I’d Rather Live as a Villain

I’d Rather Live as a Villain – Episode 13

(Are you in agreement?)

Bang!

“Are you telling me to quit the company now?”

Son Jae-kyu, manager of Team 1 in the European Division (Italy, France, Germany).

With a single swing of the newly appointed director Yoon Tae-sik’s blade, three key figures were simultaneously beheaded.

Director Park Je-dong, Deputy Manager Jung Chang-ho, and Manager Choi Moon-ho of Spain’s Team 3.

Originally, Deputy Manager Jung Chang-ho was scheduled for a promotion to director, and Manager Choi Moon-ho had a confirmed appointment as deputy manager of an overseas branch.

Manager Son Jae-kyu was the top candidate for the soon-to-be-vacant deputy manager position.

It was enough to turn his stomach inside out when he just found out through the intranet announcement by HR that Oh Ji-won, the assistant, was promoted to first deputy manager of the European Division.

Slamming his hands down on the desk, Manager Son Jae-kyu stood up abruptly.

“Manager.”

“Let go of this!”

A colleague from the same team tried to calm him down, but was soon swept up in the atmosphere.

“Does this make any sense?”

“Sense… Ha, it doesn’t. It just doesn’t.”

“Right after receiving the director’s appointment, the office atmosphere, the progress of projects, the billing amount hanging in the balance!”

Manager Son’s voice, filled with rage, was making the European Division office ring.

“Without even trying to grasp all that, just promoting himself to deputy manager on a whim? Does he think he’s a god? Does he think he’s the chairman? Is this his playground to show off his power? Does this make any sense at all?”

His tirade was not just a sign of excitement, but rather, it was akin to the desperate struggle of someone prepared to give up their position.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t be possible for the entire office, where Deputy Manager Oh Ji-won, the star of this special promotion, breathes, to create such an uproar.

Even going so far as to disparage the presence of the new head of department, a direct line from the owner’s family…

Deputy Manager Oh Ji-won, more flustered by this personnel change than anyone, thus unable to utter a single word.

Even though the newly appointed head of department had instructed her to move her seat the day before, she still buried her head at her assistant’s spot within the ETC team partition.

“Am I a shrimp? Why should my back be broken in a fight between whales, why! What have I done? What did I do to deserve being dragged into their fight, to be drenched in this mess? I’m in my seventh year as a manager. I’ve worked hard. In this game of favoritism, where they pull and push each other to get ahead. Even enduring the sight of Manager Jung getting promoted first, I congratulated him, thinking my turn would come next… What more am I supposed to do here!”

No one in this office space could deny the efforts Manager Son had made for his promotion to deputy manager.

Today, the silent director seemed even more incompetent.

Deputy Manager Oh Ji-won took a deep breath, opened the top drawer of her desk, and took out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, tucking them into her shirt pocket.

Then, with her head hung low, she left the office.

“Ah? Deputy Oh!”

The elevator doors opened.

Inside were a few employees from the second-floor office who had pressed the smoking floor button to enjoy a cigarette break.

Hesitant, Deputy Manager Oh Ji-won reluctantly entered the elevator.

“Oh, Manager Kim.”

“No, no. It’s Deputy Manager now. I just saw the notice sent out by HR. Wow… indeed, life is a one-shot deal.”

Deputy Manager Oh Ji-won had a fairly good relationship with people from other departments.

Her workplace life of over three years, doing things her own way.

The office atmosphere that forced her to walk her own path.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that her only outlet for communication, which allowed her to continue this lonely and nauseating job, was the cigarette breaks with people from other departments.

Such was her joyless work life.

“It’s something that was bound to happen, isn’t it? Congratulations, truly.”

“…Thanks, I appreciate it.”

Was it just her feeling?

The well-meaning greetings from people in other departments sounded strangely mocking, and felt overwhelmingly burdensome.

“Smoke break? Our telepathy is spot on, isn’t it? We were just talking about your meteoric promotion.”

“Ah, no. I was just…”

Deputy Oh quickly pressed the button for the floor just below the smoking area.

“I need to pick something up from the store.”

“Come on, have one with us.”

