After a week of daily negotiations with Microsoft, Seok-won finally reached an agreement to sell Hotmail for $470 million.
[$470 million?!]
Roy’s excited voice rang through the speakerphone, followed by loud cheers from the other co-founders in the background.
Seok-won nodded with a faint smile.
“That’s right.”
[You got $170 million more than the original offer! We definitely made the right call leaving it to you.]
“But I’m sorry I couldn...
After leaving the penthouse, Seok-won took the elevator with his aides and headed straight to the business meeting room at the Plaza Hotel, where today’s meeting was scheduled.
The room, luxuriously decorated with large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Central Park and furnished with fine wooden furniture, already had Landon waiting inside, accompanied by the fund’s legal advisor.
After a short wait, the Microsoft representatives arrived, guided in by McGregor, the gener...
January 6, 1997.
Bill Gates, CEO of Microsoft, had cut his holiday break short and returned to the office earlier than usual. Sitting at the head of the conference table, he frowned and spoke with restrained irritation.
“So you're saying Hotmail wants to postpone the meeting?”
The low, clipped tone of his voice barely concealed his annoyance. It was only two days before the scheduled acquisition meeting—having it suddenly canceled at the last minute...
Because of the snow that fell last night, Central Park was completely blanketed in white.
Seok-won, seated alone and enjoying his brunch while admiring the snow-covered landscape through the expansive glass windows, put down his fork and knife and wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin.
At that moment, a hotel staff member in uniform quietly approached him from the side and asked,
“Shall I clear this for you?”
“Yes, please.”
Seok-won nodded as ...
Eunma Apartment in Daechi-dong, Gangnam, Seoul.
Located in one of the wealthiest areas in Gangnam, the third floor of this apartment shopping complex housed the headquarters of Hanbo Group.
People were often shocked to learn that the headquarters of a major conglomerate—recently bumped up four spots in the corporate rankings to 14th place—was not in a gleaming high-rise but rather occupying a single floor of an apartment complex.
In fact, this was the...
Completely blindsided by Seok-won’s gesture, not only Trevor but even Landon, seated beside him, wore a stunned expression.
Landon was about to speak up, but upon seeing Seok-won’s calm and composed demeanor as he faced Trevor, he realized this wasn’t some impulsive whim. Quietly, he closed his mouth.
Trevor, still visibly in shock, leaned forward slightly, as if to make sure he had heard correctly.
“You’re saying… if I write the amount we need on that check, ...
Swoooosh.
Hot water streamed from the showerhead, cascading down over his firm muscles.
Broad shoulders, a trim waist, and sharply defined abs — everything about him was sculpted to perfection.
It wasn’t the kind of bulked-up physique you get from simply building muscle for show. His body had perfect balance, the kind that reminded one of a statue crafted by a renowned artist — beautiful in its symmetry and detail.
On top of that, hi...
“Oh, right. Jeffrey Preston Bezos’s arriving in New York tomorrow, isn’t he?”
Sitting with one leg crossed, Seok-won asked casually. Landon responded immediately.
“Yes. He’s flying in from Seattle on the private jet we arranged.”
Jeffrey Preston Bezos/Jeff Bezos was a brilliant talent who graduated from Princeton, quickly rose through the ranks at various startups and emerging financial firms, and became an executive before even turning thirty. Then, he sudd...
In the executive office with its sweeping view of the East River beyond a wall of glass, Seok-won sat comfortably on a plush sofa, flanked by Landon on one side and Andrew on the other—Andrew having recently been promoted to Chief Investment Officer in recognition of his performance.
After Daisy, the secretary, set down a tray of tea and quietly exited, Seok-won leaned back against the soft cushion and spoke.
“I hear some warning signs are starting to appear in Thailand.”<...
After a full day of rest to adjust to the time difference and recover their energy, Choi Ho-geun and the team headed to Eldorado Fund on the third day to begin their training.
As the van crawled through heavy traffic, with cars barely inching forward, Jung Hwan-yeop looked out the window and grimaced.
“Seoul’s traffic is bad, but this place is on another level.”
“Seriously. We’ve been in the car for almost thirty minutes and it feels like we haven’t even moved...
