Chapter 8<ol start="2"><li>A Day in the Life of a Chemical Company Intern(6)</li></ol>


    Jeong-woo turned his gaze to Song Boyeong, who was reviewing meeting materials with her passionate eyes among the regr researchers.


    During the break, while trying to maintain silence as much as possible and listening to her and the new researchers chattering, Jeong-woo learned some facts.


    For example, Research Room 1, where Song Boyeong was located, was a ce used by the aces of the central research institute.


    She was a research fellow who graduated from a famous university in Germany. Of course, the universities that other new recruits graduated from were not to be taken lightly either.


    What, you dont know Myeong-Woon University?


    In this ce, where each person who considered it a ce with its own history had their own exnation, it would be a hit to their pride if they didnt know about it.


    Well start from Team 1.


    As Dong-gil started his speech, the PT materials appeared on the wall.


    Our perovskite sr cell, which our team is working on, has received an evaluation of 18.1% conversion efficiency from the renewable energy research institute. Currently, it is the second-highest record in Korea. We n to improve efficiency by 3% and aim for a ce in the global ranking.


    The meeting proceeded rapidly in a calm atmosphere, from inquiries about doubts about research progress, presenting new opinions, to discussing them. It truly exuded the feeling of a space where intellectuals gathered.


    Our team 3s process involves the contact dposition of heavy naphtha using a fluidized refining


    This was a situation where yesterday, the technical terms of professional researchers would have sounded like an aliennguage, but now they were stuck in the ears like a mothers nagging. Jeong-woo unknowingly adjusted his tie and posture. He also had the knowledge and abilities to work in this atmosphere.


    Dont be intimidated.


    After about ten minutes, Team 4 leader Jeong Sang-sik, responsible researcher, took the microphone.


    The research on natural-tasting condimentsmissioned by KG Food Business Unit has reached its final stage.


    On the PT screen, familiar condiment products, such as dashi, which has a taste like a mothers touch, appeared.


    The research team concluded that consumers feel difort from the artificial taste of various food additives, so they focused on developing vor enhancers that do not interfere with the sense of taste.


    The chemical forms of the resulting food additives appeared on the screen.


    The product, which applied a new nucleotidepound and received a test from the evaluationmittee, received an evaluation that it has less artificial taste than otherpanies products.


    Just like team 1, the report seemed to end smoothly, but suddenly a researcher sitting in the front row grabbed the microphone.


    The research was sessful, but didnt KG Foods criticize it?


    Y-Yes, thats correct.


    The expression on Jeong Sang-siks face darkened at this question.


    This is a problem that we need to think about regardless of the results. Can we really call it a sess when the client is not convinced by the project?


    The voice that echoed throughout the conference room had a feeling of being higher up in the ranks than any other researcher present. As soon as he opened his mouth, the atmosphere that had felt like a gathering of intellectuals quickly turned into that of a congressional hearing.


    Jeong-woo looked at the name tag in the middle of his chest.


    Senior Researcher Shin Yoon-seok.


    Ah.


    He vaguely recalled the conversation the new hires had earlier about the highest position one could attain at the research institute. Shin Yoon-seok was considered an executive-level personnel in thepany.


    Shin Yoon-seok scanned the conference room and his gazended on where the new hires were seated. He briefly made eye contact with Jeong-woo who was sitting there.


    Oh man, what a poker face.


    Perhaps it was the dignity of experienced researchers, but Jeong-woo felt a significant pressure just by making eye contact.


    The new hires, do you know why?


    Weekly meetings were a time of learning for inexperienced researchers.


    Bae Ki-tae, who had been pondering, was the first to raise his hand.


    Rivalpanies like CJ Cheil Jedang and Pulmuone use sodium glutamate as a base in their products, but KG Food uses nucleotides. Wont it have a less stimting taste? After all, what consumers are looking for is MSG, not natural ingredients.


    Bae Ki-tae, did you graduate from KAIST?


    Yes, I did.


    Your analysis is valid. Does anyone else have any other opinion?


    Thanks to the reduction of food additives, the affinity of sweet molecules is weakened, and that is the cause of the reduced ptability.


    That could be it. Whats your name?


    Cho Sung-hwan.


    Cho Sung-hwan also expressed his opinion in quick session. As each of them utilized their chemical expertise, other new hires also continued to speak up.


    It seems that everyone ispetitive during the training evaluation period.


    As they went in order, Shin Yoon-seoks gaze alsonded on Jeong-woo, who was the seventh person in line.


    Youre a new face. Who are you?


    At this question, Lee Dong-gil smiled slightly and replied, Hes an intern who started today, Dr. Shin.


    An intern?


    Jeong-woo bowed his head and replied, Im Han Jeong-woo.


    Would you like to say anything?


    With Shin Yoon-seoks gaze not expecting much, Jeong-woo tried to shake his head. The chemical knowledge floating in his head did not add more opinions than what other new hires had said.


    Huh?


    Jeong-woo unconsciously turned his gaze to the PT screen and had to swallow a groan.


    The chemical form of the seasoning that the fourth team had newly created began to look like a constetion with several elements connected like stars.


    Is this insight just possible with chemistry?


    Constetions floating above the PT screen like a 3D video.


    Thats a coagnt inhibitor, thats a preservative, a food coloring, an antioxidant, a metal remover.


    Food additives gathered and formed a massive constetion. Should we say its a universe inside the seasoning?


    The strange thing was that the orbit of the gxy,posed of these things that were gathered together, was truly chaotic.


