Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols-Chapter 248: Innovation (2)

“Is it such a critical story that even Ms. Jukyung can’t hear it?”
The CEO asked with a smile.
What kind of opinion was the CEO expecting from me?
A suggestion box for affiliated artists’ opinions? Or the background behind drafting the negotiation proposal?
Whatever it was, it didn’t concern me. Because I had something else I wanted to talk about.
“Actually, I’m being cautious.”
“About what?”
“Because it involves money.”
The CEO flinched.
There were various ways for outsiders to learn about a company’s internal affairs. For large corporations or public enterprises, through public disclosures; for mid-sized companies, through corporate s; and for other companies, through National Pension Service indicators.
UA’s wage level was slightly higher than others in the same industry. However, this didn’t mean UA’s starting salary was high.
They invested heavily in a few experienced employees at the team leader level, but not in new employees. From what I confirmed in a recent job posting, it was exactly the industry average.
If the salary increase rate wasn’t high, the incentive system should at least be good, but UA wasn’t like that either. Since the number of personnel was small, it was not easy to get promoted.
In conclusion, UA was not attractive in the job market.
It was difficult for this kind of UA to attract excellent applicants. Salary, system, compensation… There wasn’t a single satisfactory point.
“Our company doesn’t have a high turnover rate, does it?”
“That’s right.”
“But it always takes a long time to hire new people. And the kind of applications the company wants don’t come in easily.”
“Are you close with the management support team staff too?”
No, you can find all this out just by looking at Job Planet and Wanted Outside.
“Everyone probably knows this, but I don’t think they’d dare say it to you, CEO, so I’ll say it now, using my status as a patient as a shield—the salary doesn’t match the caliber of talent the company wants.”
“Our starting salary is the industry standard, Iwol.”
“If I were under the assumption that the starting salary is the industry standard, I would aim for a large agency as much as possible. Or I would try a promising startup. At UA, it looks hard to build experience across diverse projects, or earn a title that would help in a career move.”
“…”
“I also think job titles are important. Staying a rank-and-file employee forever hurts your value in the job market. Right now, we’re lucky to have people like Ms. Jukyung helping us—but if they were to leave for career advancement, the dedicated team’s work wouldn’t run as smoothly as before.”
At my words, the CEO seemed lost in thought. He appeared to be thinking of a few long-serving employees, including Ms. Min Jukyung.
“I know how burdensome it is to suggest increasing labor costs in a company where labor costs make up most of the operating expenses. And if we raise new hires’ pay without adjusting existing salaries, there will be backlash.”
But good people don’t just roll in for free. Even if they do, if there’s no proper compensation, they won’t stay forever.
“I think it’s the same for the managers.”
“…”
“Manager Chanyoung takes care of us almost 24/7, doesn’t he? A regular office worker wouldn’t work that hard for that salary. If there’s a place that treats them even a little better than the industry standard, anyone would want to go there.”
People who failed to land jobs with major agencies or high-profile artists applied to UA, where all they needed was a standard driver’s license.
UA hired people who were willing to work for already-low pay, receiving only 70% of their salary during a three-month probation period. It was a recruitment where no one gained anything.
The CEO, who had been listening silently, asked,
“Then, Iwol, do you think adjusting the overall salary will solve these problems?”
“It’s not my ultimate goal, but to a certain extent, yes.”
“What is your ultimate goal then?”
“On the premise that HR-related corruption can be completely eradicated,  I think UA should be run on a 100% recommendation-based system.”
The CEO’s eyes widened.
“Not open recruitment?”
“No.”
UA was too small to talk about open recruitment.
“Other premises are also necessary.”
“Such as?”
“That only staff with proven competence remain at UA. That the working conditions are attractive enough to make people want to work here. And that the interview process functions properly.”
Job postings going forward should include a higher starting salary, and existing employees should renegotiate their salaries.
Those who were caught embezzling alongside Yoo Hansoo should be fired, even if it meant taking a hit in the short term. If personnel search support was needed during the dismissal grace period, I was willing to help. Since everyone danced without me when I went to the practice room anyway.
Once the personnel were established this way, then switch to an acquaintance recommendation system, and only conduct recruitment when there were no suitable candidates.
When interviewing through acquaintance recommendations or recruitment, at least two working-level staff members must be present as interviewers. Because what was important was the opinion of the people they would be working with.
After hearing everything I said, the CEO nodded as if he finally understood.
“So that’s why the negotiation proposal had such content?”
Spark had requested that when recruiting for the dedicated team and managers, either Ms. Min Jukyung or Manager Chanyoung must be included in the interview.
If it were up to me, I would have asked for both of them, but someone needed to stay at the company building.
The gist was that we needed to hire ‘people who have no personality issues and possess at least minimal job competency,’ not ‘people who will work without complaints even for low pay.’ That was why we kindly included an interview scoring sheet in the negotiation proposal.
