There was someone to greet Kim Cheol-soo and Lee Jun-hak, who arrived in the Philippines on a Sunday evening flight.
It was Assistant Manager Kang Yoon-sik, who was working as an expatriate in Manila, Philippines.
“Nice to meet you, Junhak.”
“It’s been a while. Has it been a year since we last met in person?”
“I guess so? Since I saw you around this time last year, it looks like you’ve gained some weight?”
“Hahaha. It’s inevitable since I’m in the office. Are you a little out of it?”
“When I’m in a hot place, I lose weight naturally.”
“You’re not eating well, are you?”
“How delicious the fruit here is.”
Lee Jun-hak and Kang Yun-sik were classmates at the company.
Lee Jun-hak was promoted two years early, and Kang Yun-sik came to the Philippines as an expatriate as soon as he was appointed assistant manager.
After finishing a small talk with Lee Jun-hak, Kang Yun-sik looked at Kim Cheol-soo and smiled and offered to shake his hand.
“This is Assistant Manager Kang Yun-sik, who is stationed in Manila.”
“This is Kim Cheol-soo, an employee of Sales Team 5.”
“You’re the new employee here, right?”
“Yes! Please take care of me in the future, Assistant Manager Kang.”
Kang Yun-sik nodded at the courageous words of Kim Cheol-soo.
“Please take care of me too.”
“Of course I will!”
“He’s very brave, so I think Junhak will like him.”
“Yes. He quite likes it.”
Lee Jun-hak, who was listening next to him, chuckled at those words.
“For a rookie, this guy does a really good job. He helps me out when the wheat contract is made.”
“Huh? Wasn’t it your responsibility?”
“It’s this guy’s idea. I might become an expatriate next year, and I have a lot of projects I’m in charge of right now.”
“Oh, I see. A new employee is already in charge of the business?”
“This is this guy’s second business.”
“wow!”
At Lee Jun-hak’s words, Kang Yun-sik stared at Kim Cheol-soo for a long time as if he was surprised.
“Has Team Leader Ahn’s record been broken?”
“Uh. Two months.”
“That’s awesome! This is the first time I’ve heard Junhak say he’s good at his job, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
“You can look forward to it. Work well with this guy and create a lot of good business.”
Kim Cheol-soo and Lee Jun-hak followed Kang Yun-sik out of Manila Airport and loaded their luggage into the car.
Before loading his luggage into the car, Kim Cheol-soo took something out of his suitcase and handed it to Kang Yun-sik.
“what is this?”
“My mother made her own soybean paste and red pepper paste, and I brought some because I thought I would definitely need them while living abroad.”
“Wow!!!”
Kang Yun-sik exclaimed as if he really liked it.
“I’m already feeling a bit overwhelmed by this. I’ll eat it very well. Thank you very much.”
“Hahaha. What?”
As Kang Yun-sik got into the driver’s seat with a smile on his face, Lee Jun-hak, who was in the passenger seat, said.
“Are you good?”
“I’m so excited?”
“Become friends. It will be of great help to you later.”
When Kim Cheol-soo zipped up the suitcase, put it in the back trunk of the car, and got into the backseat, the two started talking about the Philippines.
“How is the Philippines these days?”
“Don’t even talk about it. We are all on edge right now because of the terrorist attack at Davao Airport in Mindanao.”
“There is never a quiet day in that neighborhood. Wasn’t there a bombing at the U.S. military base last year as well?”
“Yes. Because of that, nickel ore is not easy to transport.”
“Even Dongjin said that.”
“No luck.”
Expatriates.
This is an employee dispatched to a country where trade is active.
The Philippines is a country where ores, grains, home appliances, textiles, fruits, etc. are traded, and one or two expatriates are involved in all product transactions.
The main task is to immediately report to the headquarters any local incidents, changes in the prices of items traded at the headquarters, or any special issues that occur.
Like Kang Yun-sik, whenever local employees went on business trips, they had to do the necessary paperwork and provide vehicle pickup services, so it was no easy task.
However, because I handled a variety of items, I gained the ability to become an executive and head of the sales division in the future, and I was able to lead large transactions through various connections I made locally.
“How are you, Jesu?”
Kang Yun-sik smiled bitterly at Lee Jun-hak’s question.
“I went back to Korea.”
“Why? I understand that the company provides housing, a car, driver, housekeeper, and even expenses.”
“That’s what our men think. They say they’re going to die of frustration.”
“You really can’t speak English?”
“It’s not that problem. They just couldn’t bear living here. So I took the kids and went to Korea.”
