Chapter 05
Back to the Original State (2)
– To Cha Jihoo. How have you been? I owe you a great debt from Japan. I wish I’d had more time to properly repay your kindness. I’ve been very busy since the semester started. I’m writing to say thank you once again. I hope you are always blessed!
The sentences carried a neatness and gravity unusual for someone her age. Without knowing which school she attended or what family she came from, the writing alone conveyed a high level of refinement and cultivation.
Checking the time the email was sent, he saw that a day and a half had already passed. Cha Jihoo quickly sent a reply.
– To Claire Belford. Words like debt or kindness are too grand. I only did what was natural. Your greeting back then was more than enough. I, too, have returned from vacation and am focused on work. I sincerely hope you study happily and achieve your goals and dreams. May luck be with you.
As the content showed, Cha Jihoo regarded her email as a final courtesy letter. He had written his reply in that same context.
At that time, neither of them could have predicted how their history would unfold.
The point at which Cha Jihoo regressed was a time when Samel Electronics, where he worked, and Daeju Electronics were both launching new premium home appliance lines, engaged in fierce competition not only in the domestic market but also on the global stage. In particular, refrigerators, as high-end appliances, were a critical sector for both companies, with sparks flying all year round. The marketing team of the Home Appliance Division played a role akin to artillery in that war.
“Let’s hear Assistant Manager Cha’s proposal.”
“Yes, Team Leader.”
At the words of General Marketing Team Leader, General Manager Cho Jungyeon, Cha Jihoo stepped forward and stood before the meeting attendees.
“Our Diopel brand, compared to competitors, has more effectively positioned a premium image in the minds of domestic and overseas consumers through faster product line development and aggressive marketing activities. In this situation, I believe we need to execute a parallel strategy using appropriate appeal media: emotionally focusing on our product design, and rationally emphasizing technological superiority and power efficiency as core message points.”
At his words, not only Team Leader Cho but also Deputy Manager Kim Seonghyeon nodded in agreement.
“Furthermore, to solidify our number-one brand image, I believe we need to employ a big-model strategy, using the popular and trustworthy couple Jeong Donggeon and Go Seyoung as models to create a strong impact in the minds of potential customers.”
“Jeong Donggeon and Go Seyoung, you say.”
“Yes, Team Leader. However, I believe there is one point we need to be careful about from a long-term perspective.”
“A long-term perspective? What is it?”
“Although our brand significantly leads in market share, awareness, and preference, I believe we must never underestimate Daeju Electronics’ competing brand. From what I’ve gathered, they are trying to pursue long-term innovation by focusing on differentiation points such as large capacity and interface structure innovation. This could potentially bring us a major crisis in about ten years. I believe we need technological preparation for that.”
At Cha Jihoo’s remarks, Team Leader Cho Jungyeon opened his eyes wide in surprise.
“Really? How did Assistant Manager Cha come to know that?”
“I obtained the information through various channels. I believe there is sufficient basis, so I included it in the briefing.”
“Oh, really? As expected of our marketing team’s hope! Haha. I can’t help but agree with everything you just said. You and Assistant Manager Yoo, please refine the big-model strategy more precisely and report the execution plan.”
“Understood, Team Leader.”
Thanks to his previous life’s experience, Cha Jihoo not only knew the progress but also the outcomes. Based on those memories, he complemented the shortcomings of the time and carried forward the successful strategies, earning approval not only from the team leader but also from his team members.
“Assistant Manager, your growth rate is terrifying. I can barely see your back now, hoho.”
Team colleague Assistant Manager Yoo Ari placed her laptop on the table and spoke with an envious tone. She was a year junior to Cha Jihoo but had been promoted around the same time, making her climb effectively faster.
“When someone like Assistant Manager Yoo says that, it just sounds like you’re humblebragging. Who’s the one getting the most favor from the team leader?”
“That can change anytime. Does love change? Yes, it does. That’s the way of the world.”
“I don’t think we need to compete with each other. The team leader entrusted us with the project, so let’s work well together.”
“Yes, Assistant Manager. It’s an honor for me! Hoho.”
“Assistant Manager Yoo, really. Haha.”
After sharing a laugh at Yoo Ari’s easygoing nature, the two immersed themselves in work. After quite some time had passed, they left the office to get a late lunch.
“As the temperature starts to drop, I’m craving something warm.”
“How about that home-style restaurant across from the subway station? Their soybean paste stew and grilled mackerel are excellent.”
“Good. Let’s go there.”
After filling their hungry stomachs at the home-style restaurant, Cha Jihoo and Assistant Manager Yoo picked up takeout coffee nearby. But then—
“Oh? Over there…”
Assistant Manager Yoo pointed across the street, having spotted something. Cha Jihoo’s gaze followed her direction.
There, familiar faces came into view. It was Ahn Jiyeon and the general manager of her department, Team Leader Gong Hajun. The two were walking closely together, laughing, heading somewhere.
“Assistant Manager Ahn is the same year as you, right, Assistant Manager?”
“Yeah. We’re not that close though.”
“Those two look really close. So the rumor must be true.”
“…Rumor? What?”
“Ah… nothing. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“It’s okay, Assistant Manager Yoo. Tell me. I’d like to know too.”
“Well, there’s a rumor going around among the female staff that they’re dating. Of course, it could just be a rumor.”