“We’ll be landing at LaGuardia Airport shortly. Please fasten your seatbelt again.”
At Bella’s words, spoken as she approached from the side, Seok-won removed his eye mask. He had been reclining with his legs stretched out, resting comfortably on the angled seat.
Turning his head toward the round porthole window next to him, he saw thick clouds blanketing the sky beneath the clear blue above.
“There are a lot of clouds, but there’s no rain or snow, so there sh...
Still in awe, the group stepped off the bus as it came to a stop. Waiting for them with a warm smile was a tall, blonde woman.
“Welcome aboard. We’re delighted to have you.”
Dressed in a beige trench coat with leather gloves and her hair swept up in a neat bun, the striking woman was Bella, the private jet’s flight attendant.
She had the glamorous figure of a fashion model and greeted them in slightly accented but impressively fluent Korean. The group couldn't hel...
"Ten sets of underwear and dress shirts are packed in the large suitcase. Just in case, I also put in an extra suit," she said.
"Ah, okay," replied Choi Ho-geun.
He was brushing his teeth and poked his head out slightly from the bathroom door at the sound of his wife's voice.
Wearing an apron, his wife continued speaking as she neatly stacked brand-new, still-packaged dress shirts into the open large suitcase in the living room.
"Don’t wear the same ones two or t...
November 5th, 10:30 a.m. — a wooded hill near Changbau Village in Yongdae-ri, Buk-myeon, Inje County, Gangwon Province.
As the bitter cold wind slashed through the sharply dropping temperatures, a unit of soldiers in camouflage gear climbed a steep hillside, cautiously advancing while using natural cover, their automatic rifles at the ready.
They were Special Forces Regiment troops and Special Warfare Command soldiers pursuing remnants of North Korean armed in...
As today marks the seventh day since the armed guerrilla sweep operation began following the discovery of a North Korean Sang-O class submarine off the coast of Gangneung, signs are emerging that the situation may become prolonged.
In response, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, currently overseeing the operation, announced a strategic shift. Rather than maintaining a tightening encirclement centered around Aninjin-ri, Gangneung—extending out in a 50-kilometer triple-layer perim...
September 17, 1996 — 11:00 PM, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung, Gangwon Province.
Roughly 10 kilometers off the coast, a dark submarine lay quietly on the seabed, its hull settled against the ocean floor.
Weighing in at just under 300 tons, the small vessel was a Sang-O-class submarine, operated by the Reconnaissance Bureau under the North Korean Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces.
Only 34 meters long and 3.8 meters wide, the cramped interi...
“We’ll proceed with this as is.”
“Understood.”
After handing the approval file back, Seok-won leaned back in his chair and looked at Choi Ho-geun, who stood in front of the desk.
“By the way, have you finished converting all the operating funds into dollars, like I instructed?”
Receiving the cue, Choi Ho-geun answered while still holding the file in one hand.
“Yes. I was going to report it anyway. With Director Eom’s help, we completed the ...
Donghae Group Headquarters, Yeongdeungpo.
As a knock sounded and the door opened, Chief Secretary Jeon Hae-cheol entered. Chairman Woo Yong-gap, who had been seated at his desk, straightened his posture.
“I was just about to call for you. Good timing. Have a seat.”
When he pointed with his chin toward the sofa in the middle of the office, Chief Secretary Jeon bowed his head and responded.
“Yes, sir.”
Chairman Woo, who had been readin...
“Did you just say foreign exchange crisis?”
Chairman Park Tae-hong, visibly startled, stared at Seok-won, who replied in a slightly more subdued voice.
“Yes.”
Across from him, his older brother also looked shaken as he spoke.
“A currency crisis? Don’t you think that’s a bit of a stretch?”
“It’s a conclusion I reached after carefully and repeatedly analyzing everything that’s happened since the reverse Plaza Accord between ...
A few days later
A large black Mercedes sedan carrying Seok-won glided to a smooth stop in front of the main gate of the family home in Hannam-dong.
Assistant Manager Han Ji-sung stepped out first and promptly opened the rear door. Seok-won extended his long legs and emerged from the back seat.
