The Overly Competent Junior Employee

In the stock market where Dokyung participated as a market player, the annual money flow amounted to 3,950 trillion won.

Most people rarely encounter the numerical unit “quadrillion” outside of learning numbers.

However, in this stock market, an unimaginable amount of money was directly changing hands, and naturally, where money gathered, ancillary businesses were bound to flourish.

“I hear your name floating around Yeouido these days.”

Among these were cancerous entities related to illegal stock tip rooms or illicit trading, while on the other side, businesses targeting the growing number of individual investors were also on the rise.

“Who? The PB coming on today?”

“Yeah, there’s this Vice President Sim Ju-won at Yuseong Investment Securities, and it’s a PB he recommended.”

For individual investors, colloquially known as “stock newbies,” YouTube was the most accessible channel for investing in stocks.

These channels provided information about the stock market to individual investors, securing numerous subscribers and making money in the process.

As a result, competition to provide higher quality content to individual investors intensified daily, and those who survived this competition could create substantial added value by securing tens or hundreds of thousands of subscribers.

“Sim Ju-won was my batch mate when I joined the company.”

“With you, Pro Yang?”

TN: “프로님 (Pro-nim)” is a respectful title often used in sports, gaming, or professional fields to refer to someone as a “pro” or expert. The “-님” suffix adds a level of formality and respect.

“Yeah, here I am doing YouTube, while that friend survived and became a vice president.”

“Come on, you make more money than him. Why are you talking like you have regrets?”

“Hahaha, I’m just joking. Anyway, he’s not one to talk about the company, but lately he’s been bragging about employees too.”

Two hosts of “Men Who Read Stocks,” the YouTube channel boasting the highest number of subscribers at 2.3 million, were chatting.

Among them, Yang Dae-sun, known as Pro Yang, was from a securities firm background and had extensive connections in the securities industry.

With his unique network, he provided high-quality guests and content to subscribers, quickly becoming Korea’s top stock YouTuber in a short period.

“I hear all securities firms are struggling these days, but Yuseong seems to be doing well?”

“Pro Park, you know too, just look at how our subscriber count is going lately, and you can tell how the stock market is doing.”

Even YouTubers creating added value in the stock market were feeling the market’s poor performance, reflected in their stagnant or declining subscriber numbers.

Park Sung-jin, known as Pro Park, was a former TV program host who played the role of a stock newbie on their channel.

“That’s right.”

“But if true professionals like Sim Ju-won are walking around with big smiles, doesn’t that mean Yuseong is doing well right now?”

“How about it? Are they doing well?”

“Seems like it. He’s not one to make empty talk… Now that I’m doing YouTube, he even mentioned that their company’s YouTube channel is doing well these days.”

“Come on, if a securities firm’s YouTube was doing well, would they give us ads?”

Park Sung-jin snorted. Securities firms were spending large sums on advertising on their channel because their own YouTube channels weren’t performing well.

“No, I was curious too, so I checked it out, and there were some really interesting contents. They edited their mock investment competition video like a cable channel audition program.”

“Ah, right. Our PDs were telling me to watch that too. I didn’t have time to see it.”

“The PB coming on today is the one who won that competition.”

“I see. I was wondering why you suddenly called a panelist I’ve never heard of.”

“Hahaha, I was surprised you didn’t question it.”

“Well, everything you’ve planned has worked out so far, so I trusted you.”

The channel’s growth was primarily due to Yang Dae-sun’s planning skills.

“He spoke well. And it just so happens that Kim PB, who was supposed to read the market conditions today, said he couldn’t make it due to field work. It’s another jackpot, a star PB after many years…”

“It’s good to try different people. It’s nice when fresh faces appear.”

“The guest has arrived.”

As the two were talking, the PD called out, and a young man entered the studio.

“Oh, welcome.”

Yang Dae-sun extended his hand with a welcoming smile.

“I’m Yang Dae-sun.”

“Hello, thank you for having me. I’m Yoon Dokyung from Yuseong Investment Securities.”

As soon as the market closed, Dokyung had rushed to Seoul.

He had occasionally heard that for PBs, the “Men Who Read Stocks” channel was called a dream channel.

The 2.3 million subscribers were impressive, but more importantly, over 100,000 people watched this live broadcast daily.

Even if just 1% of those 100,000 viewers became interested in the PB appearing on the show, it could lead to direct client acquisition. Being invited to appear on such a channel as a junior PB was indeed what one might call unexpected fortune.

“The market wasn’t great today, so the chat might be a bit hostile.”

As Yang Dae-sun spoke with a worried expression, Dokyung nodded slightly. He had already experienced such atmospheres countless times.

“You don’t think this is something you’ve experienced before, right?”

Park Sung-jin asked, observing Dokyung’s expression.

