Chapter 107: Scouting

“If we wrap up as soon as possible, we can launch within six months. That is, assuming we optimize the design and OS, and finish compatibility work with domestic carriers for the CDMA network.”

Of course, I also plan to work on compatibility with the GSM network at the same time.

“If the smartphone we develop works properly on both CDMA and GSM networks, it could even outsell the A-Phone.”

“I think smartphones will dominate the mobile market in the future, and it’s a race to see who captures the market first.”

Currently, the annual market share for feature phones is around 700 million units.

But when the smartphone boom hits, the market share will surge to 1.5 billion units.

A-ple sold 300 million units and became the world’s most valuable company.

I plan to sell at least 500 million units.

Of course, even if that happens, becoming the most valuable company is a different story due to the limitations of being a Korean company.

“I’ll contact the carriers first and try to get as much support as possible for the CDMA network.”

“If you run into any issues, actively involve Executive Director Hong Chung-ki.”

He’s someone who’s very helpful in many ways, given his extensive network.

“Got it.”

“And I’ll be focusing on the OS and smartphone design, so I won’t have time to go to Dojin Tech for a while.”

It meant I wouldn’t be able to devote much attention to running the company.

“Well, we have Team Leader Lee Hye-ryeong. She’ll handle things well.”

She’s been with me since the beginning.

She’s the person I trust second only to Seong-hwan.

“Please let Team Leader Lee Hye-ryeong know. I need to head to Gumi right now.”

“Gumi? Why all of a sudden?”

“There’s someone I need to bring back.”

I plan to bring back the guy who’s been stuck in Gumi for three years.

During the development of the Caramel Phone for Ahsung Group’s 50th anniversary,

the design team leader decided to use acrylic instead of reinforced glass for the screen, which caused major issues with the product.

As a result, the entire Ahsung Electronics Design Team 1 was forcibly transferred to the Gumi production line.

Most of those who were transferred have since left the company,

but Jang Hee-soo remained in Gumi.

‘I hope she’s doing well.’

I felt sorry for someone who used to do design work now working as a regular line worker.

But it’s not entirely like that.

According to the memoir she wrote before the regression,

the three years on the Gumi production line made her determined to improve,

and when she returned to the design team, she truly showcased her talent.

‘So I need to bring her back before she returns to the design team.’

It’s perfect timing since I’m also preparing to create a finished product.

The timing couldn’t be better.

After parting ways with Seong-hwan, I drove straight to the Ahsung Electronics Gumi plant.

It took about three hours to arrive.

Since I didn’t know her contact information or home address, I parked my car

and waited blindly for Hee-soo at the main gate.

The end of the workday at the Gumi plant is 5 p.m.

As quitting time approached,

the flow of people leaving work increased rapidly.

With my coat collar turned up, I was busy scanning the passing faces.

After waiting for about an hour,

I spotted Hee-soo exiting the main gate, swiping her employee card.

She was neatly dressed in her work uniform, wearing a gray jumper and her hair tied back.

“Uh… Jang Hee-soo?”

I pretended it was a coincidence.

Recognizing my face, Hee-soo’s eyes widened.

“Oh my… Is that Representative Kang Tae-joon? What brings you here?”

“Haha, I had some business nearby. Hee-soo, you’re not working at Ahsung headquarters, but here?”

I already knew, but I couldn’t act like it.

Jang Hee-soo replied with a somewhat sad expression.

“Because of the Caramel Phone screen issue, our entire team was forcibly transferred here. Now, I’m the only one left.”

“I see…”

“If only we had used reinforced glass, as you suggested back then, it wouldn’t have come to this…”

“It wasn’t your fault, Hee-soo.”

It’s never easy for the youngest member of the design team to overturn the team leader’s decision and push their own opinion.

“Um… since we’re on the topic, can I ask you something?”

Jang Hee-soo stared at me intently.

But she didn’t give me a chance to ask right away.

“There are a lot of people passing by here. Do you have time to grab a coffee somewhere?”

“Sure!”

I was worried she might refuse,

but thankfully, Hee-soo readily accepted the offer.

…

…

“What’s on your mind?”

“When we first met at headquarters…”

She seemed to be referring to when she delivered the S-grade lens during the Caramel Phone development.

“Yes.”

“Back then, you told me to use reinforced glass instead of acrylic. How did you know to say that? Even I didn’t know that Team Leader Kim Tae-young was planning to use acrylic instead of polycarbonate.”

