The Overly Competent Junior Employee

“How’s working at a venture capital firm?”

Dokyung, Han Dahyun, and Oh Jae-seok, whom they had unexpectedly met at the seminar venue, continued their conversation at a restaurant near COEX.

“It’s good. I can do what I used to do in securities more professionally.”

Yuseong Venture Investment was an affiliate of the Yuseong Group.

Initially, they mainly invested in semiconductor startups in collaboration with Yuseong Semiconductor, another Yuseong Group affiliate, buying their technology to benefit the Yuseong Group.

Recently, however, they had moved away from this approach and were doing the core work of an investment company—professionally investing in startups and profiting from the results of those investments.

“More professional than in securities?”

“Yes. Back then, both you and I, Dahyun, were tired of dealing with companies preparing for IPOs (Initial Public Offerings).”

“That’s right. Both you, sunbae, and I wanted to make more direct investments.”

Oh Jae-seok had been Han Dahyun’s mentor. The two were alike not only in their working style but also in what they enjoyed doing.

They wanted to find companies just starting out with good technology, invest in them, and help them grow, but the work they had been doing was entirely different.

“So I thought you’d come over to our side too, Dahyun, but I was surprised to hear you went to WM (Wealth Management). How about it, want to come work for me now?”

Come to think of it, Han Dahyun had shown a particular interest in startups and new companies.

From observing her conversation with Oh Jae-seok, it seemed Han Dahyun had always been interested in such places.

Moving to a venture capital firm would have been a great opportunity for her. It would be an even better opportunity if there was a senior colleague who recognized her abilities and was scouting her.

“No.”

After a brief silence, Han Dahyun smiled as if she had finished deliberating and shook her head.

“Why not? I’m currently in the Venture Investment Division, and as the Chief Team Leader, it would be easy for me to guide you, Dahyun. You’ve always wanted to do this kind of work.”

“Of course, I know it’s an opportunity. As you said, sunbae, it’s work I like. But, sunbae…”

Han Dahyun carefully began to share her thoughts.

“I like where I am now too. The reason I like startups is that I feel sorry for companies with good technology becoming prey for large corporations. I wanted to find investors for these companies and help them shine.”

“Yes, that’s what I’m doing now. We used to invest with the aim of acquiring technology, targeting companies as prey, but not anymore. We invest where our money is needed and then profit after the startups grow…”

“That’s just it. I used to think I could only do that work if I went to a venture capital firm, but that’s not the case.”

Han Dahyun interrupted Oh Jae-seok, who was trying to recruit her, and continued.

“Here, I can directly invest clients’ money who want game changers into startups. It’s closer to what I wanted to do.”

PBs at the Leaders Center could do anything when it came to asset management.

Of course, most of their work involved investing in stock or bond markets through specific asset management service products, like what Dokyung had done at the Seongnam branch, but PBs at the Leaders Center were different.

They could not only invest in stocks and bonds, but as Han Dahyun said, they could also connect clients’ money to invest in startups, and even buy stocks of unlisted companies not yet on the stock market.

“Finding investors who want companies that can change the game and directly connecting them with such companies… isn’t that cool?”

At Han Dahyun’s words, Oh Jae-seok looked at her for a moment before chuckling.

“You really are odd. I was worried when I heard you went to the WM Division, but it seems my worry was unnecessary.”

“I really appreciate your concern. And thank you for the great opportunity. But I really like this job. I have good colleagues too.”

At Han Dahyun’s words, Oh Jae-seok looked at Dokyung for a moment before nodding.

“It’s a shame to lose a good talent, but let’s keep in touch and meet often. There might be days when you two need my help.”

Saying this, Oh Jae-seok took out his business card and handed it over, and Dokyung also took out an emergency business card he carried in his wallet and gave it to Oh Jae-seok.

“Please take care of us.”

“I look forward to working with you as well.”

“Well then, to celebrate meeting my junior after a long time and making a new friend, I’ll treat you to lunch. Shall we order?”

And so, the three had an enjoyable meal, exchanging various industry insights.

“Sunbae, please go in safely.”

“Alright, you take care too, Dahyun. Dokyung-ssi, let’s keep in touch.”

“Yes, please go safely.”

