Team Leader
My heart started pounding hard. On the other hand, my throat felt rough, as if I’d swallowed a mouthful of bitter herbal medicine.
Swallowing dryly, I muttered to myself, slowly, So what this means is...
So this was the board Baek Representative had set up just to make me a team leader?
He built all this just to turn one lowly chief manager into a team leader?
I couldn’t believe it. And yet, looking at how things were unfolding, it was hard not to.
Otherwise, there would have been no reason for Baek Representative to hand me a Baekhak stock gift and praise me in front of the team leaders.
A chill and a thrill climbed up my spine at the same time.
Has there ever been a case where a first-year chief manager became a team leader?
At least among the stories I’d heard and seen, there hadn’t been.
Even the so-called parachute hires these days started carefully from the bottom, trying to read the room. My promotion was so outrageous it couldn’t even be compared to that.
So I should have been going insane with excitement, dopamine spilling out of every nerve, but somehow I didn’t feel all that good.
Baek Representative is a terrifying person.
Back when I knew less, I would have simply been thrilled to be promoted to team leader.
But as I’d gradually started playing in deeper waters, my perspective had opened up before I even noticed.
The real intent hidden inside Baek Representative’s little performance, where she appeared to be praising me on the surface...
It was all too clear to me now.
She’s using me to intensify the power struggle inside the management division.
And sure enough, after her words, the way the team leaders looked at me changed.
Before, it had been wariness and jealousy. Now they were glaring at me with envy and a faint, simmering anger.
Fair enough. My promotion is ignoring the careers and experience they’ve spent years building.
If I became a team leader like this, I’d end up on bad terms with every team leader at Baekhak.
I might even end up alienated from the entire management division. After all, this was a promotion that my direct superiors and coworkers wouldn’t be able to acknowledge.
If I became a team leader amid all that jealousy and resentment, I’d probably have to prove myself nonstop.
Every moment would be a test of whether my promotion came from Baek Representative’s trust or from my own ability.
As I imagined that future, I muttered under my breath, “Do I really have to go that far just to get promoted?”
Of course, if I became a team leader, my salary would rise, and the business card that always had my back when I was out hustling would change too.
But that was all.
A team leader position earned by making the entire Baekhak management division my enemy would be nothing more than an empty title.
What does a team leader who has no one’s support even mean?
Seeing it that way, I felt it all over again.
Baek Ji-won wasn’t called Baekhak’s Fox for nothing.
The cold logic of profit and loss, the relationships hidden beneath her overt kindness and praise, came at me like a blade and kept jabbing at my neck.
But in a situation like this, could I really turn down the team leader position?
It was a position offered to me by Baek Ji-won herself, with every sign of goodwill.
I was trapped between retreat and advance, and just as I hesitated, unable to move either way...
The devil inside me whispered, Take the whole board, Kwon Chan.
My eyes widened at that sweet, dangerous suggestion.
Take the whole board?
How?
How was I supposed to swallow the board Baek Representative had built?
...But the more I thought about it, the more I realized there was a way.
My gaze shifted to the team leaders glaring at me.
"............"
There are no eternal friends or allies in this line of work.
Today’s friend can become tomorrow’s enemy, and today’s enemy can become a friend.
Then maybe I can become friends with Baekhak’s team leaders now?
I didn’t need to make enemies of them.
I had no reason to turn them into opponents. After all, the team leaders of Baekhak and I were still on the same side of management.
In that instant, the corner of my mouth sharpened like a devil’s tail.
Look at that.
I could see a way.
A way to get both Baek Ji-won’s favor and the trust of the team leaders at the same time.
Letting out a slow breath, I muttered, That’s worth a shot.
Yes, it was worth a shot in the literal sense.
The board Baek Representative had made.
***
Under Park Yu-hyeon’s neat, orderly guidance, the team leaders’ meeting continued. But the atmosphere was so heavy with tension it felt like walking across thin ice.
The team leaders couldn’t hide their dissatisfaction, Park Yu-hyeon pretended not to see their expressions, and Baek Ji-won watched leisurely from the sidelines.
After about an hour of that atmosphere, Baek Ji-won finally spoke.
“Isn’t it about time we filled the empty First Team Leader position, Park-bon?”
With that one sentence, the thin ice cracked.
As the team leaders’ expressions twitched, Park Yu-hyeon slowly nodded.
“I’ve been thinking the same thing. We can’t leave the team leader position vacant for too long.”
