Siblings Work in Business (30)
“Oh, CEO, what’s the occasion?”
“Huh?”
“Are you going on a blind date after work?”
CEO Park looked down at his clothes at Eun-ji’s playful question.
“Haha. Blind date? You little rascal.”
“No?”
“No.”
While Eun-ji tilted her head curiously…
Eun-ho came down the stairs, jingling his keys, seemingly having locked the door.
“Oh? CEO, after work today…”
“It’s not a date. But where are you two going at this hour?”
“Ah, we’re in the middle of mixing, and Eun-ji said it would be better to talk in person, so we’re going to a meeting.”
“Do well.”
“So, why are you dressed up today?”
Like true siblings…
Eun-ho asked again, his curiosity unsatisfied.
Eun-ji’s eyes also sparkled with curiosity.
CEO Park sighed briefly, as if exasperated, and answered.
“The new manager is coming today. I’m hoping this one will last, so I’m trying to make a good impression.”
CEO Park shrugged and smiled wryly.
Eun-ho nodded understandingly.
“I look good in suits, don’t I?”
At CEO Park’s playful boast, Eun-ho gave a noncommittal answer as he came down the stairs.
“…Well, yes. You do.”
“Not really…”
Eun-ji muttered quietly, seemingly unable to give a false compliment.
As Eun-ho gave her a look, Eun-ji averted her gaze and stopped talking.
Just then…
“Oh? Hello!”
The three of them turned their gazes towards the unfamiliar voice.
The front door had been removed a while ago, so the alleyway was clearly visible.
A stranger in a black suit, with the innocent look of a country boy, was standing there.
“I’m Kim Hyun-woo, here for the interview!”
CEO Park smiled at his energetic greeting.
Eun-ho showed mild curiosity, while Eun-ji seemed indifferent, only thinking, ‘He must be cold.’
“Then we’ll be going.”
“Okay. Have a good time.”
“Yes.”
Eun-ho briefly greeted CEO Park, gave Hyun-woo a short nod, and walked past him.
“Lee Eun-ho, let’s go!”
Eun-ji also bowed her head, but her gaze was fixed on Eun-ho’s retreating back.
An awkward silence fell over the front yard after Eun-ho and Eun-ji left.
“Please come in and let’s talk.”
“Yes!”
CEO Park stopped on his way to his office.
‘Would it be bad to show him too much again…?’
It was because of the previous manager who quit.
When he entered the office with the previous manager for the interview, the manager’s face was clearly filled with disappointment.
CEO Park glanced back.
‘He seems like a nice young man on the outside…’
Hoping to find someone who would work for a long time this time—CEO Park usually just said “Okay” to anyone who seemed decent—he planned to be more discerning this time.
“Please have a seat.”
“Yes!”
A large table, used for both meetings and meals, was placed in the area that used to be the living room.
CEO Park sat down across from him, and Hyun-woo sat down after confirming that the CEO was seated.
“What kind of work did you do before?”
“I worked part-time at a small cafe in Suwon Station Rodeo Street.”
“Suwon Station… our…”
Almost used to saying it every day, he almost called Eun-ho and Eun-ji ‘kids.’
“You might have seen our artists’ performance.”
“Yes, I saw it up close. It was a very memorable performance, and after that day, I became interested in E-UNG and saw the manager position opening at NRY Entertainment.”
“Oh…”
CEO Park exclaimed in admiration and casually asked,
“Have you seen our O-Tube channel?”
“Yes, haha. I even left a comment on the recent video of you two having a snowball fight, the part where you threw the snowman was so funny.”
CEO Park’s eyes widened.
“Could you be… ‘Cafe Part-timer’?”
“Uh… yes, that’s me. I didn’t expect you to remember, haha. It’s a bit embarrassing.”
Hyun-woo bowed his head, embarrassed by CEO Park’s gaze.
‘How could I forget…?’
As if ‘Cafe Part-timer’s’ first comment was a signal flare, the previously quiet comment section started filling up.
So, CEO Park was quite grateful to him for leaving the first comment.
‘I like him.’
He had a good first impression of Kim Hyun-woo.
He liked that he was interested in Eun-ho and Eun-ji, and judging by his eloquence, he seemed like a well-mannered young man.
However, now he had to assess him professionally, to see if he would be a good long-term fit and if he understood the job.
“How long did you work at your previous job?”
“Not long. About eight months, I think.”
“Why did you quit?”
“Franchise stores opened around the cafe, and the owner decided to close the business.”
“Do you have any experience as a manager?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t have any experience as a manager. But…”
But…
‘He’s probably going to say the cliché ‘I’ll work hard.’
