New Employee (3)
***
The grand auditorium was packed with new recruits crammed into their seats as the training session dragged on. On the podium, Senior Vice President Seo Gwang-hun gripped the microphone, leading the lecture.
“Bonds, in simple terms, are debt documents that get bought and sold. They confer rights not just on your money but on debts too, and what proves that is...”
The door creaked open cautiously at an outrageously late hour. Kang Min-ho slipped in quietly, settling into the very back row without disrupting the class.
Seo was Min-ho’s senior from his previous life—a man who’d held executive positions for years thanks to his unwavering loyalty before retiring.
Min-ho gazed at Seo, memories surfacing one by one. A sly smile tugged at his lips, as if a brilliant plan had just clicked into place.
“Now, next up: bond pricing. It won’t be much different from your college days, but let’s review it step by step. Flip to the next page.”
The auditorium filled with the rustle of turning pages. As Seo glanced sideways, the late arrival naturally caught his eye.
A new hire who’d strolled in hours late wasn’t about to win any favors. Especially since Min-ho hadn’t even bothered pulling out a notebook or pen.
A spineless rookie. That’s exactly how he looked to Seo.
He itched to chew him out on the spot, but interrupting the training wasn’t an option, so he pressed on with the lecture.
“Issuance yield, current price, maturity, credit rating, early redemption options, subordinated status, and so on. Here...”
Once something snags your attention, it keeps popping back into view. Even the nitpicky Seo couldn’t stop noticing Min-ho.
The other recruits scribbled furiously, desperate not to miss a single word. Meanwhile, the latecomer lounged there with the most bored look imaginable.
No malice intended. For Min-ho, who’d already mastered every practical detail, this theory session was just dead time.
‘What kind of career is he even planning with that attitude...’
Seo forced his gaze away and soldiered on. “When a company goes bust, you need to understand repayment priorities. Secured claims come first...”
Try as he might to ignore it, Min-ho kept grating on his nerves. A simmering rage began to creep over Seo.
Unable to take it anymore, he let out a heavy sigh and jabbed a finger toward Min-ho.
“Hey, you—the latecomer. What’s your name?”
“You mean me?”
“Yeah, the one parked at the back.”
“I’m Kang Min-ho.”
Seo set down the mic and checked the roster. He noted the special remark next to Min-ho’s name.
“I know you were in the hospital after that car accident, but do you think your behavior right now is fitting for a new hire?”
“I apologize for being unavoidably late.”
“That’s not what I mean. You don’t even have a pen out—you don’t look like you’re here to learn anything.”
The whole vine came with the gourd. No need to kick away an opportunity like this.
Seo’s attention was a golden chance. Min-ho fired back with a deliberate jab.
“I already know all this, so no need for notes.”
The auditorium buzzed as his cocky remark rippled through the recruits.
-Who the hell talks to the senior VP like that?
-There’s always one dumbass every year.
-Where’s he sitting? Lemme see his face—who does this guy think he is?
Curious faces twisted around, craning to check out Min-ho.
The new hires had busted their asses through training for top scores to land in the debt collection team. Min-ho’s situation was different.
Today was the last day of orientation. He’d skipped most of it, so his evaluation was predictably rock bottom.
Translation: no shot at the debt team through normal channels.
Min-ho knew this inside out—and had double-checked via President Kang Myeong-seon’s own words.
The only way in was snagging personnel authority from Seo himself.
Armed with that, Min-ho baited the hook on purpose. Seo was inching toward the trap.
“Even I, who runs this training every year, still study up. Claiming you know it all? That’s awfully arrogant.”
“I mean I know everything in this curriculum. No misunderstanding, I hope.”
“You know it all... That confident, huh?”
“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have answered.”
“Sounds like you’ve got some basis for it...”
Seo paused, pondering, then spoke up.
“Can you pick up right where I left off?”
“Yes, I can.”
“Loud and clear, then.”
For Min-ho, new-hire theory was easier than falling off a log.
“When a company defaults, repayment goes secured, general, subordinated, then equity. But more crucial are subordinated bond traits.”
“Be specific—for your peers’ sake.”
“They’re treated as capital, not liabilities, on the balance sheet. Similar ones include perpetual bonds.”
No stumbles—not a single flaw. Seo didn’t let up, hammering him relentlessly.
“Talk about bond pricing.”
“Price is set by yield curve method, interest periods, options, credit, rates, maturity, etc. Weights vary by bond type, of course.”
For the next ten minutes, Seo unleashed a barrage, even dipping into advanced topics beyond the curriculum. Min-ho nailed every one without hesitation.
Seo’s first impression had been abysmal. But those sharp answers started thawing his frost—and sparked curiosity to boot.
Finally, resolved to test him properly, Seo said, “Looks like you hit the books in college. Now for a real problem—come up and solve it?”
“Of course. But may I make a proposal first?”
Min-ho had one shot at the debt team: hook Seo and claim his personnel pull.
No waiting for a reply—he threw the fastball.
“No matter what problem you give me, I’ll solve it perfectly. But...”
“Spit it out straight—no beating around the bush.”
Min-ho had sized up Seo’s type. A lifelong JK Credit Info man, reputation was everything for ambitious types like him—straight to promotions.
Seo was hypersensitive to others’ reactions. Social face mattered most.
Min-ho targeted that weakness. With all these eyes on him, could Seo really refuse?
Rejecting would humiliate him in front of every rookie. On the surface, Min-ho was asking—but he’d cornered Seo into choosing.
Of course, he knew the man’s character cold. A no-show, tardy punk provoking the senior VP? Unbelievable.
All eyes locked on Min-ho as he stood.
“If I solve your problem perfectly, hand over one of your personnel cards. That’s my condition.”
The recruits buzzed again at his bold play.
-Damn, ballsy.
-Ballsy’s useless if he chokes. How’s he gonna show his face?
-Senior VP ain’t giving an easy one. Bet he bombs.
Every gaze shifted to Seo’s mouth. He was trapped—no wiggle room.
Accepting was the only way to save face. Feigning calm despite the fluster, he pressed on.
“Which department?”
“Debt Collection Team.”
Naming everyone’s dream slot sent the room into chaos again.
-Who is this guy? What’s he banking on?
-Can you just demand that?
-What school’s he from?
-Debt team? He’ll get canned in a week.
Snared tight, Seo couldn’t retreat or advance. He’d bitten the lone option.
“Solve my problem, and I’ll use one of my personnel slots on you. Come on up.”
Everything was unfolding per Min-ho’s script. Flashing a bright grin, he strode confidently toward the podium.