“You said you were going to this international school, right? The company would pay for the education, right?”
“I just wish it was there. I don’t know. It’s the heart of women.”
“You still have one more year to go, right? Is that okay?”
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“Well, that’s right.”
Kang Yun-sik’s wife would be the kind of person who would be lively in a place like this.
Lee Jun-hak felt uncomfortable.
“Is there something else going on?”
“not really.”
Kang Yun-sik avoided answering while looking at Kim Cheol-soo in the rearview mirror, and Lee Jun-hak had a bad intuition.
“Well, okay. Have you done any research on the companies we’ll be consulting with this time?”
“Uh, I looked into all four companies, and they are actually operating companies. I’ll give you a written report when you get to the hotel, so check it out.”
“Yeah. Is there anything special?”
“I think it’s a bit weird to feed cockfighting Australian wheat, which is only used in high-end restaurants in the Philippines because of its high price. But that doesn’t mean they have a negative attitude at all, so it might be worth persuading them.”
“Right.”
Lee Jun-hak nodded, thinking about the data created by Kim Cheol-soo.
“Anyway, are you going straight to the hotel?”
“Shall we unpack first and have a drink? I’m a bit hungry.”
Kang Yun-sik called out to Kim Cheol-soo, who was quietly looking outside through the rear-view mirror.
“Cheolsu, do you want to eat something?”
“When I looked here, I heard that the pork skewers sold at local fast food restaurants called ‘Mang Inasal’ were amazing. And I think San Miguel (beer) would be great with Alimango cuisine.”
Kang Yun-sik giggled at Kim Cheol-soo’s brave answer.
“I did some research.”
Lee Jun-hak turned his gaze and looked at Kim Cheol-soo.
“You didn’t do any work and just looked for that?”
“No. I searched whenever I could.”
“It’s not a bad choice. There are usually fast food restaurants and seafood restaurants around Manila. What about Junhak?”
“Well, anything.”
“You’re a good deputy. You don’t know how to take care of such things.”
“is it?”
Lee Jun-hak laughed.
I have a suggestion
Kim Cheol-soo and his team held consultations with four buyers over two days.
There are approximately 10,000 cockfighting rings in the Philippines, with large stadiums holding thousands of spectators and some of the biggest fights even being broadcast on TV.
Sabon experts are more popular with the public than famous politicians, and large tournaments with huge prize money are sometimes held.
Just as Koreans love Toto and horse racing, Filipinos love Sabon.
Because it was legal gambling.
Buyers were fascinated by the videos and materials that Kim Cheol-soo had personally filmed.
The price of Australian wheat was approximately twice as high as that of other foreign products, but I thought it was not expensive if it contributed that much to the growth of chickens.
Considering the prize money received for participating in cockfighting competitions, there was a good possibility that cockfighters would invest money in this level of wheat.
Lee Jun-hak, who was watching the reactions of buyers while Kim Cheol-soo brought out data and gave an investment briefing, spoke quietly when Kim Cheol-soo returned after finishing his explanation.
“Tell them you’re negotiating with other places as well.”
“Yes, sir.”
There is something called the preemption effect.
Even if the same product can be made, the one that launches the product first is imprinted in the minds of consumers. This effect makes a significant difference later on.
Usually the buyer is in the upper position, but sometimes the situation is reversed.
When they heard that they were also negotiating with other companies, they discussed their opinions quietly for a while and then spoke to Kim Cheol-soo.
“Good. I like the item.”
Usually, it takes several weeks to several months after a consultation to make a purchase decision.
However, upon hearing that they were also negotiating with other companies, a simple verbal contract was signed on the spot.
“I’ll send you a formal contract and purchase order within a week.”
“Thank you. I hope our good relationship continues in the future.”
Lee Jun-hak and Kim Cheol-soo came out after shaking hands with the buyers, hugged each other and jumped up and down because they were so happy.
Although it is not a large amount, contracts were signed with all four companies, and approximately 30,000 tons were secured.
The margin was 4.5%, which was twice as high as the 2.1% margin obtained by connecting Australia and Saudi Arabia, so it was equivalent to securing a volume of approximately 60,000 tons.
Moreover, since we signed simultaneous contracts with four Philippine feed companies, we were able to secure additional supplies if we continued our relationship in the future.
“Damn! You’re really good! You make it seem like you’ve been doing this for decades?”
“Ah, no. It was possible because the assistant manager informed me well.”
“You’re better than me?”
“Ah… No, sir.”
