New Employee (2)
The delinquent Kang Min-ho and his aunt Kang Myeong-seon. What was their relationship like? At first glance, you'd expect it to be rocky because of Min-ho's rotten personality, but in reality, they got along remarkably well.
All the other nephews were intimidated by their aunt Kang Myeong-seon's explosive temper. That's why they always greeted her with utmost respect, using formal speech and keeping a polite distance.
Min-ho was different from the rest. Far from fearing his aunt, he treated her like an old friend, without any reservations. Maybe that's why they clicked so well—like inseparable childhood buddies.
Min-ho calmly recalled these memories. He had to act as much like the real Kang Min-ho as possible. He kicked off the conversation with a playful tease.
“Auntie, Grandpa told you to quit smoking, but you're still at it?”
“Hey, does a new hire get to nag the president?”
“Who else is gonna do it if not me?”
“Aigoo, you really are your father's son. I'll make some coffee—sit down.”
President Kang Myeong-seon brewed the coffee while deep in thought. To fund her new venture, she'd asked her brother Kang Du-seong for help. The price for tapping into a hefty sum from JK Mutual Savings Bank? Just Min-ho's employment. She replayed her brother's motives in her mind but couldn't quite pin them down. Brushing it off as nothing major, she handed Min-ho the cup.
“The president herself brewing coffee? I'm honored.”
“Put some spit on those lips and lie properly.”
“Haha, that obvious?”
“Your aunt changed a truckload of your diapers. I can see right through you.”
Despite her words, President Kang still couldn't read Min-ho's true intentions. She sipped her coffee, stared intently at his face, and asked,
“But seriously, why come here? It'd be way easier at the Mutual Savings Bank with your dad. Money to handle, and it'd look good on you.”
“We handle money here too.”
“Not all money's created equal. This stuff's kinda dark and shady, you know?”
“Anyway, Auntie, there's one department I wanna join. Can you swing it?”
“What do you take your aunt for? Name it.”
“Put me in the Debt Collection Team.”
The Debt Collection Team at JK Credit Info—directly tied to operating profits—was the elite core where top talent converged. It was the dream posting for any newbie. Every year, it had the highest competition rate. You couldn't just apply and get in; they selected only a handful of the absolute best.
The team's popularity boiled down to one thing: money. There was a slim chance, but if luck struck, you could rake in years' worth of salary in one incentive payout. Massive cash, promotions, prestige—all in one shot. A life-changing jackpot. Naturally, it was the holy grail for finance job hunters.
Why aim for Debt Collection over the Secretariat—the precursor to the Future Strategy Office where he'd once been head? Was it for landing a big fish, scoring huge incentives and a fast track up? No way. Min-ho had his eyes on something higher.
He was pursuing a two-pronged strategy: solidify his position at JK while securing investment capital. Salary savings would work, but it'd be too slow and small-scale— he'd miss prime opportunities.
What if he leveraged insider knowledge from his past life as Future Strategy head to collect debts no one else could touch? Grandpa Kang Jin-gwang, JK's founder and chairman, and his father Kang Du-seong would have to acknowledge him. His standing in JK would solidify, and the incentives would roll in fast for investments.
That made Debt Collection the perfect fit for Min-ho right now.
President Kang saw it differently. She hadn't fully grasped the changed Min-ho yet. No matter how much family bias bent her arm, this was too much for him to handle.
She let out a chuckle and spoke softly. “You'd last a week tops before begging me to pull you out.”
“I'll take that bet—I say I won't.”
“Think I don't know you? Let your aunt handle it—I'll put you somewhere cushy. Just collect your paycheck quietly.”
“I came here specifically for Debt Collection. Nowhere else interests me.”
“Oh, really? Do you even know what they do there?”
“Yeah. Collect money.”
Not wrong, but not the full picture either. Frustrated by his stubbornness, President Kang exhaled a long plume of cigarette smoke and dove into a legendary tale.
