The Overly Competent Junior Employee

“As you all heard from the Center Director during today’s kick-off meeting, it seems we’ll need to put in more effort in the new year.”

A few days later, as the new year began, the Leaders Center started to buzz with activity.

With a change in leadership came new company directives. This year’s goal was set as the expansion of personal asset management services.

It might have seemed obvious, given that Sim Ju-won, who had led the WM Division, was appointed as the new president. However, not just Yuseong Investment Securities, but almost every securities firm was betting their lives on personal asset management.

“Taesan and Seonjin Securities, who fell behind us in attracting high-net-worth individuals last year, have strengthened their VIP services. The company’s policy also aims to expand personal asset management services, centered around the Leaders Center.”

All the employees of Team 3 nodded at Team Leader Seo Jeonghwan’s words.

“Although the fiscal year-end hasn’t passed yet, as the Center Director said, we need to focus on attracting new clients starting now. Let’s work hard not to miss even the smallest opportunity.”

“Yes, understood.”

“And there’s something each of you needs to notify your clients about.”

Everyone began taking notes at Seo Jeonghwan’s words.

“There will be a golf lesson with Jo Seoyeon, who recently won the KLPGA championship, at the Seocho Indoor Practice Range. It’s limited to 20 people.”

Regularly, company-sponsored athletes would hold golf clinics for VIP clients, but recently, a golfer they had been sponsoring since her youth had won a domestic golf tournament. As a result, competition was expected to be fierce this year.

“Given Jo Seoyeon’s recent surge in popularity, it seems many clients will want to participate.”

Seo Jeonghwan nodded at a team member’s question.

“That’s expected, but we can’t help it. Our team has been allocated five spots for members to participate. Unfortunately, we’ll have to hold a lottery for any more than that.”

These situations were always the trickiest. It would be great if all applying clients could attend, but those who didn’t make it through the lottery might feel disappointed.

“Please be especially mindful not to upset any clients’ feelings.”

But even that was something they had to endure in this line of work.

“Yes, understood.”

“And Yoon Dokyung-ssi. You said you have something to report?”

At Seo Jeonghwan’s words, everyone’s attention turned to Dokyung.

“Yes, does everyone know Ko Eunha-ssi?”

Everyone looked surprised at Dokyung’s question.

“How could we not?”

“That’s right. If you don’t know Ko Eunha, you must be a spy.”

Ko Eunha was a multi-talented entertainer who was both a singer and an actor, dominating not only the pop music scene but also the big and small screens.

As the responses suggested, she was an iconic figure leading an era, and everyone seemed to be eagerly anticipating Dokyung’s next words with sparkling eyes.

“It seems Ko Eunha-ssi is looking for an asset manager through her agency.”

Dokyung handed out copies of the document he had received from Choi Woojin to his team members.

The document contained brief information about Ko Eunha and the estimated scale of assets to be entrusted.

“Is there no information coming directly from Ko Eunha-ssi’s side?”

Dokyung nodded at Team Leader Seo Jeonghwan’s question.

“No, not yet. It feels like they want to create competition among securities firms.”

“That makes sense. We’re talking about a client who might entrust assets of 10 billion won or more. From the client’s perspective, they’d want to hear the best possible terms.”

As Seo Jeonghwan said, it was quite common for high-net-worth individuals to pit securities firms against each other, seeking lower commissions or other special treatment.

“I think we should give everything we can to secure her. Who is Ko Eunha, after all?”

As a senior colleague who had been quietly listening spoke up, everyone began to focus on his words.

“She’s called an icon of our times. When she releases an album, all the tracks line up on the charts. Her concerts always sell out. Her recent drama was a hit, and she’s gaining recognition in the film industry too.”

“So, what’s your point?”

Seo Jeonghwan spoke as if asking him to get to the point.

“As I said before, we should give everything we can to secure her. If Ko Eunha-ssi becomes our client, it could have indirect advertising effects.”

“Other companies will think the same way. But that kind of approach might not be good. I don’t agree. However.”

Seo Jeonghwan said this while looking at Dokyung.

“Given that Taesan and Seonjin are involved in this, we now have a reason to secure Ko Eunha-ssi as our client no matter what.”

As Seo Jeonghwan said, from the company’s perspective, now that Taesan and Seonjin had stepped in, they had to beat them.

The only way to win was to make Ko Eunha a client of Yuseong.

“Dokyung-ssi.”

“Yes, Team Leader.”

“I’ll let you know what we can offer internally after discussing it with the Center Director. Let’s do our best to bring Ko Eunha-ssi on board as our client.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Good. That’s all for today’s meeting. Please keep in mind what I’ve asked, and let’s do our best this week too.”

As the meeting ended with Seo Jeonghwan’s words, everyone gathered their things and returned to their desks. Dokyung also went back to his seat and began researching information about Ko Eunha.

In fact, during his meeting with Choi Woojin, the message had given him a mission to make Ko Eunha a client.

[The Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “The only constant in the universe is change.”]

[Everyone knows that nothing in this world remains unchanged. That’s why people both welcome and fear change.]

[Which side do you think Yoon Dokyung-ssi’s new client will be on?]

[Make Ko Eunha-ssi Yoon Dokyung-ssi’s client.]

[The VIP Service is always cheering for you, Member.]

As always, the message was cryptic, but in the end, it pointed to one thing.

Make Ko Eunha Dokyung’s client.

‘But that talk about advertising effects doesn’t sit well with me.’

Dokyung mulled over what his senior colleague had said during the meeting. They don’t think about advertising effects when dealing with other high-net-worth clients, do they?

‘Is it because Ko Eunha-ssi is a celebrity?’

Of course, he knew that Ko Eunha was different from ordinary clients, being called an icon of the times, but it still didn’t feel right.