“What do you think we should do, Park-bon?”
“...In principle, I think promoting the Second Team Leader to First Team Leader would be the proper course.”
“Why bother? Why not just promote Chief Manager Ho to First Team Leader now?”
Park Yu-hyeon explained in his calm voice, “From the outside, the First Team Leader position carries a certain weight and standing, doesn’t it?”
“Because the number is one, no matter what?”
“Yes. And historically, Baekhak’s First Team Leader held tremendous power.”
Park Yu-hyeon smiled faintly.
“So it would be better to promote the Second Team Leader to First Team Leader and place Chief Manager Ho in the Second Team Leader position, wouldn’t it?”
At Park Yu-hyeon’s explanation, Chief Manager Ho’s eyes flew wide open.
The anticipation and excitement that showed on his face.
Watching that expression, Baek Ji-won murmured lightly, “Isn’t there another way? Since we’re at it, why not reorganize things once?”
“!”
“I’d wanted to shake things up a bit anyway. Couldn’t we just increase the number of team leaders?”
Park Yu-hyeon’s eyes widened as if he’d been waiting for exactly that.
“You mean...”
“Wouldn’t it be fine to expand it to six team leaders, just like now?”
“!”
“The picture isn’t bad, is it? Bring in fresh blood, and while we’re at it, rebalance the uneven number of actors assigned to each manager by reorganizing into six team leaders. What do you think, Park-bon?”
Park Yu-hyeon smiled.
“Now that I hear it, that doesn’t sound bad either.”
The conversation proceeded like a perfectly written script.
Watching the performance, Second Team Leader Park Chan-ho frowned and stormed onto the stage.
“Representative, sorry to interrupt in the middle of your conversation, but may I ask just one question?”
Baek Ji-won’s head turned slowly.
“Go ahead, Second Team Leader.”
“You just mentioned reorganizing the management division. Are you really planning to raise Chief Manager Kwon Chan to the new team leader position?”
Second Team Leader Park Chan-ho threw out the question without expression.
Baek Ji-won swung her response lightly, like a cleanup hitter stepping into the box.
“Yes, and?”
“!”
At her straightforward answer, Second Team Leader’s face twisted.
Third Team Leader shot a sharp look at the chief manager who had been silent until now, while Fourth Team Leader let out a dry laugh. Fifth Team Leader looked around helplessly, unable to take either side.
Watching the atmosphere, Park Yu-hyeon slowly spoke.
“Team leaders.”
His voice carried weight.
“We’re in front of the representative. Can’t you manage your expressions?”
At the unfamiliar firmness in Park Yu-hyeon’s tone, the team leaders flinched and belatedly rearranged their faces.
After confirming that, Park Yu-hyeon gave Baek Ji-won a short bow.
“I apologize, Representative.”
“No need.”
Baek Ji-won smiled faintly.
“From the team leaders’ perspective, this is certainly a difficult matter, isn’t it?”
Second Team Leader stepped forward again to answer.
“...My opinion may not be the same as the others’, but I think appointing Chief Manager Kwon as a team leader could cause problems.”
At that, all the team leaders except the Fifth nodded.
Watching that, Baek Ji-won shifted her gaze.
“That’s what they say, Chief Manager Kwon.”
“...”
“I think Chief Manager Kwon is more than capable of becoming a team leader, but it seems the team leaders disagree. What do you think?”
At Baek Ji-won’s question, every pair of eyes in the meeting room turned to Kwon Chan.
The sharp-faced man slowly rose from his seat under that attention.
He was the lowest-ranking employee in the room, yet his expression was oddly relaxed. Because of that, dissatisfaction stirred in the team leaders’ eyes, while curiosity surfaced in the eyes of the representative and division head.
Kwon Chan spoke.
“I think...”
He let the words trail for a moment, then answered as lightly as Baek Representative had.
“...the team leaders are right. It’s still too early for this promotion.”
“!”
Baek Ji-won’s eyes went round.
“Too early?”
“Yes, Representative.”
“So you’re refusing the team leader promotion for now?”
A strange smile appeared at the corner of Kwon Chan’s mouth.
“Yes. I’m grateful, and this opportunity is far beyond what I deserve, but even I think I’m still not ready to take on the role of team leader, Representative.”
At the unexpectedly bold answer, the team leaders’ mouths slowly opened.
Meanwhile, Baek Ji-won frowned and muttered, “...That’s strange. The Kwon manager I know isn’t the type to refuse a position like this.”