“I see.”
“Yes. But I’ve heard that Team Leader Gong’s family is quite something. Apparently they’re very wealthy. That explains why he drives an expensive imported car. I’ve also heard he already owns a large apartment by the Han River.”
“Assistant Manager Yoo seems to know quite a lot about him. Were you interested in him yourself?”
“Come on, Assistant Manager. Even as a joke, don’t say that. No matter how rich he is, I don’t like men who are that much older than me. Besides, that face is a bit…”
“So you do care about looks. Haha.”
Cha Jihoo thought that Assistant Manager Yoo Ari was still a bit immature in some ways. But it was clear she wasn’t the type to be after money. He could tell from her behavior and attitude while working together.
“I have a colleague in that team. This came up during a gathering of peers.”
Assistant Manager Yoo’s story was probably true. Even for a team leader at a major corporation, being treated at the department head level, it wasn’t easy to drive a top-tier imported car and own an apartment in Seoul. Especially by the Han River—that said it all. It was clear that Ahn Jiyeon had been attracted to his family’s wealth and had been looking elsewhere.
‘I hope now she has nothing to do with me.’
In hindsight, Cha Jihoo felt incredibly fortunate that they hadn’t publicly dated. If the company had known they were together, how ridiculous would he have looked in this situation? And how much would people have gossiped behind his back? It was horrifying just to imagine.
He patted his chest in relief and said to Assistant Manager Yoo with a refreshed feeling.
“Alright, let’s hurry back and dive into the project!”
“Yes, Assistant Manager!”
The two quickened their pace toward the office.
Late autumn, just before winter that year. The marketing strategy proposed by Cha Jihoo, spearheaded by him and Assistant Manager Yoo Ari, and executed with the combined efforts of the team—especially the refrigerator advertisement—achieved unprecedented success. As a result, the fierce battle with the competitor came to a close with an overwhelming victory.
Thanks to this, his name became known not only to his immediate superiors including the team leader, but also to higher-ups.
“Your planning shone brilliantly. It’s easy to say, but I know very well how difficult it is to specify a model and accurately achieve target results. Haha.”
“I’m glad the results turned out well. I didn’t expect it to be this effective either. I think I worked well with Assistant Manager Yoo.”
“Assistant Manager, really. I just provided support from the side. I can confidently say this project was entirely Assistant Manager Cha’s achievement.”
Cha Jihoo received the “Employee of the Month” award for the first time since joining the company. Being selected among thousands of employees made the honor particularly special. Vice President Lee Namhoon of Samel Electronics personally presented him with the award and prize money.
“Assistant Manager Cha Jihoo! You did great! I’ll be keeping an eye on you, so keep up the good work.”
“Thank you. I’ll do my best!”
Although Cha Jihoo received the award as the representative, the achievement was also the team’s collective success. Having wrapped up the project, they held a team dinner for the first time in a while.
“To celebrate our team’s and Assistant Manager Cha’s achievement, cheers!”
“Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
The drinks tasted like honey. This was what it meant to drink smoothly. Even Cha Jihoo, who didn’t usually enjoy alcohol, emptied his glass repeatedly without missing a round.
“I knew Assistant Manager Cha would pull through. The real masters stay quiet and strike when it counts.”
Deputy Manager Kim Seonghyeon, who had been his mentor when he was a new hire, poured Cha Jihoo a drink with a flushed face and praised him.
“It’s all thanks to Deputy Manager Kim. Who else could I have learned from? My eternal mentor, Deputy Manager, is actually the true hero of today’s glory.”
“Oh, come on, you don’t have to go that far. But come to think of it, it’s not entirely wrong either. Haha.”
“Keep drinking. I’ll pour you one with all my heart.”
“Haha, alright then.”
Having received the award himself, Cha Jihoo personally poured drinks for everyone from the team leader down to the juniors. He naturally needed to stay in the good graces of Team Leader Cho Jungyeon, but the sight of him patting even the new hires of that year on the shoulders and filling their glasses one by one was quite impressive.
‘Was Assistant Manager Cha always like this? I thought he was just nice, but he seems surprisingly ambitious.’
Assistant Manager Yoo Ari smiled as she watched him. In fact, she had felt a liking for Cha Jihoo for some time. But it had only been the feeling of a “good senior” with a pure side. However, while working together throughout this project and coordinating with him, she had found herself impressed time and again by his insight and foresight. In a word, she had begun to see him as a man worth sharing a future with.
Cha Jihoo, completely oblivious to the meaningful smile Yoo Ari was giving him, was deeply engaged in conversation with his team members.
‘Every single person in the organization is an asset. If I were just going to coast along, it wouldn’t matter, but to rise higher, I need to do my best for everyone regardless of seniority. Until the time comes to make the final choice, reputation is most important.’
In his previous life, he had thought that working hard, earning a steady paycheck, and bringing it home was enough. But now it was different. His values and life goals had changed.
“Senior Staff Kang, have a drink too.”
“Oh my, what an honor. Assistant Manager Cha. Congratulations again!”
“Next time, I hope Senior Staff Kang gets that award.”
“I’m not quite there yet. Haha. But, Assistant Manager, do you really not have a girlfriend?”
At that question, the ears of nearby female team members, including Assistant Manager Yoo, perked up.
