The Overly Competent Junior Employee

“How did it go?”

Meanwhile, at the Seonjin Securities VIP Center in Teheran Valley.

The shockwaves from the Inflation Reduction Act, announced late the previous night in U.S. time, were difficult for Seonjin Securities to avoid as well.

Lee Donghyuk, the senior manager of Seonjin Securities’ VIP Center, walked into the office and asked his team members who were waiting for him.

The team members had come to work at the crack of dawn after receiving Lee Donghyuk’s call.

“We’ve been flooded with inquiries from clients since last night.”

As one team member reported this, Lee Donghyuk carelessly hung his jacket on the chair and sat down, turning on his computer first.

“Wasn’t it said that this bill had a low chance of passing?”

The team member standing where Lee Donghyuk’s question landed wore an apologetic expression.

This particular team member was knowledgeable about automotive companies, and Lee Donghyuk trusted his opinions on automotive-related stocks.

“I’m sorry.”

“Now’s not the time for apologies. So, how far do you think the impact will reach?”

“For starters, Future Motors is in hot water.”

The team member quickly brought over some documents and handed them to Lee Donghyuk, who slowly read through them.

The documents outlined the domestic industries that would be affected by the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Doesn’t Future Motors have a factory in Phoenix?”

“Yes, but all the production lines in that factory are for internal combustion engine vehicles. There’s no electric vehicle production facility at all.”

The bill included a provision for giving subsidies every time an electric vehicle was purchased, but with a caveat.

‘Only for electric vehicles assembled in the United States.’

In other words, customers would only receive subsidies when buying electric vehicles produced in U.S. factories. In Future Motors’ case, all their electric vehicles were produced domestically and exported to the United States.

This meant that if customers wanted to receive subsidies when purchasing electric vehicles, Future Motors’ electric vehicles would inevitably be out of consideration.

If the government provided 10 million won in support when buying a 30 million won car, it’s obvious which car people would choose.

Future Motors, unable to receive even a single won in subsidies, would not be considered.

“What if they set up production facilities in the United States?”

“It would take at least six months, but even then, I don’t think they’d be eligible for subsidies.”

Lee Donghyuk furrowed his brow at the team member’s words.

Future Motors already had a factory in the United States.

He had thought they could simply convert part of this production line to an electric vehicle production line, but the team member was saying it would be difficult.

“First of all, the production methods for electric vehicles and internal combustion engine vehicles are fundamentally different. It would take at least six months just to set up the production facilities, and considering the time needed to train workers, we’re looking at a long period.”

“……”

“And Future Motors……”

The team member trailed off with a sigh, and Lee Donghyuk nodded for him to continue.

“80% of the batteries used in their electric vehicles are made in China, and the remaining 20% are made by their affiliate, Mirae Chemical.”

As Mirae Chemical was mentioned, Lee Donghyuk’s expression grew increasingly grim.

“It seems Mirae Chemical will also struggle due to the impact of this bill.”

“……That’s to be expected.”

At Lee Donghyuk’s words, the team members looked at him as if they were sitting on pins and needles.

Lee Donghyuk had strongly recommended Mirae Chemical, saying that next year’s outlook was even brighter than this year’s.

Adding to that, the competitive dynamics with Yuseong Investment Securities had led him to speak more forcefully than usual.

While such incidents weren’t entirely unheard of in a PB’s career, this time the situation seemed particularly serious.

“Let’s not worry about that issue for now. It’s something I need to resolve.”

“Many of our clients have included Mirae Chemical in their portfolios.”

“How significant will the impact be?”

“In the case of LS Battery, they diversified their raw material imports away from China to Indonesia and Southeast Asian countries last year, and are currently supplying stably… but Mirae Chemical……”

“Is entirely dependent on China.”

LS Battery, the domestic leader in secondary battery production, had attempted to de-Sinicize their raw material imports as if anticipating such a situation, and had succeeded.

However, the story was different for Mirae Chemical.

“Yes. Even if batteries produced by Mirae Chemical are supplied to Future Motors, they can’t be sold in the U.S. market. Moreover, the major American automakers who are Mirae Chemical’s main customers……”

The situation was worse than expected.