After parting with Oh Jae-seok, Dokyung and Han Dahyun moved to where they had parked the car.

“That was cool.”

When Dokyung spoke, Han Dahyun looked at him with an expression that seemed to ask what he meant.

“It was a good opportunity. But staying to do the work you want to do…”

“I just like where I am now. It’s certainly a good opportunity. I might regret it later. But you know…”

Han Dahyun continued, looking at Dokyung.

“I really like this job right now. If I move, I feel like I might have an even bigger regret than the one I mentioned earlier.”

Dokyung nodded and looked at Han Dahyun.

“I’ll support your decision, Dahyun-ssi.”

“Thank you.”

“Well, since Team Leader Oh bought us lunch today, add the value of my support to that, and you can buy lunch for a while.”

Dokyung said this and started walking ahead, and Han Dahyun stared at his back with an incredulous expression for a while before laughing and following him.

“But Dokyung-ssi, you earn more!”

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“Good morning, everyone.”

Two days later, after spending a somewhat productive weekend, Dokyung arrived at work early as usual. When Team Leader Seo Jeonghwan arrived, everyone stood up and bowed their heads.

“Welcome, Team Leader.”

“Let’s have our meeting together in the afternoon today. I think I need to go out for fieldwork early this morning.”

Team Leader Seo Jeonghwan had become more passionate than ever recently. Whether he had sorted out his thoughts or not, his change in attitude made him look like a different person, exuding confidence.

“Yes, understood.”

Everyone responded and began their work.

Monday is the busiest day for PBs. They had to update clients on the changes in global affairs over the weekend and determine most of their market response strategies for the week.

Buzz-

While deeply focused on his work, Dokyung reflexively picked up his mobile phone to check the screen at the vibrating message alert.

[This is the VIP Service that always cheers for you.]

[Congratulations. Yoon Dokyung-ssi has excellently completed the past few tasks we prepared and has proven his sufficient ability.]

Dokyung furrowed his brow at the incomprehensible message that arrived during an already busy morning.

[From today, a new type of task will be given to Yoon Dokyung-ssi.]

[This means Yoon Dokyung-ssi’s level has been raised.]

‘A new type of task?’

The words “new type of task” and “level has been raised” didn’t immediately sink in.

‘So what’s different now?’

Dokyung said this inwardly, and as if able to read his inner thoughts, a new message arrived.

[You’ll find out if you successfully complete the first task.]

As always, the message was unhelpful, but Dokyung wasn’t upset.

Although he didn’t know who they were, it meant that his actions so far had been recognized by them, and his level had been raised.

However, after seeing the next message, Dokyung thought he might have to retract his notion of not being upset.

[Here is the first task of the new type.]

[Satisfy Kwon Eun-ho-ssi and make him Yoon Dokyung-ssi’s client.]

‘Who is Kwon Eun-ho-ssi…’

[This is the VIP Service that always cheers for you.]

As if reluctant to answer, the message ended like that, and Dokyung began typing furiously on his phone keyboard.

[You should at least tell me who Kwon Eun-ho-ssi is.]

[Hey…….]

[Teachers? You said my level was raised, but this doesn’t seem right.]

Dokyung kept sending text messages, but no reply came.

“Sigh……”

Dokyung let out a long sigh and ruffled his hair.

As always, they probably meant for him to find the answer himself.

But this time, he couldn’t grasp anything at all.

Knock knock-

While deep in thought, Dokyung raised his head at the sound of someone knocking on the partition in front of him, and there stood Team Leader Seo Jeonghwan.

“Yoon Dokyung-ssi, are you busy? Have you finished all your morning tasks?”

At Seo Jeonghwan’s question, Dokyung, who had been reviewing documents, nodded.

“Yes. I’ve sent the weekly market outlook to the group chat, and I’ve also contacted clients individually with market response strategies via text message.”

“That’s good. Do you have any meeting schedules this morning?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then let’s go out together now.”

Seo Jeonghwan said this and left the office, and Dokyung watched him with a puzzled expression before grabbing his jacket and bag to follow.

Unhelpful situations had been piling up since morning today.

The message… and now Seo Jeonghwan.

“Dokyung-ssi, you have a pipeline, right?”

Dokyung nodded at Seo Jeonghwan’s question as they walked through Teheran Valley after leaving the center.

