I’d Rather Live as a Villain

I’d Rather Live as a Villain – Part 14

The person who always gets it done, that’s Executive Yoon.

The power of space.

It makes me realize anew how terrifying it is.

Descending to the training room, it felt as if the nightmare-like events of that time were replaying vividly before my eyes, not a single cut erased.

It was five years ago, just after I had been promoted to deputy of the Spain 1 team, obsessed with performance.

The desire not to lose.

That’s what drove me crazy about performance.

Deputy Chief Oh Ji-won, the ace of the Spain 2 team.

Even without the performance pressure from Jung Chang-ho, the then manager of our team, there was a time when our team overflowed with a fighting spirit, insisting we must never fall behind Team 2 in performance.

Such desperation, urgency, and the desire not to lose… It seems those feelings led me to hit the jackpot.

The Andalusian olive farm recruitment plan.

Like a lie, the name Andalusia, which no one had even glanced at, began to weave countless webs in my mind, shaping into a massive project.

I have no talent for music or singing.

But I empathize with the stories of very famous songs, pop songs, that continue to be sung by people for decades, many of which the composers say were inspired and completed in just a few minutes.

That was me.

I set up the main team on a business trip to Granada, and formed the Andalusian farm negotiation team.

In the endlessly sprawling Andalusian olive farm region, there are a total of 43 farm complexes, and astonishingly, there are only three owners for all 43 complexes.

If we could recruit just those three, all Andalusian olives would henceforth carry the name of Daeyoung Trading and go out to the world.

Since it’s a monopoly of Daeyoung Trading, it’s also effective to package and promote the region of Andalusia itself as a producer of top-quality olives.

Various olive products derived from there.

Soap, air fresheners, pickled olives, olive seedlings, cosmetics, supplements… Favorable negotiations with such companies are also possible.

If we can just establish a stable business seed, we could set up a branch in Madrid, operating it with the basic turnover left from Andalusia, while forming a diverse business chain including luxury Spanish brands and spa clothing brand licensing businesses.

We have the ironclad backing of Daeyoung Trading, the Daeyoung Group.

All those ideas began to form in my head in just one day, like the basic melody of famous songs and pop songs that were created in just a few minutes.

Fleshing them out, assessing the financial risks, and planning for personnel deployment on-site was done in a flash.

The basic concept itself was so solid, so worth trying, that when developing the plan, the support fire from Park Je-dong, the then deputy, was indeed substantial.

The rehearsal for the project presentation took place right here in this training room.

With the entire Spain 1 team and Park Je-dong in attendance.

During the rehearsal, Park Je-dong and Jung Chang-ho whispered incessantly, all the while keeping their eyes and ears open to my ongoing presentation.

And when the rehearsal was finally over, Park Jedong left with nothing but a “Not bad,” and walked out. Then, Jeong Changho approached me and said,

“Deputy Yoon, let’s record a video.”

“A video?”

“It’s for a presentation to the executives. The sophistication of the delivery is just as important as the content. Let’s do the presentation you just did one more time.”

I never imagined it.

That a subordinate’s prepared presentation would be claimed as his own.

To record my presentation rehearsal and present it exactly as it was, without missing a single key point, that’s what Park Jedong did in front of the executives a few days later?

Even though I was the presenter.

It was an extraordinary case for someone at the deputy level to present to executives, and I was thrilled to have been given the opportunity, only to face the reality that followed.

This training room is such a place for me.

A space where everything was taken from me.

That’s why I chose this space.

To reclaim what was taken from me, right here.

I had just finished preparing a presentation to convey the future direction of the European division to all its employees.

And soon, the door opened, and the office staff began to enter one by one, maintaining their tension.

***

There’s no need to listen.

I’m not curious.

But I ask anyway.

Because there’s such a thing as formality.

After all the employees of the European division were seated, I slowly stood up in the center of the training stage.

A podium that reached up to my diaphragm.

Standing behind it, I raised my hands to the top of the podium on both sides.