“I really need something urgently. Go ahead and have one, I’ll see you later.”

Deputy Chief Oh, who unexpectedly got off at the snack bar floor.

He took a moment to catch his breath before heading to the bathroom.

Entering a stall, he tries to light a cigarette that won’t ignite.

Then, he pulls out his phone.

In his phone, Yoon Tae-sik is still listed not as a director, but even less, as an assistant.

It’s still lunchtime.

Should he make a call?

The anxiety of starting a new job life, more uncomfortable and burdensome than the ‘my way’ period he had endured.

But he couldn’t bring himself to press the call button.

On the other hand, the creeping greed, desire… such raw, honest emotions made him hesitate to press the call button.

***

“Do you really want to do this? What kind of passive answer is that? Are you being forced into this marriage against your will?”

The chairman’s response was not very favorable.

The moment a carefully considered answer turns into a wrong one.

Was I too cautious?

I thought I had pondered deeply before answering, but it feels like unexpected friction is happening somewhere I’m not aware of.

The executive also seemed momentarily flustered.

Whether that fluster was because of the answer I gave, or like me, because of the chairman’s reaction, there was no time to tell.

“When I went to the trouble of arranging this meeting to ask about the marriage, I wasn’t expecting to hear such a noncommittal answer.”

Of course, I never expected to get an easy approval for this marriage.

But the responsibility for that approval… sorry to say, is not mine but the executive’s.

With that thought, I try to calm myself down.

“Of course, given Moon-jung’s personality, it’s likely she dragged you around and drove you crazy, Yun. She must have done that. But even so, you’ve been house hunting together… and I’ve even promoted you to director. And yet, the best assurance you can give me here is ‘I really want to do this’? That’s all?”

“Dad…”

It seems clear that the executive’s current panic is not because of the answer I gave, but because of the chairman’s reaction.

But why?

Why do I suddenly get the feeling that the chairman is… in a hurry?

“Executive Yoon Tae-sik.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“I didn’t go through the trouble of arranging a lobby welcome ceremony through President Min on your first day at Mulsan just to hear such a tepid response.”

Eventually, Executive Director Yoon stepped in.

“Again, and again, and again… you prepare to nitpick every word. ‘I would like to do it.’ That means you will do it, doesn’t it? From Executive Director Yoon’s perspective, how difficult must this moment be? With all the tension. Why do you have to pick apart even the tone? The context has already been fully understood.”

At that, the Chairman looked at me piercingly once more.

I had a vague feeling I knew what this was about.

He mentioned that Executive Director Yoon and I had gone to look at houses together.

Furthermore, he emphasized my promotion to head of the department at Mulsan and the fact that he had arranged the lobby welcome ceremony through President Min.

Desperation.

Was he trying to confirm my desperation for this marriage?

Despite thinking it childish, I couldn’t help but consider the Chairman’s heart, allowing this faltering marriage.

“The best answer I can give right now is, ‘I would like to do it.'”

Executive Director Yoon glared at me as if to say this answer was the perfect wrong one, even furrowing his brow this time.

But I had to continue.

“I really would like to do it. However, I cannot rush or pressure Executive Director Kang Moon-jung regarding meeting my mother.”

“What?”

It’s highly unlikely, but I imagined this marriage not as a contract marriage, but as a real one, developed from genuine emotions that both Executive Director Yoon and I came to share.

Considering our positions in such a marriage realistically.

I concluded that I could make suggestions to Executive Director Yoon, but I couldn’t be in a position to rush him.

“I’m someone who needs to be more cautious and attentive to our relationship than you. And regardless of my feelings, I’m someone who must wait until Executive Director Kang Moon-jung says it’s enough, and make a precise judgment and decision.”

The wrong answers were slowly being refined towards the right ones.

“My position and title have changed with my assignment to Mulsan, but my duty to assist Executive Director Yoon at the closest range remains unchanged. Even though I’ve moved to Mulsan, my direct superior within Daeyoung Group has always been, is now, and will continue to be Executive Director Kang Moon-jung.”

The Chairman asked me again.

“Does that mean you’ll push through with this marriage even if I oppose it?”

