“Vice Chairman, here is the list of candidates who passed the document screening.”
“Oh?”
Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun visibly brightened and accepted the plastic folder from Kim Jinho, President of Human Resources.
Opening it, he carefully examined the names one by one. Watching him, President Kim Jinho suddenly felt anxiety rise in his throat. The vice chairman's face, calm just moments ago, darkened rapidly.
While Kim Jinho desperately tried to figure out what was wrong, Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun placed the folder on the desk with a dull thud and ordered dryly:
“President Kim, tell the executive responsible for recruiting interns to bring me the list of rejected candidates.”
“Yes, sir.”
Replying in a strained voice, President Kim Jinho jumped to his feet and practically ran out of the office. At that moment, Chief Secretary Cho Seongjin, Vice Chairman Yoon's trusted aide, cautiously asked:
“Vice Chairman, has something gone wrong?”
“You're looking right at my face and still can't tell?”
Tap, tap, tap.
While the oppressive silence dragged on, there came a knock at the door, and President Kim Jinho returned together with a man in his fifties.
“Vice Chairman, Executive Director Lee Myeongjeong is responsible for the intern recruitment.”
“Very well. Please have a seat.”
“Thank you, Vice Chairman.”
As soon as they sat down, Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun spoke in the same dry tone.
“Director Lee, briefly report on the current status of the intern recruitment.”
“A total of 5,600 people applied for internships. After spending two weeks carefully reviewing resumes and cover letters, we selected 200 candidates.”
“I trust you aren't planning to hire all two hundred?”
“Of course not. After the interviews, we plan to accept only thirty.”
“I see. Hand me the folder.”
Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun opened the folder he had received from Executive Director Lee Myeongjeong and quickly scanned the pages. Soon, he pointed at one of the names and asked:
“Why was this person rejected?”
“My apologies, one moment.”
Executive Director Lee Myeongjeong quickly dialed a number, held a rather lengthy conversation, and hung up.
“Vice Chairman, Yun Sola's cover letter raised too many suspicions, so she was removed.”
“And what exactly was suspicious about it?”
“Yun Sola is only twenty-four years old, but her application states that she already earned an MBA from Harvard University. Furthermore, she claims to speak English, Chinese, Japanese, French, Spanish, and German fluently. Because of that, her claims were considered questionable.”
“If what she wrote is true, then our company is about to lose a rare talent?”
Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun's question clearly carried the meaning of an order.
“Vice Chairman, I'll have Yun Sola added to the list of successful candidates.”
“Proceed. Now find out why this fellow was rejected.”
“Yes, sir.”
Executive Director Lee Myeongjeong made another call, asked about every detail, and put down the phone.
“Vice Chairman, Cha Jiham failed because his foreign language skills fell below the required cutoff.”
“And what is the cutoff score?”
“TOEIC 950 points and an OPIC speaking level of Advanced Low. However, Cha Jiham only has a TOEIC score of 850 and an OPIC rating of Novice High, which is four grades below the standard.”
“I see. In that case, let Cha Jiham through as well.”
“That's absolutely impossible!”
Executive Director Lee Myeongjeong's answer was firm and unequivocal. Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun frowned.
“And why is it impossible?”
“If rumors spread that we accepted Cha Jiham with such poor qualifications, there will be a massive backlash from the applicants who were rejected.”
“Then make sure rumors don't spread.”
“Even so, it would violate fairness toward the other applicants. It simply can't be done.”
“Director Lee, do you even understand what insubordination and disobeying orders mean?”
“...”
“We're not recruiting government officials here, so why all this excessive rigidity? Besides, there's no problem with simply adding Cha Jiham to those two hundred people. Remember that flexibility is also one of the most important qualities for a top executive.”
“...I will add Cha Jiham to the list.”
“Good. You're dismissed. Return to your work.”
As soon as the executives left the office, Chief Secretary Cho Seongjin hurriedly spoke up.
“Vice Chairman, in that case, we could've simply hired Yun Sola directly as a special case. Why make her an ordinary intern?”
“The chairman personally ordered it. What right do I have to go against his wishes?”
“She must have protested fiercely.”
“What else is there to say?”
“All right, I understand her situation. But promoting Cha Jiham too—was that also the chairman's order?”
“You already know the answer, so why ask?”
“But Cha Jiham has no connection to the chairman, does he?”
“I was told that someone strongly requested a favor on his behalf.”
“Ah...”
Chief Secretary Cho Seongjin nodded in understanding, finally grasping the situation.
***
[Hello! This is the Hangang Group Internship Recruitment Team. Congratulations! Cha Jiham, you have successfully...]
Looking at my phone screen, I felt not joy but shock.
Chairman Park Yeongil's words had really become reality.
'What kind of connection does Chairman Park have with Hangang Group?'
Consumed by curiosity, I dialed his number. After several rings, his cheerful voice came through.
“So, Jiham, how did it go?”
“Thanks to your help, Chairman, I passed the document screening.”
“Hahaha! Excellent. When is the interview?”
“Next Wednesday. I have to report to Hangang Group headquarters at ten in the morning.”
“You understand that I can't help you with the interview stage, right?”
“Yes, of course. I understand perfectly.”
“Good. I believe in you, Jiham.”
“I'll do my best to pass the interview.”
Truthfully, I was convinced I would fail. Even if I took the Pills of Peace of Mind and gained confidence, they wouldn't make up for the shortcomings in my resume. Still, I answered Chairman Park so enthusiastically because I didn't want to disappoint him.
“All right. By the way, you know where the main Hangang Department Store is, don't you?”
