Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 298

Like many people, Woo-jin greeted each new year by thinking about his goals for the next twelve months.

In 2010, his goal was to get used to school and enjoy studying architectural design. In 2011, it was to establish WJ Studio. In 2012, he wanted to create his own unique designs, and in 2013, he aimed to successfully launch WJ Studio’s architectural brand.

Woo-jin’s goals were always an extension of his current work, serving as a guide to find a better path.

So, as 2014 began, Woo-jin’s main goal was ‘reflection.’

He had achieved a lot by only looking ahead, but now he needed to organize what he had accomplished by looking back.

WJ Studio and the brand ‘Designer Seo Woo-jin’ had grown so much that he felt overwhelmed. He realized he couldn’t keep up if he kept running forward without stopping.

He saw this as a time to rest and lay the foundation for WJ Studio’s future growth.

Woo-jin’s biggest concern was how to lighten his load to fly further and higher.

‘What tasks are truly essential and can’t be replaced?’ he wondered.

That’s why he immediately started recruiting Park Kyung-wan, someone he had been considering, as soon as the new year began. He needed someone trustworthy and open-minded who also understood construction sites as well as he did.

[I just finished the interview with the CEO,]

Woo-jin said, “So, have you decided?”

[Yeah, man. Hoo….]

“Why? You sound unhappy….”

[Unhappy? It’s not that.]

“Then what is it?”

[I just feel unsure.]

“Unsure?”

[It feels too good to be true, like there’s a catch.]

“A catch? From whom? Me?”

[Never mind, never mind.]

Kyung-wan was a proven talent who could take over many of Woo-jin’s responsibilities. Woo-jin knew he would be a valuable asset.

“So, when can you start?” Woo-jin asked.

[My CEO approved the transfer, so I can start right away. But it’ll take some time to hand everything over, right?]

“We have our personnel changes in May anyway,” Woo-jin replied.

[Oh, really?]

“Just come before then.”

[Alright. That’s plenty of time.]

“Finish the handover quickly, and take a month or two to rest.”

[Why are you being so nice? It’s unsettling.]

“Because once you join, you’ll be working on a very ‘special’ project.”

[Damn. I feel like I’m making a mistake….]

Kyung-wan wasn’t the only person Woo-jin recruited directly.

Min-sun, who had worked with him on the Magok Convention Center project, was also a priority. She couldn’t replace as many of Woo-jin’s roles as Kyung-wan, but she could make up for some of his weaknesses. Plus, she had endless potential for future growth.

“By the way, why did you suddenly want to have dinner?” Min-sun asked.

“Well, because… I have something to discuss?” Woo-jin replied.

“A date? Is that it?”

“N-no, it’s not that….”

“Aww, that’s too bad. So, what is it?”

“How long do you plan to be a freelancer, Min-sun?”

“Hmm…?”

“I’m thinking of starting a new exhibition design division, and I need a design director for it.”

“Okay.”

“Yes? What is?”

“Aren’t you offering me a job?”

“I am.”

“So, I said okay. Do you have the employment contract with you?”

“Well….”

“Bring the contract. I’ll sign it.”

“Aren’t you going to listen to the conditions before you sign?”

“CEO Seo will have taken care of it.”

“……”

“You said I’d be the exhibition design director, right?”

“Yes, I did.”

“I already know the salary range at WJ Studio. A director-level position should pay quite well.”

“How do you know that?”

“I looked it up when I was going to apply for a job here before.”

“……”

“I was waiting for you to call, but it took a little longer than I thought.”

“……”

And the last person to receive a job offer from Woo-jin was Jayden Taylor, the future star designer who would graduate on the same day as Woo-jin.

It was a somewhat unusual recruitment.

“Jayden.”

“Wassup, bro?”

“Tell me honestly, are you British, or are you Korean?”

“What are you talking about, Woo-jin?”

“I’m saying you seem to be getting better at English.”

“Oh. Woo-jin. Are you making fun of my English?”

Woo-jin had thought a lot about this.

Jayden’s design sense and potential were clear from his freshman year.

But Jayden also had considerable risk. Woo-jin knew that if he hired Jayden like a regular employee and tried to make him adapt to the company, he would leave in less than two months.

Jayden couldn’t fit into any framework or rules.

‘Just look at when he was an intern at Bruno’s studio….’

But Woo-jin didn’t want to miss out on Jayden’s talent. He believed that Jayden’s unique way of thinking and outstanding design potential came from his free spirit.

“Jayden, what are you going to do after graduation?” Woo-jin asked.

“After graduation? Of course, I have to design.”

“Are you going back to England?”

