Private Secretary – Episode 1
The interview had been surprisingly easy and pleasant, almost to the point of being anticlimactic.
Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed her acceptance had already been decided; the interview was likely just a formality.
Relaxed for the first time in days, Lee Seol cautiously asked,
“So… whom will I be assisting?”
“Uh… well…”
The conversation, which had flowed smoothly until now, suddenly hit a hiccup.
Was there a problem?
“Starting next week, a new director will join our Strategic Planning Office. He’s the youngest son of the Chairman and until recently was the head of our New York branch.”
Lee Seol nodded quietly, having already familiarized herself with this information.
“But the director’s public secretary has already been assigned.”
“…Already assigned?”
Lee Seol blinked in surprise. Not only was it unexpected to hear this when she was sure she’d be accepted, but the term public secretary particularly caught her attention.
So there’s a separate private secretary?
As if confirming her suspicion, the man hesitated before answering.
“Yes. That’s why we’re offering you the position of the director’s unofficial secretary.”
“….”
“To clarify the term ‘unofficial,’ don’t misunderstand—this position is officially hired by our company and you will work within the secretarial office just like any other secretary. The only difference will be in the nature of your duties.”
“May I ask how it’s different?”
“You will be responsible for the director’s personal matters.”
“…Excuse me?”
“While another secretary handles official business, you’ll oversee the personal aspects. For example, reserving places for private gatherings or purchasing gifts for friends—essentially managing the director’s private life, similar to a manager who’s on call 24/7 for a celebrity.”
Lee Seol fell silent, utterly unprepared for this unexpected responsibility.
Quickly, the team leader handed her a file containing the employment contract. He pointed to the top of the page.
“Here’s the salary. It’s at least double what you were earning at your previous company.”
“There’s also an incentive, separate from the salary. The director will determine this at his discretion.”
“So, depending on whether the director values my work, I might get a lot—or nothing?”
“If the director isn’t satisfied with you, you won’t stay long, but as long as you work here, you’ll receive payment.”
“….”
“Just so you know, our director is very strict. But the compensation matches. I checked with the New York branch where he used to work: the longest-serving secretary there stayed about two years and earned around $500,000 in incentives alone.”
Before Lee Seol could calculate how much that was in Korean won, the team leader answered for her.
“At the current exchange rate, that’s over 700 million KRW. Not including the salary—just incentives.”
“….”
Her jaw dropped. She couldn’t believe how significant the offer was. Lee Seol felt dazed, wondering how she had ended up with this opportunity.
Just two days ago…
“In the end, I’ve decided to close the business.”
“…Excuse me?”
“You know as well as anyone that my health is a bigger problem than the sales. I think I’ll just settle everything and live comfortably with the money I’ve saved.”
No words came out, though she wanted to speak. She waited politely.
“Isn’t there any chance you’d reconsider?”
“I’ve thought it through for a long time. I’m sorry.”
Lee Seol had joined the company immediately after graduating from college, following her parents’ sudden unemployment. She had worked diligently as the main support of the family ever since.
Being a secretary wasn’t too difficult—but most of her earnings went toward her parents’ hospital bills and living expenses, leaving her with no savings even at thirty. She would need to work nonstop for several more years, and now she was suddenly unemployed.
“But you’ve been an excellent secretary. I can introduce you to a friend of mine. He runs a pretty large company; here, take my card.”
The chairman handed her a card: Kang Shin-jae, Chairman of Hogan Group.
Hogan Group? The huge company that makes cars, airplanes, and even owns a pro baseball team?
Lee Seol turned the card over in disbelief. She couldn’t believe the chairman she had served personally was friends with the chairman of Hogan Group.
“I hear his son is coming to Korea soon. Until recently, he was the head of the New York branch.”
“…Chairman.”
“If you’re willing, I can write a recommendation for you. What do you think?”
“It was an honor to serve you, Chairman. I would appreciate the recommendation.”
“Don’t look so sad! You’re not going to die—you’re going to have fun. If you don’t want to, don’t. But you will do well; you’ll earn two to three times your current salary.”
Lee Seol’s eyes widened. On career forums, she’d often read about demanding bosses. She used to pity those who worked under them, never imagining she might face the same.
She felt a sudden fear—what if she got rejected despite the recommendation? What if she tarnished the reputation of the chairman who trusted her?
“Anyway, it’s been great working with you. Go see the world. Hoo-ee-hoo-ee.”
When Lee Seol officially ended her duties, she cried—a lot. Out of sadness, fear, and anxiety.
Day One as a Full-Time Job Seeker
Yesterday, she had a farewell gathering with the staff. It was the saddest farewell she had ever experienced.
She couldn’t rely solely on the chairman’s recommendation, so she also started searching for other opportunities. While scrolling job sites over a bowl of ramen, her phone rang.
“Hello, this is Lee Seol.”
Answering with her name had become second nature.
“Hello, Ms. Lee Seol. This is the HR Support Team at Hogan Group. We would like to schedule an interview for the secretary position. Are you available?”
“Yes, I am. Please let me know the available dates.”
Still rubbing her tired eyes, Lee Seol quickly realized the call was urgent. They proposed an interview just two days later. The moment the call ended, a text arrived with the time and location.
‘Wow… an interview at such a large company.’
It had been five years since her last interview, and her heart raced with nerves. She hurried to grab her laptop. Even though the interview would be conducted like a casual conversation, she felt better being prepared.
For the next two days, she felt like a new graduate again, excited and anxious at the same time.
Finally, the day of the interview arrived.
“…He received $500,000 in incentives in just the first half of the year,” Lee Seol murmured, stunned, as she listened to the explanation.
