Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 149

Hiring international students as interns isn’t a project that helps a company quickly.

Even if the international students are good at design, it’s usually slower to hire and work with people from other countries than with local people.

Communication might be easy since these students are studying in Korea. But, corporate culture overseas is sure to be very different from that of Korea.

Woojin suggested this project to Professor Yoon because he wanted WJ Studio to become a global company in the future.

You can’t become a global company instantly. Having money and being big is not enough.

People won’t call you a global company just because you have offices overseas.

You need to keep making connections with other cultures. You need to understand different views and cultures and fit your company into them.

That’s how you become a truly global company.

So, hiring international students as interns through the university is one way to do this.

Also, if WJ Studio becomes famous and known around the world, it will be able to attract great designers from Europe and the United States as interns.

This is a smart move to help WJ Studio grow in the long run.

Professor Yoon Chi-hyung said he would think about Woojin’s idea.

“It’s possible,” he said. “I’ll talk to the president about it.”

“Thank you, Professor.”

“Don’t get too excited. Even if it works out, it will take at least a year to start.”

“Of course.”

Yoon Chi-hyung also thought it was a good idea.

Top studios in Europe or the United States might not be interested, but Korea has famous design studios too.

He thought international students would find them appealing.

If this went well, K University’s reputation would also get better. It would be a win-win situation.

“Thank you, Professor. I’ll talk to Bruno and get back to you.”

“Okay, thanks, Woojin.”

“You’re welcome.”

“But your grades are separate from this, okay?”

“Huh?”

“Being grateful is one thing, but if you just sleep in my class, you won’t get credit.”

“Ugh… I understand…”

Woojin finished talking to Professor Yoon Chi-hyung, scratched his head, and left the office.

Professor Yoon’s class about architectural design was the sleepiest class.

“The class is good, but how am I supposed to stay awake?”

But even though he grumbled, Woojin looked happy.

The plan for WJ Studio that he had thought up while talking to Professor Yoon was great.

‘Hehe.’

Of course, it would take a long time for WJ Studio to become a place that international students wanted to work.

In Korea, WJ Studio became famous because of the show , but…

That didn’t matter much to international students.

So Woojin decided again to make the pavilion in Wangsimni Parafield a big success.

Woojin’s thoughts were spinning in his head.

All the work he was doing would help him grow and reach higher places.

‘If is shown overseas, will we become more famous globally?’

Woojin shook his head, thinking that was a strange thought. He left the design department building.

He didn’t have much time before his liberal arts class, and he had to go to the engineering building.

*Thump, thump* went Woojin’s shoes on the path. A cool breeze from March touched his face as he walked across the university grounds. The air smelled fresh and a little bit like spring flowers.

“Whew,” Woojin sighed, “This wind feels great!”

Soyeon was waiting for him near the big engineering building. She had come early, like always. She was supposed to be exploring “natural science” with him today, whatever that meant. She grinned at him.

“Enjoy your exciting class about design?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Woojin just smiled back, ignoring her teasing. “Are you hungry?” he asked. “Let’s get some food.”

Soyeon looked surprised. “What?” she asked. “The class?”

But then…

“This week, classes are not really happening yet,” Woojin said.

Soyeon’s eyes widened at Woojin’s reasonable answer.

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Woojin grabbed her arm as she hesitated.

“I heard there’s a new rice and soup restaurant near the back gate that’s delicious,” he said.

“Rice and soup? Like an old man?”

“What are you talking about? I thought about what you like the most when I suggested it,” Woojin replied.

“Tch.”

“So, are you not going to eat? Am I going alone?”

“No. Let’s go. Actually, I know where it is. The sundae soup there is delicious,” Soyeon said.

“…”

That’s how Woojin skipped his first liberal arts class of sophomore year and had a warm day.

Jaeyeop had been feeling a little bored lately.

Being bored didn’t mean he wasn’t busy.

Jaeyeop was doing well, so he always had work to do.

But he was bored because nothing special or new was happening.

Life was just the same every day.

Suha, who was drinking coffee in front of Jaeyeop, felt the same way.

“Suha, is there anything fun happening these days?” Jaeyeop asked.

“Where would there be something like that? You know this already, so why are you asking?” Suha replied.

“Something unexpected. If that happened, life would be more interesting,” Jaeyeop said.

“You’re talking like you have everything,” Suha said.

The coffee shop where they were talking was Ria’s Cafe Fresco in Garosu-gil.

Ria, the owner, couldn’t come because she was busy. But everyone else was busy too, so they met for a short time with the people who could make it.

