Strawberry Waffle Fairy (2)
9 a.m.
Once again, we had a meeting first thing in the morning.
The main agenda was what to do about the strawberry waffle fairy, Lee Yunjung.
Team leader Shin Miyoung began her explanation.
"Kim Junho checked the shop list and tried to get in touch. We're in a position where we can secure about three reliable stores. The expense hurts, but I think it's something we need to bear. What do you think, division director?"
I nodded.
How impressive.
Their work is incredibly fast.
This was probably thanks to team leader Shin Miyoung's excellent leadership combined with Kim Junho's relentless activity.
But from here on is when it really starts.
Team leader Shin Miyoung spoke up in a stronger voice.
"I'm actually wondering whether we really need to bring in that strawberry waffle student. The risks are just too great. She's still a college student. According to actual on-site data, people in their early twenties have caused a lot of responsibility-related issues, regardless of gender."
Risk. She's not wrong. She even brought data, which makes it really hard to argue against.
"They say the Legal & Audit team could somehow handle the legal issues regarding nationality, but the problem is, it wouldn't be strange for that student to return to Japan at any time. That's another added risk right there."
"But Yunjung has a very clear story from a marketing perspective, doesn't she? I think it fits perfectly with the theme of a 'beautiful time that will never come again'."
"That's why it feels like a loss. She chose to stay in Korea at her most beautiful, early-twenties age because she likes the country. Plus, her father is from Nonsan, and her student image just gives off that fresh, strawberry-like vibe. Still... I want to focus more on sustainability and stability."
Choi Hyena raised a counterargument.
"Yunjung's strawberry waffle really is on another level. There's a reason why Japan is called the dessert kingdom. And every little thing about Yunjung's fresh looks and actions... The impact she brings is way bigger than you think, team leader."
Kim Junho nodded, then must have realized and quickly stared straight ahead with wide eyes.
A cute, bright girl in her early twenties greeting visitors at the theme park right when they arrive—with a fresh, sweet strawberry waffle in hand.
It definitely paints the picture.
"If Yunjung works here, I bet a lot of couples will break up because of her! She could even gain the infamous title of 'couple breaker'."
Is that really an advantage...?
Choi Hyena, geez... She's usually so calm, but once she's into something, she gets extremely biased.
I made the final decision.
"How about letting Yunjung sell strawberry waffles for just a week, as a trial? We'll review the results after that and discuss it again. For stability, let's finalize contracts with two dessert shops and keep looking for new ones as time allows."
We can test Lee Yunjung's character and sincerity.
And I trust Lee Yunjung's strawberry waffle.
It's always about proving results.
***
Park Miran from the Business Strategy Team.
She absolutely loathes the Reform Division.
Division director Lee Hyunmin brought in Choi Hyena, with whom she doesn't get along, and then put Choi Hyena on the same level as her.
10:30 a.m.
She and two coworkers ditched work and stepped outside the office.
They walked towards the main entrance of the theme park and spotted a small food truck.
"Huh? When did that show up? That wasn't there until yesterday, was it?"
A cute, still-young girl was selling strawberry waffles.
The sweet, fresh fragrance teased the noses of the Park Miran group, who hadn't eaten breakfast.
"Hey, isn't that something the Reform Division set up?"
"Yeah, it is."
"There they go with another weird scheme."
They tried to walk past it, ignoring it.
But the golden waffle and fresh strawberries tempted them.
"Should we just try one?"
"Let's do it. Let's just buy one and try it."
"If it's not good, we'll post right away on the anonymous board."
"Yeah, same. Like the Reform Division ever does anything right."
So the three of them bought just one waffle.
Park Miran took the first bite.
"Oh, my. What is this waffle?"
"Why? Is it that bad?"
"No... This is art. No matter how much I dislike that division director, I couldn't possibly criticize this strawberry waffle."
Her two colleagues quickly bought a waffle each.
Once they tasted it, their faces were overtaken by ecstasy.
"Unni, wow... all I can do is sigh in awe."
"This is the first time I've had a strawberry waffle this good."
