Debt Collection
***
JK Credit Info.
On his first day, Kang Min-ho had displayed such extraordinary work skills that every employee in the company abandoned their duties to come watch him. Needless to say, he was the talk of the town.
The secretaries in front of the president's office were no exception. They kicked off their workday with stories about him.
"Have you heard about the credit team?"
"What? Did someone cause an accident?"
"You left with the president yesterday—look at my sanity."
"What happened? Tell me quick; you know I can't stand the suspense."
Secretary Jeong lowered her voice as if revealing state secrets.
"Apparently, the new hire in the credit team cleared a mountain of piled-up paperwork all by himself."
"In the credit team, of all places? Come on, that's impossible."
"It's true. Yesterday, everyone flocked to the credit team to gawk—it was chaos."
"Who was it? They assigned three newbies there, right?"
As the secretaries chatted about the previous day, the elevator doors slid open, revealing President Kang Myeong-seon.
They hurriedly stopped talking, stepped forward, and greeted her.
"Good morning, President."
"Good morning. What were you two discussing so animatedly?"
"We were just talking about the new employee."
"Something interesting must have happened."
"Yes, ma'am. Right now, every department is buzzing about that new hire."
Kang Myeong-seon couldn't even imagine it was Min-ho; she brushed it off casually.
"Newbies do well at first, that's all."
"It's not that, President. They say he's working like a machine. It got noisy yesterday while you were out on business."
"Smart kids pop up every year. Do you know who it is?"
"It's Credit Team employee Kang Min-ho."
The name out of Secretary Jeong's mouth was none other than Min-ho.
Catching her off guard, Kang Myeong-seon reacted a bit sharply.
"Tell me the details."
"Pardon? It's about how he sorted the credit team's paperwork all by himself."
"What else would a newbie start with but filing?"
"No, they say he cleared the entire backlog in one day."
Kang Myeong-seon knew full well the credit team's workload. Dismissing it as absurd, she shook her head.
"That's not something one person can handle. Did you hear wrong, Secretary Jeong?"
"No, ma'am. Employees from other departments witnessed it too."
"He classified everything alone?"
"Yes. Some even bet on when he'd finish."
Secretary Jeong had no idea about Kang Myeong-seon and Min-ho's relationship—and no reason to lie about him anyway.
Min-ho had already wrested personnel authority from Senior Manager Seo Gwang-hun. Even if that was chalked up to luck, this new feat piled on the confusion.
Feigning nonchalance, Kang Myeong-seon abruptly ended the conversation.
"Got it. Back to work."
"Yes, ma'am."
She tilted her head as she headed into her office. No matter how she thought about it, it didn't make sense.
She turned back and called out.
"Secretary Jeong, come here a moment."
"Yes, ma'am."
Secretary Jeong hurried over.
"I've been out of the office a lot lately—must be tough on you."
"Not at all, President. This is my job."
"Get the team some drinks after work."
Kang Myeong-seon pulled out her wallet and handed over a thick wad of cash.
Surprised by the sudden expense money, Secretary Jeong politely refused once.
"No, really, ma'am—it's fine."
"You trying to embarrass me?"
"Thank you."
As both president and aunt, it was only natural she'd be curious about Min-ho. But calling in Manager Seo every time something came up? That would be as good as advertising their family tie.
Using her info-savvy secretary changed everything. She'd get natural updates on company gossip—and lips sealed as a bonus.
"If you hear any more rumors about that guy, tell me first, got it?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Don't forget to keep it quiet. Have Manager Seo come up."
"Yes, understood."
Kang Myeong-seon couldn't wrap her head around Min-ho's drastic change. To verify, she summoned Senior Manager Seo Gwang-hun.
Moments later, the door opened, and Seo entered. His face was tense at the unexpected summons.
"Think I'm gonna eat you alive? Why so nervous all of a sudden?"
"No, ma'am. It's just rare to be called at this hour."
"Wanted to see your face and discuss something. Sit."
"Yes, ma'am."
Kang Myeong-seon crossed her legs, feigning calm as she lit a cigarette.
