NOVEL NEXT 15
“Sunbae, I think everyone has arrived in the waiting room.”
At Yuseong Investment Securities’ Internet Business SNS Promotion Team.
Lee Seong-hyun, the assistant manager of the promotion team, stood up at his junior’s call.
“No one’s missing?”
“No, everyone’s here.”
“Let’s go.”
At Lee Seong-hyun’s words, his junior picked up the camera and followed behind him.
“If this doesn’t work out, we’re getting transferred.”
There were several teams in Yuseong Investment Securities’ Internet Business Division.
From the Customer Support Team that provided online customer consultation to the Online Event Planning Team, the division had recently expanded its size as the number of online stock investors had grown exponentially.
In particular, the SNS Promotion Team that Lee Seong-hyun belonged to was responsible for promoting the securities firm on YouTube and social media.
“I know. We have the least subscribers, don’t we?”
Recently, as all securities firms were focusing on online promotion, they were rushing to create YouTube channels.
Yuseong Investment Securities, not wanting to be left behind, had also hired professionals to create a YouTube channel, but even after two years, they were still last among all securities firms in terms of subscriber count and total views.
“That’s why I begged the department head, saying this was our last chance, and got approval for this.”
Lee Seong-hyun had gone to the Internet Business Division head to strike a deal.
He wanted to hold a mock investment competition for employees.
“Where did you get the guts to do that?”
The junior asked, genuinely curious.
Perhaps Lee Seong-hyun’s plan had worked, as it was reported up to Vice President Sim Ju-won of the WM Division, who had the final say. It seemed that Sim Ju-won, who was already planning to increase the division’s personnel, thought it would be good publicity as well.
“I think the timing just worked out. Geez, and with my life on the line, wouldn’t I have at least that much guts?”
The YouTube channel’s performance had been so poor that the SNS Promotion Team was on the verge of being disbanded.
The employees might have to wander to other departments and eventually leave the company.
“Do you think you could adapt to work elsewhere after doing this all your life?”
At Lee Seong-hyun’s question, his junior shook his head.
“No, I joined the company to do this…”
“That’s why I stepped up. Anyway, were there any interesting people among today’s participants?”
Lee Seong-hyun said this as he began examining the documents in his hand.
“I heard an interesting rumor.”
“A rumor?”
Lee Seong-hyun, who had been walking while looking at the documents, stopped and looked at his junior beside him.
“Yes, there’s a unique branch counter employee among the participants.”
“Oh, right, I think there was. What was it, Ryu Tae-hwa’s pick?”
Though they were in different departments and their work was far apart, Ryu Tae-hwa was a hot topic at Yuseong Investment Securities headquarters.
He was known as the one who had soared quickly with wings, only to have them clipped and fall.
“They say it’s not Ryu Tae-hwa’s pick.”
“Not Ryu Tae-hwa’s pick? Isn’t he from Ryu Tae-hwa’s branch?”
“Yesterday, when I was eating at the cafeteria, some guys from the Strategic Business Department were eating at the next table.”
The Strategic Business Department was the core department in the WM Division that managed branches nationwide and had the most influence.
“And?”
“Well, they were talking about this mock investment competition.”
The mock investment competition for employees had sparked explosive interest within the company. While the prize money was smaller than expected, many employees were interested in the position transfer offered as a prize.
Although it piqued the interest of many employees, since a superior’s recommendation was required to participate, many had given up on the idea.
“They mentioned Yoon Dokyung.”
At his junior’s words, Lee Seong-hyun looked at the list of participants for this competition.
Even Lee Seong-hyun, who was in charge of this project, hadn’t imagined that a counter team employee would participate in this mock investment competition.
Let alone with a recommendation from Ryu Tae-hwa, who had been an ace.
“Why? Is this guy something special?”
“No, they say he’s the Vice President’s pick.”
“What?”
When his junior dropped the bombshell, Lee Seong-hyun looked surprised. He had thought Ryu Tae-hwa had recommended him…
“You mean Vice President Sim Ju-won? Our division head?”
“Yes, apparently when he first joined, he interviewed for a PB position, but you know, his academic background.”
“Oh, I noticed he was from a provincial national university.”
“They say the Vice President tried to squeeze him in but couldn’t, so he sent him to a branch.”
“Are you sure?”
“I don’t know for certain. But would the Strategic Business Department guys make up stories?”
Unverifiable rumors often circulated within the company. However, Vice President Sim Ju-won was known for his keen eye for talent.
Both Ryu Tae-hwa and the aces currently leading the WM Division were all people Sim Ju-won had recruited and nurtured.
“But what kind of connection could they have?”
“I’m not sure either. Anyway, they said he told him he’d give him an opportunity later after sending him down to a branch.”
“And this is that opportunity?”
“Yes. They say the Vice President was quite pleased too.”
At his junior’s words, Lee Seong-hyun nodded. From what he had heard from his superior, the Vice President had given the green light, saying it was an excellent plan and to proceed with it as soon as possible.
“So he’s Sim Ju-won’s pick after all…”
“Sunbae, think about it. Right after the Vice President sent down his beloved Ryu Tae-hwa to the Seongnam branch, suddenly a counter employee with connections to the Vice President enters the mock investment competition?”
At his junior’s words, Lee Seong-hyun fell into deep thought.
The entire situation seemed as if it had been orchestrated by Sim Ju-won.
“Plus, next year the Vice President…”
“Hey, don’t talk about such things carelessly.”
Lee Seong-hyun stopped his junior’s words.
But inwardly, he too knew that when the current president’s term ended, Sim Ju-won would likely be appointed as president.
No, everyone at headquarters seemed to take it as a given.
