Choi Taemin.
Woosung had never met him before. It felt surreal, but he didn’t feel nervous. He looked at the three brothers leisurely. It was clear Choi Taemin was the leader of the three. He was smiling while the other two looked rigid. Woosung grinned. He bowed towards Choi Gitae.
“You are here too. Thank you so much for the smartphone parts. Thanks to you, Blue S is doing very well. I meant to call you, but this is even better now that I can tell you in person.”
“Haha, no problem.”
Choi Taemin frowned. Choi Gitae glanced at Choi Taemin nervously.
Woosung thought.
‘So Choi Taemin didn’t know about this deal?’
Choi Taemin turned to Woosung and said casually, “I am hearing good things about KND. People say Blue S is beyond anyone’s expectation.”
“The second version of it is on its way. We are working very hard on it.”
Choi Taemin smiled.
Choi Gitae stepped forward and said to Woosung, “I am sure it will be a huge success just like Blue S1.”
Choi Taemin again frowned briefly but didn’t say anything.
Woosung smiled and replied, “Thank you.”
Woosung sat down in his designated chair. He looked around and glanced at other’s name cards.
‘Daeyang, Nuri Finances, TK Telecom…All the biggest companies in Korea…’
Suddenly, Woosung spotted Shin Semi.
‘And that must be Shin Yongwon.’
Beside Shin Semi was a tall older man. Woosung knew right away. He had seen him on the news a few times before.
Woosung’s eyes met Shin Semi’s. Shin Yongwon whispered to his daughter, and Shin Semi’s cheeks reddened.
Shin Yongwon walked up to Woosung confidently. “Nice to meet you. You must be KND’s Kang Woosung?”
Woosung stood up and shook his hand. “Yes, that’s right.”
“I have heard good things about you. I hear you are a VIP at Nuri Finances.”
“I have been lucky.”
“A few millions can be earned with luck, but not a billion dollars. You know this as well as I do.”
Shin Semi pulled her father’s arms lightly.
Nuri Enterprise.
Woosung had no need for this company.
When Woosung remained silent, Shin Yongwon asked knowingly, “My company is no use to you, is that it?”
Woosung replied, “Currently, I have no need to borrow any money.”
“I did hear your smartphone is doing very well.”
Woosung had no time to waste on this man right now. He had more important things to do including monitoring the Choi brothers. Woosung gave a short offhand answer.
“Thank you.”
Shin Semi frowned at Woosung’s attitude, but Shin Yongwon found it amusing.
“Gosh, my legs are killing me. I think I need to sit down for a second.”
He then sat beside Woosung. Shin Semi pulled his arm again, but he didn’t budge.
“You have met my daughter, Shin Semi, right? I heard you used to work at Nuri Finances as a developer.”
“That’s right.”
“That’s amazing. It has only been a year, yet here you are.” Woosung didn’t reply, but Shin Yongwon continued. “I tried to scout you, but obviously, I failed. I also tried to make your acquaintance, but that didn’t work out either.”
Shin Yongwon smiled meaningfully.
“But I think things will work out alright in the end. My daughter will tell you.”
Shin Yongwon then stood up and left. Shin Semi looked at her father in embarrassment, while Woosung grinned at her.
Suddenly, Jun Taewon came by. “Chairman Shin is still so mean. How are you guys doing?”
Both Woosung and Shin Semi frowned at his appearance.
Jun Taewon announced proudly, “I have good news for you. TK Telecom has decided to launch Blue S, so please make sure you are ready to supply us with the products.”
KND didn’t need TK for Blue S’s sales, but Jun Taewon said it as if he was doing Woosung a favor.
Woosung replied rigidly, “I will look into it when I get a chance.”
“Haha, if you don’t get to it fast, you might lose us.”
“If that’s the case, then that’s fine with me.”
“Wow, what confidence. Are you saying you are going to refuse to sell the phone to us?”
The air became tense.
Jun Taewon glared at Woosung, who replied, “Yes. I don’t feel like I need you at all.”
Shin Semi frowned at Woosung. TK Telecom owned 50% of Korean mobile business. If KND lost TK, it meant KND lost 50% of the market.