I said with a smile.
“With all the managers working at UA, surely someone can introduce one reliable person?”
If the work environment and treatment improved, we could bring in verified people.
What I wanted was for those people, gathered like that, to continue working together in a good environment. Without constant staff turnover.
“My shoulders feel heavy.”
The CEO stretched. He looked very burdened.
“If it were a company with a high turnover rate, I wouldn’t have been able to say this.”
“Why?”
“Because an acquaintance recommendation system wouldn’t be able to handle the personnel vacuum. If you raise the starting salary but end up with more people who just work briefly and leave, it would actually be a loss. Even preparing for new hires costs money.”
“Is there anything you don’t know?”
Rather than that, these are the only things I know. You, CEO, probably know more about the entertainment business, so there’s no need to praise me.
“Since everyone likes UA, it would be even better if it changes in a slightly better direction… That’s my opinion.”
“Does that ‘everyone’ include you?”
The CEO asked.
At that moment, I felt like I had found the answer to the question I had.
The answer to why I didn’t hate UA as much as I did the Hanpyeong Industry.
UA, this company…
Is trying to change. For the people.
Maybe I’ve been waiting for that change for a very, very long time.
* * *
For a while, the inside of the company was incredibly noisy.
But we were holed up in the basement practice room—now off-limits to all employees due to a new regulation—so we didn’t really feel the impact of any of the changes. Honestly, it was kind of nice.
The Spark members finally let me join practice. Thanks to that, I no longer had to feel the guilt of being a freeloader. Though I did hear ‘Want to rest?’ every time I did a single turn.
Thanks to the manager paying special attention, we also had fewer direct interactions with the staff. Dotion became incredibly active, but if there was an urgent matter to vote on or a blind test was needed, the manager always acted as the intermediary.
‘Until a truly good person comes along, I’ll take responsibility for you guys.’
Ever since he said that, our manager had been putting effort into all sorts of things for Spark. I wasn’t sure whether to thank him or to tell him he didn’t need to go that far.
During break time, as I was sitting on the floor, Park Joowoo approached me.
Then, he gently rubbed my forearm, looking worried,
“…Hyung, you’ve lost a lot of muscle.”
“I haven’t been able to work out.”
“Still, don’t go to the gym for a while…”
Park Joowoo’s eyes were full of concern. Don’t worry, even if you ask me to go, the manager probably won’t give me a ride.
‘Actually, I don’t even need to go to the gym.’
There was already quite a bit of exercise equipment in the dorm. If I set my mind to it, I could get in a decent workout.
It was just… I hated that feeling of my blood pumping too fast.
So instead of staying active, I started eating less. I didn’t really have an appetite, so it wasn’t hard. With the choreography practices added in, I was slowly gaining muscle back.
As long as I didn’t make a comeback looking unkempt, it would be fine. If anything, I’d lost weight, not gained it. So for now I was safe… or so I told myself.
“Drink delivery has arrived!”
As I was massaging my forearm, longing for my lost muscles, Lee Cheonghyeon entered the practice room with a bright smile. In each of his hands was a drink carrier wrapped in plastic.
Choi Jeho was also visible behind Lee Cheonghyeon. It seemed he had opened the door from behind for him.
Choi Jeho looked a little tired. Lee Cheonghyeon must’ve been extra chatty today.
“Yogurt smoothie delivery for the hyungnims!”
Lee Cheonghyeon shouted as he approached, handing one carrier to Jeong Seongbin.
“Thanks. You went through trouble going out.”
“It was just a quick trip to the first floor.”
The other members also fumbled around in the carrier to find their drinks. From grapefruit ade to green grape kale juice, the variety was diverse.
These guys hadn’t ordered any caffeinated drinks at all since I collapsed.
On the first day I realized that, I told them there was no need for them to do so, but the guys were adamant.
‘It’s just, I don’t want any unfortunate incidents to happen.’
That was what Lee Cheonghyeon had said. I’d heard people who regularly drink coffee need a certain amount daily just to function.
Just as I was thinking I should tell them again soon to drink whatever they want, a drink of a familiar color caught my eye.
“Lee Cheonghyeon, what did you order?”
“Misutgaru. Mr. Kiyeon, want a sip?”
(Tl note: Mitsugaru = roasted grain powder drink.)
Light brown. A slightly heavy-looking texture. A thick straw. Faintly visible black dots floating.
And, an unbearable wave of nausea rising up.
“Cheonghyeon.”
My heart pounded like crazy. My breathing became ragged.
“I’m sorry, but could you not drink this?”
Without realizing it, my hand snatched Lee Cheonghyeon’s drink.
Everyone’s gazes turned to me. My hand holding the cup trembled.