"How are the new hires settling in?"
"It was only one day, but everyone's adapting smoothly."
"I heard something happened yesterday."
"Yes, one very positive incident."
Kang Myeong-seon was dying to know but couldn't ask outright about Min-ho. Frustrated, she puffed her cigarette faster than usual.
She kept up the casual tone.
"Usually they follow orders the first month, then accidents hit the next. A positive thing, huh...? Let's hear it."
"Employee Kang Min-ho showed exceptional skills. We gave him paperwork, and the results were beyond imagination."
"How amazingly did he handle filing that even you, Manager Seo, are singing his praises?"
"He perfectly sorted every single document in the credit team—alone."
Papers crammed with numbers and text—an impossible load for one person.
It matched Secretary Jeong's report exactly. Kang Myeong-seon felt like she'd been hammered on the head, her expression puzzled.
"You think that makes sense?"
"I know it's hard to believe, but it's true. Faster and more accurate than me."
"A newbie faster than you, Manager Seo?"
"Yes, ma'am. Fact."
"How?"
"I'm baffled too. One other oddity: his focus is laser-sharp during work."
Kang Myeong-seon still couldn't fathom how the booze-guzzling, brawling Min-ho had transformed. Reports weren't enough—she wanted to see him work.
She decided to check personally.
"Let's see how good he really is. I'll drop by the credit team later."
"Sorry, ma'am, but today won't work."
"He didn't come in?"
"No. I sent Kang Min-ho out to the field."
Another shock; she furrowed her brow and rubbed her temple.
Out to the field meant meeting debtors—desperate ones capable of anything. She knew that better than anyone.
Now, as aunt rather than president, worry crept in for Min-ho. And sending a two-day newbie? Unprecedented.
She shot up from her chair without realizing.
"Manager Seo, are you insane? Sending a two-day newbie to collections?"
He knew her anger well, but he replied calmly, as if expecting it.
"Remember what you always say: reward good work?"
"That's my standard line. But this isn't a reward—it's piling on more."
"It's what Kang Min-ho wanted."
"What does a newbie know...? You should've shut it down. Can't grant every whim."
Unlike Kang Myeong-seon shaking her head, Seo smiled faintly.
"He said your interview inspired him deeply. Then he immediately asked for field duty."
"You should've stopped him. What if the chick gets hurt out there?"
"He finished in one day what takes the whole team a week. He wanted field time as reward. If I refused?"
She always stressed fair rewards; Seo's logic left her without rebuttal.
"He really wanted that?"
"Hard to believe at first, but yes."
"Nothing else?"
"No. Just said confidently he'd bring back the money."
Conversations should resolve something. Instead, Kang Myeong-seon sank deeper into confusion.
What was Min-ho thinking? What gave him such confidence? No answers yet.
Her mind raced, but the bewilderment only grew.
Min-ho's changed too much. It's weird—unbelievable...
She'd noticed some change, but this was like a different person.
Seo watched her closely. Her reaction was markedly off.
The perceptive manager broached carefully.
"You seem sensitive whenever Kang Min-ho comes up."
"Nah, just a newbie thing."
"Any relation?"
"He's unique. That's it."
Seo's mind whirled. If Min-ho had her backing, she'd have ordered favoritism. But her instructions were the opposite.
Having observed her for years, something felt off—but no proof.
"I'll report any oddities about Kang Min-ho first."
"No need."
"Understood."
"Go. Keep watching those chicks."
"Yes, ma'am."
He bowed and left quietly, muttering to himself.
The president and Kang Min-ho... something's there, but damned if I know what.
***
Kang Min-ho got off bus 131 at the North Seoul Milk stop in Myeokmok-dong, Cheongnyangni. He scanned around for a payphone first.
He picked up the receiver, inserted coins, and dialed.
"Legal Team Lawyer Choi Jong-hoon speaking."
"It's Min-ho."
"Yes, young master."
"Just checking on what I mentioned yesterday."
"Everything's prepared. Though I do have doubts about whether it's realistically feasible."
"Proceed as planned. I'll call first if anything changes."