Jun Taewon laughed clumsily, “Ha…Hahaha.”
He quickly reddened in anger. Woosung ignored him and turned to Shin Semi.
“I don’t think this is a good time for our conversation. Shall we meet later perhaps?”
Jun Taewon glared at Woosung. They were now officially enemies.
Jun Taewon replied, “Then I guess TK needs to reconsider this.”
Woosung said in a bored tone, “Whatever.”
Suddenly, Lee Sunghyun came by and placed his hand on Woosung’s shoulder.
“Haha, this is getting really ugly.”
“No, we were just talking business.”
“Haha, you are always working, President Kang. No wonder you’re so successful.”
Woosung couldn’t be rude to Lee Sunghyun.
Woosung smiled and replied, “No, it’s all thanks to you.”
“But I didn’t do anything.”
“You gave me the chance to meet so many important people.”
“Haha, I’m flattered.”
Lee Sunghyun turned to Jun Taewon. “Vice president Jun, may I borrow Woosung for a while. There are a few people who would like to meet him.”
“Oh, of course.”
“Then let’s go, Woosung.”
Lee Sunghyun took Woosung to the new Minister of Information, who was chatting with Choi Taemin.
Lee Sunghyun said to the minister, “Minister Kim, congratulations.”
“Oh, Attorney Lee! It’s all thanks to you.”
“No way. It’s all thanks to my father.”
Father.
People frowned at the not-so-subtle mention of the President of Korea.
Lee Sunghyun continued, “This is KND’s Kang Woosung.”
Minister Kim shook Woosung’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Kim Woogyum.
He used to be the chief of strategy for the current President Lee Parksung during the election. Woosung remembered reading about his profile online.
“How do you do. I am KND’s Kang Woosung.”
Choi Taemin looked unhappy as Kim Woogyum focused on Woosung instead of him.
Minister Kim told Woosung, “Thank you so much for building a factory in Gimpo. It has helped the area a lot with many new jobs.”
“I am happy to be of help.”
Lee Sunghyun patted Woosung’s shoulder and added, “Other companies selfishly build factories in China to save money, but Woosung here chose to be a patriot and help our country by creating new jobs. Don’t you think he is a great businessman?”
Kim Woogyum glanced at Choi Taemin awkwardly and replied, “Haha, o…of course.”
“And if you remember, my father’s main election promise was decreasing the cost of telecommunication for the public.”
Kim Woogyum nodded and replied, “I have been thinking about that. It will be difficult to keep that promise.”
“Woosung has the answer for that problem.”
Everyone turned to Woosung in shock. Woosung realized what Lee Sunghyun meant to do.
“Woosung is interested in becoming the fourth mobile carrier to decrease public’s cost and provide a better service.”
Jun Taewon’s eyes widened in anger.
Woosung replied casually, “I am ready for the next step. I will make this industry better.”
Kim Woogyum laughed, “Haha, I like your confidence.”
“I know it won’t be easy, and I’m not asking for a favor. All I ask is for you to be fair and consider my proposal with an open mind.”
“But I don’t have much authority over that industry…”
“I realize the mobile industry is a responsibility of the Ministry of Communication, but the financing plan will be reviewed by you.”
Kim Woogyum tapped Woosung’s shoulder encouragingly. “Alright, I will be fair. Good luck.”
Woosung bowed deeply. “Thank you.”
Jun Taewon fumed in anger. The Choi brothers also looked unhappy with this new development.
Lee Sunghyun talked to Woosung in private, “Please don’t think I’m using you in any way.”
“Haha, I don’t think that”
“I know businesses like this work best when prepared in closed doors, but I just couldn’t stand how those guys abuse their power. They have been increasing the mobile user fees and won’t even listen to the President’s request. Something is needed to be done.”
Woosung listened quietly.
“By the way, I have suggested your algorithm trading to the National Pension Plan department. The final decision will be made in May, next year.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you really serious about the mobile carrier business? You are doing so well with your smartphone, I’m not sure if getting into such a difficult industry is a good idea for you.’
“I am all in.”
Lee Sunghyun laughed and Woosung did the same. They were becoming good friends.
