Same Bed, Different Dreams
After my parents died in an accident, I scraped by eating cold rice at my relatives' house. Even at that young, clueless age, I instinctively knew it: studying was my only way to survive.
On weekends, my aunt would take her kids out for outings, holding their hands. I knew better than to tag along. I'd make up some lame excuse about homework and head alone to the neighborhood library. All I could do there was read books. I'd read all day, over and over. That's how letters became my friends—and my trusty weapon.
By adulthood, I could comprehend text faster than anyone. Back in my past life as a newbie employee, sorting bond documents was always my job. People cheered my speed wildly, but I found it weird. To me, it was easier than lying down for rice cakes.
The saying was true: habits from three carry to eighty. Lost in focus, my old routines slipped out unconsciously. My goal was to quietly recover bonds without drawing eyes, but I ended up in the spotlight anyway.
Everything in the world has pros and cons. A blessing in disguise, perhaps? In just one day, my team treated me like their baby brother.
They kept pouring drinks into my glass nonstop.
“Come on, Min-ho, say ahh. A lucky charm like you joined us—gotta wrap you a ssam.”
Whoa, the boss wrapping ssam on day one? You're seriously talented.
I haven't even gotten boss ssam yet—jealous!
Seo Gwang-hun, the typical salaryman senior managing director, looked at me with eyes full of affection. He'd used his hiring pull to bring me on, and now that I was crushing it, his pride swelled. I pretended to be shy and opened wide for the ssam.
“Have a shot of soju too.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, Director.”
“I'm thrilled Min-ho's on the bond team. Aren't you all?”
Of course. First rookie I've seen process docs this fast.
Feels like we finally got the newbie we needed.
They buzzed with praise, but it left me cold. My aim wasn't approval as some office drone—it was the throne of JK. To catch Father's eye, I had to pull off the impossible. But reality bit: I was just a fresh-faced newbie.
To hit the field for collections, I needed Senior Director Seo's okay first. Collection sites against deadbeat pros were chaos waiting to happen. Debtors might fetch coffee then return with a knife, or swing a baseball bat—no rarity. Rookies dreaming of life-changing incentives often switched desks after one scare, or quit outright from trauma.
Now, after my first day, if I begged to go? No way he'd let me. But quitting wasn't me. If no opening, make one—shove your head in.
I slowly scanned the team's faces, piecing together my memory puzzle. Senior Director Seo, Manager Hwang, Manager Im, Deputy Choi, Deputy Oh Bong-seok...
I needed someone with a backstory who'd drag me to collections. One perfect match: Deputy Oh Seong-deok.
I sidled up and offered him a drink.
“Deputy, let me pour you one.”
“Sure thing. Tastes even better when you pour it, Min-ho.”
“Thanks for the kind words.”
“You were glaring like fire earlier at work, but now you're all soft and cuddly.”
“I go blank-faced when focused. Hope no offense.”
“Think I can't spot that after all my years? Drink up.”
I downed my soju, then raised my voice just enough for all to hear.
“That Myeongmok-dong case, right?”
“Yeah, the docs you skipped earlier? That So Pan-sik jerk.”
The team perked up, ears tuned.
“Debt's over 100 million won—how come no one's touched it?”
“We tried. He's siphoned it all; no moves left.”
“Assets shifted to others' names—no other way?”
“I've gone who-knows-how-many times. Won't even open the door. Sometimes I'd camp out, and he'd sprinkle salt like I'm a ghost—welcoming me.”
Deputy Oh wasn't alone; Deputy Choi Bong-seok chimed in.
“Don't get me started. Boss to managers—all tried, hands up in defeat.”
“Decent sales, solid real estate too. It's right there—any other play?”
“That's what bugged me. Squirreled less than he made. But knowing and collecting? That's the rage.”
Deputy Choi shook his head, slamming soju down his throat. Senior Director Seo clapped.
“Enough shop talk—let's hear a toast from the newbies!”
Unlike me, Pi Dong-ho and Jeong Nam-hoon were true rookies, trembling with glasses raised politely.
“Glasses up—Pi Dong-ho, your turn.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
Dong-ho mumbled ant-like after ages hesitating.
“Bond team fighting!”
Sighs all around; glasses dropped at the limp toast.
“Come on, can't even eat cold rice? Voice like that? Next, Jeong.”
Jeong Nam-hoon peeked around nervously before sputtering.
“To the bond team!”
Glasses plummeted like failed rockets. Just me left. Eyes locked on; glasses rose high again.
“If even Min-ho flops, party's over.”
I grinned, filling a glass tumbler to buy time.
Guy's got size.
Glass means one-shot.
I blanked on '90s toasts. No rambling like the 21st century—they'd blank. Curses? Rude. Eyes shut, I cringed into a safe one. Volume wins toasts. Gut tight, I bellowed like the grill shop shook.
“World might end tomorrow—tonight, we drink till we drop!”
“Hell yeah! Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
They loved it.
