“Hello, I’m Yoo Seoyoung.”
Seoyoung bowed politely before sitting down. Across the long table in the interview room sat three interviewers in a row. Two male interviewers on either side, and one woman seated between them.
“Please, sit down.”
The woman in the center gestured with precision. She was quite striking. Probably in her early to mid-fifties.
Her neatly trimmed salt-and-pepper bob, sharp yet composed gaze. The unadorned, clean tailored suit accentuated her sophisticated image. Seoyoung instinctively realized: this woman was the center of power here.
As Seoyoung took her seat, the male interviewer on the right spoke.
“As we informed you, according to company regulations, the interview process is being recorded. If you’re not selected, the video will be immediately destroyed. Do you agree to this?”
“Yes.”
Seoyoung answered while looking at the camera placed in the middle of the table. She could feel her fingertips trembling slightly. This wasn’t her first interview, nor was it her first time working for a defense company, yet the intensity of her nervousness was incomparable. Whether it was due to Bantech’s unique atmosphere or her desperate need to secure this position, she couldn’t tell.
“Yoo Seoyoung-ssi, I see you worked at C&K? And then as an executive secretary at RMT. That’s quite an impressive career for your age, isn’t it?”
“I started working as an intern during the second semester of my senior year in college, so my career is longer than my peers. At C&K, I worked in the defense security administrative support team, and after getting my executive secretary certification, I followed my executive to RMT.”
“You must have done a good job? Seeing as they took you along when changing companies.”
“I was fortunate to be well-regarded.”
“How did you end up working in the defense industry? I’m not trying to make a sexist comment, but isn’t this field rather rough for a woman to work in?”
The interviewer asked, twisting the corner of his mouth. The very statement that he wasn’t trying to make a sexist comment revealed that he had his own biases, but he didn’t seem to realize it. That’s fine. Not all interviewers would have perfect aptitude test scores, and it would be foolish to expect only high-level questions. Overcoming such challenges was a real test of skill.
“While it’s true that women’s participation is still low in this field, I’ve never thought of it as a ‘rough industry.’ First, I don’t believe gender should be a factor in matters of security and technology. Personally, I found great appeal in the defense industry, which is connected to national security. And…”
Seoyoung paused and looked at the woman seated in the center. With an unreadable expression, she was writing something on a tablet with a digital pen.
“Looking at the interviewer sitting there, I’m convinced that women can succeed in the defense industry as well.”
Seoyoung smiled the smile she had practiced hundreds of times in front of a mirror. The woman slowly raised her head at Seoyoung’s words. A flash of light crossed her previously expressionless eyes, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. Seeing that look of ‘See what I mean?’, Seoyoung felt a small sense of relief. At least she hadn’t been dismissed and had managed to catch the woman’s attention.
“You seem quite patriotic. You understand that even in a secretarial position, due to the nature of the defense industry, you’ll be exposed to sensitive information and need specialized knowledge, correct?”
This time, the question came from the other male interviewer.
“Yes. I’ve studied basic defense industry terminology and recent technological trends separately. I’m continuing to study diligently.”
“Is that so? Then what’s your view on the future of Korea’s defense industry?”
“Currently, the wars in Europe and the Middle East are developing as localized conflicts… therefore… I believe this is a time when bold and strategic investments are needed.”
“Can you give us a specific example?”
“For instance, with battlefields expanding to urban areas, border regions, and even maritime zones, I think it’s more important to invest preemptively in drones, laser interceptors, and AI-based battlefield analysis systems rather than focusing on traditional ballistic missile development. Especially—”
Although the question went beyond her job scope, Seoyoung answered without hesitation. She was confident, having studied materials and articles in this field daily since deciding to enter this industry.
Next came questions specifically about secretarial duties.
“What would you do if an unexpected situation arose while accompanying an executive to an external appointment?”
“How would you handle it if a friend or family member asked about sensitive information you learned at work?”
This is easier. After all, she had spent the last 8 months working as the executive secretary at RMT.
As Seoyoung answered without faltering, the male interviewers’ expressions became ambiguous. The female interviewer still maintained her impassive face while writing something. Just as Seoyoung began to feel somewhat tired, the woman spoke for the first time.
“Yoo Seoyoung-ssi.”
The woman’s voice had a quality that made people even more tense. Seoyoung perked up her ears, waiting for her next words. Given this woman’s exceptional presence, Seoyoung expected a special question. So far, they had asked professional and practical questions, so perhaps this time it would be something more philosophical or humanities-related…
“If the executive you serve makes advances toward you, what would you do?”
