The Chairman's Test
"Do kids these days all talk so boldly?"
"This child is simply special," the secretary replied calmly to his superior's question.
"True. He certainly felt different when I went to see him in person."
Lee Yong-kwon, vice president of Sambo Computer, nodded in agreement with his secretary. The remark about boldness referred to Yoo Jae-won. A phone call had come just moments earlier, requesting a meeting on Saturday. Naturally, Lee Yong-kwon had assumed the call concerned the copyright for the typing tutor program. After all, he himself had traveled all the way to that rural village a week ago and received hospitality unlike anything he had experienced before. Yet what emerged from the secretary's report was news of a startup.
"ID Technology, was it?"
"Yes. He said he wanted to create technology that would turn infinite dreams into reality."
The boldness lay in that very statement. The name of Sambo Computer, founded by his elder brother and company president Lee Yong-tae, had also been rather grand. It evoked the Three Jewels of Buddhism, though the three treasures his brother referred to were talent, technology, and service. Their vision was to gather these three and become the world's foremost computer company. Compared to ID Technology, however, it seemed modest.
"Hah, quite impressive. But why on earth is the first item on their agenda the independent distribution of the typing tutor? All we wanted was the copyright."
The core of the secretary's report was that Yoo Jae-won had established a small company called ID Technology and intended to handle the production and distribution of the typing tutor as its first product. Since Vice President Lee Yong-kwon had shown such sincerity by visiting in person the previous week, Jae-won wanted to present it to Sambo Computer first.
"The idea for a typing tutor is excellent, but that's all it is. No matter how well a fifth-grader programs, it will only reach that level."
Vice President Lee Yong-kwon felt deeply disappointed. Yoo Jae-won's idea was truly genius, and his coding skills were exceptional. Yet turning it into a retail-market program made no sense. Especially with chaebol-owned computer companies also working hard on typing tutors, once the ministerial award and a few newspaper articles faded, the name value would vanish and the product would quickly become obsolete. Seeing this future clearly, Lee Yong-kwon had wanted to build a connection with Yoo Jae-won and nurture him. With a few more years of effort, he could have become a truly renowned programmer. Who on earth had filled his head with such nonsense?
"Will you refuse?"
At the secretary's question, Lee Yong-kwon paused to think. Then, as before, he answered with a question.
"When does my brother—no, the chairman—have free time in his schedule tomorrow?"
"He has nothing scheduled from ten in the morning until lunch."
"Perfect. Let's meet with Yoo Jae-won together with the chairman at that time. I'll explain everything to my brother, so inform ID Technology accordingly."
"Understood."
Lee Yong-kwon's intention was simple. By meeting together with the chairman, he planned to show Yoo Jae-won that business was not a game of toy soldiers or playing house. There was no ill will. It came from affection. He simply wanted to dispel whatever foolish notions had been planted in the boy's head and help him grow properly.
The next day. October 17th, morning.
Receiving his parents' worried send-off, Yoo Jae-won set out for Seoul. Contrary to his parents' concerns, however, Jae-won was brimming with excitement. After all, even elementary school students had to attend school on Saturdays back then. At least classes ended after the morning session, but the textbook content was already stored in his head, making the time unbearably dull. It had been such a waste, but now that he was finally starting his business in earnest, his excitement was only natural.
That did not mean his actions became careless. Heart hot, mind cold.
"What on earth is that man thinking?"
Yoo Jae-won began pondering how to make the suddenly enlarged meeting with Sambo Computer perfect.
"Surely they don't intend to show me that business isn't child's play? If so, they could just say it. Why bring the chairman along?"
Yoo Jae-won did not yet fully grasp it, but 1988 was still an era where romance lived on. Even without money, people had style. Though the president came from a military background, he was a president elected under the democracy citizens had won through direct elections. Moreover, after successfully hosting the 1988 Seoul Olympics, society buzzed with energy. Of course, this also meant universities saw more days of protests than studying, and strikes broke out at many factories. The former reflected the desire for democratization; the latter, discontent over distribution. The latter was far more intense. Wages were still under ten thousand won per day, yet prices rose madly. The prices suppressed by state violence under the previous regime exploded. At the same time, new city development began, flooding the market with money and accelerating inflation. Except for a few, real incomes did not rise—they fell—in many occupations. Yoo Jae-won viewed these as growing pains. The state should have waited for natural resolution and provided support, but perhaps because the president came from the military, the measures taken were pathetic. A public security regime! They fabricated another spy ring incident and began cracking down on strikers and protesters. Then the unauthorized visit to North Korea by Lim Soo-kyung and Moon Ik-hwan pushed the public security regime to its peak.