***
The party peaked, drinks flying back and forth. Faces flushed, all boozed—perfect. As Deputy Oh Seong-deok stepped out for a smoke, my prey appeared. Golden chance.
As I rose quietly, Senior Director Seo grabbed my arm tight. Drunk tongue and all, he wanted me glued beside him.
“Min-ho, heading home already?”
“Just the bathroom, sir.”
“Hurry back—got more drinks for you.”
“Got it, sir.”
No smoking bans in the '90s. Still, low-rank Deputy Oh couldn't light up before superiors—out he went. I found him pulling a quiet cig.
“Not smoking—why out here?”
“Clearing my head, getting air.”
“Secondhand's bad; I'll step away.”
“Nah, it's fine.”
His kind smile lit the cig.
“Watching you shocked me earlier—honestly, jealous too.”
“No, sir.”
“Day one acclaim, boss wrapping ssam, sitting tight, managers petting your head... Total opposite of my start.”
“Everyone praises you, Deputy.”
“Liars grease lips first. But your doc speed's insane.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Secret trick?”
To get what I want, give first. Negotiations start there.
“Want me to spill?”
“For real? What's the method?”
One way: transcend text addiction to madness—speed follows.
“Grant my request, and I'll tell.”
“What? Me? Got nothing for you.”
“Think harder—you do.”
A shadow clung to Deputy Oh's face, unvoiced. I knew why: Mom post-cancer surgery, Dad wheelchair-bound from a crash. Plus tuition for two sisters. His life's weight crushed imagination.
I craved field shots; he needed cash. Scales balanced dead center.
“Don't hit the field much, Deputy?”
“Ugh, field talk headaches.”
“Something happen?”
One trauma from an incident—he dodged collections since. Half-sigh, half-smoke, he spilled.
“Truth? Last time with Bong-seok, debtor pulled a knife. Scared shitless after—can't go.”
“No heat from above?”
“Yeah, but what? I picked insults over fear. Bong-seok too.”
“Ditching incentives?”
“Embarrassing, yeah. But knife charge? Sleepless nights.”
Collections crushed normals. Understood, but no backing down. He needed money—not greed, survival for family. I dangled a pink, juicy carrot.
“I can collect that Myeongmok-dong debt.”
“Bull—nobody collects from So Pan-sik, world over.”
“I can.”
“Spill. Fair, I'll take you.”
“Not yet. Take me, then I'll tell.”
I spoke truth: I knew So Pan-sik's hidden cash spot and sum.
He eyed me slyly.
“Bigger balls than you look.”
“Guts and grit both.”
“Take you out, you teach doc speed and snag incentive. That it?”
“Win-win: sister-in-law happy, brother-in-law thrilled, sweep the yard, scoop cash.”
No loss for him—even fail, nothing hurt. Win? Incentives plus my secret. Why kick fortune?
Math done, he hooked pinkies.
“Deal. Break it, you know.”
“No worries.”
We conspired, returned. Senior Director Seo, waiting, poured.
“Min-ho, what took so long?”
“Bathroom line; waited.”
“Drink up—I'm in heaven today.”
“Thanks.”
I drank, signaled Deputy Oh. Eyeing the boss, he floated it.
“Sir, field tomorrow.”
“Why? Post-drink sauna nap?”
“Myeongmok-dong, So Pan-sik. Too long since last—check residence.”
“After last time...? How?”
“Dodging fear fixes nothing. Eyes shut, back out.”
“Fine, Min-ho cleared docs. Tomorrow's slow—go.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Fiddling his glass, Deputy Oh ventured cautiously.
“Sir... can I bring Employee Lee Min-ho?”
Senior Director Seo knew the risks—no chance.
“Min-ho's sharp, but two days in? Accident hits, headache. You and Bong-seok go.”
Float complete—Deputy Oh's role done. My close now. Pouring for boss:
“Sir, remember our president's words?”
“How not? My idol said it. But you—how'd you know?”
“Magazine interview months back. Hit hard; that's why JK.”
I baited again, waiting.
He nodded.
“Right—even wage slaves excel, reward solid... Spot on, always.”
“I finished a week-plus team grind in one day.”
“Did great. Other depts gawked, we bet... Wait, you want...?”
I nodded.
“Field duty.”
“As reward?”
“Yes, sir.”
Seemed a plea, but I gave choice. Nail the uncollectable? He climbs to exec. Mishap? Blame for sending two-day newbie.
He set chopsticks down, pondered long. Delay tips negative. I nodded cue; Deputy Oh poured, eased in.
“Min-ho nails a few? Exec spot's yours.”
“True...”
“No house raids. Just confirm residence—morning quickie.”
Boss torn: ambition up, newbie worry down. Free my trap? Wings sprout. He weighed, drank deep, eyed me.
“Got fire for the furnace?”
“Logs and matches ready.”
“One more: never touch the debtor. Promise.”
“Got it, sir.”
He nodded, filled my glass full.
“Knew from first sight—you're unique. Rewards suck field duty... One-shot, you're in.”
I slammed it wordless.
Thus, collections in two days flat.