KYLO (Korean Young Leader Organization)
It was a club consisted of third and fourth generation children from rich families. Only those with assets of over 50 million dollars and two recommendations from the existing members could join. The age limit was under 40 years old. Any member turning 40 was automatically kicked out.
50 million in asset before the age of 40.
Less than 0.1% of the population could achieve this status. That was why most members were children of CEOs. Shin Semi was surprised Woosung knew of such an exclusive group.
‘Who told him about it?’
She thought of the present members but couldn’t think of anyone who would be acquainted with him. That meant someone who left the club probably told him. Woosung said to Shin Semi.
“The exchange rate will continue to go up, but only to a certain point.”
“Are you sure?”
Woosung stared at Shin Semi directly and answered. “Yes.”
“The requirements to join this club are very strict. It may not be possible for you to join. Besides, the members are in a tight clique. Even if you are successful in getting in, they won’t tell you any gossips on Daeyang as I did. Do you still want to try?”
“You never know what might happen. I feel like I might meet useful people there, so yes.”
Shin Semi groaned.
She wanted to know the future of the exchange rate. The things she could do with this information!
Many in KYLO were greedy. If they learned Woosung’s ability to predict the financial future, they would use him mercilessly.
Woosung sipped on plum wine. He then ate a piece of sushi.
He was enjoying this moment. It didn’t matter whether Shin Semi helped him.
He could be patient. He waited quietly.
Shin Semi groaned again and thought with careful considerations. She had to be smart about her decision.
Woosung looked at her as quiet as a predator hunting its prey. There was no doubt Shin Semi was attractive. It didn’t look like she was wearing any makeup. As he studied her, Shin Semi finally opened her mouth.
“Alright. The three requirements are as followed. You need recommendations from two existing members. The other two are age and asset, and you are ok for both. I will make the recommendation happen for you.”
Woosung ate another piece of sushi and replied. “Thank you.”
“I will contact you when it becomes finalized.”
Suddenly, Woosung’s phone vibrated. Yoon Gihwan was calling him. He sounded drunk.
“Hey, newbie! What are you doing in the washroom?”
“Newbie? What happened in calling me the president?”
“Once a newbie, always a newbie!”
“Should I be recording this?”
“Go ahead! I’m not afraid.”
Woosung grinned and said to Shin Semi.
“Haha. I think I need to go now.”
Shin Semi took a sip from her glass. Woosung stood up and left.
The next morning.
It was busy in front of the office building. People kept going in and out nonstop.
Construction was going on as well, making the area busier than usual.
Kim Yonggun stood in front of the building and murmured.
“So this building…it’s Woosung’s.”
Yoon Gihwan looked at the scene in shock as well. “I’m surprised too. After coming back from America, he had big plans for everyone. He said we were going global with all our projects.”
Jang Gwangchul came by and replied.
“I bought this building.”
“Oh, hello sir.”
“You can call him Mr. Vice President.”
“Haha, alright.”
Kim Yonggun greeted him quickly. “Hello, Mr. Vice President.”
“Oh, you are Woosung’s co-worker from Nuri Finances!”
“That’s right.”
“Hahaha, nice to meet you.”
Kim Yonggun bowed.
“Nice to meet you too.”
While they chatted, Woosung’s sedan rolled in. Woosung came out from the backseat. His expensive suit shined against the sunlight.
Jang Gwangchul bowed respectfully to Woosung.
“Mr. President. Good morning!”
Everyone else followed.
“Good morning, sir!”
Woosung flinched at such loud greetings from everyone.
“W…what’s all this?”
Jang Gwangchul laughed and approached Woosung. “Enthusiastic greetings in the morning can lead to a productive day!”
“It’s not necessary.”
“But today is a special day.” Jang Gwangchul grinned as he replied.
Woosung grinned knowingly. “I agree. It is indeed a special day today.”
It was the day they planned to release Blue S to the world.
The top floor of Daeyang System’s headquarter was where the CEO’s first-born Choi Taemin’s office was located. After listening to Strategy team 1’s leader Kim Hyungwook, Choi Taemin murmured.
“So he took over Pine Tech and released a cell phone called Blue S.”
“That’s right. That company was recently involved in some sort of controversy.”
“And their OS is Android?”
“Yes. He has an office in Silicone Valley where the development team is located. CDMA is not supported in Korea yet, so they are pushing back the phone’s release date in Korea to some time in the future.”
“How’s our project going?”
“We are currently talking with Google. A representative from Google told us that it will be finished by September.”
“Is there any chance that KND can release the product sooner than that in Korea?”
“As such a small company, no I don’t think so.”
“Hmm…”
Choi Taemin was annoyed. Some idiot appeared out of nowhere and dived into a cell phone business. It was only an annoyance now, but Choi Taemin knew if left alone, it could turn into something bigger.
What should he do? He thought to himself. He has no answers.
Kim Hyungwook continued to report. “CEO Kang Woosung was a developer working at Nuri Finances. He became close to an investment guru Jang Gwangchul. After visiting America during the global financial crisis, Woosung created this company.”
“What did he do in America?”
“We know he created an investment corporation in Wallstreet, but other than that, we don’t know exactly how he made his money.”
“…”
“He then traveled to Silicone Valley, bought a factory for manufacturing cell phones, and returned to Korea.”
“What’s your opinion on it? Do you think Blue S will be a success?”
“I… I can’t tell. Cell phone industry is a very competitive world. It is very hard to make it as a new company. It seems like his company has good financial support, but if it lacks good technological backing, it will fail quickly.”
“So there is a chance it could be a success.”
“After the release of iPhone, the cell phone market is in turmoil. It is not unusual that there are smaller companies popping up with new ideas to get into the business.”
Choi Taemin frowned and rubbed his chin. Kim Hyungwook continued to read his report.
“Release of iPhone in Korea is being blocked, but it seems like WIPI platform will be withdrawn very soon.”
WIPI (Wireless Internet Platform for Interoperability).
It was a middleware platform used in Korea that allowed mobile phones to run applications. It was declared by the Korean government to avoid excessive competition between mobile companies. iPhone’s platform was currently not supported by WIPI and that was why it wasn’t released in Korea yet.
“At least we know for sure that TK Telecom won’t be releasing a new cell phone any time soon.”
“Our new cell phone Amor isn’t being received well. If iPhone becomes available in Korea, it’s going to be very bad for us. Try to keep it out of the country as long as possible.”
“Yes, sir.”
Things were not working out as he had hoped. Choi Taemin’s voice deepened.
“Did you say his company was named KND? Try to poach some developers from there. We need to start working on our new Android phone soon.”
“Of course.”
Meanwhile, a hot news popped up online.
“Troubled company Pine Tech becomes merged into KND corporation.”
“KND plans to release a new Android smartphone.”
“A prototype phone revealed. Its name is to be Blue S: An only friend for you in this lonely world.”
“It is to be released in America first, then in Korea towards the end of the year.”
“CDMA support development needed for its release in Korea.”
At the launching party of Blue S, many reporters came to upload real-time news online. After reading the news, Shin Semi texted Woosung.
“This is Shin Semi. You have been approved to join KYLO. Your welcome party will be a week from today. Come to Sungbook-dong 330-XX by 7 pm.
Shin Semi looked at the photo of Blue S prototype. It was fresh and innovative, just like Woosung.