“Be humble!”
“One handy max (30,000 ton) ship would be enough, right?”
“That’s enough. I knew things would turn out like this ever since you created the data, but I didn’t expect it to go this easily. We need to increase the trade volume and eventually reach Panamax (60,000 tons) size!”
“Of course! Of course!”
Kang Yun-sik, who was waiting in his car outside, approached them with a smiling expression.
“Did it go well?”
“Can’t you tell when you see?”
Kang Yun-sik clapped his hands together and loved it.
“It was my first time seeing you sign a contract with all four companies while I was stationed in the Philippines. Lee Jun-hak and Kim Cheol-soo. I’m really looking forward to the future, aren’t you?”
“To commemorate, I will buy you a drink today.”
When Kim Cheol-soo spoke, Lee Jun-hak shook his head.
“No. We are not so ruthless as to be beaten by a new employee. Today, I will shoot.”
“Shooting in Korea is expensive…?”
“It’s okay to be quick, man!”
Lee Jun-hak giggled happily, and Kim Cheol-soo checked the time and said as he picked up his cell phone.
“I will report to the team leader.”
“huh.”
Kim Cheol-soo called Ahn Jung-gyu.
– yes. This is Deputy Manager Ahn Jeong-gyu of Sales Team 5.
– Team leader, this is Cheolsu.
– huh! What happened?
– Verbal contracts have been signed with all four buyers.
– what? Really?
– yes. The total volume is 31,200 tons. Once a formal contract is signed and a purchase order is placed, details will be gradually coordinated.
– You bastard! Good job!
– no. manager. This assistant manager played many roles.
– Yeah, man! You both worked hard! Good job!
Even if the credit goes to Lee Jun-hak, the main character in this case was Kim Cheol-soo.
Kim Cheol-soo’s performance has not changed.
After hanging up the phone, Ahn Jeong-gyu approached Pyo Il-soo, who was looking at him with expectant eyes.
“This is success.”
Pyo Il-soo, who saw Ahn Jeong-gyu’s face full of laughter, called out for independence without hesitation.
**
“Separated? Why?”
Lee Jun-hak, who was drinking at the bar in the hotel, said to Kang Yun-sik.
While Kim Cheol-soo was away for a moment to go to the bathroom, Kang Yun-sik revealed the inside story.
But I didn’t say it exactly.
“It’s a bit weird because the environment is changing. Even if you come as an expatriate, you should never come to the Philippines. People who don’t have a girlfriend or wife should come here. It’s not a joke.”
Kang Yun-sik then gently pointed to the table on the other side with a nod, and Lee Jun-hak followed Kang Yun-sik’s nod and turned his gaze.
The pretty Filipino women sitting at one table waved lightly when their eyes met.
The s*x ratio in the Philippines, with a population of 100 million, was 6:4, with women overwhelmingly higher.
Almost 60% of men were unemployed because there were no jobs, and it was a matriarchal society where women took responsibility for the home. Because a white face is considered an indicator of beauty, East Asian men are very popular with Filipino women.
Especially Koreans, who are neither picky like the Japanese nor picky like the Chinese.
Lee Jun-hak quickly turned his gaze to Kang Yun-sik, because he could come this way if he just kept looking at him a little more.
Kang Yun-sik chuckled at Lee Jun-hak’s reaction.
“That’s why we insisted on a hotel bar rather than a downtown bar. Most of the women who come here are upper class, so they tend to hit on us less.”
“Oh, I forgot.”
Kang Yun-sik smiled bitterly, and Lee Jun-hak was curious about the shadow that fell on his colleague’s face, but did not ask any more questions.
No matter how close you are, there are private areas that you cannot talk about.
When Kim Cheol-soo returned a long time late, saying he was going to the bathroom, Lee Jun-hak asked.
“What did you do to be so late?”
“One Filipino woman was so attached to me that it took some time to separate her.”
“You didn’t go into the hotel room together?”
At Lee Jun-hak’s words, Kim Cheol-soo opened his eyes wide and shook his head.
“It’s not that serious of premature ej*cu!ation.”
Lee Jun-hak and Kang Yun-sik giggled at those words.
After drinking around 10 p.m., Kang Yun-sik went back, and Lee Jun-hak and Kim Cheol-soo returned to the hotel room.
The story is that Kang Yun-sik, who was rumored to be a lovebird couple among his classmates, is separating after becoming a resident employee. Manager Pyo’s story. And the wild goose dad that Kim Cheol-soo talked about.