“Yes, I do, but...”
I deliberately dragged things out, trying to guess what he was getting at.
“I've already spoken with the management there, so go and pick yourself an excellent suit.”
“Chairman, I already have a suit suitable for an interview.”
“Clothes are a man's pride. Surely I don't need to repeat myself?”
“...Understood. Still, I can't stop wondering why you do so much for me.”
“I already told you. Because you've reached the final test.”
The words “I'm definitely going to fail this interview” hovered on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn't bring myself to say them out of fear of upsetting the old man.
“I'm truly grateful for your kindness.”
“You know the best way to repay me, don't you?”
“Yes, Chairman. I know perfectly well.”
“Secretary Kang is about to leave for Hangang Department Store. You should head there too.”
“Understood.”
Click.
After hanging up, I let out a heavy sigh.
“Ha... How exactly am I supposed to pass this interview?”
***
Vrrr—
As soon as I parked my motorcycle in the underground parking lot of Hangang Department Store and shut off the engine, my phone rang.
Seeing the familiar number, I immediately answered.
“Secretary Kang.”
“Cha Jiham, have you arrived at Hangang Department Store?”
“Yes, I just got here.”
“I'm in the new building, sixth floor, men's suits department. I'll be waiting.”
After hanging up, I hurried to the elevator and went up to the sixth floor. As soon as the doors opened, I saw Chief Secretary Kang Inhan.
“Cha Jiham, welcome.”
“Sorry for causing you so much trouble.”
“It's nothing. Come with me.”
Following Chief Secretary Kang, I entered an office where a woman in her fifties was already waiting. She and Kang Inhan greeted each other warmly, proving they knew one another well. Then she turned toward me with a gentle smile.
“Hello. I'm Yoon Sehwa, President of Hangang Department Store.”
“Hello. My name is Cha Jiham.”
“Chairman Park has already told me about you.”
“You know Chairman Park personally?”
“Oh yes. We're very close.”
“Then who exactly is Chairman Park?”
Caught off guard by my direct question, Yoon Sehwa glanced toward Kang Inhan instead of answering. The chief secretary subtly shook his head. Understanding the gesture, she smiled.
“Oh dear, I really don't know what to tell you. Secretary Kang is asking me to keep quiet.”
“...I understand.”
“Cha Jiham, you have quite a muscular build. Were you an athlete by any chance?”
“Haha, no, not at all.”
“Very well. Please wait a moment.”
Yoon Sehwa picked up the internal phone and issued an order. Soon, after a knock on the door, a man in his forties entered and bowed politely.
“You called for me, President?”
“Don't look at price tags. Pick out the finest suit for this guest.”
“Yes, President. Sir, I need to take your measurements. Would you please stand up?”
I got up and stood still. Using a tape measure, he carefully took my measurements and entered everything into a tablet.
After finishing, he asked:
“Do you have any preferred brands?”
“No.”
“Very well. What color suit would you prefer?”
“I think black is the safest choice.”
At that moment, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan suddenly remembered something and addressed Yoon Sehwa.
“President Yoon, Chairman Park ordered us to prepare not only a suit for Cha Jiham, but also shoes, shirts, ties, and accessories. A complete set.”
“Manager Na, did you hear Secretary Kang?”
“Yes, President.”
“Perhaps we should let Cha Jiham choose for himself?”
“Excellent idea. Sir, shall we go to the showroom?”
As soon as Jiham left with Manager Na, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan spoke quietly.
“The chairman hates cheap things.”
“Does that mean I can empty Chairman Park's pockets this time?”
“Well, we'll see how generous President Yoon is.”
“Agreed. Still, Secretary Kang, could you at least hint at why the chairman is fussing over that young man so much?”
“President Yoon, you know better than anyone the situation Chairman Park is currently facing.”
“And you really think this young man can help him?”
“Instead of answering, I'll simply repeat the chairman's own words. That young man reached the final test.”
“So there is hope. But what exactly is this final test?”
“Hehehe.”
Instead of answering, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan merely let out a mysterious laugh.
* * *
Several days passed.
Late at night, after returning to my tiny room from a grueling shift, I froze in confusion. I hadn't ordered anything, but a mountain of cardboard boxes was piled in front of my door.
I quickly checked the shipping labels. The recipient was indeed me.
Burning with curiosity, I dragged the boxes inside and cut them open with a utility knife.
The moment I saw the contents, my jaw dropped.
Inside were several exquisite, expensive suits. The other boxes contained shoes, shirts, and a mountain of ties.
“Huh... I'm going to fail the interview anyway, so what am I supposed to do with all these suits?” I muttered.
Then my eyes fell upon the smallest box.
As soon as I opened it, my heart nearly stopped.
Inside lay a luxurious brand-name watch, gleaming with metal—a dream item for any man.
“Wow...”
I was just reaching for my phone to call Chairman Park Yeongil when I noticed that it was already after ten at night.
'Right! He told me to take the Pills of Peace of Mind exactly twelve hours before the interview. I'll take them first and then call him.'
Having made up my mind, I opened the desk drawer and took out the precious pill from the paper bag.
The moment I removed the gold foil, a sharp herbal scent hit my nose.
Then something completely inexplicable happened.
The instant I placed the pill in my mouth, it melted away like ice and disappeared without a trace.
'I didn't even drink any water... How strange.'
But before I could marvel at it, something even stranger happened.
An overwhelming wave of exhaustion crashed over me. My eyelids became impossibly heavy.
“ I haven't even washed up yet...”