Recruiting France's Nobel Literature Laureate
In Korea, foundations were categorized into various types—education, medical, scholarship, welfare, culture, and so on. Each handled business in different domains. The idea of public interest work didn't mean they could cover every field. School corporations were among the best for multifaceted operations, which was why Shin Jaewoo had chosen that structure.
The foundation's office was set up in the same place as its parent organization, the Daniel S. Foundation chairman's office—in the L Tower Signiel Residence. The foundation's directors were also filled by the secretaries from the Daniel S. Foundation chairman's team. It meant power was concentrated in Shin Jaewoo's hands.
Anyway, today was the day for an important guest visit.
"Whoa."
"The foundation has its office in a place like this... Hmm."
Elderly professors and relatively younger middle-aged ones let out sighs laced with various emotions as Lee Sooyoung guided them. They'd heard the new foundation had deep pockets.
But is it okay to spend the foundation's money like this?
Whether they worried or not, things proceeded as planned. The L Tower Signiel Residence, home to the foundation's office—no, the super penthouse on the top floor.
"Right here."
She picked up the intercom next to the master zone door she'd set up.
"Chairman, the president and vice president of Baekje University, the administrative director, and the department heads have arrived."
Shin Jaewoo, already informed of their arrival, responded promptly.
"Come on in."
Lee Sooyoung slid open the door herself.
"Whoa."
Stepping inside, the professors sighed again. The peak came when they saw Shin Jaewoo waiting in the study.
Such a young guy...
Living it up on the foundation's money.
Their impressions weren't great. But few showed it outright. Their workplace—the university's corporation—had already been dissolved. The Daniel Foundation had taken over operations, but that didn't guarantee their positions would be safe.
"Thank you all for coming. Please, have a seat."
Shin Jaewoo gestured to the chairs. He sat first, followed by the directors taking their seats one by one.
"Anyway... nice to meet you all. As you might know, I'm Shin Jaewoo, chairman of the foundation."
He bowed to them. Since he'd greeted first, the professors bowed back. The president was about to introduce himself and the others one by one as the representative.
But Shin Jaewoo stopped him.
"You're all busy people, so let's skip the formal introductions for now."
A flicker of displeasure crossed some faces. This was Korea, land of Eastern etiquette. Professors there held their heads high. In society, people clamored to exchange business cards with university professors.
But that young guy...
It felt uncomfortable. Still, they couldn't express it. To keep their precious professor cards, no one here dared cross Shin Jaewoo. Especially since, from the foundation's view, they were practically culprits. Baekje University was on the brink of closure.
Restructuring was inevitable. That's how they saw it.
"Let's start with what you're most curious about."
Shin Jaewoo knew their concerns and got straight to it.
"The foundation has no intention of letting go of any of you—or any professors, for that matter."
"Phew."
"Ah, is that really true, Chairman?"
The professors who'd eyed him with disdain just moments ago relaxed. That one statement sparked loyalty where there'd been none.
Shin Jaewoo smiled.
"Of course. Naturally, your contracts with the previous foundation... well, they effectively ended when that foundation pulled out of the university, so you'll need to sign new appointment contracts with us."
That's why they'd been called today—for the first round. New contracts were needed.
"Obviously, the terms might change."
Tension rippled across the professors' faces again. Right—their old employer was gone. With a new one in front of them, changed conditions were natural.
Their first thought was appointment duration.
How much time will this young chairman give us?
"Job succession" without restructuring was just fancy talk. Professors were essentially contract workers. They faced reappointment reviews periodically. So their fear was that cycle. Shin Jaewoo, as chairman, held the power to weed them out naturally.
"First, five years."
Shin Jaewoo held up an open hand.
"We'll guarantee five years. Just deliver results in some form within that time."
"I-is that really...?"
"Of course. And..."
Shin Jaewoo trailed off.
"If you need budgets for classes or your research, don't hesitate to request them. I'll approve most of them."
"Gasp."
"I-is that true?"
Prep for classes? Maybe. But generous research funding for professors at a failing university? Unheard of.
Shin Jaewoo smiled.
"Of course."
He chuckled.
"Our university is going to change a lot from now on."
Baekje University couldn't stay like this. Shin Jaewoo turned to the president.
"And President."
"Y-yes, Chairman..."
Any thoughts of "young guy" were gone. Whether Shin Jaewoo's words were true or not, the vibe was clear.
The chairman... isn't ordinary.
He didn't skimp on spending.
"I heard something... French Lit students are taking English Lit classes with English majors?"
"Well..."
The president sweated. It was true. But what could he do? Hiring one university professor was tough.
"That won't do."
Shin Jaewoo shook his head.
"Prepare to properly staff each department. No—actually, the foundation will handle recruiting new professors."
He changed his mind mid-sentence.
Asking the president anyway...
He doubted the president would recommend anyone solid. Better for the foundation to step in. Unusual, but...
Shouldn't French Lit professors come from France?
Leave it to the president, and it'd be some domestic hire. Better to bring them from France. And French Lit wasn't just language—it was literature.
So... invite a Nobel Lit winner from France.
Nobel Prize. Korea had one—no, now two. Abroad, they were easier to find. France probably had some. He hadn't checked, but...
France has that image, right?
Shin Jaewoo's eyes sparkled. He was the type to go extreme from the start when splurging.
While he schemed in his head, the president and university staff watched his expression.
What’s he thinking?
Shin Jaewoo finally spoke.
"Oh, and..."
More spending ahead.
"There are still burned-out abandoned buildings on campus, right?"
They flinched.
"T-that... the demolition budget was an issue..."
"Don't worry—just proceed. The funds will..."
Shin Jaewoo paused. Come to think of it, the university might really be broke now.
Old accounts are off-limits.
He scratched his head. Had he passed on the new account info? He'd been lax. They confirmed receipt, but no money was in it yet.
"Funds will hit the university account by end of day."
Shin Jaewoo smiled. They discussed facilities that way too. Salary negotiations happened one by one as professors stepped out.
"Gasp!"
They were mostly shocked. They'd feared pay cuts.
"...Will you sign?"
Lee Sooyoung's question. They swallowed hard and grabbed pens.
Some got greedy, though.
"Ahem. Not this amount—could you bump it a bit? Say... another million won..."
A professor testing for a million-won raise.
"So the current terms aren't to your liking?"
"Not exactly..."
"Fine. We'll match your previous salary then. Or consider the contract terminated."
"Gasp! N-no, sign this contract!"
"Too late, Department Head. Leave or stay at your old pay—choose one."
Lee Sooyoung was ruthless. Shin Jaewoo's orders.
Greedy ones cause trouble later anyway.
Existing professors got at least 50% raises. With added clauses, but better terms overall. Greedier ones? Cut them early.
Contracts done.
"...All finished, Chairman. Out of 14, three got greedy."
"Those... we'll handle at next reappointment."
Same as old contracts—no five-year guarantee for the greedy department heads. All out.
Good enough.
Shin Jaewoo's eyes gleamed. More than that—Lee Jinmyeong. Had he handled the task?
Dumping more work on the guy with a full plate.
Shin Jaewoo grimaced. Wonder what he'd think checking KakaoTalk.
"...You want to recruit France's Nobel Literature laureate as a professor?"