Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
All the executives and employees of the Future Strategy Promotion Department usually shrank under the pressure of his charisma and didn't dare raise their heads. Yet the ordinary intern Cha Jiham not only showed no fear, but confidently raised his hand.
Yoon Sanghun already disliked the fact that his only daughter seemed fond of this young man, so he decided that this was the perfect opportunity.
“That's a pleasant, energetic voice. I'd like to hear your introduction.”
“I'm Intern Cha Jiham from the Support Team of the Future Strategy Promotion Department.”
“I see. And what duties does Intern Cha perform in the Support Team?”
Jiham had raised his hand intending to answer the question about the mission of the Future Strategy Promotion Department.
But for some reason, the Vice Chairman asked something completely unrelated.
“He's definitely testing me.”
“The Support Team gathers materials used to analyze global trends. The collected data first undergoes AI-assisted machine translation, and I correct contextual inaccuracies and awkward wording.”
“And how good is this artificial intelligence at translation?”
“On a scale of one hundred, I'd give it between ninety-eight and ninety-nine.”
“In that case, Intern Cha's work doesn't seem all that difficult, does it?”
Those words irritated Jiham slightly.
Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun was clearly trying to downplay the significance of his work.
“I agree with you, Vice Chairman. However, the volume of material processed by artificial intelligence is so enormous that I spend every day working nonstop.”
“I see. By the way, when editing the translations, do you actually understand the content, or do you merely correct the wording?”
“Our language contains many words that are written the same way but have completely different meanings. If one fails to understand the exact meaning of the translated text, it's easy to make a major mistake and twist the entire thing into something absurd.”
“Director Jeong, what do you think of Intern Cha's answer?”
Upon hearing Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun's question, Department Director Jeong Sunho answered without the slightest hesitation.
“I had exactly the same concerns, so I repeatedly tested Intern Cha's editing skills. Fortunately, he always grasped the essence of every document with remarkable precision.”
“Hmm, very well.”
Satisfaction appeared on Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun's face as he turned to Jiham once again.
“I no longer have any doubts regarding your editing abilities.”
“Thank you.”
“Now then, I'd like to hear the mission of the Future Strategy Promotion Department.”
Everything before had merely been an appetizer.
The main course began now.
“The mission of the Future Strategy Promotion Department is to discover new business sectors capable of ensuring the continuous growth of Hangang Group and then implement them throughout its subsidiaries.”
“Then why do your seniors not know something even Intern Cha knows?”
Jiham needed to somehow raise the spirits of the dejected employees around him.
“I believe it's because a mission is something fundamental. Just as people usually don't stop to think about why they eat while eating.”
“It sounds like you're saying your seniors can answer much more difficult questions. Is that what you mean?”
“Yes, that's exactly what I believe.”
“Well then, let's see whether Intern Cha is correct. Support Team Leader.”
“Yes, Vice Chairman!” Team Leader Heo Yeongjin replied energetically as soon as his title was called.
“Team Leader Heo, what business do you believe our company should prioritize above all others?”
“Currently, corporations around the world are focusing on environmentally friendly technologies. To avoid falling behind, our company should also prioritize eco-friendly businesses.”
“The environmental sector encompasses many fields. Name one that suits our company specifically.”
“I believe the best choice is electric vehicle battery production.”
“Hmm...”
Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Silence settled over the large conference room.
His expression darkened, clearly showing that he was dissatisfied with Heo Yeongjin's answer.
Meanwhile, Jiham sat with a completely calm expression.
There was no chance the wrath of the big boss would fall upon a mere intern.
Or so he thought.
Only seconds later, he realized how terribly mistaken he was.
Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun suddenly turned to him.
“Intern Cha, point out the flaw in Team Leader He's answer.”
“Oh, for crying out loud! Why me?!”
“The company at the center of Hangang Group is Hangang Electronics. However, Team Leader He suggested focusing on Hangang Electric, which manufactures batteries.”
“Intern Cha, you read my thoughts exactly. Then what should we do to ensure the continued growth of Hangang Electronics?”
Jiham had anticipated such a turn of events the moment the Vice Chairman began bombarding him with questions, and he had already prepared an elegant solution.
He could easily answer.
But he changed his mind.
If he kept answering so smoothly, Team Leader Heo Yeongjin would definitely suffer.
“No way. There's a reason people say initiative is punished.”
Quickly devising a way to rescue Heo Yeongjin, Jiham answered:
“I'd like to relay something Team Leader He said during dinner with me a few days ago.”
“And what did he say? Speak.”
“Team Leader He mentioned that Hangang Electronics' semiconductor business has one serious weakness.”
Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun knew exactly what weakness he meant.
Semiconductors were divided into memory chips used to store data and system chips, such as CPUs, which interpret, calculate, and process information.
Hangang Electronics dominated the memory chip market.
However, its influence in the system semiconductor market was negligible.
Yet system semiconductors accounted for roughly eighty percent of the global market.
And that was exactly what Cha Jiham was pointing out.
Jiham glanced at the Vice Chairman, checking whether his reasoning was correct.
“You are absolutely right, Vice Chairman.”
“Now that you've identified Hangang Electronics' weakness, propose a solution.”
“Team Leader He said there are long-term and short-term strategies. The long-term strategy is to acquire technologies capable of allowing us to dominate the system semiconductor market.”
“Hangang Electronics has tried, but we cannot overcome the barriers built by industry leaders.”
