Chapter 156: Job Analysis of Other Departments (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 156: Job Analysis of Other Departments (2)
The drama In My Office was a typical romance set against the backdrop of an asset management firm.
It was a story about the turbulent, "bull and bear" romance between a new team leader—who had worked on Wall Street before returning to a Korean company for mysterious reasons—and an assistant manager with a divine sense for picking profitable funds.
‘Does this even make sense?’
This was bad. I was already hitting a wall during the script analysis before the audition had even begun.
‘They keep mixing up securities firms and asset management firms. Is that really okay?’
‘Can people who claim to be investors really afford to ignore financial soundness like this?’
Even though my college grades had been disastrous, the glaring inconsistencies were obvious even at a glance. In this day and age, where experts upload drama review videos for everything, I wondered how they planned to handle the inevitable backlash.
But there was an even bigger problem.
‘How could anyone fall in love with a team leader like that?’
I couldn't understand the emotional development of the leads at all.
Sure, office romances happen. But they aren't exactly easy. I couldn't fathom how the female lead fell for a male lead who hit the "triple crown" of being a jerk, having zero social skills, and being completely full of himself.
The only saving grace was that the character I was auditioning for was "Ordinary Office Worker 1"—someone who didn't fall in love with a coworker and possessed no genius-level abilities. At the very least, I wouldn't have to storm out of the audition room shouting, "I can't act like this!"
The audition consisted of two main tasks: script reading and character analysis.
Since my part wasn't large, I memorized the script quickly. I decided to spend the remaining time on character analysis.
‘Name: Do Yeong-hwan. Age: 28. A stoic but flavor-adding character who pops up out of nowhere, says exactly what needs to be said, and vanishes...’
I twirled my pen, trying to imagine what kind of person Do Yeong-hwan was. A quiet employee, slightly younger than me, who still held the rank of a junior staff member.
"I heard I-wol said he’d do the audition?"
Immediately after the meeting ended, Min Ju-gyeong asked the Representative while they still had a few minutes left in the reserved conference room.
"He did. I accepted on the spot."
"Still, don't you think he's overextending himself?"
"The audition isn't happening right away."
Yun Hyeon-ju added, "Besides, I think we need to keep him away from physically demanding work for a while. As the Management Team knows, I-wol doesn't know how to hit the brakes."
"That's true..."
"I figured if I gave him something to do, he wouldn't feel like he's slacking off. I-wol hasn't been coming to the practice room lately, right?"
"Yes, I heard he's only attending acting classes."
"Good. Let's use this chance to let him rest from dancing and office work. Tell Chan-yeong to manage the kids' overall sleep schedules."
The Management Team staff noted down Yun Hyeon-ju’s instructions.
Watching them, Yun Hyeon-ju thought back to Jeong Seong-bin, who had recently requested a 1:1 interview.
After the major incident, UA had to endure many changes. It wasn't a smooth process, and acting like everything was fine was a luxury they couldn't afford. During times like this, Spark usually stepped back quietly and did their part.
They’re kids who don't require much hand-holding. Yun Hyeon-ju herself used to say that habitually.
So, for Jeong Seong-bin—the most polite member of Spark—to request an interview was no small matter. Despite having performed a solo stage, Seong-bin was the type to prioritize the stability of those around him over his own opportunities.
Yun Hyeon-ju didn't hesitate and told them to send Seong-bin up immediately.
Not long after, she found herself sitting across from her artist, who seemed to carry a subtly different aura, sharing a cup of tea. After a few brief greetings, silence filled the office.
She assumed he was there to discuss improvements in their treatment. Usually, Kim I-wol was the one to step forward, but since he was in his current state, she figured Seong-bin had come instead. Yun Hyeon-ju had already planned to have a talk with all of Spark regarding this issue, so she had some answers prepared.
However...
‘Representative.’
‘Yes, what is it?’
‘How can someone raise their self-esteem?’
Seong-bin brought up a topic completely outside of Yun Hyeon-ju’s expectations.
‘Self-esteem?’
Yun Hyeon-ju repeated the word. She had told her staff many times to instill confidence in the trainees during evaluations, but she had never thought deeply about self-esteem.
Was it a mistake to make him the leader when there are older members? Or does he feel responsible for the Yu Han-su situation?
When a flustered Yun Hyeon-ju asked what was wrong, Seong-bin pressed his lips together and spoke with difficulty. Then, another unexpected name popped up.
‘It’s about I-wol Hyung. To us, he’s such an amazing and reliable member, but it seems like Hyung doesn't think that way about himself at all.’
‘I-wol?’
The Kim I-wol Yun Hyeon-ju knew was someone who always had confidence in what he did. He spoke with conviction and was mature enough not to be easily shaken by external factors.
However, remembering the list of Yu Han-su’s atrocities that Kim I-wol had compiled, Seong-bin’s words weren't entirely incomprehensible. How many people could remain perfectly fine after months of verbal and physical abuse? Especially someone who didn't even have a proper family to confide in.
‘Hyung takes such good care of us. I always get the impression that he’s looking out for us emotionally, not just during our activities.’
Seong-bin spoke calmly.
‘We want to help him just as much... but we don't know how. I think it’s because we aren't people he can rely on yet.’