Jaeyeop was home today, and Suha had a commercial shoot in Apgujeong.

So they were able to meet in Sinsa-dong.

“There were some fun things happening until the end of the year,” Jaeyeop said.

“Yeah. The Christmas party was fun too,” Suha replied.

Ria’s Cafe Fresco was still crowded, but the rooftop was always empty.

Ria tried to keep it empty for important meetings or when friends visited.

Seokhyun and Jayden used that spot the most.

“I want to move to this neighborhood too,” Suha said.

“Gangnam is a good place to live,” Jaeyeop replied.

“That’s right. And there’s Ria’s hideout,” Suha added.

“I told you, why don’t you apply for the Cheongdam Summit?” Jaeyeop asked.

“I don’t have a bankbook anymore. I signed a contract for Mapo Prestige last time,” Suha replied.

“Ah, that’s right,” Jaeyeop said.

Jaeyeop took a sip of coffee and said, “Then wait for unsold units and sign a contract for one. Ria said she’s going to sign a contract too.”

Suha pouted. “Ria is rich,” she said.

“I know you’re doing well these days too. Isn’t the commercial you shot today a cosmetics commercial?” Jaeyeop asked.

“Hee hee, that’s true,” Suha replied.

Jaeyeop shook his head, looking at Suha’s wide grin.

He thought Suha was an actress with a lot of potential.

She had become very popular since , but he felt like that was just the beginning.

‘She’s a great character, but her acting is amazing,’ Jaeyeop thought.

He had seen her acting on set once and was amazed.

Even without cameras or sound, it felt like he was watching a movie.

So, when he saw Suha envying him or Ria, he wanted to flick her forehead.

He had a feeling that in a few years, he would be envying Suha.

“Let’s go sign a contract with the money you earned from that commercial, Im Suha,” Jaeyeop said.

“That would barely cover the down payment. I heard a 30-pyeong unit costs over 1.3 billion won?” Suha asked.

“The loan will cover the interim payment,” Jaeyeop replied.

“How am I supposed to pay the balance?” Suha asked.

“You can earn it by then. Or you can sell the Mapo house when you pay the balance,” Jaeyeop said.

“Huh? Is that possible?” Suha asked.

They talked about everything from houses to everyday life and the filming of .

Since they didn’t have any plans for the evening, they sat down and talked for a long time.

But they weren’t just killing time. They were waiting for someone.

“I think this every time, but is Seo Woojin a celebrity or something?” Suha asked.

“Are you talking about his schedule?” Jaeyeop asked.

“Doesn’t he seem busier than you or me?” Suha replied.

“I know. He’s making us wait,” Jaeyeop said.

“I told him to come earlier, and he said, ‘What can I do? It’s the start of the semester.’ I was speechless,” Suha said.

“Haha, hee hee. That’s right. Today is the first Monday of March,” Jaeyeop replied.

They were planning to have a drink when Woojin arrived.

The clock on the wall said 7:30, so Woojin should be arriving soon.

“I shouldn’t eat too many desserts, should I?” Suha asked.

“You ate all the cake by yourself. And now?” Jaeyeop replied.

“I was thinking about ordering one more piece,” Suha said.

“Hold it in. You have to save room for alcohol,” Jaeyeop said.

But then…

Before Woojin arrived, Jaeyeop’s phone rang.

Whirr!

The vibration was loud because the phone was on a stone table. Jaeyeop answered the phone and stood up.

“I’ll be right back. I’m going to take a call. Get ready to get up when Woojin comes,” he said.

“Okay. Take your time,” Suha replied.

Jaeyeop walked to a quiet spot on the rooftop with his phone.

After about five minutes, Jaeyeop hung up and returned with a strange look on his face.

“What’s wrong?” Suha asked, worried.

Jaeyeop frowned and sat down on the sofa. “I think what I said earlier has come true,” he said.

“What?” Suha asked.

“I said I wanted something unexpected to happen,” Jaeyeop replied.

Suha was a little embarrassed. “Y-yes, you did,” she said.

“The phone call was from my mom. She said there’s a problem,” Jaeyeop said.

“Huh?” Suha asked.

“The Cheongdam Summit that I bought from my mom…” Jaeyeop said.

“…?”

“My mom called me in surprise,” Jaeyeop said.

Suha looked worried. She didn’t know what was happening, but Jaeyeop looked very serious.

In this strange atmosphere…

Thud-

Woojin arrived late. “What’s wrong? Why is the atmosphere like this?” he asked.