The Chairman Who Wants to Play and Eat

Chapter 29. It’s not over until it’s over.

It was reported extensively.

[ Korea University · Communication Research Institute (KIDC), successful ‘Research and Development Network’ project for advanced electronic communications ······ Will strive for the advancement of information in Korean society. ]

[ Connected to academic research networks in the U.S. and Europe through the internet. ······ A leap forward in research modernization. ]

However, due to the unfamiliar content, it did not receive much attention.

Even the reactions that did exist were not positive.

“Internet? What’s that? I’ve never heard of it before?”

“Things like semiconductors can be exported overseas, but what’s the net for? Deep-sea fishing boats?”

“Are you saying text communication is possible hundreds of kilometers away? Isn’t that already a thing? You can do that with a fax.”

There were some positive responses as well.

“If cutting-edge technology keeps emerging like this, won’t there come a time when you can handle company work from home with just one computer and receive letters or newspapers without paper?”

But immediately, it was met with ridicule.

Everyone scoffed.

“Hey, come on. If you’re going to exaggerate, at least say you can meet people and make calls with a computer.”

“Sir, I think you’ve watched too many sci-fi movies; maybe you should visit a hospital?”

But for Professor Eom Nam-jun, who had cultivated all of this, it was merely a story from another country.

His interest lay in just one thing.

Seonghyeon Electronics,

“Professor, have you still not made contact?”

“Yes, they say he has no intention of leaving the lab at all.”

Deputy Director Ha Hyung-soo, the head of the computer communication task force, rubbed his temples and let out a groan. He felt a throbbing pain.

“Oh dear, come on. Stop looking at papers for a while.”

This was all because of the research and development network.

A few domestic universities, including KAIST, participated, and the scope was expanded to connect to several networks overseas, like ARPANET and CSNET.

The internet was indeed a treasure trove of knowledge.

It was as I had heard.

Precious materials like original-language papers and project proposals were scattered all over the BBS (electronic bulletin board), truly laid out for all to see.

Until now, these were things that were hard to come by unless one went to the local site.

Everyone thirsty for research was delighted.

Among them, Professor Oh was especially so.

Perhaps that’s why,

“I think I need to do a bit more research. As for the administrative parts, well, I don’t know anything about that, so just have Seonghyeon take care of everything.”

With just this remark, he literally shut himself away in his research lab.

It was a true research fanatic’s behavior.

For days and nights on end, he read without pause, and the news was that the Korean University research lab never had its lights turned off.

“Ha······.”

The problem was that all the remaining tasks had been piled onto Seonghyeon.

Given such circumstances, how could Deputy Head Ha not see a few more strands of white hair sprouting each day?

And that wasn’t all.

Director Seo Jung-gil of the Korean Institute of Data Communication (KIDC) took it a step further.

“What on earth does that even mean?”

“Is there a rule that says we must only use UNIX while making a 32-bit computer? While we’re at it, let’s challenge ourselves with a domestic OS and a domestic personal computer.”

Personal computer,

A term as unfamiliar to the public as the internet itself.

It’s a compound word formed from “personal,” meaning individual, and “computer,” which is 컴퓨터 in Korean.

In simple terms, it means a personal computer.

It goes without saying that this is not an ordinary item.

The computer itself is a precious commodity.

Even administrative computers used by government agencies or research computers are shared among dozens of people.

Why, you ask?

Because they are expensive. Extremely so.

At such a time, to talk about personal computers is to speak without understanding reality.

The price of the highest-spec personal computer currently available, the Apple Lisa, is just shy of $10,000.

Since a BMW 320i also costs around $10,000, one could easily say that the price of a car is more than sufficient.

It’s outrageously expensive.

“Do they make things like that in Korea?

And under the name of a conglomerate like Seonghyeon?

No matter how lacking one is in business sense, it’s clear that it’s a venture that would only drain money without yielding any returns.

Manager Ha had a headache.

‘Just because I want to, doesn’t mean I can do it. I sincerely ask you to reconsider.’

He had no choice but to plead like this.

Director Seo responded.

‘You say it doesn’t make sense? If it doesn’t make sense, then we must make it work, even if it means becoming a donkey. For Hyun Sang-yoon, I’m prepared to charge forward, even if I have to be a donkey instead of a horse.’

The light in his eyes sparkled like starlight.

It was a look that seemed impervious to further argument.

So, Manager Ha had no choice but to play his last card.

That was,

“Sir.”