"Understood."
As Min-ho went to hang up, Choi spoke urgently.
"They're cornered debtors. Please be careful."
"Don't worry. See you soon."
"Yes, young master."
Min-ho hung up, tucked the newspaper into his bag, and pulled out the debt files for another thorough review.
Moments later, Deputy Oh Seong-deok waved as he appeared.
"You're early. When'd you get here?"
"Just arrived."
"That's the So Pan-sik case, right?"
"Yes, Deputy."
"You might be better at sorting files, but I've got more field experience. I'll show you the ropes."
Oh took the files and explained.
"Debtor So Pan-sik, lives in Myeokmok-dong. Loan from JK Mutual Savings Bank—principal plus interest totals 120 million won as of today. Got it?"
"Yes, memorized it all."
"No attachable assets; money's likely hidden under proxies. Right?"
"Yes."
"No time—talk on the way."
Heading to the destination, Oh glanced back at Min-ho.
Normal newbies mixed fear and excitement. Min-ho was just blankly stoic.
Oh, who had tossed and turned all night unable to grasp Min-ho's words, asked.
"You think this So Pan-sik guy's gonna pay up?"
"We can collect the full 120 million from the files."
"Look at those houses. You'd have to buy every one to hit 120 million. You lack real-world sense—this is big money."
"I'll show you in person."
"Do your thing for now. Got a call from the manager this morning: no hitting debtors, or it's instant dismissal. Got it?"
"No worries."
Oh sensed mischief but couldn't pinpoint it.
"Dragging a two-day newbie into this... whatever, answers at the door."
He shook his head and quickened his pace.
After twenty minutes on foot, they reached So Pan-sik's place.
Oh pointed to the blue gate.
"That the house?"
"Yeah, been here tons—can't forget."
"No bell? How'd you manage before?"
"Once yelled for hours, no answer—waited six. Delivery guy from the Chinese place let me slip in."
As Oh finished, Min-ho stared at the gate, smiling.
"Every time you smile, I flinch. What crazy thought now?"
"No need for six hours. Ten seconds."
"What? You gonna force it?"
Min-ho approached the gate. Tugged—it was locked tight.
What now? Wait endlessly like Oh?
Inefficiency was one of Min-ho's pet peeves.
He tossed his bag over the wall, then vaulted after without hesitation.
"You're nuts!"
Oh's jaw dropped again. Min-ho opened the gate.
"I can't wait for this stuff."
"Quiet cat climbs walls first—fits you perfect."
"This much? Just a warning at worst. No worries."
Min-ho turned to the front door and climbed the stairs unhesitatingly.
At the top: an impregnable fortress of a door plastered diagonally with talismans.
No ordinary door—to them, a castle gate.
What next? Polite knock, announce JK?
No debtor welcomes that.
If it won't open, make it.
He'd prepared meticulously: one newspaper.
Min-ho pulled it from his bag like he'd been waiting.
Oh, stunned by the unheard-of tactic, tried to stop him.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Gotta open the door to collect."
"Think I don't know that? You wouldn't..."
"Wish I could crowbar it, but can't—so make him open it."
Min-ho knocked casually, launching into pitch-perfect acting.
"President! From the neighborhood Minkook Ilbo distribution center. Here for your subscription."
A moment later, So Pan-sik's voice.
"No thanks, beat it."
"Come on, open up just a sec? Gotta explain. President."
"Buzz off, annoying."
"Subscribe now, and I'll throw in half a year's jumbo milk plus a full year of papers free."
If it won't open, make it.
Min-ho's generous offer slowly creaked the door ajar.
A man emerged, beaming—unkempt hair, baggy white sweats.
"Hello, President."
"From the local center?"
"Yes, sir."
"Like your vibe, kid. Half-year milk and papers free, huh?"
Staring straight into So Pan-sik's eyes, Min-ho said earnestly.
"Where's that kinda deal in the world?"
"You... what the hell is this?"
Min-ho gripped the door, handing over his business card with the other hand.
"JK Credit Info, Credit Team, Kang Min-ho."