Chemistry

2. A Day in the Life of a Chemical Company Intern(6)

Jeong-woo turned his gaze to Song Boyeong, who was reviewing meeting materials with her passionate eyes among the regular 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 place 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 don’t know Myeong-Woon University?’

In this place, where each person who considered it a place with its own history had their own explanation, it would be a hit to their pride if they didn’t know about it.

“We’ll start from Team 1.”

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

“Our perovskite solar 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 plan to improve efficiency by 3% and aim for a place 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 3’s process involves the contact decomposition of heavy naphtha using a fluidized refining…”

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

‘Don’t be intimidated.’

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

“The research on ‘natural-tasting condiments’ commissioned 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 mother’s touch, appeared.

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

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

“The product, which applied a new nucleotide compound and received a test from the evaluation committee, received an evaluation that it has less artificial taste than other companies’ 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 successful, but didn’t KG Foods criticize it?”

“Y-Yes, that’s correct.”

The expression on Jeong Sang-sik’s 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 success 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 the company.

Shin Yoon-seok scanned the conference room and his gaze landed 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.

“Rival companies like CJ Cheil Jedang and Pulmuone use sodium glutamate as a base in their products, but KG Food uses nucleotides. Won’t it have a less stimulating 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 palatability.”

“That could be it. What’s your name?”

“Cho Sung-hwan.”

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

‘It seems that everyone is competitive during the training evaluation period.’

As they went in order, Shin Yoon-seok’s gaze also landed on Jeong-woo, who was the seventh person in line.

“You’re a new face. Who are you?”

At this question, Lee Dong-gil smiled slightly and replied, “He’s an intern who started today, Dr. Shin.”

“An intern?”

Jeong-woo bowed his head and replied, “I’m Han Jeong-woo.”

“Would you like to say anything?”

With Shin Yoon-seok’s 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 formula of the seasoning that the fourth team had newly created began to look like a constellation with several elements connected like stars.

‘Is this insight just possible with chemistry?’

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

‘That’s a coagulant inhibitor, that’s a preservative, a food coloring, an antioxidant, a metal remover….’

Food additives gathered and formed a massive constellation. Should we say it’s a universe inside the seasoning?

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

It was common for stars and solar systems to collide with each other and with constellations, losing their light.

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

‘If I keep seeing things like this overlapping 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. Haven’t you heard that the research was successful?”

“Really? That’s strange. It couldn’t have succeeded.”

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

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

“Team leader Jeong. He probably doesn’t know what he’s 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. That’s because the nucleotide is interfering.”

Jeong team leader swallowed a sigh and asked in disbelief.

“Are you saying that the new compound we developed for four weeks is the problem?”

“The end product itself is excellent, but what about the composition? They don’t really fit together.”

“Why are you suddenly saying this?”

“Well, you see.”

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

“Can I touch that PT chemical formula 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 manipulating the PT and quickly began adjusting the chemical formula 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 mother’s restaurant.

“The sound of meat sizzling in the pan, the fragrant smell, the flavor that comes out of the seasoning when you eat it, the juice of the meat itself, and the melting texture. Generally, we call this combination of factors ‘taste’.”

Tap-tap.

‘Enzyme-decomposed beef powder makes the concentration stronger. Concentrated meat flavor particles spread more evenly, and defatted soybeans and corn gluten are absorbed faster…’

All adjustments to the numerical values of the compound formulas were completed.

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

With the new chemical formula, the universe of seasoning rose into the air, along with the nucleotide black 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 doesn’t 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 molecular structure to properly deliver the taste. To Jeong-woo’s perspective, it seemed like a very simple task.

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

Jeong-woo felt momentarily frustrated with the person who couldn’t 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 can’t 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 Jeong’s 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.

“You’re 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 suddenly laughing. Especially since he was not exactly an approachable person.

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

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

“If it’s not appropriate, why don’t we make a sample and test it?”

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

Shin Yoon-seok’s eyes sparkled.

“Hey, Jeong Sang-sik!”

Team Leader Jeong’s 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.

“It’ll take 10 minutes to verify. In the meantime, let’s 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 and laughing was so great that it felt even more daunting.

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