Stunned into Silence
A heavy silence blanketed the grand auditorium, broken only by the sharp scratch of chalk as Section Chief Seo scribbled on the blackboard. He was no ordinary player either—he'd posed a problem that no new hire in history had ever solved correctly.
Moments later, gripping the microphone, he announced, “Alright, new hires, give it your best shot. This covers everything about bonds. You've got a generous 15 minutes.”
No sooner had he finished than the recruits snatched up their pens and dove in. Section Chief Seo turned to glance at Min-ho, expecting bewilderment. But Min-ho sat utterly still, eyes fixed calmly on the problem.
Time ticked away, and still Min-ho stared at it like a stone statue, unmoving.
Seo, convinced Min-ho hadn't cracked it, nodded smugly. 'No new hire's ever gotten this right. No matter how hotshot you think you are, you're still just a rookie.'
Grabbing the mic again, he said, “Shall we hear the answer? You there in the front—give it a go.”
“As maturity approaches, bonds become less sensitive to interest rate changes. So I think it's number 1.”
“Let's hear another. You on the far right.”
“Higher coupon rates mean lower bond prices, so the answer's 5.”
Having gathered opinions from several recruits, Section Chief Seo figured it was time for Min-ho's humiliation. “All good. Now, let's hear from Recruit Lee Min-ho.”
He hadn't even opened his answer sheet, but victory was already his in his mind. The auditorium full of peers felt the same.
Min-ho hadn't budged, still gazing at the problem. Onlookers could only assume he didn't know the answer. Some began murmuring criticisms.
“What an embarrassment.”
“Should've known better than to strut around.”
“Hasn't even had training yet, and he picks a fight with the senior managing director? Who does he think he is?”
Checking his watch, Section Chief Seo pressed Min-ho. “Hey, Recruit Lee Min-ho, got an answer?”
“Yes, sir.”
Min-ho nodded and stepped to the blackboard, picking up a red piece of chalk. Solving it? No way. What he did next was unbelievable.
The auditorium erupted in murmurs.
“What the hell's he doing?”
“Is he nuts?”
“Who defaces a problem like that?”
Section Chief Seo and everyone else gaped like they'd seen a ghost. Min-ho drew a massive X over the problem and declared, “There is no correct answer to this question.”
The smug grin faded from Section Chief Seo's face.
Grabbing the mic, Min-ho began explaining. A problem meant to stump them had no answer? The recruits snickered and shook their heads.
“There are a few issues. Let me break it down simply.”
He started slowly. “Interest rates aren't the independent variable—they can be dependent. If rates are fixed, the curve shifts rightward from that point. So option B doesn't hold water from the start.”
Section Chief Seo's face hardened at the sharper-than-expected critique.
“The second option's the same. Bonds are influenced by stocks, but no such premise here. That's an error too.”
The jeering peers fell silent as mimes. The buzzing auditorium went deathly quiet.
Min-ho moved to center stage. “Thus, there's no correct answer. If there is one, it's the questioner's mistake. No answer—that's the answer.”
A trap with no right answer, which Seo had mistaken for perfect. Min-ho's unexpected move scrambled his brain. Most scramble for answers with their pens; Min-ho calmly dissected it, sidestepping the trap entirely. No recruit had ever responded like this.
Min-ho had nailed it precisely. No trace of a smile on Section Chief Seo's face now.
Min-ho pressed on. “Sure, knowing priority levels, issuers, guarantees, maturities is nice theory—but it won't help much in practice.”
He drew a bold straight line down the blackboard's center. “From now on, bonds are just two types.”
Not just solving it flawlessly—he was casually advising the new hires. All eyes locked on him, mouths shut.
“Bonds that repay JK Credit Info's money, and ones that don't.”
Min-ho owned the room. He even questioned a front-row peer. “You there—if the debtor's broke, what do you do?”
“Review docs first, secure any seizable assets—that's priority one.”
“What if they've transferred everything to parents, kids, spouse?”
This was real-world stuff, beyond theory. No recruit, man or woman, had an answer—they lacked experience.
“Simple. Grab their weakness and shake. That's our job.”
A man in the center raised his hand loudly. “Isn't that unethical?”
“Great point. Your name?”
“Lee Min-cheol.”
“If I borrow from you and don't pay back—is that ethical? Who judges by what standard?”
“...............”
“To collect, do everything within the law.”
The man, regretting his outburst, slouched deep in his seat.
“Lock personal feelings in your desk drawer before clocking in. This is a company—you're here to make money. Deliver results, get paid. That's it.”
The recruits nodded, resonating with Min-ho's words.
Time to claim victory from Section Chief Seo. “Got a bit long-winded. But I trust you'll honor your promise, sir.”
He'd escaped the trap and dominated the crowd in record time—unheard of for a new hire. Section Chief Seo was trapped in Min-ho's web. Deny it, and he'd look the fool. Nodding in defeat, he conceded, “As promised, by my authority, Recruit Lee Min-ho goes to the credit recovery team. A round of applause for this impressive recruit.”