Regardless of who she was, Ko Eunha was just a client looking to entrust her assets.

The idea of considering advertising effects didn’t sit well with him at all.

‘Anyway, I’m the one in charge.’

Even if his senior had said that, Dokyung thought he shouldn’t expect anything from Ko Eunha, and that’s how he planned to approach it.

‘Let’s see, Ko Eunha-ssi, who are you…’

Dokyung began reading information about Ko Eunha on the internet, thinking about how best to approach her.

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“Oh, you were home?”

Dokyung asked cheerfully, seeing his younger brother watching TV in the living room.

He hadn’t seen him when he first came home, but after showering, there he was in the living room.

“I was studying with earplugs in earlier, so I didn’t know you’d come home.”

“Ah, I see. Where’s Mom?”

“She went to aunt’s place. She’ll stay overnight and come back tomorrow.”

Dokyung approached the refrigerator while drying his hair with a towel.

“Want a beer?”

“No, I need to study after watching this.”

As his brother declined, Dokyung grabbed a can of beer for himself and sat on the sofa.

“What are you watching so intently… Oh, it’s Ko Eunha?”

“You know Ko Eunha too?”

“How could I not know Ko Eunha? Why do you think I wouldn’t?”

“Aren’t you just someone who only knows about stocks?”

Dokyung almost spat out his beer at his brother’s words.

“Is that how I look in your eyes?”

“Well, you only ever talk about stocks, no matter what you do.”

“Well, since I know stocks well, I should know about Ko Eunha too, right? Her agency’s investment company is listed on the market.”

Surprisingly, people who invest in stocks are quite sensitive to idol group album sales. Most entertainment companies are listed on the stock market, and idols are essentially products of those companies.

If anything, investors in entertainment companies probably know more about idols than anyone else, except for the fans themselves.

“I see.”

“Is it a documentary?”

Dokyung asked, gesturing towards the TV screen with his chin.

“No, it’s a popular variety show these days where they install cameras in celebrities’ homes who live alone and show how they live.”

“Ah, right. I think I’ve seen it in passing. Ko Eunha appears on shows like this too.”

“She doesn’t usually, but today seems to be some kind of special. They filled a whole hour just with Ko Eunha.”

At his brother’s words, Dokyung focused on the screen.

“She must not have any worries.”

“What?”

His brother asked with an expression that seemed to question what Dokyung meant.

“Living in such a nice house, eating good food, exercising… I’m saying she probably doesn’t have any worries.”

Perhaps Dokyung was now providing an answer to the message.

The message had asked whether Ko Eunha would be the type of client who welcomes change or fears it.

From what he had learned about Ko Eunha, she had invested most of her earnings in real estate.

She owned a building on prime land and lived in a penthouse of a luxury apartment with a view of the Han River.

Ko Eunha seemed to fit the profile of the typical high-net-worth individuals Dokyung dealt with.

The more he learned about her, the stranger the message’s question seemed.

“Ordinary people might think that way.”

Hearing Dokyung’s words, his brother responded with a look of pity, causing Dokyung to furrow his brow deeply.

“Ordinary people?”

“I mean, people like you who just see Ko Eunha as a rich celebrity, nothing more.”

“So you see her differently, I take it.”

Dokyung spoke curtly to his brother.

“My first thought is, how did Ko Eunha endure to reach that position?”

“……”

“Do you know why Ko Eunha buys so many buildings?”

“Well… Because she has a lot of money? Preparing for retirement?”

“No. Because buildings don’t change.”

His brother spoke as if he had suddenly become a philosopher, and Dokyung quietly focused on his words.

“Look there, see how many paintings are in her house?”

At his brother’s words, Dokyung looked at the TV screen, and indeed, there were too many paintings to be just interior decoration.

“Ko Eunha wrote something on her fan cafe last year. She said she was scared of time passing, so she started to like paintings more because they remain the same even as time goes by.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, since last year, tons of photos of her visiting art galleries have been uploaded on social media. Not just art galleries, but also visiting old buildings… She only travels to places like that.”

His brother looked at Dokyung quietly as he continued.

“Ko Eunha has been a celebrity since she was young. It’s been about 14 years since she debuted? During that time, countless idol groups have come and gone, and new ones have debuted.”

“Ah… that’s true.”

At his brother’s words, Dokyung quietly recalled his memories.

It was hard to remember which idol groups were popular 10 years ago, as so many had debuted and disappeared repeatedly.

“Ko Eunha is where she is now because she endured and persevered not to fall behind during all that time. Ordinary people like you might think she has no worries because she’s rich, but……”

His brother continued, looking at Ko Eunha on the TV screen.

“Ko Eunha is just trying to escape that pain in her own way.”

“Hey, you keep calling me ordinary. What are you then, some kind of Ko Eunha studies PhD?”

“Well, maybe not a PhD, but at least a master’s degree?”

With those words, his brother got up and went to his room. He came back shortly after with a box and opened the lid.

“What… is this?”

“Things I’ve collected since Ko Eunha’s debut. This is a fan club membership card. This is a limited edition……”

“Wait, you were a Ko Eunha fan?”

“This is what Ko Eunha wrote on her fan cafe.”

Ignoring Dokyung’s question, his brother showed him his phone. On the screen was Ko Eunha’s post, just as his brother had said, expressing her pain about everything changing.

Depending on how one looked at it, it could be seen as a post praising real estate and paintings, but given what his brother had said, it really did seem that way.

“She’s afraid of change? Thanks, Yoon Dojin.”

As if something had suddenly occurred to him, Dokyung rushed into his room, leaving his brother staring at him with a bewildered expression as he abruptly thanked him and disappeared.