Real Man

The team meeting was held in this atmosphere.

There was no awkwardness as before, maybe because they had exchanged their opinions quite well.

Snacks were laid on the table.

It was not Yoo-hyun’s initiative, but a direct order from Team Leader Nadoyeon.

Buzzing.

“Thank you, Team Leader.”

“We’ll enjoy it.”

Bright voices came from here and there, but Team Leader Nadoyeon did not show it.

She gestured with a blunt expression.

“Yes, Team Leader.”

An Jae-kyung, who answered, displayed the contents he had compiled on the screen.

Bang.

The screen listed the problems and improvements of the Hansung smartphone across all areas.

Since they had already shared it and given the mission to identify it in advance, there was no need for additional explanation.

Team Leader Nadoyeon went straight to the point.

“We haven’t made perfect materials yet. It’s impossible without a real product. But we have to dig deeper and get as close to perfection as possible. Let’s start organizing that now.”

“Yes. Understood.”

The people answered to her words that stuck in their ears.

The summary was done by An Jae-kyung.

He recited the contents that were neatly organized one by one.

“First, to deal with the problem of fragmented product lines, we decided to integrate the production strategy and remake the brand naming. Then…”

This part was the material that Hong Seung-jae and Choi Gyu-tae had organized.

Since Team Leader Nadoyeon had checked it, there were hardly any gaps.

But.

If it had been before, they wouldn’t have dared to intervene, but now it was different.

The team members raised their hands one by one and asked questions.

“What if the global market requires different specs…”

“When you remove the numbering, how will you launch the next product line…”

Even Jang Jun-sik, who was always cautious, said a word.

It was a good atmosphere where it was okay to say something wrong.

This was also a starkly different sight from before.

Munching.

Yoo-hyun ate his favorite fish cake while watching the situation with interest.

The meeting proceeded smoothly without him having to add anything.

What kind of results will this work bring?

What risks are there, and how much will it contribute?

Quantitative figures were listed as answers to somewhat abstract questions.

Thanks to that, the vague product without substance and consistency gradually became concrete.

It was the power of detail.

The team members found the answers themselves with their own abilities.

This was amazing enough, but Team Leader Nadoyeon did not stop there.

She looked a little further.

“This will be a pretty good product if we can sort out the problems like this. But is this enough? Can we surpass Ilsung or Apple with a slightly better level?”

“…”

“You know it’s not. Now we have to find that answer.”

Hansung smartphone’s brand value was too low compared to the two companies.

They had no choice but to differentiate themselves with a better product.

It meant that they needed something special besides good performance and beautiful design.

When they were looking for the answer in their heads, An Jae-kyung switched the screen.

Bang.

Team Leader Nadoyeon spoke while looking at the news in the form of an invitation.

“As I said before, we’re going to participate in the exhibition. The mobile phone division staff will also go together. Let’s sort out the differentiation points there.”

“…”

“We’re the only team that can do this properly. I trust you to do well and come back.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Jung Hyun-woo was the first to answer loudly, but no one gave him a look.

Rather, they nodded their heads with bright eyes.

The team’s morale seemed to rise sharply thanks to Team Leader Nadoyeon’s words that ended the meeting.

Yoo-hyun saw the great team members unite as one.

It was a change that happened much faster than Yoo-hyun expected.

Yoo-hyun told Jeong Da-hye, whom he had talked to for a long time, about this change.

“Our team members…”

-Really? Is the effect of a drink that big?

“Try it once, Da-hye. You’ll get closer to the people you work with.”

Yoo-hyun brought up this story for Jeong Da-hye’s sake as well.

She used to have a similar work style to Team Leader Nadoyeon in the past.

But the voice that came back sounded somewhat weak.

-That would be nice…

“Is something wrong?”

-No. But what do I do? The project schedule is getting pushed back a little.

“It’s okay. It’s enough to talk like this, so don’t feel pressured.”

-I’ll try harder.

She seemed to be bothered by the promise to return to Korea after the project was over.

She whipped herself with a firm answer.

But why did that sound so weak today?

Yoo-hyun asked with a worried heart.

“I hope you don’t overdo it. Is there anything I can help you with?”

-Why? Are you listening?

“Of course. I can listen to anything. I can even fly to Texas right away if you call me.”

-Stop it. I’m fine, so you do your work.

Jeong Da-hye laughed and hung up the phone, thinking Yoo-hyun’s words were bluffing.

Yoo-hyun muttered while looking at the phone that was cut off.

“She must be busy.”

Her schedule was pushed back, and so was the frequency and time of the calls.

He filled most of that time with his words.

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t sorry.

But he couldn’t say anything because he knew she was having a harder time.

Kwon Se-jung came back to his seat and asked Yoo-hyun.

“What’s with that face? You just talked to your girlfriend.”

“What are you talking about? Why are you all gathered here?”

Kwon Se-jung, Jung Hyun-woo, and Jang Jun-sik were sitting next to him.

They all looked like they had a lot of worries.

Yoo-hyun tilted his head, and Kwon Se-jung answered.

“I called you to do a mock-up of the countermeasures.”

“What countermeasures?”

“Didn’t you see the email? The MWC exhibition trip members came out.”

“Oh, that.”

Yoo-hyun sat down, and Jang Jun-sik, who had been holding his mouth shut, opened it.

