Hyena-nim Will Show You What She's Capable Of (1)
Next Planet's vice CEO, Choi Younghoon, and executive vice president, Kim Sangho, had come out for an important dinner engagement today. This was a meeting with the mayor of Nonsan.
Choi Younghoon poured a drink for the mayor and said,
"Thank you so much for your support. Thanks to your generous assistance, Mr. Mayor, I'm confident the 115km project will succeed. I believe that this model of mutual cooperation between Next Planet and Nonsan City will serve as an exemplary case for other municipalities as well."
"Oh, not at all. I haven't done anything much. Thanks to Next Planet under your leadership, our Nonsan will now soar as a mecca for tourism, just like Yeosu, won't it? My expectations are very high."
The two exchanged pleasantries and continued their drinks in a warm, convivial atmosphere. This time, executive vice president Kim Sangho poured a drink for the mayor and spoke.
"Mr. Mayor, among the restaurants in Next Planet, there are several whose contract periods are ending. If you just let me know, I'll make sure nothing problematic happens with them."
"All right. I'll count on you, Mr. Kim. Please also handle the upcoming gift shop for me."
"Of course. Since the mayor loves Next Planet so much, we must return the favor."
The mayor let out a hearty laugh.
Kim Sangho planned to hand the operation rights to some Next Planet restaurants to the mayor's relatives, and do so on staggeringly exceptional terms.
The mayor then turned to vice CEO Choi Younghoon.
"Oh, and you must ensure the continued employment of senior workers in Nonsan. As you know, my votes depend on it in the next election."
"Absolutely, of course. Our mayor ought to rise even higher, shouldn't he? Next Planet will be your stepping stone."
Choi Younghoon informed the mayor that Lee Hyunmin would soon be laying off the senior workers in the theme park.
In doing so, the vice CEO brought the mayor to the negotiating table and drew out such an agreement.
"You should consider entering politics yourself, vice CEO."
At the mayor's words, the vice CEO laughed heartily. Kim Sangho did the same.
'Is the day when I'll become vice CEO drawing near?'
Satisfied, they wrapped up their dinner and parted ways. The vice CEO said to Kim Sangho,
"That guy, Lee Hyunmin, has gotten too big. It's no longer enough to just hold him back. We need to show our strength now and then like this."
"You really are the best, hyung. I'll always trust you and follow your lead."
***
Choi Hyena was in a downcast mood.
It was probably because she couldn't come up with a breakthrough solution for the 115km project.
Normally she took the lead in all big and small matters at the Reform Division with strong energy, but now she seemed powerless.
Kim Junho and Lee Yunjung naturally watched her closely, unable to calm their nerves.
Sensing this, Park Seok-min, the team leader of the Event & Performance Team, spoke to Choi Hyena.
"Hyena-nim, I think it's impossible for the working staff to come up with a way to solve the 115km project issue. So please don't be too discouraged."
It was true enough. But Choi Hyena slumped her shoulders.
"That's the thing about planning work. I don't have definite specialties like you, team leader, or Yunjung. And I can't bring visible results like Junho-nim, either."
She even heaved a big sigh.
"The division director already has so much to worry about. Even if I can't solve it directly, at the very least I should provide some idea to inspire the division director. Every time something like this happens, how should I put it? I feel like I lose my value."
I wanted to offer Choi Hyena the chocolate she likes, but Kim Junho beat me to it. Junho is always quick.
It's sweet of him to care for Hyena, but I wish he'd have left me a chance... I awkwardly put my hand back in my pocket and said,
"If you could come up with a brilliant idea right here, Hyena-nim, you wouldn't be here beside me but working at Microsoft or Google. So don't feel too burdened."
It was meant to be comforting. Was it comforting, though? These things are always hard.
"As someone from the Zhuge family, it's my duty to pave the way for the one who'll become the Murim Alliance leader."
"Hearing such ridiculous talk means your mental state isn't completely out of it."
That worked.
This is why Hyena's easy to talk to.
I don't really like using MBTI types much, but she's definitely a T. A capital T for sure.
"Should we try a negative strategy? We could say that the vice CEO and executive vice president improperly solicited Nonsan's help to win over 115km."
"Let's hold back. If we can't find evidence, we'll only get counterattacked."
"But if there's smoke, there must be fire. If we dig into it thoroughly, something will come out. At the very least, we can shake them up."
"Not this time. Maybe later, but not now."
"Why not...?"
"To an external perspective, the vice CEO and executive VP's line did land a major case through their own ability. We need to confront them directly here. If we don't, people will only think the Reform Division is less capable than the vice CEO's line."
Choi Hyena nodded.
"So, this time you've chosen to walk the righteous path. In that case, I'll follow suit."
Although she pretended to be confident, no matter how much I thought, no clear answer emerged.
I just wanted to solve things brilliantly and become a superstar on my own... But I need to be realistic.
This isn't the time to be stubborn.
"Since the opponent borrowed outside help, I should also seek someone else's assistance."
"No way! Since they brought in Nonsan City, are we going to bring in Chungcheongnam Province?"
"No... That's a bit much. It's not like I have any connections there."
Why do people always go too far?
I definitely saw a trace of disappointment on Choi Hyena's face as it passed. The others were the same.
"I'll have to use the chairman's gift. I intend to use every resource available to me."
"Oh! You're about to play the strongest card there is—one that could easily overwhelm even Nonsan, maybe even the President!"
Choi Hyena gasped.
"I heard you communicate directly with the chairman. So the rumor was true?"
Park Seok-min, the team leader, greatly misunderstood.