And slowly, making eye contact with each employee, I mimicked the distinctive smile of Executive Kang Moon-jung.

The smile he often used when summoning department store, hotel, and mart managers and representatives from the distribution headquarters to turn them around.

Because of that smile, the executives of the distribution division get nervous at the mere mention of the three syllables of Kang Moon-jung’s name.

No one is unaware that even if he smiles, it’s frightening, and if he becomes expressionless or looks upset, bigger trouble is coming.

“About an hour ago, the director came to my room. He said the atmosphere in the office was quite bad due to a personnel announcement that was made a few hours ago… something like that.”

Atmosphere.

Atmosphere, they say, always has a catalyst for its creation.

Finding that catalyst was not a difficult task.

Those clueless newcomers, still with the fuzz of inexperience, surely they couldn’t be the ones setting the office mood.

It must have started with the support staff, gaining momentum from the managers.

And then, there’s the promotion of Deputy Manager Oh Ji-won, the one who stands to lose the most blood.

That’s where you’d find the host, without a doubt.

Manager Son Jae-kyu.

He was a decent senior, with no real faults in his skills, but it seems he’s aged rather gracelessly.

That expression he’s wearing now, full of dissatisfaction yet lacking the courage to show it, forcing a smile instead – it’s a far cry from the ace manager Son Jae-kyu I remember.

“As I think ‘that could happen,’ another thought strikes me. Ah, the European Division. It indeed has an organizational strength.”

Chief Choi began to narrow his eyes, trying to discern the sarcasm I had let slip.

“My first move after becoming the head was promoting Deputy Oh Ji-won to Manager. If such a move isn’t typically problematic, then as a first step after a promotion, it’s seen as a way to boost morale, and the higher-ups tend to be lenient. The president and vice president didn’t question it; they said, ‘Do as you wish.’ So, I did.”

“…”

“But then you come to me, Chief, saying this could cause problems later, that the office atmosphere is poor.”

I said, looking at Chief Choi.

“I was actually a bit moved. The journey to my office isn’t easy, but you made it, thinking of the overall mood of the European Division, for teamwork, for organizational strength, didn’t you, Chief? Is that what you intended?”

“…Yes.”

At Chief Choi’s response, I nodded emphatically and slowly met the eyes of the European Division employees once more.

The last gaze fell on Manager Son Jae-kyu.

I paused there deliberately.

“Suddenly, I’m filled with confidence. If our European Division has such organizational strength, such tight-knit unity, then maybe it’s worth a shot. Maybe we can increase our quarterly billing turnover by at least 30% over my initial target?”

There was a subtle but definite change in the employees’ expressions, a mix of sighs.

“And then I wonder, what kind of courage has the entire European Division mustered for Chief Choi Jang-ho, who doesn’t hesitate to take the lead for the overall mood, for teamwork?”

Chairman Kang Ki-young once said this at a breakfast in Pyeongchang-dong, to newly promoted Executive Vice President Kang Young-jin.

“Why foolishly try to suppress the complaints coming from the field?

First, you need to recognize the shape of these complaints.

And then, you need to know how to use them.

What an opportunity that would be.”

Organized discontent always has a focal point of grievance.

Destroy the legitimacy of the discontent spreading from that focal point.

Then naturally, the discontent will turn into shame directed at oneself, or fear towards you, depending on its nature…

“Deputy Director Jung Chang-ho. You were the candidate for the department head promotion, weren’t you?”

The wavering gaze of Manager Son Jae-gyu begins.

“If we assume I hadn’t come here, and that person was to be promoted to department head in August, what would have become of Department Head Choi Jang-ho?”

It was then that people began to realize the shameful secret I was bringing to the surface, one by one.

“I’m genuinely asking because I haven’t been informed about this at all. Who should I get an answer from? Oh, there’s the manager. Manager Son Jae-gyu.”

“…Yes.”

“Still, as the manager with the highest seniority in the entire European division, including the Bulldog team, could you please explain it to me?”

