
“Yes, Branch Manager.”
“Excellent job. Really, really well done. You landed a great contract this time. You’re taking home 6 million won in commission alone. Yes. This is how it’s done. All of you, learn from Team Leader Park Jong-min. Got it? Look how good he is. He’s handsome, great at sales, good in bed, too. Shit, the guy’s got it all.”
The branch manager patted Team Leader Park Jong-min on the head.
And then, the next in line.
The branch manager looked at Assistant Manager Kim Minseong.
Taeseok stood next to Kim Minseong, his fists clenched.
Having seen the graph, he could already predict the outcome.
“Hey! Team Leader 3!”
“Yes, Branch Manager!”
“You! Have you completely lost your touch? You want a transfer to another branch?”
“No, sir.”
“Fuck, the guy who used to be a rainmaker has completely crashed and burned. You’ve hit rock bottom!”
“I’ll do my best. Please trust me and wait and see.”
Assistant Manager Kim Minseong, who was once a top performer, hung his head low, unable to say a word.
Just then, the branch manager called out to Taeseok.
“Are you the new guy?”
“Yes.”
“Starting today, who are you going to work under as an FC (Insurance Planner)?”
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