‘He’s just someone who never shows weakness. It’s not that he doesn't trust you.’
There was no way Kim I-wol would lean on members younger than him. He didn't even complain to the company staff, who were much older.
‘So, I’ve been thinking about some things.’
Seong-bin laid out alternatives that clearly showed how much thought he had put into this.
‘I’m sure the company is doing its best, but I’d like for Hyung’s involvement in administrative work to decrease from now on.’
‘Could we find something he can actually enjoy or something that showcases his talents?’
‘Hyung always says he won't get praised once he goes out into society... but I want him to receive proper evaluation when he achieves good results. He seemed to listen intently when experts praised him.’
Seong-bin spoke without hesitation. On the other hand, his two fists resting on his knees trembled slightly.
He wasn't making a rational proposal like Kim I-wol would. There was no reason or necessity for a profit-driven organization like a company to easily grant such requests. Nevertheless, Seong-bin was doing his best to speak his mind. Carefully, but as clearly as possible.
‘Is this the opinion of the whole team?’
When Yun Hyeon-ju asked, Seong-bin nodded vigorously.
‘Alright. Since it’s the first opinion brought by the leader, I’ll take measures to ensure it’s reflected as soon as possible.’
‘...Thank you!’
Seong-bin’s eyes sparkled. It was a look she thought he might have lost during his long trainee period.
How admirable.
Yun Hyeon-ju muttered to herself as she watched the office door close behind Seong-bin. She felt a lump in her throat, just like when she had watched his My.Singer's.Genre stage.
After that interview, Yun Hyeon-ju began to observe Kim I-wol more closely.
The company could have easily rejected the acting gig. But since Kim I-wol wanted it, she brought it to him so he could experience various things. And Kim I-wol examined it with great care. It was heartbreaking to see him diligently looking into whatever task he was given, even though he lacked personal greed.
‘Since the kid is so good at his job, everyone was only thinking about giving him more work.’
Reflecting and repenting, Yun Hyeon-ju swallowed a sigh.
When Kim I-wol decided on the spot to take the audition, Yun Hyeon-ju called in the Spark staff—whose department name was still undecided—and gave them a stern warning.
‘Forget the carrot and the stick. Go with nothing but carrots. Got it?’
‘We will turn the building into a carrot patch.’
It wouldn't do for their idol, who deserved nothing but praise, to have low self-esteem. Even if Kim I-wol failed the audition, the UA employees would support his new challenge.
Yun Hyeon-ju made a vow. Then, she began twirling her pen as she looked at the organizational chart that was still under reorganization.
The audition took place in a coworking space with meeting rooms.
"I-wol, don't be nervous and do your best! You can do it! Got it?"
The manager’s encouragement was so passionate it was almost burdensome.
Was this audition actually a really important job? If I fail here, does UA go bankrupt or something?
Just in case, I was glad I wore a semi-formal suit. Even if I failed, they’d at least give me credit for the effort. Though, to be honest, I just wore what looked most like an office worker's outfit.
It had been a while since I dressed like a salaryman, and except for the suffocating feeling that made me feel like I had to clock in immediately, everything was fine.
Thanks to spending my break time reading nothing but the script, I had even memorized everyone else's lines. No matter how I looked at it, I had worked really hard. I had every right to say I fought a good fight, even if I lost.
As I entered the office with these idle thoughts, someone who looked like a writer gave me some brief instructions. I was moistening my throat with the water I brought when my turn finally came.
I knocked, and after receiving permission to enter, I opened the door to see three interviewers.
"Hello, I am I-wol from Spark!"
"Yes, nice to meet you."
The person sitting in the middle returned the greeting.
‘Sit only after being given permission, keep a soft smile on your face...’
The interview manners I had memorized for my very first job interview came back to me. Even though they were now second nature, I remembered every single word vividly.
To think that not too long ago, I was the one sitting in that interviewer's chair. Now, it felt like a distant memory.
However, my interview knowledge became useless within three minutes of the start.
"If you were born in XX, how old does that make you?"
"I am twenty-one!"
"Twenty-one? That’s very young. Won't it be hard to pull off an office worker role?"
"Still, he’s tall, so he has the right aura. How tall are you, I-wol?"
"I am 183cm."
"183cm? Without lifts?"
"Yes, that is correct."
In a corporate interview, these kinds of questions would be grounds for a report.
In this era of blind recruitment, asking about age and height... I used to think the entertainment industry and the corporate world were equally soul-crushing, but the differences were starting to hit home.
"The visuals are perfect, but he’s too young."
"Oh, come on. Honestly, based on visuals alone, he’s lead material."
"That’s only because there aren't any handsome guys in their 20s these days."
The writer, the director, and the producer launched into a heated discussion about the extinction of handsome actors in their 20s, using me as a reference point.
Even if I have no connections in the acting world, aren't you leaving me hanging a bit too much?
Still, I kept a bright smile on my face until their conversation ended, at which point they realized their mistake and turned their attention back to me.
"You were briefed on the audition process, right? Script reading and character analysis."
"Yes, I was."
"Then shall we start with the character analysis? You can freely explain what kind of person you think the character Do Yeong-hwan is."
Here it was.
The time had come to showcase my presentation skills, which had somehow improved even further after becoming an idol.