“Pardon?”

“In the office, people can’t say such harsh things face-to-face, but here, the spiciness is nuclear fire chicken level.”

Park Sung-jin looked at Dokyung with genuine concern.

“It’s alright. I’m quite familiar with the spiciness of internet communities.”

“Really? Well, that’s a relief. It breaks my heart when PBs come here and leave hurt.”

“We’re ready to start.”

At the PD’s words, Dokyung, having finished greeting the hosts, took his seat and looked around the studio. It was more impressive than he had expected.

In the past, stock traders used to live with cable TV economic channels on, but now he could see why everyone was turning to YouTube with facilities like these.

It was as systematic and professional as a broadcasting station studio.

“Whew…”

Dokyung took a deep breath, seemingly nervous, and wiped his sweaty palms on his pants.

“Live broadcast in 30 seconds.”

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Park Sung-jin, co-host of “Men Who Read Stocks,” was watching the PB summarizing today’s stock market conditions right before his eyes.

“Despite the decline in the U.S. market, our market started off well today due to individual company earnings reports. However, due to selling pressure from foreign investors and institutions, it showed strength in the morning but weakness in the afternoon…”

Although he had said it was his first live broadcast, he was briefing the market situation without any sign of nervousness.

‘Didn’t they say he was a new employee…?’

Park Sung-jin looked on with curiosity. It was impossible to find any trace of nervousness in this junior PB, even though he was on a live channel with over 100,000 viewers watching.

“Due to macro issues, the overall market is expected to remain sluggish, and now we should focus on individual companies…”

Park Sung-jin, who had been staring blankly at Dokyung, snapped back to attention as Dokyung’s briefing ended, realizing it was his cue to step in.

“PB Yoon Dokyung’s briefing was really crisp and clear.”

“See, I told you he’d do well.”

Yang Dae-sun laughed heartily at Park Sung-jin’s words. The two acted as if they had distinct roles.

Park Sung-jin seemed to play a critical character representing the viewers, while Yang Dae-sun appeared to take on a gentler character, as if representing the guest to protect them from malicious comments.

“No, everyone. This guy, you know. He beat out all the formidable employees and won Yuseong Investment Securities’ in-house mock investment competition.”

Yang Dae-sun, a senior in the industry, spoke as if promoting Dokyung to the viewers on his behalf. From Dokyung’s perspective, having a host like Yang Dae-sun made things more comfortable.

At Yang Dae-sun’s words, comments expressing interest flooded the chat.

“You mentioned that at the beginning too.”

Park Sung-jin said this and then turned to Dokyung.

“You mentioned macro issues, could you explain that in more detail?”

Park Sung-jin, true to his role of representing stock newbies, asked for a simpler explanation of what might be difficult to understand.

“Not just our market, but markets in developed countries like the U.S. and emerging markets that include countries like ours are all declining due to the issue of global inflation.”

“Ah, so macro means… the stock market will be unstable because of inflation?”

Dokyung smiled and nodded at Park Sung-jin’s concise summary.

“That’s correct.”

“Then do you think the market will continue to be poor?”

Dokyung pondered for a moment before answering Park Sung-jin’s fundamental question.

“I can’t predict the market. It’s too volatile.”

“Come on, don’t be like that…”

“However, even in this difficult market, the viewers watching this broadcast now can’t leave the market and must continue to invest.”

Dokyung wanted to say something helpful to the viewers who were active market participants.

The viewers might be watching this broadcast today because they needed a place to vent their frustrations due to poor market conditions, or they might be watching out of desperation, unable to see any answers.

“At times like these, we should turn our attention to individual companies.”

“That’s the same thing everyone who comes here says. Do you have anything different to tell us?”

Park Sung-jin looked at Dokyung with an expression of frustration.

“The truth is, for stock newbies like me, even if you tell us to look at individual companies, we don’t know how or which companies to look at.”

“Yes, I’ve prepared to talk about what might be a methodology for approaching companies.”

Dokyung nodded and pulled up the materials he had prepared on the laptop in front of him.

“I watched yesterday’s broadcast, and there was content predicting whether Future Electronics would acquire NDP, a European semiconductor company, or Onlogic, an American semiconductor company.”

The two hosts nodded at Dokyung’s words.

“Looks like you watched yesterday’s broadcast.”

“Yes, I watch often. Anyway, in this case, Pro Park, which company’s stock would you buy?”

As Dokyung turned the question back to him, Park Sung-jin was momentarily at a loss for words.

It wasn’t that guests had never asked him questions before, but this was the first time a guest had asked a question that made him wonder whether he should break his act or answer as if he were truly clueless, fully immersed in his stock newbie persona.

“Um… well. Would it be wrong to buy Future Electronics?”