“I believe the problem lies in the incompetence of Hangang Electronics' management.”
“I'd like to hear why you've reached that conclusion.”
“When our company first entered the semiconductor market, we possessed almost no technology whatsoever. Nevertheless, thanks to Chairman Yoon Jongu's firm determination and the blood-and-sweat efforts of engineers and researchers, we became the undisputed leader in memory chips.”
Jiham paused briefly before continuing.
“However, Hangang Electronics now possesses enough capability to design system chips and even has its own distribution network. Yet despite all that, the company continues to stagnate in the system semiconductor sector. There is simply no explanation other than a lack of competence among management.”
“...Hmm. Is that so?”
He had just poked directly under Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun's skin.
Any sensible person would stop there.
But deep inside Jiham, an obstinate desire to speak his mind kept growing.
“In the end, I have nothing to lose.”
Gritting his teeth, he continued the dangerous conversation.
“Forgive my impudence, but by management, I also mean you, Vice Chairman.”
“How dare you!”
The atmosphere instantly exploded.
Chief Secretary Cho Seongjin, clearly displeased with the answer, shouted angrily.
But Jiham had a powerful backing behind him, and he wasn't afraid in the slightest.
“Chief Secretary Cho, what do you think you're doing?!”
“...My apologies. I let my emotions get the better of me.”
At Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun's harsh reprimand, Cho Seongjin immediately tucked his tail between his legs.
After glaring at him in dissatisfaction, Yoon Sanghun turned back to Jiham.
“Intern Cha, you surely have grounds for calling me incompetent?”
“Chairman Yoon Jongu built the semiconductor business from nothing and raised it into a world-class company. Yet you, Vice Chairman, possess all the technology and enormous capital, and still only offer excuses about how difficult it is to overcome barriers in the system semiconductor market.”
“Haha... There's certainly truth in your words.”
“I can only apologize if I've hurt your feelings.”
“Confucius said, ‘Even a three-year-old child can teach us something.’ So don't worry about it.”
“Thank you for your generosity and understanding.”
“No need. By the way, everyone else fears me, but I don't sense that from you. Care to explain?”
“Well, I can tell him the truth.”
“Unlike everyone else, I simply have nothing to lose.”
“But if you displease me, you can hardly expect to become a full-time employee.”
“Thirty-one people were accepted as interns, and only about six will become permanent employees. Among all the interns, nobody has a weaker résumé than mine. And in terms of ability, I think the situation is similar.”
“So you've simply accepted that you probably won't be hired permanently?”
“Yes. However, I regard this internship as a valuable opportunity to grow. I'd appreciate it if you would keep that in mind.”
“I understand. Now I'd like to hear the short-term strategy Hangang Electronics should pursue.”
Relieved that he had survived the dangerous moment, Jiham answered:
“The company currently dominating the system semiconductor market, controlling over eighty percent of the AI chip sector and leading the autonomous vehicle platform market, is Endivia.”
“I know that already.”
“Right now, Endivia is overwhelmed by orders and physically incapable of keeping up with demand. There are rumors that they intend to outsource the production of their high-bandwidth semiconductors to contract manufacturers.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“It was reported in the latest issue of The Wall Street Journal, America's largest financial newspaper.”
“I see. So you're proposing that Hangang Electronics manufacture those chips for them. Is that correct?”
“Exactly, Vice Chairman.”
“And what advantages would we gain?”
“You already know the answer, so why ask?”
“There are many advantages, but most importantly, it would greatly enhance our own system semiconductor design capabilities.”
“Hmm, indeed. And what should Hangang Electronics do to secure that contract?”
“Obviously, other companies will also fight desperately for it.”
“Of course.”
“Therefore, I believe the best solution is to head directly to Endivia's headquarters and face their leader personally before our competitors make their moves.”
“Hmm...”
Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun stroked his chin again.
Fortunately, this time he didn't think long.
“We're going directly to Endivia headquarters. Director Jeong, arrange the schedule.”
“Vice Chairman, you intend to go there personally?”
“Intern Cha just implied that it's time I started earning my keep.”
“I understand.”
“Ah, and one more thing. Have Intern Cha and Intern Yun Sola accompany us.”
“...What?!”
Jiham and Sola's jaws dropped simultaneously.
Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun looked at Jiham in slight confusion.
“It was you, Intern Cha, who suggested we go to Endivia headquarters and confront their leader face to face.”
“But my English isn't particularly good. I won't be able to assist you properly.”
“Intern Cha, you seem to be in excellent shape. Have you practiced martial arts?”
“Why is he asking that all of a sudden?”
“Yes. Since my school days, I've continuously trained in taekwondo, judo, and hapkido. I have black belts in all three disciplines, totaling seventh dan.”
“That is more than enough to protect me. It's decided. Intern Cha will accompany me as my bodyguard.”
Truthfully, Jiham desperately wanted to go to the United States himself, but out of modesty he decided to decline first.
“I'll do my utmost to protect you, Vice Chairman.”
“Haha. I like your spirit.”
At that moment, Yun Sola raised her hand high, clearly wanting to say something.
“Vice Chairman, why are you taking me?”
“I heard Intern Yun speaks six languages. Is that true?”
“Yes, Vice Chairman.”
“Then I believe you've already figured out what role you'll play on this trip to the United States?”
“Yes, Vice Chairman.”
And just like that, completely unexpectedly, Jiham and Yun Sola found themselves on the verge of a business trip to America.