“Gonna be the next Nam Jae-seok?”
“That's the lucky bastard's name?”
“Yeah, he got lucky and collected 2 billion including interest. Cashed his incentive and peaced out to the US. With that kinda money, who wouldn't?”
“How many newbies usually get placed there?”
“At most three a year. Last year? Zero—they didn't like anyone.”
Min-ho wasn't one to back down from low odds. He grinned coolly. “If you send me there, it'd put you in a tough spot, huh?”
“I could make it happen if you want, but word'd get out you're riding nepotism. You'd suffer for it—couldn't last long.”
“But what can I do? I've never even considered anywhere else.”
“Oh? Are you asking your aunt for a favor now?”
“Technically, since you refused, it's not a request.”
Putting him there was no big deal for her. But it'd expose him instantly. His plan hit a snag, but he stayed cool and pivoted to Plan B.
“Who's handling training this time?”
“Senior Managing Director Seo Gwang-hun. You met him once as a kid—probably don't remember.”
“The skinny guy with glasses? Right?”
“Whoa, how do you remember someone from when you were a toddler?”
“He came to Dad's birthday last time.”
“Did he? Anyway, that's enough on this.”
Min-ho needed one firm confirmation. Flashing a sly, eel-like smile, he pressed on.
“It'd be fine if I get in on my own merits, right?”
“You don't mean...”
“Nah, nothing like that.”
President Kang eyed him suspiciously, like a hawk spotting a chick.
“Got it. You wanna slack off on field duty?”
“I'm not a kid—think I'd come here for that?”
“Or maybe... go drinking and beat up deadbeats who won't pay?”
Min-ho sighed and shook his head. “I'm not some eavesdropping broom. You see your nephew too sporadically.”
“If you hadn't caused so much trouble, maybe. Weren't you at the station again last week?”
“That was an ambush—someone clocked me from behind.”
President Kang stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray, flashed a bright smile, and replied,
“I know, Auntie was joking. Those kids you beat up were from Seongdo, Daeseong, and Daeyeon, right?”
“Yeah, but how'd you know?”
“Even if your dad let you loose, getting jumped must've pissed him off.”
“Did Dad say anything?”
She covered her mouth, laughing for a good while before answering, clearly amused.
“He cut off those three companies—no more bills accepted, no new loans.”
“And then?”
“What else? The presidents of Daeyeon, Daeseong, and Seongdo came crawling on their knees, begging.”
“It was just kids fighting. No need for Dad to step in.”
“Wait till you have your own. No parent in the world feels good about their kid coming home beat up. Your dad was mad, so that's what he did.”
She glanced at the clock, uncrossed her legs, and straightened up—time for the main point.
“You're already late because of me. Time to head in—you're a newbie now.”
“Yes, ma'am. Wouldn't dream otherwise.”
“Only three people know: Executive Director Gwak, you, and me. Don't blab needlessly—especially not after drinks at a company dinner, or you'll be in hot water.”
“Got it, ma'am. I'll follow orders. Newbie training's calling—gotta go.”
“Today's the last day. I've tipped them off about your 'car accident' hospital stay—play it that way.”
Min-ho flashed a thumbs-up and a beaming smile.
“Auntie, does Senior Director Seo have say over placements?”
“Yeah, trainers need pull. Gave him a free pass for one.”
“So if he picks me, I can go anywhere?”
“Usually goes to the smartest kid. That's out of my hands. Why the sudden interest?”
“Nothing.”
Min-ho stood, bowed 90 degrees to President Kang Myeong-seon.
“Ma'am, I'll be going now.”
She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but Min-ho seemed subtly different. Writing it off as him finally growing up, she felt a swell of pride for her nephew. As he turned to leave, she patted his butt.
“Do good—no screw-ups.”
Min-ho mentally reviewed his plan once more as he headed to the large auditorium where newbie training was underway.