Nearly 90 percent of the staff at the assistant manager and manager level couldn’t raise their heads in front of the embarrassing topic I brought up.

“The nicest scenario would have been for the department head to get promoted to the main branch head, but realistically, that would have been difficult, and since the department head already had experience as an overseas branch officer, he couldn’t do that again… So if Deputy Director Jung Chang-ho was promoted to department head, what would have happened to our Department Head Choi?”

Manager Son couldn’t bring himself to answer in the end.

“Was there really no discussion about the department head’s future?”

“…”

“If it’s not a promotion to an executive position or a transfer to another department at the department head’s seniority level, the only decision left would be an honorable retirement, wouldn’t it? Was that the direction things were solidifying towards?”

Of course.

It was all too obvious.

But I had to maintain my smile until the very end.

“Manager Son Jae-gyu.”

“Yes.”

“Did the European division naturally and readily accept the situation of Deputy Director Jung Chang-ho’s upcoming promotion to department head?”

“That part, well, the billing turnover raised by the Spanish team was clear, and it was a matter previously handled by the former main branch head, so we didn’t think the situation was natural or otherwise…”

“Then why is there talk about Deputy Director Oh Ji-won’s promotion? Is the problem with Deputy Director Oh’s double-grade promotion itself, or is it because I ordered it? Or is it something else…”

I glared at Manager Son Jae-gyu as if to shoot him down, and for a moment, I completely wiped the smile off my face.

“Was the problem that someone would miss out on a promotion opportunity because of that promotion?”

In that moment, Manager Son Jae-gyu’s gaze changed as well.

Yes, that’s how it should be, Son Jae-gyu.

Finally, the appearance of Manager Son Jae-gyu, the Bulldog team’s ace that I know, emerges.

He’s someone who always makes sure to speak his mind.

I tend to choose silence for the sake of others, but I make sure to speak up when it’s my loss at stake.

But the timing was missed.

The dissatisfaction you’ve spread has already crumbled the legitimacy of my rebuttal regarding Chief Choi’s position.

“I understand. That part isn’t important, is it?”

“Please, continue.”

“Deputy Manager Oh Ji-won from ETC…”

“As of two hours ago, officially a Senior Manager. Senior Manager Oh Ji-won.”

“Yes, my apologies. Senior Manager Oh Ji-won. Do you happen to know what percentage of the total billing size for the European division ETC handles quarterly?”

With Executive Director Kang Moon-jung’s signature smile plastered on his face, Section Chief Son Jae-kyu listened to the words being spoken.

“About 2 percent. ETC, which handles 2 percent of the total billing size. Promoting someone who was overseeing the deputy duties there, without reviewing any other personnel data, to a Senior Manager in charge of the entire European division seems like nothing but a unilateral personnel decision.”

“So, you’re saying you can’t accept that part?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Hmm… I see. That’s what you couldn’t accept. How should I make you understand?”

Both hands placed on the podium.

With the right index finger, he tapped the wooden panel several times.

And then he said.

“But Section Chief Son.”

“Yes.”

“Do I really need to convince everyone, including Chief Choi and all the employees of the European division, in order to do my job?”

The air in the training room began to freeze instantly.

I quickly removed Executive Director Kang’s smile and created the coldest expression I could muster.

That expression, and the short but powerful fact that I’m not the one who needs to convince you.

In front of that, Section Chief Son staggered significantly.

“Do you know what percentage of the total billing size the ETC team accounts for?”

I didn’t forget to let out a ridiculous laugh there.

“Why do I need to know that? I’m the person who orders how much to raise the percentage and checks if it has been raised to my command, not the one who analyzes the current condition, reasons, and causes. That’s something the people in the field office should do, right?”

“…”

“And a unilateral personnel decision? What does that even mean? Is that an expression actually used in the company? Is Daeyoung Corporation a government agency?”

“…”

“Am I a civil servant? A politician? Why is a unilateral personnel decision a problem? Sometimes, a unilateral decision is absolutely necessary, especially in such a large organization with many hands on deck. In such an organization, we call the being who makes unilateral choices when necessary and is prepared to take responsibility for their decisions an executive.”