I paused, making eye contact with Executive Director Yoon first.

Then I continued.

“I’m truly sorry to say this to you, Chairman, but even if you oppose it, unless Executive Director Yoon tells me to stop… I don’t think I’ll give up first. For three years and three months, from the moment I started serving by Executive Director Yoon’s side until now, he has been my only superior. Naturally, his thoughts and decisions have always been my top priority and most important. And I believe that will continue…”

At that moment, the Chairman leaned back in his chair with an expression as if all tension had drained away.

“Wow… I think I’ve just heard a rather absurd and disappointing answer, but I can’t even scold you for it, not even as an act.”

“…”

A smile was beginning to form on the Chairman’s face.

The chairman wiped his mouth with a white napkin from under the front plate.

He immediately raised his voice slightly to call someone.

“My daughter, ripe for marriage. I won’t keep her by my side forever, not sending her off to marry… Moreover, they’ve even seen a house to live in together. ‘Live well without fighting,’ what else can a parent say? Is there anyone else out there?”

Unbeknownst to me, I had broken out in sweat in that short time.

When I slightly unclenched my fist, it was drenched with sweat.

Soon, the door opened, and the waiting manager hurried over.

The chairman, with the manager waiting for orders behind him, alternated his gaze between me and the executive director as he spoke.

“Everyone needs to return to work, so let’s not get into anything heavy. Order a bottle of beer and share it. One drink is fine, right?”

A bottle of beer was brought in.

Different from the usual pub beer glasses, rather resembling cognac glasses, the manager poured the beer evenly into three glasses.

The chairman, holding his glass first, said,

“Moon Jung, as you get accustomed to Yoon’s executive trade, try to meet and greet Yoon’s mother as soon as possible.”

“…Yes.”

Really, I just wanted to cover my face with something like a menu book for about three seconds to let out a stifled breath.

But the chairman didn’t give me the chance.

“For that, you, Executive Yoon, need to adapt to the trade quickly, don’t you?”

“Yes, I will adapt as quickly as possible.”

“In my view, it’s not about adapting but rather rectifying. Starting from the first day at work, you’ve caused such a big issue. The employees of the European division aren’t servants from the Joseon era; they’re all friends who graduated from top universities and came in after experiencing the world. Do you think they’ll just stay quiet?”

Rectifying?

It was a job I had calculated and entered before causing any trouble.

Just waiting for someone to publicly express dissatisfaction.

“How cleanly you rectify this will change how the entire Daeyoung Group views you, and beyond that, how all of Korea views the two of you getting married.”

It was a truly frightening thing to hear.

The issue was big enough that the trade itself could rectify it without involving the group level, but since I created the issue, I was told to rectify it myself.

If the company rectifies it, it ends as an issue, but if I rectify it myself, it builds a story, perhaps the legitimacy of this marriage?

I didn’t need anything else; this was a welcome directive for me at the moment.

I, too, did not want anyone else to come onto the board I had set and direct traffic for me.

Especially not in this case.

I plan to lead the European division in the direction I want with my own hands.

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Let’s have our greetings at home all sorted out before you come formally. Grandfather, the senior chairman, wishes to see Mr. Yoon, the executive director, once more, formally.”

***

Three in the afternoon.

A knock sounded at the office door.

I’m still not used to having a private room.

“Come in, please.”

Secretary Joo Dong-jin.

“Director. Chief Choi Jang-ho is asking if he could see you for a moment?”

“Is he here now?”

“Yes, he’s outside at the moment.”

“Please, let him in. I’m fine, so ask if he’d like some coffee and prepare it for him.”

“Understood.”

Chief Choi Jang-ho and I have a bit of a personal story.

That’s why I’ve felt sorry for him these past few days.

He shouldn’t have to bear the pressure I’m giving him.

But it can’t be helped.

He’s the head of the European division, after all.

I’d like to take off my mask of steel in front of him if only for a moment, but reality doesn’t allow for it.

He has his role, and I have mine, to fulfill a role befitting this office’s name and reputation, far beyond my capabilities.

“Please come in. Have a seat here.”

