Chapter 4
Chapter 4
But look at where they were now. This excessively large workspace was occupied by merely 40 employees, when at least 200 of them could comfortably fit in. Consequently, the walking distance between departments was endless. As for the private offices, one could easily get one with a small promotion.
In addition, anyone who would see the huge and artistically shaped imported tables placed all over the building in a mismatched manner would doubt that they were in Korea.
In Na-Yool’s opinion, this waste of space was not Korean-like at all. What would have been Korean is something reasonably priced and practical. If some crazy guy were to ride a motorized scooter in this stadium-like workplace, it would be like a picture from office spaces overseas.
Rather than produce tight profits for a self-made entrepreneur, the place seemed to be busy satisfying the artistic ego of a rich precious son. In another word, pure vanity. Showing off, really.
From various print ads to video ads production, the company was perfectly run without outsourcing its work. Nevertheless, to build such a creative environment for its employees was somewhat excessive. At least, that was her thought as a Korean.
In addition, if you wondered if this company were a creative gathering of young and ingenuous employees, you could not be more wrong. From PR consulting for both small and large companies, to crunching numbers to make it worth, every day, the smell of their lust for money would linger around.
Na-Yool did not see the creative environment they were in as the rich boy’s self-indulgence, nor was it a support to the employees. In her eyes, it was purely to serve their high-end business strategy. The office space supported the idea that, even if the company made an advert with the same concept and design as competing companies, it would sell at a higher price because its image of creativity and professionalism would make it stand out.
Of course, how much different it could be is questionable. But just as some buyers value the brand image of what they buy rather than its price, the same goes for the seller too. They gave more importance to their image than to care about the way product price is set.
And that is what Si-Jin had built his success on. And would continue to. Probably…
In our case, we’re busy inflating the unit price.
Did that man realize how dreamy such an extravagant life was? He did have an eye for design, though… Na-Yool thought that, at this point, whether he was a wealthy conglomerate or a middle-class worker, it would not matter to the company.
Indeed, despite being a jerk, he had led a diligent life.
Compared to the small office he started with, the current one was like a display of his wealth. But why did it matter? The point anyway was that no matter how big or small, Si-Jin had the money to start it. And also, a strong determination.
Yes. He had lived way too hard.
Every time she saw him, Na-Yool would recall the idiom “Only the wealthy do not need to spend to live well”. It truly was the case. Even if he had lived leisurely, he would have lived a great life. But no, that smart one, he had to go and try living hard! Na-Yool suspected that, if there was a God, he had favored Kwon Si-jin with wealth. She wondered though how much more He had favored him for living harder than the lowly lives He had put at his feet.
No, it was actually very easy to guess. That is how a deep-rooted discrimination was passed down from one generation to the next.
Right. So he had everything, that’s it. He was born smart and raised well in a good family. Sure, he was financially assisted by his parents. But he chose his own path, had ambition and a good instinct to serve it, undeniable business skills, and tenacity.
Indeed, he had not even one bad quality. In fact, almost in a scary way, he was the only perfect man in Na-Yool’s narrow world.
This was why Na-Yool also used to like him – though only very briefly.
It was not to an extent where she hoped for something to happen between them. She just liked to look at him. And naturally, she would feel flustered if he looked back, as it was impossible for Na-Yool to resist such a pleasant handsome man, because this was the first time she had ever seen a man so perfect – both inside and out.