“…”

“And the organization seats someone in the executive position who they believe is capable of taking responsibility for such autocratic decisions. To those below Manager Son, including him, who are dissatisfied with Deputy Chief Oh Ji-won’s promotion—are you doubting my abilities, or are you questioning the judgment of Chairman Daeyoung Group… who placed me in this position?”

***

Director Choi Jang-ho’s face seemed somehow more at ease.

Manager Son Jae-kyu was biting his lower lip so hard he couldn’t lift his head.

Most of the deputies and managers were not much different from Manager Son’s state.

The newcomers and regular employees below them seemed like chicks just hatched from their eggs, having studied the cold reality of the conglomerate because of this meeting.

They were glancing around, trying to gauge the mood of the room.

Only one person, Deputy Chief Oh Ji-won, was letting out an incredulous laugh as if holding back a lot to say.

That expression on Deputy Chief Oh’s face meant he was really very angry right now.

He had to be called.

“Deputy Chief Oh Ji-won.”

“Yes, Director.”

“Could you please stand up for a moment?”

All eyes in the training room focused on Deputy Chief Oh Ji-won.

“What do you think about the current situation?”

Deputy Chief Oh let out a snicker again.

It was a clear forced laugh, trying to hide the rising anger unconsciously.

Although it was not intended, it was certainly not a behavior to show at a meeting created by the Director himself.

But his current feelings were all too understandable.

“If you have nothing to say, you may sit down.”

“Director.”

It seemed Deputy Chief Oh had made a firm decision.

“Yes.”

“May I speak frankly?”

“You may.”

“Even if my words become a bit harsh?”

“Well… I would ask you to keep within certain bounds.”

“I will do that.”

“Then please speak comfortably.”

Chief Oh bit his lower lip for quite some time.

His gaze was fixed on the void, and he remained silent for a long while in that state.

Then, he barely managed to speak.

“It seems I’ve been going my own way for over three years since the head of the department had an unfortunate incident here at Mulsan and moved to the group’s secretariat. Going my own way is just a nice way of saying I’ve been ostracized. It’s laughable to be ostracized at this age, and out of pride, I decided to ostracize others instead. But there should be a minimum level of decency, at least.”

Chief Oh began to mention a few specific individuals.

“Manager Kim, Manager Seong.”

The two individuals called out by Chief Oh briefly met each other’s eyes before hurriedly looking down again.

“Even if I don’t know about others, shouldn’t you two not do this to me? You’re my juniors by a long shot. It hurt to see you become managers before me, but I still sincerely congratulated you with a smile. You two seemed somewhat better than the rest. Was it so hard to say, even as a courtesy, ‘Congratulations on your promotion, senior’? Was that phrase too expensive for you?”

“…”

“Head of the department.”

“Yes.”

“I received many congratulations on my promotion yesterday and today, from people in other departments. But not a single person from our European division, our family, has congratulated me yet. I was about to call you yesterday, head of the department. I don’t feel confident. As Manager Son said, I haven’t even had the bulldog experience, and after living like a ghost in ETC for over three years, what does this promotion to chief mean? Please reconsider, that’s what I wanted to say.”

Suddenly, I felt uneasy.

Was it because of the situation Chief Oh had been facing within the European division?

No.

I’ve been through it too, after all.

It wasn’t for that reason, but because the senior, who seemed strong and unbreakable in any situation, was about to crumble in front of his juniors, and that made me feel uneasy.

“I was about to press the call button when suddenly, I felt a surge of defiance. Why am I worrying about others right now? Right, I’ve always done things my way. The responsibility lies with the head of the department. Let’s give it a try. If I give up this opportunity now, I’m only proving and acknowledging why I deserved to be ostracized. That’s why I didn’t contact you. I want to give it a proper try. I’ll do my very best not to disappoint you, considering the cumbersome process you’ve gone through to make this decision. Thank you sincerely for this great opportunity. Additionally, I have a word for my colleagues in the European division, under the director.”