It’s about eating well and living well, but if that happens, what’s the point of going abroad?
Lee Jun-hak, who was deep in thought, suddenly called Kim Cheol-soo.
“It’s Cheolsu.”
“Yes, sir.”
“What do you think about going to the expatriate?”
Kim Cheol-soo turned his head, looked at Lee Jun-hak’s worried expression, and then opened his mouth.
“I think it depends on the purpose.”
“purpose?”
“Yes. If your goal is to get ahead, I think being an expatriate is a good choice. However, if your goal is not to get ahead, it may not be a good choice. For example, if you want to succeed for your family, being an expatriate is not necessarily a good choice. I am like this too. “I heard rumors that there are many people who become estranged from their families after going to work abroad.”
“Of course.”
“I thought I would worry like you someday, so I looked into it, and I heard that an international school might open in Korea.”
Lee Jun-hak opened his eyes wide and said at Kim Cheol-soo’s words.
“okay?”
“Yes. As Korea’s financial market opened, many foreigners came in, and it is said that this is for the education of their children.”
“Aren’t only foreign children allowed?”
“It may be true at first, but considering Koreans’ passion for education, wouldn’t a system be prepared so that their own citizens can also enroll?”
Lee Jun-hak also nodded as if he sympathized with Kim Cheol-soo’s words.
“Maybe so.”
“If I were in your situation, I would choose a newly created team rather than an expatriate. Looking at what Assistant Manager Kang is doing, I don’t think it would be something even an expatriate would do. It feels like I’m working almost 24 hours a day when I go on a business trip.”
Lee Jun-hak burst out laughing without realizing it.
I’ve seen new employees work hard for a few days to look good at first, but I’ve never seen someone work like that consistently even after five months of joining the company.
“You bastard. You’ll be punished.”
After saying that, Lee Jun-hak fell into his thoughts again, and Kim Cheol-soo looked at Lee Jun-hak lost in thought, then buried his head in the pillow and closed his eyes.
**
“Oh, Inseong’s mom. It’s been a while.”
Jang Hye-young, who had some free time due to Lee Jun-hak’s business trip, sent Ji-hoon to daycare, did the overdue laundry and cleaned the house, and was trying to iron Lee Jun-hak’s shirt when she received a call from Park Shin-hye.
She was the wife of Lee Jun-hak’s colleague at his company, and she first met her husband at a group gathering.
Jang Hye-young was so happy that she started chatting naturally as soon as she answered the phone.
“What happened? Did something like that happen? Kindergarten these days can’t do it!”
Jang Hye-young, who was excited about her first phone call in a long time, finally pushed for a lightning meeting.
“Let’s meet and talk instead of talking over the phone. My house is close.”
“Is that so? I’ll see you around 3 o’clock then?”
“That’s right. Oh, by the way, I heard that Seohyun’s mom came to Korea not long ago. Shall we call her?”
“Deputy Kang’s wife? Are you talking about In-young? Oh my, Hye-young. Didn’t you hear that?”
Jang Hye-young stopped folding the laundry and focused on the story as Park Shin-hye’s fuss was heard over the phone.
“That house, which went to the Philippines as an expatriate, is now broken up. There are rumors that they will divorce soon. The women there won’t leave Korean men alone.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Ugh! And they said it was even worse because I was receiving entertainment from local people. They said the couple had a fight on a random day. Was it Seohyun? The daughter of that house was also very pitiful. What happened at such a young age?”
“Well..”
“Who knew something like this would happen to In-young? Oh, by the way, didn’t Hye-young’s husband say he was going to work as a resident worker?”
Jang Hye-young heard that Kang Yun-sik and Seo In-young had been in a relationship for nearly 10 years.
It was said that the reason they got married was because of Kang Yun-sik’s sincerity, who never turned a blind eye to her for 10 years.
“Ah… I’m still thinking about it, not yet. Nothing has been decided.”
“Really? Where shall we meet? Should I go towards their house now?”
“Oh… by the way! I’m sorry. I forgot that I have to go to kindergarten to pick up Jihoon. I don’t think lightning will work today, sorry. See you later.”
Jang Hye-young, who was lost in thought for a moment after hanging up the phone, took a wet tissue and neatly wiped away the slightly accumulated dust on the family photo frame.
I thought that if Lee Jun-hak went to work as an expatriate, he would have more free time, so his family would be closer to each other and he would be able to educate his children well, but I never even thought about this.
Then, while picking up the hot iron, I looked up and looked at the clock.
‘When did you say you would arrive in Seoul?’
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