“You should refer to me as Employee Hyun in the company. Didn’t you receive a handover from the former Deputy Manager So?”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Very well. Please, go ahead, Manager Ha.”

Once again, Manager Ha addressed him with utmost respect.

“Yes, Employee Hyun.”

It felt as if only the title had changed, and nothing else was different, but nonetheless, he shrugged his shoulders.

What mattered was not that.

He began to earnestly voice his grievances.

First, Professor Eo Nam-jun.

“Professor, you haven’t been involved at all in the joint project. Our task force is working hard, but honestly, it feels a bit overwhelming.”

Next, Director Seo Jung-gil.

“Director Seo of KIDC is being a bit too ambitious. Just managing the Unix computers is enough to drive anyone crazy, and now he wants to take on personal computers at this point? I receive requests for cooperation several times a day. Could you please help resolve this?”

This was the matter concerning the two individuals.

Even he thought it was a bit odd for a manager to speak to an employee in such a tone.

But what did it matter?

What was important was the heart of the decision-maker,

And it was only natural to report to someone who held the decision-maker’s heart, whether that person was an employee or anyone else.

“Is that so? No wonder…”

Finally, Deputy Manager Ha’s last hope, Hyun Sang-yoon, opened his mouth.

…It was a welcome sound amidst the conversation.

To summarize Deputy Manager Ha’s words:

‘…Professor Oh isn’t doing his job. …Director Seo is doing too much work.’

Isn’t that it?

It’s something both of them desperately wish for.

What was Chairman Hyun’s principle?

It boils down to these two points.

There is nothing more dangerous than placing an unqualified person in a position, and if a manager makes the mistake of leaving an unqualified person in that position, then the manager is also unqualified.

Of course, both Professor Oh and Director Seo are more than qualified.

They are experts in their fields. Skilled professionals.

However, according to Chairman Hyun’s standards, they are both unqualified because one neglects their duties while the other overexerts themselves.

What does that mean?

“Keeping such people in their positions becomes the responsibility of those in authority.”

Those in authority?

That would be me.

On the surface, it is obviously Deputy Manager Ha.

But ultimately, the target of my grandfather’s wrath will be me, so isn’t it essentially my responsibility as well?

Wrath, you say.

It’s something I hope for and long for.

“What should we do? Please make a decision quickly, sir.”

Those two are the ones we need to protect. I feel a bit sorry for Deputy Manager Ha, but it can’t be helped.

“Deputy Manager.”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“What is the purpose of our TF? Is it research? Or is it product development?”

He pondered deeply.

“It seems that neither is exactly correct.”

That’s the right answer.

I supplemented his words.

“That’s right. We’re not just here to conduct research, nor are we here solely to create products. The purpose of our organization is to provide research funding to those who study in between, and to pay for the products made by those who create them.”

His expression was serious as he listened to me.

“So, you two are doing well.”

“······I see.”

“We just need to do our part well, just as Manager Ha and the members have done so far. I ask for your continued support in the future.”

He replied.

“I understand your words well, sir.”

“Good. I feel reassured knowing that you are listening, Manager.”

I gently patted his shoulder.

Hope remained.

As long as they were here, the potential of the Gangnam building still existed.

‘It’s not over until it’s over.’

Thus, today was peaceful.

A perfectly normal day was passing for the Computer Communication TF of Seonghyeon Electronics.

*

Meanwhile, at the residence of Vice Chairman Park Do-won of the Jeong Sang Group in Hannam-dong,

“You useless brat.”

Vice Chairman Park threw the inkstone he held in his hand. It hit the wall. A crashing sound echoed.

“I’m sorry, Father.”

“Do you have any idea how much I got scolded by the Chairman because of you?”

“It’s all my fault. I should have known that Chairman Son…”

At those words, Park Do-won picked up another inkstone.

“Did you really think that just because the Chairman earnestly asked Chairman Son, that that sly fox would keep his promises? How naive can you be to think you could survive in this harsh business world with such innocence!”

He wasn’t angry about the mistake made.

He wasn’t even angry about showing such a foolish side in front of the entire Federation of Korean Industries.

Of course, that too made him angry.

But more than that, he couldn’t accept the fact that his own son was such a fool that he couldn’t even calculate such a simple variable.

In the back of his mind, he thought,

‘After all, just being good at studying doesn’t mean you’re good at management.’

“I heard you got into the Sociology Department at Korea University. It seems that being an academic is indeed the right path for you. As for being a businessman, well…”

It felt as if I could hear whispers around me.