“I’m sorry, Representative.”
“No, don’t apologize. Explain it. It’s not that the position feels burdensome, is it? Then what’s the reason?”
At Baek Representative’s question, Kwon Chan’s gaze moved to the team leaders of Baekhak Management. He looked at them in silence for a moment before slowly speaking.
“I’ve watched Baekhak for six years.”
Baek Ji-won tilted her head.
“You watched Baekhak for six years?”
“Yes. During those six years, what I saw was that the power of a Baekhak management team leader came not from the title or the business card, but from the career, results, and connections the team leader had built.”
“!”
Baek Ji-won’s eyes widened. Kwon Chan continued calmly.
“And if someone like me, who hasn’t yet proved himself through results, suddenly takes the team leader seat, what would change?”
“...”
“None of the management staff would recognize me. I wouldn’t even be able to convince myself. So I think refusing this promotion is the right thing, both for me and for the management division.”
Baek Ji-won gathered herself and muttered, “A team leader position with no substance behind it?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“If that’s the case, couldn’t you just prove yourself after becoming team leader?”
“That’s true. I could be promoted and then prove my ability. But...”
The corner of Kwon Chan’s lips lifted.
“Wouldn’t that make the meaning fade?”
“The meaning would fade?”
“Yes. I mean the significance of being the first employee to receive stock from Baek Ji-won.”
“!”
Kwon Chan’s casually tossed line sent a small ripple through the meeting room.
The team leaders and even the division head couldn’t hide their shock as they looked at him.
Within that silence, Kwon Chan’s gaze turned to Baek Ji-won.
“You said it yourself, Representative. That Baekhak stock can only be given to people who have earned Baek Ji-won’s recognition.”
“...”
“But if I become a team leader while everyone is opposed to it, then the standard of that value disappears. A team leader position no one recognized would be a title created not by ability, but by one person’s favor. So...”
He paused, then gave the words more force.
“I want to be recognized on my own first, prove myself, and then receive the team leader position. As the first employee ever recognized by Baek Ji-won, that’s how I want it.”
Baek Ji-won, who had been listening quietly, moved her lips.
“So this is a matter tied to my reputation?”
Kwon Chan didn’t answer. He just stayed silent.
Watching him, Baek Ji-won’s mouth curved upward.
“Now that one I didn’t expect. So you’re going to use me as the leverage here.”
She laughed under her breath, then turned her head.
“Park-bon.”
“Yes, Representative.”
“Proceed the way Chief Manager Kwon said.”
Park Yu-hyeon’s eyes widened.
“Representative, do you mean...”
“Yes. Scrap all of it.”
“!”
Park Yu-hyeon’s eyes flew wide, his mouth slightly open. The usually composed face of Park Yu-hyeon was filled with clear surprise.
But Baek Representative paid it no mind as she declared, “Park-bon, handle the personnel transfers appropriately. For now, put the plan to expand the team leader structure to six on hold.”
With that, Baek Ji-won looked at Kwon Chan again.
“How about that? Good enough for you, Chief Manager Kwon?”
“...”
“But remember this. It’s been a long time since I overturned a decision I’d already made.”
Resting her chin on her hand, Baek Ji-won wore a provocative smile.
“So you’d better prove yourself. Can you bring me results worthy of someone I’ve acknowledged?”
After quietly watching Baek Representative for a moment, Kwon Chan answered, “Of course, Representative.”
There wasn’t a trace of hesitation in his voice.
“I’ll bring back those results for you. Results no one will be able to deny.”
***
The division head meeting ended. Baek Ji-won left the conference room first with Park Yu-hyeon, and I stepped out of the division head’s office a beat later with the remaining team leaders.
As we stood waiting for the elevator in that strange, unsettled atmosphere, Second Team Leader called out to me in a low voice.
“Chief Manager Kwon.”
Still dazed from what had just happened in the division head’s office, I answered a moment late.
“Yes, Second Team Leader?”
“I see you differently now.”
“?”
Second Team Leader adjusted his glasses and looked at me.
“To be honest, because of the First Team Leader incident, I’d been looking at you a little unfavorably.”
“...”
“Whatever the circumstances, you were still an employee who clashed with your superior, right? From my position, that couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable. But...”
He let the sentence trail off and smiled.
“After seeing you today, that bias has cracked a bit. Let’s get along from here on out, you and I.”
At his words, I answered with an awkward expression.
“Thank you, Second Team Leader.”