It was already mid-August, and the summer heat should’ve begun to ease. But the record-breaking heatwave made it so hot that just standing still brought out a sweat.
As Se...
"Did you say Baht?"
As Rodney furrowed his brows and looked over, George Soros gave a slight nod and leisurely picked up the glass of whiskey on the rocks in front of him.
"More precisely, the situation with the Thai economy."
"...!"
Understanding the implication, Rodney straightened up with a serious expression.
"Have you set Thailand as the first target?"
George Soros took a sip of his whiskey, set the glass down, and replied in a measured tone.
...
Even though it wasn’t even noon yet, the sweltering heat had already pushed the temperature up to 34°C. Just standing still made it feel like the air was suffocating.
On the shimmering asphalt circuit, waves of heat rose into the air, and the acrid smell of burning rubber filled the surroundings. A yellow bull roared fiercely, tearing through the track at blistering speed.
The car hugging the asphalt and surging forward with explosive velocity was none other than the Lam...
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was established as an international organization with the purpose of promoting economic development, international cooperation, and trade expansion.
As South Korea achieved remarkable economic growth—so significant that it was called the "Miracle on the Han River"—and its trade volume increased, pressure to join the OECD and open its markets intensified in the early 1990s.
However, the government and political...
Eldorado Fund Headquarters, Manhattan, New York.
Landon, who was sitting at his desk, closed the documents he was reading as soon as he heard a knock and saw Andrew enter the room, wearing a purple tie and suspenders.
“Have a seat,” he said.
Andrew walked over to the sofa, where warm sunlight was streaming through the large glass windows, and took a seat.
Landon came around the desk and took the center seat, crossing one leg casually.
Wi...
"Handle this according to the original plan."
Seok-won handed over the approval documents to Han Ji-sung, who was standing in front of the desk, then leaned back against his chair and asked,
"By the way, have you managed to get the DSP chips developed by Germany’s Micronas and send them to Digital Wave?"
"Yes. As per your instructions, I secured thirty sample units, and they are currently being shipped by air. They should arrive no later than tomorrow."
Satisfied...
A Securities Firm Trading Floor in Downtown Tokyo, Japan
Small groups of anxious individual investors huddled together, their eyes fixed on the stock ticker. As soon as the market opened, they watched in shock as Sumimoto Corporation’s stock, highlighted in deep green, plummeted. Their faces filled with despair.
[Sumimoto Corporation 875.4 ▼26.8 JPY]
Sumimoto Corporation’s stock had recently rebounded, recovering to...
Sumitomo Corporation Headquarters, Chuo Ward, Tokyo, Japan
Inside the spacious conference room, a large group of reporters had gathered as Ito Masanao, the president of Sumitomo Corporation, entered alongside Kubori, the CFO, and Hashimoto, the head of the Non-Ferrous Metals Division.
Click! Click! Click!
Amidst a barrage of camera flashes, the three men walked up to the podium, their faces rigid with tension.
Despite the sudden announceme...
Sumimoto Corporation Headquarters, Chuo Ward, Tokyo, Japan
Swoosh.
Manager Sugihara, who had rushed to the office at dawn, rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt and washed his face with cold water in the empty restroom.
As he turned off the faucet and lifted his head, he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror. His face hardened with a bitter expression.
The volatile copper prices had kept him on edge for days, robbing him of sleep. His fac...
Rodney, the CIO of Quantum Fund, sat at his desk, scanning the multiple monitors in front of him. Something caught his eye, and his brow twitched.
Reaching out, he pressed the intercom switch, summoning his secretary, Rose.
"Rose, call Ian and tell him to come to my office immediately."
[Yes, sir.]
Before long, there was a knock at the door. Rodney looked up and responded.
"Come in."
Ian stepped inside, approached, and spoke.
"You called for me...
At the hotel fitness center, where a vast glass window overlooked the deep blue Han River, Seok-won ran on a treadmill, earphones in, listening to fast-paced hip-hop.
It was a weekday afternoon, and although more than a dozen treadmills were lined up in a row, he was the only one using them.
He kept running without pause, and by the time the red sunset settled between the apartment buildings across the river, he finally began to slow his pace.
Catching his breath, Seok-wo...