“Pardon?”
Seoyoung’s mouth fell open at the unexpected question. The male interviewers sitting beside her also showed clear signs of surprise, not expecting such a question. Nevertheless, the woman remained dignified, as if others’ reactions were irrelevant.
“That’s…”
She hadn’t expected such an outdated and frivolous question in today’s world. She was tempted to answer that she would resign or report it to the audit team to hold them accountable, but Seoyoung wasn’t foolish enough to say that out loud.
“I would hope such a situation wouldn’t arise.”
Forcing her trembling lips into a smile, Seoyoung added:
“But if something like that were to happen, I would recognize it as a confusion between professional and personal boundaries, and maintain appropriate distance.”
“How would you do that?”
“Excuse me?”
The woman continued her questioning, even with a slight smile. Seoyoung’s thoughts began to tangle. She had thought the interview was going successfully until now, but this one question made her feel like it could ruin everything. At that moment, the woman picked up her phone as if receiving a call.
“Yes, CEO-nim.”
CEO-nim. Hearing that word clearly, Seoyoung became even more alert.
“Yes. I understand.”
After hanging up, the woman looked at Seoyoung.
“Yoo Seoyoung-ssi, the CEO would like to meet you in person. Are you available?”
“Excuse me? Now?”
“Yes, now.”
The woman answered with a slight chuckle. Seoyoung’s heart began to race. She had come for an executive secretary position, but it hadn’t been specified exactly whose secretary. If the CEO wanted to see her, it was likely not for just any executive but for Sa Kangjun, the CEO himself. Without further thought, Seoyoung answered resolutely.
“Of course. I’m definitely available.”
***
The woman’s name was So Yujung. As the head of Bantech’s secretarial office and Sa Kangjun’s chief secretary, she had served Chairman ‘Sa Rin’ for a long time. No wonder her presence had felt extraordinary.
As Seoyoung entered the elevator with Yujung, the latter pressed the 19th floor and said:
“Your score was the highest among the interviewees. I relayed that to the CEO in real-time.”
“Ah…”
“So you can consider this a second interview.”
“Yes. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.”
While Yujung’s tone was businesslike, Seoyoung conveyed her gratitude sincerely. Making it this far meant she was virtually hired unless there was a serious disqualification. While Seoyoung’s thorough preparation had earned her the highest score, ultimately it was Yujung who had recognized her potential.
As the elevator doors opened, a corridor leading to the CEO’s secretarial office appeared. A male secretary guarding the area bowed his head at the two women. Presumably a working secretary, he was a young man with a pleasant, approachable expression.
“For security reasons, please leave your phone and bag here.”
At Yujung’s words, Seoyoung readily handed over her belongings. “This way,” Yujung quietly indicated with her eyes to follow behind her.
When the door opened, Seoyoung saw simple gray walls and restrained deep-gray furniture. On the display shelves behind the desk were military drone prototypes, a few handguns, and miniature models of tanks and missiles. The most striking and eye-catching exhibit was the man sitting in front of them.
“CEO-nim, I’ve brought Yoo Seoyoung-ssi.”
At Yujung’s announcement, the man sitting behind the desk raised his head. The focus of his deep, sharp eyes beneath his smooth forehead gradually shifted to Seoyoung. His lips curved pleasantly. As he straightened his back and approached her, Seoyoung saw a vision of crashing waves superimposed on his figure.
“It’s nice to meet you, Yoo Seoyoung-ssi.”
The man standing before her extended his hand with a smile. His demeanor was dignified, but his dark blue eyes contained an intense power.
“Hello, CEO-nim.”
Seoyoung suppressed the blue waves in her mind and took his hand with both of hers. The moment his large, smooth hand enveloped hers, she froze as if her entire body had gone numb. Barely managing to move her eyes, she saw the nameplate on the man’s desk.
CEO Sa Kangjun
“Our baby is hiding well.”
A warning disguised as affection. She recalled that adolescent voice that simultaneously revealed the duality of good and evil.
Hide well, your hair is showing. His humming sound danced on the waves.
Turning her head back, Seoyoung looked directly at Kangjun without wavering.
You weren’t the only one who saw me that day. I discovered something too. The name clearly embroidered in gold thread in the pocket of your school uniform.
Sa Kangjun.
“It’s truly an honor to meet you.”
That day, my mother returned as a corpse.
From that distant summer day where black waves mixed with bloody sunset until now, I have never forgotten you. I have walked for 17 years to meet you, whom I had sealed in the grandfather clock of my memory.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