Seeing this, Lee Yunjung bowed at a ninety-degree angle and greeted them.
"Thank you so much for enjoying the strawberry waffles! My name is Lee Yunjung. I'm here selling strawberry waffles for just a week as a trial. Please support me so I can keep selling them here. I'll do my best!"
The girl selling the waffles was cute—and even polite.
She immediately captured the heart of Park Miran, who was known for being tough.
"Oh my! You're just so lovely. Unni will buy you one more strawberry waffle. Keep working hard, okay? Stay strong."
Park Miran and her group each bought another waffle.
These people, who had been with Next Planet for a long time, had a lot of influence.
Back at the office, they made a big deal about it.
"Hey, did you try that strawberry waffle at the entrance? It's like heaven."
"Is it really that good? I'll have to try one myself."
Word of the strawberry waffle reached the Business Strategy Team leader, Lee Siwon.
"This strawberry waffle is the real deal. I hate the Reform Division, but I've got to admit this."
He bought a strawberry waffle and went to see his friend, the Event & Performance Team leader, Kim Cheol-jin.
"Hey, try this. It's insanely good. Seriously."
"What? Isn't that Lee Hyunmin's item? Why would I eat that?"
"Just eat it. You can hate the person, but you can't hate the strawberry waffle."
"Huh? I usually don't like desserts, but... guess I do now."
***
I had a meeting with the strawberry supplier.
It was to secure strawberries for the strawberry churros and strawberry waffles. This went smoothly, since Next Planet had already set up a vendor.
I just had to relay a few reminders.
It was now 3 p.m.
Time to get back to the office and start researching photospot planning and design.
Suddenly, I got a call.
Yunjung? What's going on?
[Division director, this is Yunjung. What should I do? Something big happened.]
Her urgent voice.
My heart dropped. I was the one who brought her in—if anything happened, it would be all my responsibility.
Team leader Shin Miyoung already wasn't fond of her.
"What happened?"
[It's the waffles. We already sold out. People keep asking if there's more, but we only prepared enough for exactly 100, right?]
"Huh? How is that even possible? With how many Next Planet visitors?"
[Ah... I'm sorry. I think I messed up.]
"What are you apologizing for?"
What the heck. She's making me nervous.
[Almost all the employees bought them. We were supposed to sell to theme park visitors... Did I mess up?]
"Yes... I think you messed up."
[I... I'm really sorry.]
"No. Not in a bad way, but in a good way."
A thought flashed through my mind.
This will work. No doubt about it.
That evening, posts about strawberry waffles started popping up on the company's anonymous bulletin board.
[Do we have to sell exactly 100 strawberry waffles?]
[The strawberry waffle thing—is it going to keep going?]
[The girl selling strawberry waffles is super cute.]
[I'm going to make a beeline for strawberry waffles tomorrow.]
Within a day, there were over 30 posts.
Three days passed.
On the third day, the strawberry waffles—which were limited to 100 a day—sold out before noon.
Even some Next Planet employees emailed me, asking to increase the daily supply.
Judging there was no need to look further, I decided to end this strawberry waffle trial for now.
Team leader Shin Miyoung, still in disbelief, said,
"Division director... Yunjung's strawberry waffle... I didn't expect it to have this much impact. Maybe we should place a bet on her. But there's still an issue, isn't there?"
Yunjung currently had dual citizenship.
One of the reasons she came to Korea this time was because she had reached the age where she had to choose a nationality.
With a bright face, Yunjung said,
"I came as an exchange student, but honestly, I'm not that good at studying."
She stuck her tongue out.
"Maybe I take after my mom, but I've always wanted to own a bakery or dessert shop. And after three days selling strawberry waffles here, that feeling only got stronger. I really love the atmosphere of a theme park, so I want to work here."
Her face fell, looking troubled.
"I want to stay in Korea... but my dad's really against it. My mom told me to do everything I want in Korea, though."
Everyone nodded. It seemed everyone felt the same.
What parent would want to see such a cute and delightful daughter off to a foreign country? It's natural to worry.
Now, everyone's eyes were on me.
I was the one who had to resolve this matter, after all.
