Chapter 248: Innovation (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 248: Innovation (2)
“Is it something so critical you can't even tell Ju-gyeong?”
Representative Kim laughed.
I wondered what kind of opinion he was expecting from me.
A suggestion box for the company's artists? Or perhaps the background behind why I drafted the agreement?
Whatever it was, it didn't matter to me. What I wanted to talk about was something else entirely.
“To be honest, I’m being cautious.”
“About what?”
“Because it’s a conversation involving money.”
Representative Kim flinched slightly.
There are many ways for an outsider to gauge a company’s internal situation. For large corporations or public enterprises, it’s through public disclosures; for mid-sized companies, through corporate reports; and for others, through National Pension indices.
UA’s wage level is slightly higher than the industry average. However, this doesn't mean UA’s starting salary is high.
They invest heavily in a small number of experienced employees at the team leader level, but not in new hires. Based on what I saw in a recent job posting, the starting pay was exactly the industry average.
If the salary increase rate isn't high, the incentive system should at least be well-structured, but UA isn't particularly great in that department either. Since the staff is small, promotions aren't easy to come by.
The conclusion was simple: UA is not an attractive prospect in the job market.
It’s difficult for a company like UA to attract excellent candidates. Salary, structure, rewards… there isn't a single point that offers true satisfaction.
“Our company doesn't have a high turnover rate, does it?”
“That’s true.”
“But it takes a long time every time you try to hire someone new. And the kind of applications the company actually wants don't come in easily.”
“Are you close with the Management Support Team staff too?”
No, I can see all of this just by looking at Occupation Planet and Wanted Outside.
“As everyone likely knows—though they probably don't dare tell you—I’ll use my status as a patient as a shield to say this: the salary is too low compared to the talent the company expects.”
“Our starting pay is the industry standard, I-wol.”
“If I were a candidate and the starting pay was just the industry standard, I would aim for a major agency. Or I’d take a gamble on a startup. At UA, it seems far-fetched to gain experience through diverse projects to build a career, and it doesn't look easy to secure a high rank before jumping ship.”
“…….”
“I believe titles are important too. Being a permanent 'associate' is a disadvantage in the job market. Right now, people like Ju-gyeong are helping us well, but if they were to leave for the sake of their careers, the dedicated team’s operations wouldn't run like they used to.”
Representative Kim fell into thought at my words. He seemed to be picturing several senior employees, including Min Ju-gyeong.
“I know how burdensome it is to ask to increase labor costs in a company where those costs make up the bulk of operating expenses. If you only raise the starting salary for new hires right now, there will be a backlash.”
But talented people don't just fall into your lap for free. Even if they do join, they won't stay forever without proper compensation.
“I think the same applies to the managers.”
“…….”
“Manager Chan-yeong is taking care of us almost twenty-four hours a day. An ordinary office worker wouldn't work at that intensity for that salary. If there’s a place that treats them even slightly better than the industry standard, wouldn't anyone want to go there?”
People who fail to get into major agencies or individual hires for famous artists apply to UA, which only looks for a Type 1 Ordinary driver's license.
UA hires people who are willing to work for only 70% of the already low salary during a three-month probationary period. It’s a recruitment process where no one wins.
Representative Kim, who had been listening in silence, asked a question.
“Then, I-wol, do you believe a general salary adjustment will solve these problems?”
“It’s not the ultimate goal I’m aiming for, but it’s a part of it.”
“Then what is your goal?”
“Operating UA on a 100% employee referral system, under the premise that we can perfectly catch any personnel-related corruption.”
Representative Kim’s eyes widened.
“Not through open recruitment?”
“Yes.”
UA is far too small to be talking about open recruitment.
“Other premises are required as well.”
“Such as?”
“Only employees with proven skills and qualities must remain at UA, conditions must be attractive enough for people to want to work here, and UA’s interview functions must operate normally.”
In future job postings, the starting salary should be raised across the board, and salary negotiations with existing employees should be conducted anew.
Those who attempted embezzlement alongside Yu Han-su should be fired, even if it means bracing for immediate losses. If they need help searching for manpower during the notice period, I’m willing to help. Everyone else is dancing without me in the practice room anyway.
Once the workforce is established this way, the system should switch to employee referrals, with open recruitment only occurring when no suitable candidate is found.
When interviewing through referrals or recruitment, at least two working-level staff members must be present on the interview panel. What matters most is the opinion of the people who will actually be working with the new hire.
After hearing my full explanation, Representative Kim nodded as if he finally understood.
“So that’s why those details were in the agreement?”
Spark had requested that either Min Ju-gyeong or Manager Chan-yeong be mandatory participants in the interview process whenever the dedicated team or managers were being hired.
If it were up to me, I would have asked for both, but the manager needs to be at the office for that to happen.