That’s what he expected.
“I know you’re a renowned veteran in the industry, CEO.”
“Hmm?”
“I heard you created Toxin, the most successful idol group at TaKa Entertainment.”
CEO Park, intrigued by the unexpected answer, said,
“I didn’t create them, but go on.”
“I heard you personally managed them at the members’ request and were promoted to team leader as an A&R, recognizing your skills.”
“That’s right.”
“So I thought I could be of help to E-UNG if I learned from you, CEO.”
“Did you rehearse that answer?”
“Yes.”
Hyun-woo’s answer was surprisingly honest.
“You’re not wrong. You did your research.”
As Hyun-woo said, teaching him the job wasn’t a problem.
He was confident he could train him to be better than most current managers.
‘But what happened to all those I trained before?’
Not just at TaKa Entertainment, where he used to work…
But also at DIS Entertainment, ALV Media, and other famous agencies, they were all lured away by headhunters.
“If I said anything that made you uncomfortable, CEO, I sincerely apologize.”
“No, not at all.”
CEO Park’s expression darkened.
Then…
Hyun-woo, after hesitating, confessed honestly.
“To be honest, I was only interested in E-UNG, so I only learned about NRY Entertainment recently.”
“I see.”
“…I apologize. But…”
“But…?”
“While researching NRY Entertainment, CEO Park Chang-seok who established it, and the current situation of the company, I became just as interested in NRY Entertainment as I am in E-UNG.”
This probably wasn’t a typical job interview.
「“Team Leader Park, you’re too sentimental. He’s completely unqualified, why would you…”」
Back when he was at TaKa Entertainment…
He only sat in on one interview and never participated in another.
But he had a good eye for talent; the only person he chose who was still working there was the one he picked back then.
‘And now he’s taken my place…’
Should he trust his intuition?
“Hyun-woo…”
“Yes.”
“What do you want to be doing in 5 years? 10 years?”
“Five years…”
Hyun-woo pondered for a moment before speaking.
“It’s a long time, but also a very short time…”
“That’s true.”
CEO Park replied in a lower voice, seemingly slightly disappointed.
But Hyun-woo continued.
“In five years, I hope to be working alongside E-UNG, after they’ve become famous.”
“Hmm.”
“In ten years… It might be too ambitious, but I hope to see NRY Entertainment move into a new building and to be teaching new employees, just like I’m starting now.”
Hahaha…
He chuckled, unable to hide his smile.
If this was a rehearsed answer, he wanted to praise him for how well he crafted it.
But what if it wasn’t rehearsed, but his genuine feelings?
This was the one.
He had been waiting for someone like this.
CEO Park confidently extended his hand.
“You’re hired, Kim Hyun-woo.”
“Huh? A-Already?”
As Hyun-woo asked in surprise, CEO Park laughed heartily and continued.
“We’re in dire need of a manager.”
Still slightly dazed by the quick acceptance, Hyun-woo shook CEO Park’s hand with trembling hands.
“Let’s work well together.”
“Yes! I look forward to working with you!”
Hyun-woo spent two days learning the ropes from CEO Park.
Two days after Hyun-woo joined the company…
“Oh, the person who came for the interview! You passed!”
“Yes. Eun-ji, let’s sit down and talk.”
CEO Park introduced Hyun-woo to Eun-ho and Eun-ji.
“This is Manager Kim Hyun-woo, who will be working with you from now on.”
“I’m Kim Hyun-woo. I’m still lacking in many ways, but I’ll learn diligently. Please take care of me.”
Hyun-woo greeted them calmly, trying to suppress his nervousness.
Eun-ji approached Hyun-woo first and greeted him.
“I’m Lee Eun-ji. Please take care of me, Manager.”
Hyun-woo bowed his head slightly as he shook her hand.
Then, Eun-ho extended his hand and greeted him.
“I’m Lee Eun-ho. Pleased to meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine.”
“Can I call you hyung?”
“Call me whatever you’re comfortable with.”
“Yes, hyung.”
At Eun-ho’s playful tone, Hyun-woo was momentarily flustered, then smiled lightly in response.
“I have some work to do, so you guys chat for a while.”
After the brief introductions…
CEO Park excused himself.
A suffocating silence filled the living room, which also served as a meeting room.
Unable to bear the awkward atmosphere, Eun-ji finally asked,
“Did you know us before you came here, Manager?”
“Yes, I’m a… fan.”
WHAAAA HECK YEAH?! I was not expecting that!! Im so glad he’s the manager now hehe