Chapter 10
We stepped into the executive elevator, guided by Harin and two staff members from the PR team. The elevator was larger than any I'd seen before—its walls were lined with smooth bronze panels, the floor covered in dark velvet carpeting. Soft music played overhead, something classical and slow, and a faint floral scent filled the space.
A small voice rang out from the panel, "Access granted. Executive floors."
The elevator glided upward so smoothly it felt like we weren't moving at all.
When the doors opened, a few gasps echoed behind me.
The executive floor looked like a five-star hotel and an art museum had been combined into one. The carpet was deep blue with gold trim, and wide hallways stretched in both directions, decorated with elegant paintings, flower arrangements, and crystal lighting fixtures that sparkled softly.
"This way," Harin said gently, leading the group to the left.
"This is the executive wing," Harin said, her voice echoing softly as we stepped out. "Only high-level employees and management have access to this floor. It's where the most critical decisions in the company are made."
I walked behind her with the group, trying not to stare too hard. The hallways were wide and spotless, lined with glass walls and elegant black frames. Each office looked like something from a business magazine—neatly organized, filled with books, models, large screens, and quiet professionals moving in and out with files or reports.
Harin slowed down near a glass wall on the left.
"This section belongs to the Strategic Planning Division. These are the people who oversee the company's long-term direction—five-year goals, expansion projects, and how we allocate major budgets."
She pointed toward a conference room where a large blueprint was spread across the table, surrounded by a team of men and women deep in discussion.
"The man sitting at the head of the table is Director Kim Minjae. He led Nara's recent smart city development in Incheon and was one of the key figures behind the company's entrance into overseas construction markets."
Some students began whispering and scribbling into their notebooks.
"Smart city?"
"Overseas markets?"
We walked further.
"On this side," Harin continued, "you'll find our Construction Operations Office. This is the backbone of Nara Group's traditional business."
She gestured to a large display of miniature city models and high-rise buildings. "Our company started with construction over sixty years ago. These models show some of our most iconic projects—apartment complexes, bridges, airports, and even underground tunnels. Nara's construction work can be found in almost every major city in Korea."
We passed by another section where digital screens showed live feeds from various construction sites.
"These are our real-time project monitoring panels. We use them to check the progress of major developments and handle on-site issues as they happen. Though we're not a tech company, we do use technology to support our fieldwork and safety systems."
The students looked impressed. A few pressed their noses closer to the glass, watching a crane move across a massive site on one of the screens.
"Right now," Harin said, "we're working on a new high-speed rail station in Busan, a mixed-use complex in Jeju, and a housing development in Sejong. Each project employs thousands of workers across different teams—engineers, architects, site managers, logistics coordinators. It's a huge operation that requires close teamwork and constant communication."
We moved to another department across the floor.
The walls here were lined with architectural models of skyscrapers, airports, and stadiums. The lighting was soft, and everything looked like it belonged in a museum.
"This area belongs to our Development and Real Estate Division," she explained. "Their job is to design large projects—like city blocks, luxury condominiums, shopping centers, and government buildings. They research land value, traffic flow, environmental impact, and long-term use before finalizing any plan."
Inside one of the rooms, I noticed large satellite maps and topographic diagrams spread out under clear boards. Staff walked back and forth with blueprints, site permits, and scale models of future neighborhoods.
"This team also works with the government for public infrastructure projects," Harin added. "It's one of our biggest responsibilities. In some cases, we're in charge of the roads and bridges you drive over every day."
After nearly an hour, she guided us to the financial side of the company.
"This is the Finance and Investment Division," Harin said. The room was lined with LED world clocks showing New York, London, Singapore, and Seoul. A huge ticker tape displayed currency exchange rates and commodity prices.
People sat at wide glass desks, staring at screens filled with stock charts, balance sheets, and financial models.
"This department handles investment for both domestic and international projects," Harin explained. "Everything from budgeting billion-dollar ports to issuing global bonds is coordinated right here."
A young woman approached us in a white blouse and thin-rimmed glasses.
"This is Manager Hwang. She's responsible for handling over a dozen subsidiaries' financial health."
"Welcome," Manager Hwang said politely. "You've come on a good day. We're monitoring a live auction for overseas railway contracts."
She gestured to a massive screen showing live bidding updates from an international contractor platform.
"Wow…" one student whispered.
"I feel like I shouldn't even be breathing the air here," another said.
"Any questions so far?" she asked, stopping in the wide lounge at the end of the hallway.
There was a brief silence.
Then Kang Dohyun stepped forward.
"May I ask something?" he said politely.
"Of course," Harin said, giving him her full attention.
"How does Nara Group balance large domestic infrastructure projects with its growing international expansion? Especially when both markets demand unique regulations and resource allocation?"
Some students turned to look at him in surprise.
That didn't sound like a student question. It sounded like something out of a board meeting.
Even Harin blinked, just briefly. Then she smiled. "That's an excellent question."
She straightened slightly. "We divide our operational structure between domestic core units and our overseas strategy team. Every foreign contract is handled under strict joint ventures, but nothing—absolutely nothing—is allowed to take precedence over our national commitments. Chairwoman Seo herself personally approves all resource redirection. Korea will always be our foundation."
The students murmured quietly among themselves, impressed.
Soojin, another student, raised her hand next.
"I heard Nara is also involved in some eco-friendly developments. Is that true?"