Second Team Leader nodded slowly, then got into the elevator first. Third Team Leader followed after him and brushed past me, saying, “Chief Manager Kwon, you were pretty cool today.”
He was smiling as he said it. But in that sharp gaze, the wariness he felt toward me had deepened.
“Still, you were so cool it’s kind of annoying. Don’t be too cool. I might get jealous.”
Third Team Leader reset his expression, chuckled, and walked away from me. Watching his back, Fourth Team Leader clicked his tongue.
“Tsk. That Third Team Leader. You really have to admit, he’s got a lousy personality.”
“...”
“Still, seeing you today, Chief Manager Kwon, I think I’d better stay on guard too. What kind of employee talks back to the representative like that, huh?”
Fourth Team Leader patted my shoulder playfully.
“Looking at your results, I’d planned to bring you over someday, but after seeing you today, I guess I’ll have to give up. I’m not confident I could control you, Chief Manager Kwon.”
With a grin, Fourth Team Leader moved past me. Then Fifth Team Leader blocked my way.
“Crazy bastard.”
“...”
“You really are crazy, aren’t you? You admit it too, right?”
My stunned mind finally caught up. I saw Seok-du hyung smiling with one corner of his mouth lifted. I moved my lips, then muttered, “Seok-du hyung.”
“Yeah, go ahead and explain yourself.”
“I’m craving a cigarette, so I’m going up first.”
“?”
Seok-du hyung called after me, looking confused.
“Hey! Kwon Chan! Where are you going, you punk!”
But my body was already heading for the rooftop smoking area. The moment I opened the door and faced the crisp autumn sky, all the strength drained from my legs.
“Wow...”
Dragging my trembling legs, I somehow made it to a bench and sat down. But damn it, now that I looked, my hands weren’t normal either. The tension had gone out of them and they were tap-dancing on their own.
I finally managed to light the cigarette and draw in the filter. Once nicotine hit my system, my shaking hands and feet finally began to settle. I let out a long breath and muttered, “...Did I really do the right thing?”
Honestly, I didn’t know. I thought I’d grown numb to regret when it came to work choices, but maybe that wasn’t true.
Was it really the right choice to refuse the team leader position right there?
I didn’t know about the process.
...But the result looked good.
As proof, the management team leaders’ attitude toward me had changed just a little while ago.
By refusing the team leader position, I’ve finally made Baekhak’s team leaders start treating me like one of their own.
And, most importantly, Baek Representative’s reaction hadn’t been bad either.
...Baek Representative, you looked pleased when I turned down the team leader spot, didn’t you?
What an odd thing. A lowly employee openly refusing the representative’s offer. Which part of that made Baek Representative so satisfied?
I couldn’t quite grasp what was on her mind, but whatever the case, I’d neatly refused a team leader position that could have turned into a poisoned chalice. Of course...
“Man, that team leader spot really is tempting.”
I couldn’t hide my regret over kicking away such a golden opportunity with my own feet.
Damn it, maybe I should have just closed my eyes and taken it?
I might have just missed out on the title of youngest-ever team leader.
But...
If I could turn back time, I would have made the same choice again.
Like I said during the team leaders’ meeting, I still felt I wasn’t ready to be a team leader yet.
If a road manager handles the day-to-day and a chief manager oversees things, then a team leader has to lead.
And as for leading and taking responsibility for people, I wasn’t ready for that yet.
Not when I can’t even clean up the mess I’ve already made.
Once I shifted my thoughts in that direction, my mind settled down. The regret was still there, but at least I had no remorse about the choice I’d made.
Besides, once time passes, I’ll be able to earn the team leader title on my own power.
Black Bride and To.Any were about to begin their full schedules.
And then there was Multicultural, aiming for the Busan International Film Festival.
If I could just clean up the things I’d already set in motion... a team leader position?
I was confident I could seize that with my own ability alone.
In that moment, the corner of my mouth lifted.
“Interesting.”
The work life that had loosened a little started tightening back up again. In that tension, my ambition to do even better than I was doing now flared back to life.
Right now I’d stepped back because my ability wasn’t enough, but that retreat itself had become fuel, whipping me forward.
To succeed more than I did now. To rise higher.
And I had no intention of resisting that ambition.
I’m going to become far more successful than I am now.
There would be no second time when I lost a chance because I lacked the ability, like I had today.
The moment I made that vow, the smartphone in my pocket buzzed.
[-[International]-[Sent] (attached image)]
A new future message had arrived.
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