"You're going up against them with the chairman himself. Division director, you're truly amazing."
Kim Junho was in awe.
"Who's the chairman that you're all so surprised? And what kind of gift can he possibly offer? Is he the owner of a building in Gangnam or something?"
Lee Yunjung chimed in.
I first had to clear up all the misunderstandings and explain who the chairman was, and what his gift entailed.
"So... the vice CEO isn't the President? Gosh... I'm embarrassed that I didn't even know that."
Yunjung's face turned red, and Choi Hyena fussed over her affectionately, saying how cute she was.
Kim Junho, noticeably brightened, said,
"Are you going to ask the chairman to buy the copyright for 'Your Touch,' division director?"
Yunjung clapped and continued,
"And what about asking for the music video production costs too? The chairman is even richer than a Gangnam building owner, right? I'm right this time, aren't I?"
Choi Hyena coldly shook her head.
"I'm against that sort of request. That would leave us nothing for next time."
Kim Junho and Lee Yunjung looked at each other in confusion.
Hyena really does think things through in ways others don't. She and I reached the same conclusion, though for different reasons.
I began to explain.
"If I asked the chairman to buy the copyright and fund the music video, he'd probably do it. He keeps his promises. But! You only get to use such a gift once. You have to milk it for all it's worth, for as long as possible. We'll need the chairman's help even more in the future."
"I agree, but I also don't want to disappoint the chairman. That's how I see it."
"Ah, now only division director gets to be the good guy!"
Choi Hyena grumbled. I shrugged. But what can I do? That's how I truly feel.
"What I mean is, if you always run begging for help whenever things get tough, what do you think the other party will feel? They'll only end up sick of you. It's just shortening the shelf-life of the relationship. If you want something from the chairman, you have to show the Reform Division's ability first."
Lee Yunjung raised her hand. Her sparkling eyes reminded me of a student asking a teacher a question.
"But if the chairman covers the costs, and we then boost visitor numbers at the theme park with 115km, doesn't that prove our ability?"
"That's true, but... people can't help but get the impression it was all solved by money. Then, within Next Planet, the Reform Division won't be so well thought of."
If things got tough and we went running to the chairman, we'd just look like whiny children.
It might bring short-term success, but in the long run, it only weakens everyone's toughness and erodes trust.
"Then what should we do?"
Lee Yunjung started writing down what I said in her notebook. Why was she even taking notes?
"Sometime soon, there'll be a meeting held for the 115km project. I'll ask the chairman to attend as my requested gift."
"That's it? Isn't that a waste?"
"Not at all. If the Reform Division can plant this idea in the chairman and everyone else, it'll actually become a much greater gift."
"What idea?"
"We managed to create a great opportunity with our own ability. We're trying everything we can to seize it, and could do great things if given the chance, but we just don't have the money."
Lee Yunjung kept taking notes, but I didn't think she'd fully grasped what I meant.
Kim Junho was the same. Park Seok-min, the team leader, spoke up.
"So the goal is to make the chairman voluntarily spend money, rather than asking for it. And to make those around him feel the same. That's what you mean, right?"
"Exactly."
He looked troubled.
"It really is difficult dealing with all the stakeholders involved. I learned a lot from you again today, division director. At the same time, I'm worried. Now that I'm a team leader, I ought to respond like you, but... Can I really do it? Dae-hyun's the one who's good at this..."
I found myself a little amazed, too. Was I always like this? Or is it the position that changes a person?
I've never even had experience as a team leader, and now here I am, listening to the concerns of someone about to become one themselves.
"All right, then! There are things you all need to prepare ahead of this meeting. Let's win the 115km project with our own hands!"
***
Jung Kyung-chul, chairman of Next Global, couldn't help but cock his head at a mysterious text message.
[Lee Hyunmin: Chairman, I'd like to receive the gift you said you'd give. There's going to be a meeting soon. I'd like you to attend.]
He stared at it for a long while. Usually, he didn't respond to texts, but today his curiosity got the better of him.
[Is that all you want for your gift?]
[Lee Hyunmin: You'll be giving your precious time, chairman. That's more than enough.]
Sinking into the sofa, he thought for a bit, then called someone.
"My lovely nephew, are you busy? Can you talk?"
He was trying to organize his thoughts.
"So, Hyunmin is asking for nothing more than my attendance at a meeting as his gift. I have no idea what this kid is scheming. What's the issue at Next Planet right now?"
His nephew explained what was happening regarding the request from the singer, 115km.
Chairman Jung Kyung-chul let out an admiring whistle.
"Is this the effect of Lee Hyunmin? He used to go on overseas theme park tours and just play golf all day for fun, but now look at him actually making moves."
He was already clued-in to what the vice CEO was up to.
"And while all this is going on, he doesn't ask for copyright or music video costs, just for me to attend the meeting. Smart kid..."
Through his phone call with his nephew, he collected his thoughts.
"He's gotten clever. So what's the intention behind that gift? He wants my recognition. To show those around him that he's been acknowledged for his competence by me. That'll make future work easier. And when I'm in a good mood, I'll give even more."
He laughed with genuine amusement.
"So, what will I do at that meeting? I'm just going to enjoy myself, watch Hyunmin and see if he brags, acts pitiful or lies right to my face. I'm curious."
After finishing the call, Jung Kyung-chul smiled broadly. There was something he hadn't told his nephew, for fear of a scolding:
'You only contacted me because you've hit a wall. So in front of me, you need to show real responses and logic. If you fail at that? There'll be no more gifts after this.'