Chapter 11
Chapter 11
TV That Shows the Future (1)
When I arrived at the conference room, Teams 2 and 3 were already there.
Team 2’s manager, Lee Jung-wan, glanced at our team and muttered under his breath.
“Did the lead catch some illness? Always dead last. If Team 1 holds up the meeting, will Team Leader Kim be held responsible?”
Had he eaten something bad for lunch? Why was he so twisted in broad daylight? His voice was sharp and full of edge.
We hadn’t even arrived late—the meeting was scheduled for later, and we were 10 minutes early.
Lee Jung-wan constantly tried to check on Team Leader Kim, but today his behavior seemed especially irritating—probably because he was tense dealing with the fox.
“Ahahaha, sorry, sorry.”
“All you ever do is say sorry. Enough. Just prepare the presentation. Don’t drag out the time in front of everyone.”
“Got it, got it.”
Under Lee’s nagging, Officer Jin quickly distributed the documents before even taking a seat. Seeing Team Leader Kim smiling as he picked up his USB and prepared to stand, I stepped in.
“Team Leader, may I handle next month’s new business presentation?”
“What? You, Kang?”
“Yes.”
It was the first time facing the newly assigned department head. Normally, the team leader would report first to make a good impression, but we couldn’t predict what kind of trouble the fox might cause. So I decided to take the lead.
I knew Team Leader Kim was the kind of person who wouldn’t feel jealous or bothered by an employee volunteering for a presentation. Still, Lee Jung-wan probably interpreted it as me trying to curry favor with the new boss and sneered at me.
Kim hesitated for a moment but then nodded and agreed to my request.
“Alright. Since you initiated this project, it makes sense for you to present it yourself.”
“But Team Leader, today is the first day the new department head is here… What if I mess up and get caught on something?”
Despite Seo’s objections, Kim backed me up.
“Come on, you think that would happen? She seemed really young earlier. I’ll introduce you properly upfront, so give a solid briefing. If you need backup, I’ll step in. You need practice giving presentations anyway.”
“Thank you, Team Leader.”
Buoyed by Team Leader Kim’s support, I stepped to the front to present our business proposal for the first time.
Standing near the podium, I could feel everyone’s gaze on me—it was a bit nerve-wracking. But I wasn’t worried. This was a project I had proposed and prepared the report for; I knew the content inside and out.
After returning from my vacation, I worked harder than ever. Having decided to start an investment company, I resolved to fully realize my potential while still at Iljin Group.
I studied business materials from the server, analyzing what consumers wanted, current trends, and ways to differentiate our product.
Through the analysis, I gradually gained confidence and decided I had to experience at least once leading a project to success. Previously, I had only experienced success as part of a team. This time, it would be a project where I was at the center.
Looking for a cost-effective yet impactful idea, I came up with the “Spoilage Detection Kit.” Team Leader Kim liked the idea and even reported it directly to the managing director to get preliminary funding.
In other words, even if I flubbed the presentation, the project would still move forward.
On top of that, I had reviewed over 100 business proposals in the past month, analyzing weaknesses, strengths, success potential, risks, and alignment with corporate strategy. No sudden question would catch me off guard—I was prepared.
‘If they seriously discuss the project’s potential, that would be fine.’
Still, I felt uneasy about rescheduling the morning meeting to the afternoon. It seemed like it might be a tactic to review our team’s report early and look for ways to undermine it.
If that was the case, I already had a few strategies in mind to respond accordingly.
As soon as the PPT appeared on the screen, the fox arrived in the conference room.
The staff, seeing her for the first time, couldn’t help but gasp at her beauty.
Tsk tsk. How amusing—they had no idea this fox had disguised herself with medical help.
Thinking that, I realized I was the one most foolishly deceived by her in the past. Time to stop self-flagellating.
After a brief introduction by the secretary, our team’s weekly report began. The fox’s eyes were sharp and unkind as they rested on me behind Team Leader Kim.