“What are you talking about? I would never betray you, Woo-jin.”

“What?”

“A founding member of WJ Studio can’t just go back to England.”

“……”

“Because then you’ll be too sad.”

So, after much thought, Woo-jin made Jayden a proposal: a position that would accommodate his free spirit while still fitting him into WJ Studio.

He decided to create a position that suited him.

“So, Jayden.”

“Yes, sir.”

“How about starting to draw blueprints from tomorrow by coming to the design team?”

“What? Blueprints?”

“The beginning of architectural design is blueprints, right?”

“What are you talking about? I never said that.”

“It was written on your graduation project panel, wasn’t it?”

“……”

“Let’s see… I should be able to find it in the graduation exhibition catalog….”

“Damn it. Woo-jin. Why are you tormenting me?”

Woo-jin wanted to embrace the designer Jayden without breaking the rules of WJ Studio.

“Then what kind of design do you want to do?”

“It’s not that I hate blueprints, Woo-jin.”

“Then?”

“I just hate copying blueprints that someone else designed.”

“Does that mean you want to be a Director?”

Woo-jin wasn’t hiring Jayden, but ‘investing’ in him.

“I know it’s very unrealistic.”

“Really?”

“I guess there’s no case where a college graduate becomes a Director, not just in Korea, but anywhere in the world.”

“You know it well.”

“So, actually, after graduation, I was thinking of working as a freelancer for a while.”

“Freelancer?”

“I was thinking of taking my portfolio and asking the professor to get me some work.”

“Oh, Professor Jo Woon-chan’s project?”

“That’s right, Woo-jin.”

Woo-jin smiled as he watched Jayden talking seriously for the first time in a long time.

He realized that Jayden wasn’t as out of touch with reality as he had thought.

‘Well, that’s why he succeeded.’

So, Woo-jin brought up the idea more comfortably.

“Then, Jayden.”

“Tell me, Woo-jin.”

“How about getting some projects done and then getting an investment from me?”

“Hmm…? Investment?”

“Even if you work as a freelancer, you need a team to get bigger jobs, right?”

“Are you talking about a design team?”

“That’s right.”

“After Professor Jo Woon-chan’s project is over, I’ll invest in you.”

“……!”

“Use that money to gather people and build a team.”

“Is that really true, Woo-jin?”

“If you build a good team, I might be able to pass on some of the work that comes into WJ Studio.”

WJ Studio was now a well-known and large company. Countless projects were being commissioned, but even WJ Studio couldn’t handle them all.

In particular, it was hard to entrust small projects due to the company’s size.

If Jayden built a design team and gained experience, Woo-jin planned to give him those jobs and help him grow.

“Bloody Hell!”

“What, do you hate it?”

“No way! You’re crazy, Woo-jin! Crazy!”

“Why are you being so weird?”

“It seems like you know me better than my dad does.”

“……?”

“Actually, I fought with my dad yesterday.”

“Why?”

“I asked him if I could start a studio, and my dad said…”

“Said what?”

“Don’t talk nonsense and go to WJ Studio as an intern and learn from Woo-jin.”

“…….”

Woo-jin didn’t give Jayden unconditional favor.

He planned to invest only if he thought Jayden had enough experience and skills while working on Professor Jo Woon-chan’s project.

Professor Jo Woon-chan’s project would take at least two years, so he thought Jayden would be able to build a design team after that time.

If Jayden suddenly wanted to start a studio now, Woo-jin would react the same way as Jayden’s dad.

But Jayden was excited, and Woo-jin smiled as he watched him.

‘I hope Jayden grows up quickly. That way, I can add ‘Chief Designer of WJ Studio’ in front of ‘Star Designer Jayden.’’

Time passed quickly.

The week after making the offer to Jayden, February arrived, bringing Woo-jin’s graduation ceremony.

He didn’t give the graduation event any special meaning.

Even after graduating, Woo-jin’s daily life wouldn’t change much.

After the graduation ceremony, Min-sun joined WJ Studio.

WJ Studio’s personnel change was in May, but since the exhibition design part was a new department, Min-sun didn’t have to wait.

Woo-jin had been working hard since the beginning of the year, reorganizing the company, recruiting talented people, and improving the structure.

As he spent his time so busily, the new year was already approaching May.

As February arrived, bringing with it his graduation and Min-sun’s arrival at WJ Studio, Woo-jin felt a sense of satisfaction. He had taken the first steps in his plan for ‘reflection’ and growth. Now, with Kyung-wan, Min-sun, and soon, Jayden on board, he felt ready to face the challenges of the new year and take WJ Studio to even greater heights.