Série: The All-Rounder Employee Becomes a Legend
Título: The All-Rounder Employee Becomes a Legend Chapter 14
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14 : We Call Them Elseong Men
The first morning assembly wasn’t as bad as he had feared.
They took attendance and assigned us to groups.
About 260 people, changed into tracksuits, gathered in the main auditorium for an event.
“We will now begin the 2018 first-half Elseong Group New Employee Training orientation ceremony. The Director of the training center will now give his address.”
A man appeared along with the host's words.
He stood before the podium, waiting for the host to proceed.
“Hello!”
『Hello?』
“Your voices are too quiet. The voices of Elseong Group’s new employees! Is that all you’ve got? Hello!”
『Hello!↑』
As the voices of about 260 people echoed, a smile finally appeared on the training center Director’s face.
“I am Yoon Seong-mok. Until last year, I served as a senior managing director in L-Sung Electronics’ core business division, and at the beginning of this year, I was appointed as the Director of the Elseong Group Training Center. It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
A man who looked to be in his late 50s.
In this Elseong Group, where most positions disappear for the ‘Sa-o-jeong generation’ once they turn 45, the fact that he remained until his late 50s proved he was an elite.
“This is what I believe. You have all, for now, achieved your dream. Am I right?”
『Yes!』
“Elseong Group is a top 5 company in the Republic of Korea. It’s also among the world’s top 500 corporations. You all beat a 200-to-1 competition ratio to get here. You have every right to be proud. Let’s all give ourselves a round of applause to praise ourselves.”
Thunderous applause filled the auditorium.
Tae-seok, also agreeing with his words, clapped along.
Just then, his roommate, Kang Min-yong, spoke to Tae-seok.
“He’s a good speaker.”
“Yeah. It seems so.”
He continued his speech.
“Our group wasn’t successful from the very beginning. During those difficult times in the 1960s, we started by going to Japan and bringing back technology. Who was the first to make a refrigerator in our country? Please raise your hand if you know!”
At that, one participant raised his hand and answered.
“It was L-Sung Electronics.”
The Director then grinned and responded.
“What’s your name?”
“Seo Min-woo.”
“Let’s all give our Employee Seo Min-woo a round of applause!”
As everyone applauded, the Director continued.
“The refrigerator. When we first made it in our country, can you imagine how much trial and error there was? It took a whole four years. You have no idea how expensive it was back then. But is there any home without a refrigerator now?”
Most of the speech covered the founding and history of Elseong Group, along with its present and future.
And then, the main point.
“Now! From today, you are not just employees, but all fellow Elseong men. From the moment you enter our training center until you leave, you will all be called Elseong men. Do you understand?”
『Yes!』
“Then, fellow Elseong men! Rest well today. Starting tomorrow, let’s work hard for Elseong Group!”
『Yes!』
“Thank you all for your hard work.”
Back in the dorms, the trainees had to organize their duties according to the self-governing duty system.
A Guiding Senior was assigned, and they explained how to adapt going forward.
“It is now 10 PM. From now on, you will take turns standing by on duty for one-hour shifts. I will now organize the duties for Building B this week, so any Elseong man who wants to be the team leader in charge of Building B, please raise your hand.”
Several people raised their hands at the Guiding Senior’s words.
Tae-seok also raised his hand, but the Guiding Senior chose the oldest among them to be the team leader.
“Mr. Kang Min-yong will be acting as the team leader for Building B. The term is one week, and after that week, you may continue or be removed based on a vote of approval by the Building B team members. It is also possible to voluntarily step down. Do you understand?”
『Yes!』
“From now on, you will answer with ‘Elseong!’ instead of ‘Yes.’ Do you understand?”
『Elseong!』
Tae-seok returned to his dorm room like the other people from Building B.
Perhaps because it was the first day, he felt restless, and though he was bored and wanted to talk, his roommate had become the team leader, leaving him alone.
‘What should I do? Maybe I’ll shower first?’
Come to think of it, there was no bathroom in the room. No shower, no kitchen either.
Communal living…
‘Hmm…’
Communal restrooms, communal washrooms, communal showers, communal laundry rooms.
Even with CCTVs in the hallways, privacy was almost nonexistent.
But this was nothing.
At construction sites, it was common not to be able to wash at all.
He had slept on cardboard laid over sandwich panels and eaten jajangmyeon at dusty work sites.
Without much thought, Tae-seok went to the communal shower room and took a shower.
There weren't as many people as he expected.
It wasn't clear if they were shy or just not used to this kind of living. But one thing was certain.
There were quite a few people who weren't accustomed to communal living.
And that the Guiding Seniors were walking around with their eyes peeled, evaluating them.
After washing up, he returned and sat at his desk.
He turned on the desk lamp and read the new employee training center guidebook.
10:30 PM, time to sleep.
But just then, Kang Min-yong, the new team leader, came in, and Tae-seok asked with a smile.
“Are you all done?”
“No, not that, but could you fill this out?”
“Hmm… it’s a survey.”
“Yeah. I have to hand them all out now.”
“Ah, I see. I’ll fill it out. Do you need help?”
“No, it’s fine. You go ahead and sleep, Tae-seok. I chose to do this, so I’ll handle it myself.”
“Okay. I understand.”
And then, 1 AM.
Only then did Kang Min-yong come in.
Tae-seok, who had been woken up by his roommate opening the door, spoke to him.
“Are you just finishing now?”
“Ah… there’s more to do than I thought.”
“I should have helped you.”
“No, it’s fine. I chose this, so I have to do it. Did you finish filling out the survey?”
“Yes. I did it earlier.”
“Ah, I see. Everyone must have done it then.”
“……”
Tae-seok thought to himself, ‘This guy… is really slow.’
Kang Min-yong’s hollow eyes.
He had an uneasy feeling for some reason.
And as expected, that premonition…
One of the Guiding Seniors opened the door, came in, and raised his voice.
“Kang Min-yong!”
“Elseong!”
“Hey! I told you to get the surveys done at 10 o’clock. What are we supposed to do if you’re still not finished?”
“Everyone was sleeping, so I couldn’t collect them. I’ll get them all in the morning.”
“Man! Are you going to be like this from the very first day?”
“I will have it done by 7 AM.”
“Hoo-ooh, alright. Just go to sleep for now. We’ll see at 7 AM.”
After the Guiding Senior left the room, Tae-seok shook his head.
‘Kang Min-yong, are you going to be okay on your own?’
But he couldn’t voice his thoughts.
He had already offered twice.
He felt that if he brought it up one more time, it might sour his relationship with him.
Tae-seok closed his eyes again and tried to sleep, but he couldn’t, hearing the sound of Kang Min-yong sobbing alone.
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