Being the only foreigner at Hansung International Patent & Law Office is a mixture of good, bad and in-between. Our leader, Kyu-Pal Choi, hired me nearly three years ago specifically because of my non-Korean background; a native English speaker with proven editorial skills was needed to review attorneys’ letters, standardize them and elevate the quality of writing. Would it be boastful to say that Hansung’s letters and legal documents are far superior to what was sent out on a regular basis as late as 2008? I hope not.
There is a rhythm to my work week, one aspect of which is going to lunch every Monday with the senior partners. Allow me to name them here. First, of course, is Mr. Choi, who founded the firm in 1990. There is Wan-Sik Kang, former chief trial examiner of the KIPO’s Intellectual Property Tribunal. There is Dr. Hong-Sik Park, former commissioner of the KIPO. There is Bong-Seok Park, head of our trademark group. There is Ha-Yeon Lee, whose firm merged with Hansung in late 2011. There is Hee-Youn Cho, a former trial examiner at the IPT. There is Du-Hyun Chang, also a former chief trial examiner at the IPT. And there is K. H. Lee, the firm’s general manager. (Actually, Jung-Il Bae is also a senior partner, but he is a relative youngster who dines with attorneys his age; some kind of generational issue is at play here. Furthermore, attorneys never have lunch with staffers.) The preceding is a regrettably brief description of their achievements. All of them are graduates of Korea’s top universities and have done big things in the intellectual property field. This is a stellar group, no doubt about it.
I am not sure why I have the honor of joining them for lunch once a week, but such is the case. Shortly after noon every Monday, we roll out of the Halla Classic Building. In general, we follow Mr. Choi to this restaurant or that one. There is some variety in our choice of dining establishments, but he definitely has his favorites. When I first started working here in February 2009, we often went to a place called Tobbagi (roughly translated as “Pure Native.” And suddenly we stopped, our primary allegiance shifting to Geummorae (“Golden Sand”). This restaurant had been in a converted old house near our office until late 2009, at which time it moved around the corner. They left because the building was about to be razed, and something bigger and flashier put up. In the three years I have been at Hansung, I have seen this part of Gangnam change considerably, and two major construction projects on our block are due to start soon—as if it were not congested enough already!
As indicated above, we do patronize other restaurants on Monday afternoons but most of the time we amble over to Geummorae. What we typically eat is called chunggukchang—fermented beans mixed with potatos, rice and side dishes. It is a tasty but basic and unpretentious meal, which is fitting for these gentlemen, accomplished as they are. As far as I know, not a single one was born into a rich family. Mr. Choi, Dr. Park and Mr. Chang have told me gripping stories about their early years on the family farm, and the challenges and sacrifices they endured. The senior partners lived through the aftermath of the Korean War, so that should adequately summarize where they came from. All of them did military service for the Republic of Korea, helping to keep this country secure in the face of a constant threat from their brothers in the north.
So how does it usually go on our Monday lunch break at Geummorae? They may briefly discuss what to order, but chunggukchang is most often the choice and one to which I am amenable. The waitresses recognize them as big guys, important guys, and the service we get is suitably respectful. Again, I must say that I am honored to invariably have the seat next to Mr. Choi. The conversation—almost completely in their native tongue—begins and never lags even as we eat. I should add that Mr. Choi often asks for two bottles of makkoli (Korean rice wine), which complements this food very well. Before I came here, I had never heard of makkoli but there are records of it being consumed 1,500 years ago during the Goguryeo dynasty.
There I am at the table with Mr. Choi, Mr. Kang, Dr. Park, Mr. Park, Mr. Cho, Mr. Chang and the two Mr. Lees. (Interestingly enough, there is not a Kim in the entire group.) We eat and drink, and the conversation flows this way and that. They realize that I do not know Korean and thus am largely ignorant of what they are saying, but I pick up a few things due to their hand gestures, facial expressions and tone of voice. Sometimes I hear a word with which I am familiar, but really what’s the use? They speak at such a high velocity and with such vigor, I have no chance to truly understand. Once in a while Mr. Choi will turn to me and say, “We are talking about ____.” And for that matter, I sometimes interrupt with a “What are you talking about?” Most of the time, though, I am content to just let them speak. Clueless I may be, but I do not “fade out” of the conversation. I listen, observe and enjoy this distinguished company.
While it is clear that each of the senior partners is respected by the others, So Jang Nim (Mr. Choi) is first among equals. Although he is not the oldest in the group, I see that they defer to him in ways that are subtle but clear. He never has to strain to have the group’s attention, let’s put it that way. Sometimes I observe Mr. Choi to my right or left and notice a certain sparkle in his eye as he makes a comment that usually sets off a round of laughter. I laugh, too, but I am half a beat behind. Remember, I do not know and they know I do not know.
However, sometimes I raise an issue. If it catches Mr. Choi’s fancy, the group will run with it for a few minutes. Dr. Park sometimes asks my opinion about some issue, and I do not hesitate to give it. This can lead to a discussion in English, but only for so long since three of my lunch colleagues do not speak it any better than I do Korean. My presence in this group is always interesting to me, and I feel grateful to be included. Mr. Choi sets the tone, of course. He invites me, so I am there with them—an odd member, but a member nonetheless.
As for payment, So Jang Nim is generous and nearly always takes care of it although sometimes I see Mr. Kang or one of the others get out his credit card and insist. When I offer to pay, Mr. Choi usually responds with the slightest shake of his head. On rare occasions, if we have a small group he allows me to buy.
We walk out into the parking lot of Geummorae and then onto the side street leading back to our office. At this time, I usually pull alongside Mr. Chang and inquire about that day’s main topic of conversation. I have compiled a short list which includes dishonest politicians, high blood pressure, taxes, children’s linguistic learning, husbands and wives, Alzheimer’s disease and the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement.
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