“Yes, I do.”

A pipeline referred to a steady income, and for Dokyung, it was his first client, the elderly man.

Although direct meetings had decreased since Dokyung moved to the Leaders Center, he still contacted him weekly, and the client continued to entrust his asset management to Dokyung with unwavering trust.

“How much is it?”

“About 5 billion won.”

This was also the client who had entrusted Dokyung with the most assets among his clients. Of course, Dokyung had earned him much more money, but recently, most of the profits had been moved to stable bank savings and deposits.

Still, he entrusted Dokyung with the significant sum of 5 billion won and supported Dokyung’s investment direction.

“That’s a large amount, but it’s quite average for the Leaders Center.”

“Yes, I’m aware of that.”

“And to survive in the Leaders Center, you need to attract even more funds and achieve higher individual performance.”

The Leaders Center demanded higher individual performance from PBs compared to regular branches.

Naturally, this was because the commissions from dealing with high-net-worth individuals were larger.

If a 1% commission was given for managing a client’s 5 billion won, that would mean 50 million won in commission from just one transaction.

Given the nature of the stock market, where continuous trading is necessary, the potential commission from 5 billion won was enormous.

However, to earn that 1% commission, they had to provide even greater returns to the client.

“The person Dokyung-ssi and I are going to meet now is the client who has entrusted me with the largest amount among my clients. We’ve been doing business for 7 years.”

“Ah, I see.”

Dokyung was curious about how much money a client managed by a team leader-level person might have entrusted, but he kept his mouth shut.

“You look curious.”

“Ah, no, not at all.”

“I’m managing 30 billion won.”

At Seo Jeonghwan’s words, Dokyung’s jaw dropped.

He knew there were many wealthy people in Korea, but this was an astounding amount for a single client to entrust.

“If I trade intensively for just four months, it’s a steady pipeline that can fulfill my entire year’s performance quota.”

“I see.”

“You’ll be taking over from now on.”

Seo Jeonghwan’s following words made Dokyung even more flustered.

“Pardon?”

“My thinking has become too rigid to manage this client now. I explained this to the client, and they agreed, so we’re going to meet them today.”

“Ah, no, Team Leader. This is too sudden.”

“Actually, the client has changed their investment style, and I’m finding it a bit difficult. Normally, I should have transferred them to another team or the Center Director… but that would be a waste, wouldn’t it?”

Seo Jeonghwan spoke so casually, but Dokyung could understand how difficult a decision this must have been for him.

The job of a PB involves walking a tightrope between clients and performance.

It wasn’t easy to hand over a client who could consistently fulfill one’s performance quota to someone else.

“That’s why I thought of you, Dokyung-ssi. Thankfully, the client wanted to meet you and wanted to give you a chance. We’re here.”

Seo Jeonghwan pointed to a building, seemingly having arrived at their destination. It looked like a typical office building commonly seen on Teheran-ro.

“This building is owned by that person, and their company uses four floors in this building. The rest of the floors are all rented out.”

“Ah… It’s not owned by the company?”

“No, it’s personally owned.”

Dokyung’s mouth fell open in genuine surprise.

Every time he walked through Teheran Valley, he had wondered who the owners of these buildings were, and now he was about to meet one of them. The thought made him nervous.

Dokyung and Seo Jeonghwan entered the building and were guided by an employee to the meeting place.

“Chairman, your guests have arrived.”

“Ah, Team Leader Seo. Welcome.”

As they entered the chairman’s office under the employee’s guidance, the client stood up and greeted Dokyung and Seo Jeonghwan with a welcoming face.

He was a person exuding dignity in his speech and behavior.

“Chairman, thank you for giving us this opportunity.”

“Haha, did I give you an opportunity? I’ve known Team Leader Seo for a long time, and I believed he wouldn’t recommend anything that would be detrimental to me, so I agreed. Then, is this…?”

As the client pointed to him, Dokyung bowed deeply.

“Hello, I’m Yoon Dokyung.”

“Haha. Nice to meet you.”

Dokyung raised his head and shook the hand extended by the client.

“I’m Kwon Eun-ho, Chairman of Hyunsung Precision.”

And at the client’s words introducing himself, Dokyung’s eyes widened.