The point was to hire 'someone with no character flaws and at least minimum job competency,' rather than 'someone who will work for little money without complaining.' That’s why I kindly included an interview score sheet in the agreement.
I said with a smile, “With so many managers at UA, surely they can introduce at least one decent manager they know?”
If the work environment and treatment are improved, they can bring in guaranteed talent.
What I want is for the people gathered that way to continue working together in a good environment. Without frequent turnover.
“The burden is heavy.”
Representative Kim stretched. He looked quite pressured.
“If this were a company with a high turnover rate, I wouldn't have been able to say this.”
“Why?”
“Because a referral system wouldn't be able to handle the vacuum of manpower. If you raise the starting salary but only increase the number of people who quit after a short stint, it would be a loss. Preparing for a new hire costs money too.”
“You really know everything, don't you?”
It’s not that I know everything; it’s just that this is all I know. You know much more about the entertainment business, Representative, so there’s no need for praise.
“Everyone likes UA, so I thought it would be wonderful if it changed for the better… That is my opinion.”
“Does that 'everyone' include you?”
Representative Kim asked.
In that moment, I felt like I had found the answer to a question I’d been holding.
The answer to why I didn't hate UA as much as I hated Hanpyeong Industry.
UA… this company…
It’s trying to change. For its people.
I think I had been waiting for that change for a very long time.
The inside of the company was incredibly noisy for a while.
However, we were stuck in the basement practice room—where regulations had changed to prohibit any unauthorized staff from entering—so we didn't really feel the chaos. It was actually better that way.
The Spark guys finally let me join the practice. Thanks to that, I no longer had to feel the guilt of being a lazy grasshopper. Although, every time I did a single turn, I heard someone ask, “Do you want to rest?”
Thanks to the manager’s extra care, we had little reason to communicate directly with the staff. While Challenge was extremely active, the manager acted as a bridge whenever we needed a quick vote or a blind test.
‘I’ll take responsibility and look after you guys until someone truly decent is hired.’
Ever since he said that, the manager had been looking after various aspects of Spark’s affairs. I wasn't sure if I should be grateful or tell him he didn't need to go that far.
During a break, I was sitting on the floor when Park Ju-woo approached me.
He started rubbing my forearm gently, looking worried.
“……Hyung, you’ve lost a lot of muscle.”
“It’s because I couldn't work out.”
“Still, don't go to the gym for the time being….”
Park Ju-woo’s eyes were full of concern. Don't worry, even if you told me to go, I don't think the manager would give me a ride.
Actually, I don't even need to go to the gym.
There was plenty of exercise equipment just in the dorm. If I set my mind to it, I could easily do a decent workout.
It’s just that… I hated that sensation of my blood pumping rapidly.
So, instead of being less active, I reduced my food intake. I didn't have much of an appetite, so I wasn't particularly hungry. With the addition of choreography practice, my muscles were starting to come back a little.
Either way, as long as I didn't make a comeback looking unmanaged, it was fine. And my weight had decreased, if anything; it certainly hadn't increased. So for now, I was encouraging myself that I was safe.
“Drink delivery is here!”
While I was mourning my lost muscles while massaging my forearm, Lee Cheong-hyeon entered the practice room with a bright smile. He was carrying a plastic-wrapped drink carrier in each hand.
I could see Choi Je-ho behind him. It looked like he had opened the door for him.
Choi Je-ho looked a bit exhausted. Lee Cheong-hyeon must have been especially talkative today.
“Yogurt smoothie delivery for the hyungs!”
Lee Cheong-hyeon handed one carrier to Jeong Seong-bin and shouted as he approached.
“Thanks. You worked hard going out.”
“It was just a quick trip to the first floor.”
The other members also started picking out their drinks from the carriers. There was a wide variety, from grapefruit ade to green grape kale juice.
Ever since I collapsed, these guys hadn't ordered a single drink containing caffeine.
On the first day I realized that, I told them they didn't need to go that far, but they were stubborn.
‘We just don't want any accidents to happen.’
That’s what Lee Cheong-hyeon said. I heard that people who drink coffee need a certain amount every day for their brains to function.
Just as I was thinking I should tell them to drink what they want again soon, a drink of a familiar color caught my eye.
“Lee Cheong-hyeon, what did you order?”
“Misutgaru. Gi-yeon, want a sip?”
Pale brown. A slightly heavy texture. A thick straw. Black specks visible here and there.
And an unbearable surge of nausea.
“Cheong-hyeon.”
My heart began to race frantically. My breathing grew shallow.
“I’m sorry, but… could you not drink that?”
Before I knew it, my hand had reached out and snatched the drink from Lee Cheong-hyeon.
The boys' eyes turned toward me. The hand holding the cup trembled violently.