Harin nodded. "Yes. In recent years, we've been investing more in green buildings and environmentally conscious planning. For example, our Jeju resort was built with solar roofs and rainwater recycling systems. We're also working on a project in Gyeonggi Province that will feature green apartments and bike-friendly roads."
A few more hands went up. Someone asked about internship programs. Another asked about international expansion. Harin answered each question patiently, making sure to explain everything in a way that was clear but still professional.
By the time the questions were done, we had been walking and listening for almost three hours.
———
As the final section came to an end, Harin turned to face us in the wide corridor just outside the VIP elevator lounge.
She gave a graceful bow, hands clasped neatly in front of her.
"That concludes today's guided visit. I hope this experience has helped you better understand the structure and responsibilities of a major conglomerate like Nara Group."
She paused, letting her words settle, then added in her usual calm voice, "From infrastructure and energy to real estate development, Nara Group's divisions work together to support both local and national growth. I truly hope you gained something valuable today—not just facts, but perspective."
The students responded with light applause and quiet bows. Some were still wide-eyed from the things they'd seen. Others whispered excitedly among themselves, already talking about which department had impressed them the most.
Professor Lee gave Harin a short bow. "Thank you again for your time. It's been far more in-depth than we expected."
Harin nodded with a polite smile. "You're very welcome."
She looked back to the group.
"Now, you have two hours of free time," she announced. "During this time, you may explore the public spaces of the Nara Group headquarters—this includes the gallery hall, the innovation exhibit, and the executive lounge. Please remain within the marked zones. Our security team will be on standby if you require assistance or directions."
There were murmurs of interest and excitement.
But Harin wasn't done.
"One more thing," she said.
The hallway grew quieter again.
Harin continued with a slightly more formal tone. "Chairwoman Seo Yuna has personally extended an invitation for all of you to attend tonight private dinner in the Grand Hall. The dinner will include several esteemed foreign investors and global business delegates currently visiting Korea for a high-level infrastructure forum hosted by Nara Group."
The air shifted.
Students looked at each other in disbelief.
"The Chairwoman…?"
"Did she say foreign investors?"
"That can't be real…"
"Yes," Harin confirmed. "The Grand Hall is typically reserved for top-tier contracts, visiting government officials, and global board-level meetings. However, Chairwoman Seo felt it would be meaningful to include a younger generation—your generation—in tonight's gathering. Consider it both an opportunity and a gesture of goodwill."
Everyone just stood there, stunned.
Even Professor Lee took a moment before he finally spoke.
"I… didn't expect this," he said with a short laugh. "We were honestly just grateful to visit the building. But now… dinner with Nara Group's elite guests? The Chairwoman herself?"
He turned to Harin and gave a deep, grateful bow.
"Please tell the Chairwoman we're grateful. Thank you for treating our university with such honor."
Harin smiled softly. "She'll be pleased to hear that."
"She's really going to be there?" one student asked in a hushed voice. "Chairwoman Seo herself?"
Harin nodded once. "Yes. The Chairwoman will be in attendance tonight."
And just like that, the group practically lit up with energy.
Some students exchanged nervous glances, already wondering what to wear, what to say, and what kind of people they'd be sitting next to.
"I can't believe we'll get to meet her…"
"She's like a legend."
"Is this really happening?!"
Professor Lee smiled, shaking his head slightly. "I don't think I've seen them this excited all semester."
"Well," he said with a clap of his hands, "let's all make sure we're at our best tonight."
Hyunjae turned to me with a half-grin, eyes wide with disbelief. "Bro, are we dreaming? I thought we'd get some snacks and a photo op—not a VIP dinner with important people and foreign tycoons."
I smiled faintly, still a bit dazed. "Yeah… it's more than I expected too."
He laughed and slung his bag over one shoulder. "I'm gonna look around a bit. Maybe the gallery? Or the café, if they let us in. You?"
"I think I'll just walk around," I said, trying to sound casual.
Hyunjae raised an eyebrow. "You okay?"
"Yeah," I said quickly. "Just… a bit tired."
He gave a dramatic sigh. "Don't get lost in the chandelier reflections. I'll find you later for dinner."
I nodded and watched him head off toward the escalator with the others. As the crowd thinned out and scattered into the lobby's various wings, I started walking toward a quieter corridor. The polished floors, the soft ambient lighting—it all felt too perfect.
Just as I turned a corner near a row of sleek glass doors, a familiar voice called out softly behind me.
"Mr. Kim."
I stopped immediately.
I turned and saw Harin walking toward me alone, her pace steady, her posture graceful as always.
"Harin-ssi?" I kept my voice low.
She gave a respectful nod and glanced around briefly to make sure no one else was nearby. Her voice dropped to a quiet murmur.
"The Chairwoman asked to see you."
My heart thudded once.
"She did?"
"She asked me to bring you to her private dining hall," Harin said calmly. "She'd like to have tea with you before the formal dinner begins."
I hesitated. "Won't people notice if I disappear?"
Harin shook her head slightly. "No one will. The lounge and gallery areas are large, and most of the students are already scattered. Security has been notified to allow you to pass without question. And I took care to approach you discreetly sir."
"You can just call me Haemin," I said, lowering my gaze. "You're older than me. It feels weird."
"I apologize," she said gently. "But as the Chairwoman's aide, I can't be casual when addressing her husband."
I sighed, scratching the back of my neck. "Right. Of course."
"Shall we?" she asked.
After a beat, I nodded.
"Yeah… let's go."