Chapter 3 (1/2)
Episode 3
‘(Shinjin Group)’
When Se-young entered the keyword and clicked ‘search,’ the items that filled the page appeared on the monitor.
– Ranked 2nd in the domestic financial rankings, and projected to reach 1st within the next 5 years due to their aggressive management style.
– In the worldwide market, the ‘Shinjin’ brand has overtaken European companies in North America, currently occupying third place.
– We work for the sake of everyone’s well being. Our business views employees as people, not as assets. Our company constantly strives to uphold the humanistic spirit of our founder!
Bringing the mouse back to the top of the page, Se-young entered a new keyword into the search bar.
*Tap. Tap tap tap.*
‘(Jang Seung-cheol)’
– The second son of the Jang family, Jang Seung-cheol, resigned from his position as head of the Barun-Jung law firm due to his children’s involvement in the academy assault scandal and went on a 2-year long sabbatical. So far, he has not made any comment on his father’s candidacy for President.
– With many seasoned figures attracting attention again, will Jang Seung-cheol, who has cultivated a strong political network, light the embers of a dying generation?
– Former Supreme Court Chief Justice, Jang Yong-hu announces his candidacy. Though he has no previous political experience, both the opposition leader and even the ruling party have expressed excitement at this new development.
– Upholding the generations-old tradition of integrity, Jang Seung-il, the firstborn son of the Jang family and current Prosecutor General quickly distanced himself from his father’s entrance into the political sphere.
*Tap tap tap tap.*
Se-young’s fingers flew across the keyboard.
‘(Blue Wing Media)’
– Despite operating for a mere 5 years, the company now stands toe to toe with nation-wide broadcast stations.
– Previously known as Chung-jang Daily, a local news agency, the company successfully rebranded their business, standing out as an exemplary model of change and growth.
– A different phase: The company is now the world’s top producer of content brands among younger consumers.
– Some netizens are still suspicious of the NIS’s support of the company, and there are concerns that the content portrayed is becoming more and more politically biased.
– The company encountered some difficulty two years ago after the firm head’s children were involved in the school violence scandal.
*Taptaptaptap.*
‘(Goodfield)’
– Goodfield’s rival, the ‘Nuri’orem’ company, is now moving in a new direction which has been generally evaluated to be a strategically sound and wise choice for their future.
– The first portal search service in Korean, ‘Nuri’orem’ has announced the termination of all operations. It will now focus on developing ‘FENCE’ – a service on social networking sites.
Nuri’orem’s actions were in reality, a response to Goodfield’s aggressive expansion. The SNS transition was not a sign of evolution, but one of regression. It was, for all intents and purposes, a last-ditch effort to save the company.
– Despite its late start, the Goodfield Portal Search Company has emerged as one of the largest, most aggressive groups in the search engine market, swallowing up similar companies with an insatiable appetite! As of now, it is virtually a monopoly! There’s no competition!
– Goodfield controls the flow of news, promotions, and even pop culture.
– The dark side of Goodfield: Controversies have emerged over Goodfield’s growing lead over other search services. Critics argue that Goodfield’s monopoly could negatively impact the quality of search results due to the lack of alternative marketing.
Se-young closed out of the numerous overlapping windows one by one with an expressionless face. He grabbed his phone, connected it to his PC through a USB cord, and opened an application named [F]. Eight users, each with a solid green profile photo, popped up. Se-young tapped the second line ‘Su-Jung, Jang.’
A series of notifications appeared on his screen.
“If you are not this user’s friend, there may be restrictions on what you are allowed to view”
“You are unable to access this due to post restrictions”
Se-young turned his gaze to the PC screen, focusing on a file with an ‘?’ as its icon stationed in the middle of the desktop.
Double Click.
The command window appeared with 4~5 lines of code running. Se-young redirected his attention to the phone screen. Suddenly, the notifications disappeared, and the post which had been labeled as “private” was now in full view.
Hee-Un: Yo! Su-Jeong-ah! Is your grandfather going to be president?
> Chang-Su: Did you guys see my uncle standing behind Su-Jung’s grandfather?