“Ah… that.”

I took a sip of the coffee on the table

and quickly racked my brain.

I hadn’t prepared an excuse.

“I… uh, found out by chance.”

“By chance?”

“At the time, I was developing actuators and frequently visited resin suppliers. That’s when a polycarbonate broker… no, a middleman told me that Ahsung’s design team had stopped ordering polycarbonate and asked for an acrylic quote.”

“Oh, I see.”

Hee-soo nodded, seeming to understand.

“…Can I ask you something too?”

“Of course, go ahead.”

Her bright smile showed no signs of wear, despite being demoted to the production line.

“Isn’t it hard for someone who used to do design work to be on a production line like this? Everyone else has already quit.”

“It’s tough, but… I have to make a living, so there’s no choice.”

Despite the heavy topic, Hee-soo’s expression remained cheerful.

“So, you’ve given up on design?”

“Not at all. I’ve been thinking a lot and studying while I’m here.”

At the Ahsung Electronics Gumi plant, they not only make phones but also home appliances like vacuums, washing machines, TVs, and refrigerators.

Hee-soo had voluntarily moved between these processes to work.

“This is the first time I’m showing this to anyone, but would you take a look?”

“…?”

Before I could respond,

Hee-soo pulled a notebook from her bag and handed it to me.

“What’s this?”

“It’s proof that I haven’t been slacking off.”

As soon as I opened the notebook,

I couldn’t help but gasp in astonishment.

“This… you designed all of this, Hee-soo?”

“What do you think?”

“This is… no joke.”

The first page of the notebook featured a TV design.

If my memory serves, it was the same model that first made the public realize that a TV could also be a piece of interior decor.

The so-called Bordeaux TV.

‘Was this design by Hee-soo?’

Ahsung Electronics sold over ten million TVs with this design, inspired by the curves of a wine glass.

Moreover, the notebook was filled with designs not just for TVs, but also for washing machines, refrigerators, and vacuums.

The designs were so sophisticated they looked like they were from far into the future.

Gulp.

I couldn’t help but swallow hard.

My gaze kept wavering as I looked at Hee-soo.

What could I say to convince her to join me?

While I was lost in thought,

“Um…”

“Um…”

Hee-soo and I spoke at the same time.

“…You go first.”

I pointed to Hee-soo with my hand.

“I saw in the news that you acquired Pintech. Does that mean you’re making phones now?”

She seemed to know quite a bit about our company situation, having seen the news.

“Yes, we acquired Pintech to start our mobile business.”

I wondered why she was asking this out of the blue,

but then Hee-soo said something completely unexpected.

“Then, can I work with you, Representative?”

“What?”

“If you’re developing a phone, you’ll need a designer, right? I don’t mind starting from the bottom. Please take me with you. Okay?”

“…”

Inside, I felt like laughing,

but nothing came out.

“I guess… it’s not possible, right?”

Misinterpreting my surprised expression, Hee-soo looked dejected.

I quickly waved my hands.

“Of course it’s possible. It’s possible.”

Absolutely…

She’s someone who once rose to become the Chief Design Officer of the entire Ahsung Group.

Red Dot Design Award.

iF Design Award.

International Design Excellence Award (IDEA).

World Design Consortium Awards… She’s achieved so many accolades,

and now she’s offering to work under me.

There was no reason to refuse.

“So, does this mean I can work at Dojin Tech now?”

“If you wish, you can start as early as tomorrow.”

“Squee! Thank you so much.”

She said what I wanted to say first.

I’m the one who should be thanking her.

Thanks to Hee-soo’s outburst, people in the coffee shop were glancing our way.

“Ahem… And I have no intention of making Hee-soo start from the bottom. I’d like Hee-soo to lead our company’s design team.”

“What?”

Hee-soo’s eyes widened.

She didn’t seem to understand what I was saying right away.

“I’m offering to hire Hee-soo as our company’s design team leader.”

“Oh… no, why?”

She was probably wondering why someone with no track record or experience like her would be hired as a design team leader.

But I had an answer ready.

“That notebook you showed me. I loved it.”

It wasn’t empty praise. If we could produce products based on those designs,

we could make a huge splash in the market right away.

If only Hee-soo were a bit older,

I would even consider making her an executive, not just a team leader.

But since she’s only just turned thirty,

I decided on the title of team leader with the rank of assistant manager.