    It wasmon for stars and sr systems to collide with each other and with constetions, losing their light.


    And at the center of it all was the existence of the nucleotide, which destroyed all bnce, just like a ck hole.


    If I keep seeing things like this ovepping with reality, I might not be able to distinguish between the false and the real, thought Jeong-woo reflexively, blinking his eyes to narrow the gap between reality and his current state of mind.


    No opinion?


    No, sir, Jeong-woo replied.


    Unconsciously following the chemical signals seen in this amazing sight, Jeong-woo muttered to himself.


    It was destined to fail from the beginning.


    The head researcher Jeong, who had been crestfallen by the new recruits painful criticism, looked at Jeong-woo as if he was amazed by his words.


    Hey, intern. Havent you heard that the research was sessful?


    Really? Thats strange. It couldnt have seeded.


    Jeong-woo spoke with a serious expression, pointing to the PT screen.


    The other responsible researchersughed as they watched Jeong-woo, who seemed to take it seriously.


    Team leader Jeong. He probably doesnt know what hes talking about yet.


    Well, I like his confident attitude.


    The already frustated team leader, asked Jeong stared at Jeong-woo as if he were reprimanding him.


    Tell me, intern. Do you have a reason for thinking that way?


    Jeong-woo opened his mouth calmly and honestly, saying exactly what he thought.


    The interaction between additives is unstable. Thats because the nucleotide is interfering.


    Jeong team leader swallowed a sigh and asked in disbelief.


    Are you saying that the newpound we developed for four weeks is the problem?


    The end product itself is excellent, but what about theposition? They dont really fit together.


    Why are you suddenly saying this?


    Well, you see.


    When everyones attention was on him, Jeong-woo realized that there was no turning back and stood up.


    Can I touch that PT chemical form for a moment?


    Jeong team leader turned his head to Shin Yoon-seok, who had been silently watching, and he nodded.


    Go ahead.


    Jeong-woo stood next to the researcher who was manipting the PT and quickly began adjusting the chemical form values, entering them.


    Because the task takes some time, Jeong-woo opened his mouth at the same time.


    Human perception of taste is simply a chemical reaction. For example, if you order pork stir-fry at a restaurant.


    Jeong-woo spoke, recalling the menu actually sold at his mothers restaurant.


    The sound of meat sizzling in the pan, the fragrant smell, the vor thates out of the seasoning when you eat it, the juice of the meat itself, and the melting texture. Generally, we call thisbination of factors taste.


    Tap-tap.


    Enzyme-dposed beef powder makes the concentration stronger. Concentrated meat vor particles spread more evenly, and defatted soybeans and corn gluten are absorbed faster


    All adjustments to the numerical values of thepound forms werepleted.


    Seasoning is a purely chemical reaction that imitates all of this. Now, look.


    With the new chemical form, the universe of seasoning rose into the air, along with the nucleotide ck hole, and yet it did not lose any light.


    Jeong-woo watched the food additives that were doing their job and spoke.


    In the end, it all starts with the problem of how to properly react the chemical structure that determines this taste on the tip of the tongue.


    Who doesnt know that? So what is this dish?


    It is an artificial seasoning that will greatly enhance the taste when added to stir-fried pork.


    Efficient restructuring of the molecr structure to properly deliver the taste. To Jeong-woos perspective, it seemed like a very simple task.


    How can you guarantee that based on your scribbles? I made something that tastes simr to natural vors because consumers want it. The feedback is positive. Is this wrong from the beginning?


    Jeong-woo felt momentarily frustrated with the person who couldnt see what he saw. The judgment was only possible by looking at the actual result.


    How should we describe the shape of an apple to a person who cant see?


    Chemicals are harmful to the body because they are chemical, while natural substances are inherently safe and good, and this is a mindset that belongs to chemical-phobics Oh, this is not what Team Leader Jeong said.


    Hey, intern!


    Thanks to Team Leader Jeongs raised voice, the meeting room fell silent in an instant. The faces of the new hires sitting next to Jeong-woo changed as the atmosphere became tense.


    Youre an interesting one.


    Shin Yoon-seok was the one who broke the silence.


    Jeong-woo looked at Shin Yoon-seok, then hesitated. There was nothing more eerie than a person who had been expressionless all along suddenlyughing. Especially since he was not exactly an approachable person.


    Team Leader Jeong red at Shin Yoon-seok with a fiery face.


    You heard him, Dr. Shin. What he said.


    If its not appropriate, why dont we make a sample and test it?


    This was written by an intern. How can we consider it a formal project?


    Shin Yoon-seoks eyes sparkled.


    Hey, Jeong Sang-sik!


    Team Leader Jeongs eyes widened at the lightning-fast shout.


    How many years have you been researching? What opinion can you give on a puppy-level topic? My point is right, and your opinion is wrong.


    Sen senior?


    If I were to follow up on the criticism you received at KG Foods without verification, what would you say?


    Looking at Shin Yoon-seok, who was smirking, Team Leader Jeong became dumbfounded. Then he immediately turned to the researchers of Team 4 and gave orders.


    Bring a sample right away.


    Team Leader Jeong said, simmering with anger.


    Itll take 10 minutes to verify. In the meantime, lets move on to the next agenda, Dr. Shin.


    Jeong-woo swallowed hard as he watched Shin Yoon-seok nod his head.


    That Dr. Shin has a tremendous personality.


    The temperature difference between being angry andughing was so great that it felt even more daunting.


    The other researchers were not as unnerved by Shin Yoon-seoks behavior as the new employees sitting next to him, who turned pale.