I paused the presentation I was finalizing and headed towards the sofa.

“What brings you here?”

“Director.”

“Yes?”

“Well, it’s just that…”

It’s just the two of us.

There’s no need to corner Chief Choi here, where there are no prying eyes.

Even if there were a reason, to be honest, I don’t want to be too harsh with Chief Choi.

I patiently waited for him to bring up the content he must have struggled to bring up until it came from his own lips.

“Isn’t there the matter of Deputy Oh Ji-won’s promotion to assistant manager?”

“I was under the impression that the Head of HR had already approved and announced this, no?”

“Yes, it’s already done. But the office reaction to that part has been quite unfavorable.”

Since when has Daeyoung Corporation’s European Division been such a democratic group?

Why decide promotions by majority vote?

Dissatisfaction can arise at any time.

But how should I understand Chief Choi’s maneuvering, bringing his dissatisfaction to the Director’s office just two hours after Assistant Manager Oh’s promotion announcement?

Did he even make the slightest effort to improve the office atmosphere in those two hours?

I was doubtful.

Yet, I maintained a smile on my face.

“It’s regrettable. There’s no such thing as a personnel decision that satisfies everyone, but seeing as you’ve come up here yourself to inform us of the office’s reaction, it seems the majority are discontent… Is that how I should understand it, correct?”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

I thought so.

Did I ask without knowing?

I’m asking even though I know, to hear Chief Choi’s thoughts.

“What about you, Chief? Are you part of that majority? Or…”

I looked Chief Choi straight in the eye, asking with conviction.

“Have the recent personnel decisions I’ve made relieved you of some worries?”

“…”

“I’ve been thinking, and it seems to me that I’ve been continuously supporting you, haven’t I?”

“That’s correct. Thanks to you, Director, I’ve been able to breathe easier. However, the promotion of Deputy Oh Jiwon to Assistant Manager… I do share the office sentiment to some extent that it was a unilateral decision by you.”

I checked the time on the wall clock.

3:20 PM.

“Unilateral? Hmm… How can every decision be discussed and made with everyone, with all the employees? If that were the case, I should be working in the European Division office, not this one.”

“But this time…”

I gave Chief Choi a wry smile.

A laugh escaped me without realizing it.

The importance of a good working environment.

I’m feeling it painfully now.

I see.

The past three years and three months.

I’ve lived in a world so extraordinary, one couldn’t experience it even if they paid for it.

And then, I returned here.

The past three years and three months serving under Executive Kang Moon-jung.

During that time, I met with Kang Ki-young, a titan of the era, every single day. I had to adapt to his way of conversation, which was concise and to the point, especially during breakfast meetings with Chairman Kang Man-ho, Executive Kang Moon-jung, and Vice President Kang Young-jin.

It felt surreal explaining things in detail to Chief Choi, a stark contrast to the succinct discussions I was used to.

Just as I had adapted, it seemed there was no other way but to give the people I would be working with time to adapt to me.

“Chief.”

“Yes.”

“The personnel decisions for the European division are within my authority as the head. Do you agree?”

“Yes, but…”

“Do you agree?”

“…Yes.”

“That’s why I’m using my most powerful right, the right to personnel decisions, to fulfill my role to the best of my abilities. But what about you, Chief?”

“…”

“I’m suddenly curious. Do you not understand the role of a Chief, or is it… that you don’t know the authority a Chief holds?”

Chief Choi hung his head.

I wish this person would become just a bit more ruthless.

It’s a personal wish.

“At 4:20 PM, one hour from now, leave only the minimum staff needed to maintain operations in the office, and call all employees of the European division to the training room.”

“May I ask why you’re doing this?”

“If the office atmosphere hadn’t been so dire, you wouldn’t have come all the way up here, Chief. I’ll take care of it this time. But, Chief.”

“…Yes, Head.”

“If I have to tidy up the office atmosphere every time on top of my own duties, then what do I need you for, Chief?”

“!”

“You should give that some thought.”

After my words, Chief Choi couldn’t raise his head for quite a while. I told him,

“Please go down and prepare. I’ll get ready and follow shortly.”