“I don’t understand. Why are you the only one left out?”

“What do you mean, only me? Team Leader isn’t going either, and neither are Hong Manager and An Manager.”

“But even if they are left out, there is no problem with the team operation, right? But I’m not enough by myself.”

“What do you mean, not enough? You can do well without me now.”

Yoo-hyun encouraged him, but Jang Jun-sik still hesitated.

“No. I’m still…”

“Jun-sik, you don’t have to worry at all. Team Leader knows your abilities and decided that way. The other seniors will help you too.”

Yoo-hyun wasn’t just saying that.

Not only Team Leader Nadoyeon, but also An Jae-kyung agreed with this opinion.

-Jang Jun-sik’s English skills are not bad, right? Seeing how he actively dealt with the development team this time, he should be able to take the lead at the exhibition.

Jang Jun-sik was recognized in many places.

The one who was worried was rather Jung Hyun-woo.

He seemed to be aware of that, and he muttered.

“Jang Manager is at least experienced. This is my first time dealing with foreigners.”

“It’s not a big deal to go to an exhibition. You’re just looking around.”

“I have to meet the parts suppliers too.”

“You have Shin Manager.”

“That’s what I’m worried about. Sigh.”

He couldn’t help but sigh, but this was also a process.

Jung Hyun-woo would surely grow another step by taking this opportunity.

He left the two deputies with anxious faces behind and Kwon Se-jung asked.

“But what are you doing here, Yoo-hyun?”

“Me? I’m just going to have some fun while you guys are working hard.”

“Don’t joke around. Team Leader stays because of the marketing report, but you’re not even part of that.”

Yoo-hyun stayed because of Shin Kyung-soo’s return date.

If everything went according to plan, the organizational integration plan would proceed, so he had to take care of him.

He didn’t have to tell his colleague, who had to focus on the imminent task, this straightforwardly.

Yoo-hyun dodged it.

“I need someone to back me up from behind.”

“Is that the real reason?”

“Of course. What else would it be?”

Yoo-hyun shrugged his shoulders, and Kwon Se-jung’s voice sank.

“I’m not asking you as a joke.”

“Why are you like that, all of a sudden?”

“No. I’ll talk to you later.”

Kwon Se-jung, who had a hardened expression, turned his chair sharply.

What’s wrong with him?

Yoo-hyun wondered.

Yoo-hyun met Kwon Se-jung alone at a bar that evening.

He would have loosened up with a drink as usual, but he still looked tense.

Yoo-hyun asked him with a beer glass and a side dish between them.

“Why are you so gloomy?”

“Ha. Just. I’m feeling a bit down.”

“Do you think I’m lying to you?”

They were colleagues and friends.

Yoo-hyun asked him bluntly, and Kwon Se-jung reacted immediately.

“You have a reason, but hiding it is not true, right?”

“Why do you think that?”

“It’s obvious. And this is not the first or second time, right? You also prepared everything by yourself without telling me last time with the JK Telecom modem.”

“I did that because it was a burden for you.”

“…”

Kwon Se-jung drank his beer without a word.

He seemed to have a lot of things piled up inside.

He put down his glass and looked at Yoo-hyun with a serious expression.

“Yoo-hyun, do you know why I’m learning from Kim Manager under such hardship?”

“What is it?”

“Because I want to help you a little bit.”

He was not drunk enough, but he was too serious.

There was a ticklish side to it, but Yoo-hyun accepted it sincerely.

“You, you’re a lot of help. I wouldn’t have made it this far without you.”

“Just matching your pace is not enough, I want to walk with you while seeing the same scenery.”

“Don’t you think so?”

“Yeah. I’ve just been following you all this time. But I’ve followed you for a long time, don’t I deserve it now?”

Kwon Se-jung poured out his heart as if he had made up his mind.

He had been thinking like that.

He was too familiar and natural for Yoo-hyun to miss.

On the other hand, he felt lucky.

That he could be with him like this.

It was something he couldn’t imagine in the past.

Yoo-hyun smiled and Kwon Se-jung flared up.

“I’m not joking right now. Be serious.”n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

“I know, you’re serious.”

“But why do you keep dodging? I’m not going to let it go this time.”

He didn’t seem to back down, as if he had decided firmly.

Yoo-hyun called his colleague’s name.

“Se-jung.”

“What?”

“Do you know why I work with you?”

“Because it’s comfortable.”

“That’s not enough for all the dynamic work we’ve done.”

“Then what is it?”

Kwon Se-jung asked, and Yoo-hyun spat out his sincerity.

“You, you’re talented. A lot.”

“I don’t have that.”

“Yes, you do. Did you get into the Innovation Strategy Room for nothing? Do you think Kim Manager would approve of anyone?”

“Don’t try to fool me with the airplane thing. That doesn’t work.”

He was losing steam, but Kwon Se-jung’s mouth twitched slightly.

It was the effect of praise.

Yoo-hyun didn’t miss that part.

“Why are you laughing when you say you’re not?”

“Who’s laughing?”

“Fine, have a drink, talented friend.”

“I’m telling you, it’s not that… Ha.”

He was annoyed, but when he met Yoo-hyun’s eyes, he sighed.

Then he reluctantly picked up his glass.

He couldn’t be more bitter in this situation.