“Come on, man. If Future Electronics acquires one of the two, the acquisition cost will be enormous, and they’ll have to invest even more money. How could their performance improve?”

Yang Dae-sun, who had been watching, spoke to Park Sung-jin as if scolding him.

This was a common scene in this broadcast.

“Then what about you, Pro Yang!”

“I’d side with the European one. They have proper design. The American one is too…”

Dokyung smiled slightly at the two’s conversation and began to speak.

“I actually think we should take a closer look at Onlogic in the U.S.”

“Onlogic?”

Park Sung-jin asked, surprised. In yesterday’s broadcast, they had introduced two companies rumored to be acquisition targets for Future Electronics.

However, both the guest who provided the explanation and everyone else thought that if it were the future, they would prefer the European side.

“Of course, as Pro Yang said, NDP in Europe is more attractive and technologically advanced, but we should focus on the fact that it’s in Europe.”

Dokyung switched screens to display his data.

“If you look at the screen, these are the recent merger and acquisition approvals issued by the European Commission.”

“Wow, they’re all rejections.”

When our companies also acquire other companies through mergers and acquisitions, they need to obtain approval from the relevant country.

This was because antitrust laws differed from country to country.

“Yes, the European Union, or EU, conducts extremely tight reviews. Not just for our companies, but even giant American companies consider the EU antitrust authorities’ review as the biggest hurdle when acquiring companies.”

The two hosts focused on Dokyung’s words with interest.

“If you combine the market share of Future Electronics’ semiconductor division and NDP in the European market, it exceeds 60%.”

“Ah, so the antitrust authorities’ approval will be strict?”

“Yes, on the other hand, looking at Onlogic in the U.S., they recently recruited a restructuring expert as CEO.”

As Dokyung said this, Park Sung-jin snapped his fingers.

“Restructuring?”

“Yes, why do you think they’re restructuring?”

“To make themselves look good.”

As Yang Dae-sun summed it all up, Dokyung smiled and nodded.

“That’s right. Typically, target companies want to streamline unnecessary parts of their organization before negotiations with the acquiring company to receive a fair valuation. It seems Onlogic has been doing such work recently.”

“That’s textbook, absolutely textbook.”

Yang Dae-sun clapped his hands, looking at Dokyung as if impressed.

“This is the textbook approach to company analysis. Everyone, this is how you should approach it. We’ve learned something today that you can’t learn anywhere else.”

“Wow, I really feel like I’ve learned something.”

Park Sung-jin looked genuinely moved.

“It felt like my insight just expanded.”

“Similar issues have been emerging in our market recently. At times like these, I recommend not following where the masses go, but betting on the side you’re confident in after studying the company yourself.”

“Wow, look at the super chats pouring in.”

The chat was filled with real-time donations.

“User ‘Ttor’ has donated for our PB Yoon’s coffee money.”

“Thank you.”

As Park Sung-jin read out the donation content, Dokyung bowed his head in gratitude.

As the hour-long live broadcast, which felt both short and long, came to an end, Park Sung-jin approached Dokyung and extended his hand.

“The response to today’s broadcast was really good. Our viewers have been grumpy lately because the market’s been bad, but the atmosphere was good today. Thanks to you.”

“Not at all. I’m the one who should be grateful for this great opportunity.”

“Hahaha, PB Yoon might have to take his office phone off the hook tomorrow.”

Yang Dae-sun, who had apparently become comfortable with Dokyung, approached with a proud expression and tone.

“Anyway, good job today. The appearance fee will be paid within a week.”

“Yes, thank you both.”

“Come on the show often.”

“Of course. If Pro Yang calls, I’ll come running barefoot.”

“Hahaha, this guy.”

Dokyung shook hands with the two, saying goodbye, and left the studio. Watching his retreating figure, Park Sung-jin turned to Yang Dae-sun and spoke.

“Did you see how his expression changed the moment the camera started rolling, even though he was so nervous before the broadcast?”

“We had kids like that in our day too. Quiet and reserved at the company, but as soon as they got on a cable stock channel, they’d fly. But do you know what happened to those kids?”

“What happened?”

“They became star PBs like Sim Ju-won at Yuseong Investment Securities, then went to headquarters and became executives.”

Park Sung-jin nodded as if he could relate to Yang Dae-sun’s words.

“Pro Yang.”

“What? You’ve had this incredibly moved expression for a while now.”

Yang Dae-sun chuckled as he looked at Park Sung-jin.

“You know that thing we do on weekends? The one with Dr. Jo Hyun-seok?”

“Yeah?”

“How about changing the content to a debate?”

“A debate?”

“Yes. Let’s put Yoon Dokyung on the opposing side. I think it would make for a nice picture.”

Yang Dae-sun’s eyes widened as if asking if he was serious, and Park Sung-jin nodded with a smile.