When Team Leader Kim finished reporting on ongoing projects and was about to start the new business presentation for next month, I declared a change.
“I’ll have Kang Min-hyuk, who proposed this project, present the new business report.”
Hearing my name, her eyes sharpened further. Clearly seeing me as a chance to strike, she curled her lips in a wicked smile but acquiesced.
Stepping up to the podium, all eyes focused on me. It was my first time presenting in front of so many people since graduation, so I was a little nervous.
‘Today, I take one step closer to being a leader.’
With that thought, the tension melted, replaced by pleasant excitement.
“Now, we’ll begin the new business presentation for New Business Development Team 1.”
Explaining the business idea, anticipated revenue, and potential impact was straightforward—I had read these reports countless times over the past month. Kim seemed relieved, his expression softening slightly.
Normally, department head reports are just a check before the board sees the project. Since preliminary approval had already been obtained, it usually only required minor adjustments. So Kim was understandably at ease.
Of course, the fox knew this. Her secretary whispered explanations in her ear.
But knowing her, she might disregard company procedure and act on impulse. Now empowered for the first time, how arrogant would she be?
As the presentation neared its end, I felt both apprehension and anticipation.
‘Alright, Han Se-a. What will you do now?’
The presentation concluded, earning applause for a flawless delivery.
The project I had presented involved developing a disposable kit to detect food spoilage. A pH colorimetric sensor attached to can lids allowed consumers to check spoilage before drinking.
Recently, convenience stores sold beer past its expiration in bundles, affecting sales in our alcohol division during the same-period events. Service centers were overwhelmed with complaints and questions.
The “Spoilage Detection Kit” was conceived to address this. The board approved it unanimously, noting that it could establish a leading corporate image in food safety at minimal cost. Initially for beer cans, with plans to expand to all food containers if consumer response was positive.
Would the fox sabotage this project, knowing all this?
I stared at Han Se-a, eyes gleaming.
As expected, she objected.
“Attaching a sensor to a can lid won’t make people buy more beer. No one’s watching the back of their heads. Honestly, who even drinks expired products nowadays? People throw them out immediately.”
Throw them out immediately? Not something she could say after not organizing her fridge for three months after marriage.
I partly invented this kit thinking of her—remembering getting sick from expired juice and being rushed to the ER. I wanted a way to intuitively check spoilage.
“And selling a few more beers won’t boost company revenue. Investing 300 million won just for that seems…”
The secretary’s face darkened in real time. Apparently, she ignored the secretary’s advice and kept arguing, listing production issues, potential defects, and possible consumer complaints. Her words made it seem like the beer plant should close before even starting.
“Moreover, I don’t see how this benefits Iljin Group at all.”
With that, she looked at me triumphantly, as if daring me to respond.
I could have countered with a logical argument about consumer trust, hygiene image, and corporate responsibility… but I knew from experience that if I said a single word, she’d counter with ten more.
Instead, I struck at her weakness with rapid agreement.
“Yes. I agree. We’ll abandon this project for now and find a more beneficial idea to report by next week.”
Immediately, the conference room fell into icy silence.
This project had already been approved up to the director’s level. She clearly expected to be persuaded, and her expression showed confusion.
Her secretary whispered urgently, but she was not the type to quickly recover spilled milk. She frowned, unable to act.
Other employees were equally unsettled—Team 1’s hard work, dismissed by a single remark from a mere officer rather than the team leader. Even Team 3’s Woo Jeong-hwan shot me a death glare, signaling “what are you doing?” Meanwhile, Lee Jung-wan from Team 2 watched with fascination.
“If there are no further questions, Team 1’s report concludes here.”
With that, I returned to my seat. Kim whispered, asking what happened, but I only winked and fixed my gaze straight ahead.
The fox was visibly flustered. Suddenly, she requested an unexpected break.
“Let’s resume Team 2’s report after a 30-minute break.”
I knew then that my plan had worked perfectly. She asked for a break barely 15 minutes into the meeting.