“Anyway, there’s one guy who’s the Vice President’s pick. That’s the point.”
“It’s not certain though.”
“But what if he performs well here? It would mean the Vice President’s eye for talent has struck again, and he could be a real secret weapon.”
At his junior’s words, Lee Seong-hyun nodded and began walking.
“Set up the camera.”
At Lee Seong-hyun’s words, his junior attached the camera to the shooting pole.
“Let’s film this guy first as soon as we go in.”
Lee Seong-hyun waved the document with personal information and flung open the door to the waiting room, where today’s mock investment competition participants were seated.
Even though everyone’s eyes turned towards him, Lee Seong-hyun paid no heed and looked around before approaching someone who was looking at their mobile phone.
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‘Wow, this is really awkward.’
Meanwhile, following the directions from the security desk on the first floor, Dokyung entered the waiting room where the employees participating in today’s mock investment competition were gathered.
Although no one had assigned seats, the employees were sitting sparsely, and the atmosphere was bleak.
‘It’s freezing in here.’
Bzzzz-
In the atmosphere that was not just bleak but felt like it might freeze over, Dokyung shivered and sat down in a suitable spot, taking out his vibrating mobile phone.
[We’ve been watching your performance well. We are the VIP service that always accompanies your dream.]
Checking his phone screen, Dokyung grinned.
[Recommended stock: Yuseong Semiconductor]
[We believe in your abilities. We will always be by your side.]
However, seeing the recommended stock sent by the message, Dokyung’s expression became worried.
‘Of all things, it recommended Yuseong Semiconductor.’
Looking at the message that unfailingly arrived during what seemed to be important quarters, Dokyung fell into contemplation.
He was curious about why the message had chosen Yuseong Semiconductor, a subsidiary of Yuseong Investment Securities, as this time’s recommended stock.
‘Yuseong Semiconductor in times like these…’
Yuseong Semiconductor was a new business that the group considered as their new source of income. However, recently, as the semiconductor industry cycle was passing and pessimistic outlooks on the industry conditions were emerging.
Semiconductors were still essential for related businesses and were parts that were hard to come by, but articles were coming out saying that the demand had peaked.
‘Of course, I don’t think so myself, but…’
Of course, Dokyung still saw both Future Electronics and Yuseong Semiconductor as companies with potential for stock price increases as integrated manufacturers.
‘I thought it should be viewed long-term, but judging by what the message is pointing to, there seems to be good news in the short term as well.’
Thinking this, Dokyung picked up his phone and accessed his cloud storage.
This was Dokyung’s treasure trove.
It contained documents organizing companies listed on the domestic market that interested him and personal outlook reports he had written.
‘Let’s see… Yuseong Semiconductor…’
“Yoon Dokyung-ssi?”
In the middle of searching for materials on Yuseong Semiconductor, Dokyung looked up at the voice calling him.
As he raised his head, a camera was filming him, and a man was smiling at him.
“I’m Lee Seong-hyun, assistant manager from the Promotion Team.”
“Ah, yes! Hello, I’m Yoon Dokyung.”
“We’re planning to record this mock investment competition on video and upload it to YouTube. You saw that information when filling out the application form earlier, right?”
At Lee Seong-hyun’s words, Dokyung nodded.
“Yes, I did.”
“I’d like to do a quick interview before we start.”
At Lee Seong-hyun’s words, all the participants in the waiting room turned their eyes towards Dokyung.
Lee Seong-hyun snapped his fingers with a ‘click’ sound and looked at Dokyung.
“You’re the only branch counter employee among the participants in this mock investment competition.”
At Lee Seong-hyun’s words, suppressed laughter could be heard from around the room.
Dokyung nodded as if he wasn’t bothered.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“We’re not trying to belittle you, Yoon Dokyung-ssi. Can you tell us why you decided to participate?”
“I’ve always dreamed of becoming a fund manager. As I worked hard, a good opportunity came along, and there was someone who gave me this chance, so I decided to participate.”
“Someone who gave you a chance?”
At that moment, the man holding the camera asked, and Lee Seong-hyun frowned at him.
“Tsk…”
Lee Seong-hyun warned him and then smiled at Dokyung.
“I see. Then, did you participate because of the position transfer prize?”
“Yes. As I said, it’s a good opportunity.”
“But to seize that opportunity, you need to win. You must be confident.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Good. Then what do you think is your personal strength, Yoon Dokyung-ssi?”
At Lee Seong-hyun’s question, Dokyung thought for a moment before opening his mouth.
“I aim for value investing based on fundamentals.”
“Fundamentals?”
“Yes, I’m confident in fundamental analysis that grasps macro and corporate value.”
“I see. Then you must have to look at news and corporate trends daily. You’ve been studying while working at the counter, I suppose.”
“That’s right. Not just me, but I’m sure everyone in the industry studies hard.”
Lee Seong-hyun was inwardly surprised by Dokyung’s confident answers.
‘How can a second-year counter employee speak so eloquently… Is he really Sim Ju-won’s hidden secret weapon?’
The earlier mention of someone giving him an opportunity also added to the certainty of the conversation he had with his junior on the way here.
“Alright. Then, can you tell us just one stock you’re planning to focus on in this competition? Or would that be too much to ask?”
The mock investment competition would ultimately rank participants based on their achieved returns.
Asking for a stock pick before the competition even started could be seen as impolite. Lee Seong-hyun cautiously asked Dokyung, and a smile settled on Dokyung’s face.
“I’m keeping an eye on Yuseong Semiconductor.”
“Pff, pfft… Bwahaha!”
As soon as Dokyung answered, loud laughter erupted from around the waiting room, as if they couldn’t hold it in any longer.