Batteries made by Mirae Chemical couldn’t be installed in electric vehicles running in the United States. The U.S., along with China, had the highest automotive market sales in the world.

Because competition was fiercest there, car companies would start looking for alternatives.

“In Mirae Chemical’s case, it seems they’ll pay the price for their passive investment in production lines. While other secondary battery companies will benefit from producing batteries in U.S. factories as early as this year……”

“Mirae Chemical’s factory completion is set for 2025, with production starting in 2026.”

Lee Donghyuk responded and let out a long sigh.

“We need to find alternatives.”

For the clients and individual investors who had invested in the company based on his word, he needed to at least manage the situation that had already unfolded.

Saying this, Lee Donghyuk looked at his team members.

“Mirae Chemical is a good company in the long term. They can target Asian or European markets besides the U.S. market. But it will take some time, so we need to find companies that will benefit from this bill.”

Mirae Chemical was a good company. There was a high possibility that it would recover from its current setback someday. But Lee Donghyuk knew that investors weren’t that patient.

“Let’s look at Mirae Chemical long-term. What sectors do you recommend in the short term? No, which ones will benefit the most?”

“The solar sector, and the companies that will benefit the most are Han Solar Energy, and……”

The team member looked at Lee Donghyuk and opened his mouth with a grim expression.

“Hi-On.”

* * *

“Good morning.”

Five days later. It was the usual morning commute time, but the expressions of the Yuseong Investment Securities Leaders Center Personal Asset Management Team 3 members entering the office were brighter than usual.

“Team Leader, you’ve arrived.”

At Seo Jeonghwan’s greeting, everyone stood up from their seats and bowed their heads towards him.

“Dokyung-ssi.”

After putting his bag down at his desk and gathering some documents, Team Leader Seo Jeonghwan called Dokyung’s name.

“Yes, Team Leader.”

“Grab the materials and let’s go to the Center Director.”

At Seo Jeonghwan’s words, Dokyung quickly gathered the materials and followed him out.

“How much has Hi-On risen?”

“Compared to five days ago, it’s up 24%.”

At Dokyung’s words, Seo Jeonghwan smiled, and Dokyung looked at him quizzically. Until now, Seo Jeonghwan was someone who rarely smiled, even when giving praise for a job well done.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

At Seo Jeonghwan’s question, Dokyung shook his head, seemingly flustered. He was clearly walking facing forward, but it was as if Seo Jeonghwan had eyes on the side of his head.

“Ah, it’s just that you were smiling……”

“I’m in a good mood, that’s why.”

Standing in front of the Center Director’s office door, Seo Jeonghwan looked at Dokyung.

“Shall we go in?”

At that question, Dokyung straightened his clothes, and Seo Jeonghwan knocked on the Center Director’s door before opening it a moment later.

“Center Director, I’ve come with Dokyung-ssi.”

“Ah, welcome, both of you. Please have a seat.”

At Center Director Ha Min-jae’s words, the two sat down in the center of the office, and a moment later, having seemingly finished some urgent business, Ha Min-jae approached with a smile.

“I apologize. I was sending some materials to our clients.”

At Ha Min-jae’s words, Dokyung and Seo Jeonghwan smiled slightly and bowed their heads.

“Now then, Dokyung-ssi.”

“Yes, Center Director.”

“Hi-On had good results at yesterday’s market close, didn’t it?”

“Yes, the stock price closed up 24% compared to five days ago. With continued buying from foreigners and institutions, we expect the stock price to rise today as well.”

At Dokyung’s words, Ha Min-jae nodded with a satisfied expression.

“Mirae Chemical is down 11% compared to five days ago.”

Dokyung seemed to understand why Ha Min-jae was bringing up Mirae Chemical.

“I didn’t mention it because I didn’t want to burden you, but the head office was also paying attention to this matter.”

“The head office, you say?”

“Yes. Particularly, the WM Division asked me a lot about this issue. Strategic Business Department Head Ryu Tae-hwa.”