"Yunjung, your family's in Shizuoka, right?"
"Yes. It's a beautiful place with a great view of Mt. Fuji."
"Please contact your parents. Tell them you'd like to visit them right away. I'm available tomorrow, too."
Everyone was surprised.
They wondered why I was rushing.
There's something I learned from standing in the position of a commander.
Back then, why did the chairman skip meetings and fly to Korea just to see me? Why was he in such a rush?
Maybe he thought saving time was more important than anything else?
Make decisions fast, take action fast, then get results fast and improve just as quickly.
We need to save this five-year 'doomed' theme park no matter what.
Just like the chairman back then, I need to act quickly and boldly.
A day went by.
Yunjung and I immediately flew to Shizuoka.
I'd been so busy lately that I hadn't been sleeping, so I slept through the entire flight.
"Division director, you really work so hard. You must be busy, and now you've come all the way to Japan because of me. I feel bad."
"It's fine. I do what needs to be done. And I have high expectations for you, Yunjung."
Yunjung looked at me quietly for a moment.
"Is something wrong?"
"Why do you work so hard, division director? It's not like you're the theme park heir."
"Well, that's true..."
On our way to her house, I explained how I ended up working at the theme park.
Of course, I left out the part about the theme park being a 'doomed' project.
"Wow... That's amazing. I want to become someone as sincere as you, division director."
"Someone like me... I was just lucky, that's all. The chairman just happened to give me a chance."
"Now you're the one giving me a chance."
I looked at her for a moment.
Hearing something like that moved me for some reason.
I realized I was becoming someone who had a positive impact on others. That made me feel good.
"I'll try even harder, for your sake, Yunjung."
"Please tell my dad why you switched to the theme park. He likes people who are sincere like you. Fighting!"
I nodded.
Before I knew it, we had arrived at her house.
Whew... I was nervous.
Her house was quite a mansion. The fence was so high.
Yunjung... turned out she was from a rich family.
She pressed the doorbell.
"Mom, I'm home!"
A graceful middle-aged woman in a kimono greeted me.
"Welcome, division director. I hear our Yunjung's been causing a lot of trouble for you."
Her Korean was excellent.
She smiled alluringly and then said,
"Yunjung told me a lot about you, division director. But she left something out."
"What's that?"
"You look like an actor from a K-drama. Are you here today as her boss, or as a prospective son-in-law?"
"Ah! Mom, what are you talking about!"
At times like this, I'm not great with words. There's no way I can just joke along smoothly.
So I just chose to keep quiet.
"At the very least, your father will totally misunderstand. Haaa! He'll dislike you the moment he sees you. Division director, good luck."
Why on earth...
When we entered what seemed to be the living room, a man in sweats, in stark contrast to her mother's kimono, glared at me with fierce eyes.
Anyone could see he was not happy.
Maybe it was her father's cold demeanor or what her mother had said, but it really felt like I'd come to say, "Please allow me to marry your daughter!..."
Ugh... Why am I feeling this kind of pressure?
Being division director isn't easy.
I gave a polite greeting.
"I'm Lee Hyunmin, division director of the Next Planet Reform Division. It's nice to meet you."
"I'm Yunjung's father. Don't bother with my name. Anyway, what's some bigshot doing here way out in Shizuoka?"
He was quite brusque.
"Ow!"
Yunjung's mother smacked her husband's thigh with an audible slap.
Yunjung's father offered no complaints.
He's quite the loving husband.
"I'm here about Yunjung's career."
"I have zero intention of letting my Yunjung live in Korea. No need to explain the details. As a Korean living in Japan myself, I seriously know how hard it is to live in a foreign country. It's not easy at all."
Whew... This isn't easy for me, either.
"I've come here set on taking Yunjung back to Korea."
As soon as I declared my intention,
Yunjung's father's face twisted even more.
Meanwhile, her mother looked immensely entertained.
Huh? That sounded like a marriage proposal.
I really must have a tendency to accelerate things.
But what can I do? Once I hit the accelerator, I don't look back or to the sides—I just keep going forward.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Full combustion mode!
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