Genuine cheers erupted for Min-ho's bold display. He'd seized the chance and hit his goal.
Descending amid applause, peers swarmed him.
“Whoa, credit recovery team? For real?”
“Weren't you scared in front of the boss?”
“Jealous. I wanted in too.”
From behind the crowd, someone called, “Lee Min-ho?”
“Yes?”
“Deputy Choi Bong-seok from credit recovery. Follow me.”
Basking in envious stares, Min-ho alone transferred to the coveted credit recovery team.
***
In the JK Credit Info president's office, President Kang Myeong-seon was on the phone with her brother Kang Du-seong.
“Calling a lot lately, oppa?”
“Funds'll transfer this afternoon.”
“Not buying it—you didn't call for money.”
“Cut the nonsense or I'm hanging up.”
“Min-ho arrived right on time. I'll slot him in my favorite department, so don't worry.”
“If he causes trouble, handle it—no mercy.”
Kang Du-seong, inwardly fretting over Min-ho, used funds as an excuse. But his lifelong sister saw right through him.
“Scared leaving him to fend for himself? Don't overdo it.”
“Hanging up.”
“Aigoo, that stubborn streak—takes after Dad.”
Setting down the receiver, President Kang Myeong-seon smiled faintly to herself. “Oppa secretly looks out for Min-ho, doesn't he?”
Her secretary knocked and eased the door open. “Plenty of time before departure—what's up?”
“New hire training's done, ma'am. Senior Managing Director Seo Gwang-hun is waiting.”
“Oh? Send him in.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
Section Chief Seo entered, bowing deeply to President Kang. “Tough herding the chicks?”
“No, ma'am. I enjoy it.”
“How's this batch?”
“Nothing standout—average.”
“That's fine. You didn't use last year's personnel pick, right?”
“Yes, no one merited it.”
Crossing her legs and lighting a cigarette, President Kang said, “Your face says you skipped this year too. Don't be stingy—give the kids hope sometimes.”
“Actually, ma'am, I did use it this year.”
Surprised, she exhaled smoke. “Really? Who impressed our picky Section Chief Seo?”
“Recruit Lee Min-ho.”
Stunned by the unthinkable reply, President Kang doubted her ears. “What? Section Chief... did I hear right? Say it again—who?”
“Lee Min-ho, the one who joined late due to a car accident. You alright, ma'am?”
Section Chief Seo's bombshell left her reeling. She knew Min-ho, her nephew, wasn't peerless.
She forced a smile. “No issue. I promised not to meddle in your pick.”
“Thank you. Your backing makes training smoother.”
“Of course. But Lee Min-ho stood out most?”
“No ordinary recruit. Best I've seen—hands down.”
The usually stringent Section Chief lavished praise. President Kang's mind spun at the surreal turn.
His rave continued. “Theory aside, he knew practical essentials—like a veteran.”
“That's overkill, don't you think?”
“No. Here's the problem I gave him.”
Section Chief Seo sketched it on scrap paper. “Unbelievable, but he solved it by eye alone. Nailed the errors too.”
“This? Visually?”
“Yes. Chatted after—felt like talking to a peer, not a kid.”
“So, top of the class?”
He nodded gravely. “I'd stake everything on it. A rare gem like Recruit Kang Min-ho.”
“Born talent?”
“Can't let rivals snag him. Want me to send him up this afternoon?”
“No need.”
Her confusion deepened. 'Min-ho? What happened? DUI punk till recently...'
She gulped cold water to steady her racing heart. “Overly generous score?”
“Never misjudged a recruit.”
“I know you get results.”
“Trust me. Train him right, he'll crush big cases effortlessly.”
Recalling her chat with Min-ho—he'd asked about the personnel pick. Goosebumps rose. 'Did he know and probe? No, Min-ho's not that cunning. But if he planned this...?'
Deny it, but evidence tilted one way. Feigning calm, she said, “Good work on the week. And Lee Min-ho...”
“Yes, ma'am?”
She wanted him there now, but too many visits bred suspicion. Solo assignment would draw eyes. Time to flex her authority.
“Pick two more top scorers besides him.”
“Ma'am, credit recovery's for elite talent...”
Her sharp glance made him clap a hand over his mouth.
“Stick out your tongue.”
“My tongue, ma'am?”
“Need me to repeat?”
Standing, she eyed his quivering tongue, tilting her head. “Not longer than last time...”
“Sorry, ma'am.”
“I won't touch your pick?”
“Correct.”
“This is my turf. Need more?”
“No. I'll staff up as ordered.”
Lighting another cigarette with a sour look, she continued. “You're in charge—drill 'em hard, fast results.”
“Understood.”
“You know I'm impatient.”
“I'll remember.”
Section Chief Seo sat awkwardly, discomfort showing. Her fiery temper wouldn't ignore it.
“No grumbling behind my back—speak now. Need to shit or scratch your back?”
“Sorry, ma'am, but high expectations mean overload issues.”
“Can't hack it? They leave. Grind 'em regardless.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
He bowed and exited. President Kang couldn't fathom Min-ho's change. She chain-smoked, staring blankly out the window.