“…”

“After this meeting ends and we return to the office, come to me and say, ‘Chief Oh, congratulations on your promotion.’ Just that one phrase to me.”

With those words from Chief Oh Ji-won, the atmosphere in the training room began to change.

This is it, exactly this!

Chief Oh is incredibly good at this kind of thing.

He always strikes at people’s vulnerabilities from unexpected angles.

His project style is exactly like this.

“So, as if nothing happened yesterday, today, or over the past three years, I will say, ‘Thank you, let’s do well moving forward, I’m counting on you.’ And I will treat you all just as I said.”

“…”

“We’re all salaried workers. Whether you’re the one conforming, the one being ostracized, the one stuck in the middle unable to do this or that, or the one mixing in unnecessary personal emotions… In the end, we’re all salaried workers, and that’s why we had no choice but to be that way. With that understanding, I will forget the past times. So, please come and congratulate me. Don’t leave anyone out.”

***

“Executive Director Yoon, that guy. His people skills are extraordinary!”

Morning in Pyeongchang-dong.

From the breakfast table, Chairman Kang Ki-young’s face is brimming with pleasant excitement.

“How many days has it been since you started at Mulsan?”

“Today marks exactly… the 10th day.”

The daily reports from Director Yoon Tae-sik of Mulsan.

Chairman Kang Man-ho, who had anticipated a struggle, was momentarily skeptical of President Min Byung-jin’s report, hearing that the organization, expected to be in disarray, was tidied up in the blink of an eye and had immediately entered the performance race.

But numbers don’t lie.

Even more so, there have been no personnel departures.

“Ten days. You’ve managed to take control of the large European division in just ten days? And you’ve already entered into a performance race against the Overseas Construction Division?”

No one was more pleased with the positive news created by Director Yoon Tae-sik than Executive Director Kang Moon-jung.

Chairman Kang Ki-young, watching his granddaughter move her chopsticks with a slight smile for a while, said,

“I can’t nag you anymore about not having an eye for people. He’s been around this house for three years, and I saw him every day without recognizing it.”

“How could I even dare to speak in front of Grandfather?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Is Moon-jung’s personality ordinary? A bit fussy, isn’t it?”

“Wasn’t the breakfast atmosphere pleasant today?”

“You’ve been accompanied by her for three years, and you’ve been taking her around for three years. Just by that, I should have realized it’s not just anyone, that Kang Ki-young has finally made it.”

Hiding her laughter behind a snort, Executive Director Kang Moon-jung resumed her meal.

Then, as if giving a work directive, her grandfather said,

“Finish up today’s work quickly, and bring Yoon’s executive to dinner tonight.”

At those words, Chairman Kang Man-ho startled and said,

“Father, since we all know each other already, shouldn’t Moon-jung be the first to pay a visit to Executive Yoon’s house?”

“It’s not about bringing a suitor for Moon-jung, but about having a meal with an employee who’s doing well in my company.”

“…”

“Ever since I heard that he handled the greetings roughly with the people we’ll be moving forward with, I liked his resolve. Hearing that he naturally settled it with a performance race, I thought, ‘That guy, he’s just like me.'”

Tilting her head, Executive Director Kang Moon-jung asked,

“Grandfather’s type? What type are you, Grandfather?”

“The type who isn’t satisfied until they get what they want.”

“Then, Executive Yoon isn’t Grandfather’s type?”

“Why not?”

“That person still doesn’t quite know what they want. Grandfather has always been clear about what he wants, hasn’t he? But that person isn’t.”

As she tried to decipher the meaning behind those words, Executive Kang Moon-jung looked at the grandfather, who slightly tilted his head, and smiled brightly.

“I have to tell them what to do. Do this, you really have to do well at this. I really want to excel at this… like that. Then they somehow manage to do it, that’s Executive Yoon for you.”

“Let’s see whether my eyes are right or your words are, over dinner tonight.”