A silence settled in for a while.

“Jaeeil, you!”

Suddenly, Park Dowon shouted at his son, who was cowering like a sinner in front of him.

“Yes…”

“What kind of voice is that!”

“Yes, sir! Father!”

He spoke.

“Don’t beat yourself up over one mistake. That kind of attitude only makes you weaker. Your grandfather wouldn’t want to see you like this either.”

“I will keep that in mind, Father.”

“Forget the past for now. You still have a chance to make up for it.”

Park Dowon seemed to have more to say.

“Is there something you want me to do?”

Park Jaeeil asked cautiously.

Even though he had caused a huge embarrassment this time, he wasn’t completely oblivious.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Please tell me. I will definitely get it done this time.”

“Good.”

Park Jaeeil swallowed hard.

“That Hyun Sang-yoon or whatever his name is, he’s in law school, but his grades are only average at best. Empty cans make the most noise, you know.”

At the mention of that name, Park Jaeeil trembled.

Hyun Sang-yoon,

A name he didn’t want to hear.

“So what do you want me to do…?”

Park Dowon continued.

“What do you think? There’s a final exam coming up. Use whatever means necessary to secure the top spot in the entire College of Social Sciences. I want you to bring Hyun Sang-yoon down academically. Show your grandfather that you can achieve victory if you set your mind to it. Do you understand?”

*

Time passed.

Before long, the sweltering heat of midday approached, reaching temperatures of 30 to 40 degrees.

However, the law students of Korea University were unfazed.

Thanks to the Seongam Library.

The air conditioning, running 24 hours in the reading room, allowed them to study in a more comfortable environment than students from other faculties.

So,

“Hey, how dare a student from another university enter our sacred library!”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“If you’re sorry, pack your things and get out.”

They patrolled several times a day.

To chase away the intruders from other universities.

‘Our department, our assets, we will protect them.’

And,

The one leading all of this was none other than the student representative of the Korea University College of Law, Student Council President Pyo Dae-jun.

He thought to himself.

‘The dean said this time we must succeed. For the dean, and for all of us in the law department who want scholarships, this must succeed.’

It was about Hyun Sang-yoon.

It was just before the final exams.

Last time, they awarded double scholarships to all students who scored lower than Hyun Sang-yoon. That was the reason why Hyun Sang-yoon had to come in first in this exam.

He entered the main building.

His steps halted under the sign that read Eobinja.

Knock, knock,

“Come in.”

The door opened.

The atmosphere inside was markedly different from outside.

A relatively spacious room filled with desks, cluttered with notes, thick law books, and a few people who remained motionless, regardless of who came or went,

This was the birthplace of the Korea University bar exam preparation, Eobinja.

In other words, the study group for the bar exam.

‘Ugh, the smell.’

Pyo Dae-jun covered his nose with his sleeve. It was a smell that made it clear how long everyone had been studying without washing.

“Don’t disturb the kids studying, just get inside quickly.”

“······Ah, yes.”

The place where the voice came from was the lounge.

“Did you come here because you needed something from me?”

A man in his late twenties was waiting inside for Byeon Dae-jun.

With a scruffy beard and a disheveled appearance, he had an unusual look that suggested he had been through at least five rounds of the bar exam.

“Yes, senior.”

“What’s going on? You’re not thinking of joining the study group, are you?”

“…Not yet.”

“Then why are you here?”

He asked.

“It’s just that there’s a first-year student who absolutely needs to come in first place in the upcoming final exams. I really need your help. The dean has also agreed to assist. Please, I beg you, Senior Ma Jin-sang.”

I continued explaining.

From the fact that the heir of the Seonghyeon conglomerate had enrolled this year to the scholarship discussions regarding the Seongam Library, I laid it all out.

There was no way he wouldn’t know about it.

“Hmmm.”

After hearing everything, Ma Jin-sang stroked his chin. His interest was piqued.

“Alright, then I’ll have to help actively.”

“Thank you so much, senior.”

“I’m just saying this to be safe, but I’m not doing this hoping for any funding for our Urban Study Group. It’s purely out of goodwill for my junior rabbits. Do you understand what I mean?”

A moment of silence passed between us as the same thought crossed our minds.

“By the way, did you just say Seonghyeon?”

Ma Jin-sang suddenly asked.

“Yes.”

“Seonghyeon…”

He fell back into thought again.

“Let’s see. That name sounds familiar. Oh right. I heard there’s a classmate of mine over there. What department did he say he was in? Was it the secretary’s office?”