When Ryu Tae-hwa’s name came out of Ha Min-jae’s mouth, Dokyung’s eyes widened in surprise. If Tae-hwa had been interested in this matter, he would have contacted Dokyung, but there had been no communication lately.

“He said he couldn’t contact you directly because he was worried it might burden you.”

“Ah, I see……”

“And I’m sure you can guess who’s most pleased about this at the head office without me saying it.”

At Ha Min-jae’s question, Seo Jeonghwan smiled and looked at Dokyung.

“He’s talking about Senior Manager Lee Donghyuk.”

Dokyung nodded slightly.

Many investors had invested in Mirae Chemical following Lee Donghyuk’s recommendation, but when the stock price fell due to this U.S.-originated impact, Lee Donghyuk appeared on the YouTube channel once again.

He advised long-term investment, saying Mirae Chemical would shine if held for a long time, and for the short term…….

“Who would have thought that person would recommend investing in Hi-On?”

Dokyung now understood why Seo Jeonghwan had been smiling.

As if acknowledging Dokyung’s victory, Lee Donghyuk recommended adding solar-related stocks to the short-term portfolio, specifically Hi-On, which Dokyung had recommended.

“I think Lee Donghyuk is admirable.”

Dokyung looked at the two with a serious expression.

“He recommended Hi-On for the sake of his clients, seemingly disregarding the competition between companies or the decline in his own reputation.”

At Dokyung’s words, Ha Min-jae smiled and nodded.

“That’s right. Lee Donghyuk is an extraordinary person. That’s why he can reign at the top of the industry. And just like Lee Donghyuk, you’ve shown everyone how exceptional you are this time, Dokyung-ssi.”

“Pardon?”

“After Hi-On’s stock price fell, many people criticized your outlook. There were even some malicious comments.”

Dokyung quietly focused on Ha Min-jae’s words, looking at him intently.

“However, you acted with confidence in your outlook and Hi-On’s potential. It’s difficult for anyone to do that in such a situation.”

“……”

“And as if to prove everyone wrong, Hi-On has started to be recognized for its value. If I’m not mistaken, as you guaranteed, Hi-On’s stock price might even double from where it is now.”

Quietly listening to Ha Min-jae’s words, Team Leader Seo Jeonghwan also nodded and spoke up.

“Isn’t this the skill of our branch’s top performer?”

At Seo Jeonghwan’s words, Dokyung’s eyes widened in surprise once again.

“Hahaha, it seems you didn’t expect this, given that Team Leader Seo has been grinning since yesterday?”

“I’m not quite sure what you mean……”

“You’re our branch’s top performer in fund attraction for last year, Dokyung-ssi.”

At Ha Min-jae’s words, Dokyung once again showed a surprised expression.

“That’s……”

“I was surprised too. You attracted a lot of funds in a short period, not even a full year.”

Of course, attracting funds wasn’t well-accounted for in performance evaluations.

One had to actively buy and sell stocks or create relevant transactions to generate commission sales to be recognized for performance, but fund attraction was also impressive.

The more funds available, the larger the commission that could be generated from a single transaction.

In other words, it meant that Dokyung had the potential to become the branch’s top commission sales performer in the future.

“Dokyung-ssi has the qualities to become… no, to be the top in the industry, not just in our Yuseong Investment Securities. What I want to ask is that you continue on as you have been.”

At Ha Min-jae’s words, Dokyung smiled and nodded.

He was grateful to Ha Min-jae for telling him that what he had been doing so far wasn’t wrong.

“Thank you. I’ll work even harder.”

“Good. Then Team Leader Seo and I need to discuss some work matters, so you can return to the office, Dokyung-ssi.”

At Ha Min-jae’s words, Dokyung stood up, bowed his head in greeting, and started to leave the Center Director’s office.

“Oh, Dokyung-ssi.”

Just then, Ha Min-jae called out to him from behind as if he had forgotten something.

“The head office PR team has requested that you appear on the YouTube channel once a week.”

At Ha Min-jae’s words, Dokyung smirked, curling up the corners of his mouth.

There was still something unfinished.