"It starts next March, doesn't it? This is still a time when money isn't the highest value."
While searching his memories, Yoo Jae-won had wandered down an odd path. There had been some major event before the public security regime, but for now, he had to focus on what lay immediately ahead.
In any case, Vice President Lee Yong-kwon clearly held goodwill toward him, which was why even Sambo Computer's chairman was attending, elevating the meeting's stature. A chairman, no less. Not some retired figure in a back room, but the founder, a computer expert with a doctoral degree. Crisis is opportunity. Yoo Jae-won had no intention of playing along with Vice President Lee Yong-kwon's expectations. If such a person appeared, the sense of crisis would rise, but so would the opportunity. A chairman would not haggle over price and quantity down to the last hundred won or single unit like a mere operative. Conversely, if he earned strong favor, the chairman might open his wallet generously, as befitted his position.
"What are you muttering about?"
"Ah, nothing. It's a habit."
Yoo Jae-won fumbled an answer to the man seated beside him on the express bus. The passenger was not someone who happened to board with him but a companion who had joined the Seoul business trip from Yeoju. Even with a business registration certificate, there were still many things Yoo Jae-won could not handle alone. He had gone to great lengths to secure someone to help with those matters. The man had no connection to schoolteachers; he had been borrowed for this trip through the help of the president of the perilla oil factory. In his previous life's plans, this president had held no presence. Yet now the man had invested equity without even meeting Yoo Jae-won face-to-face and lent him a capable person. Jae-won resolved to make time soon to pay a proper visit and express his gratitude.
"I wonder if I'll really be of any help to you, Jae-won."
The man spoke with uncertainty. It was understandable—he had completely walled himself off from computers. Though he carried a leather briefcase for the trip, its contents were all paper books and documents.
"Don't worry. I'll handle everything related to computers. But when it comes to drafting contracts or negotiating them, I'll leave it entirely to you. The product may be different, but it's all the same work in the end."
"That's true. Legal matters are definitely my specialty."
The man who had momentarily lost confidence at the mention of a computer venture raised his voice. His name was Choi Kang-wook, and he was a lawyer. Recalled from the seventh class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, his name was stored in the Memory Palace. That alone meant his skills were certain. Though currently borrowed through the perilla oil factory president's influence, Yoo Jae-won intended to make him a full member of ID Technology.
"Are we heading straight to Sambo Computer?"
"No. We're going to the department store first."
With the chairman himself attending, proper attire was basic courtesy. Yet Yoo Jae-won's household had no such clothes, so he planned to buy some. He had also decided to get a suit for Lawyer Choi.
"Why the department store?"
Choi Kang-wook began to ask, then caught himself with an "ah" expression and continued differently.
"What's wrong?"
"I nearly forgot President Park's instructions. He asked me to treat you as an equal business partner, not as an elementary school student. From now on, I'll speak formally to you, so don't feel awkward."
"It's fine."
"No, I'm the one who's uncomfortable. Besides, your age is apparently an issue in doing business. President Park is right. If I do this, the other side will take you more seriously as well."
"Understood. Ah, the reason we're going to the department store is to change our outfits."
"Hm? Our outfits?"
"Yes. Proper attire is a basic negotiation strategy. Some people might look down on us for coming from the countryside. As a bonus, you'll get a new suit as well, Lawyer Choi."
"No need. One for you will be enough."
"Please think of it as travel expenses. Besides, if only I get new clothes, the picture will look strange, won't it? If it truly burdens you, you can help our company with more work in the future."
"Goodness, what am I supposed to do? If I'd known it would be like this, I would have worn better clothes. I can't let the negotiation fail because of me, so I'll accept for now. In return, give me plenty of difficult tasks."
Lawyer Choi Kang-wook could no longer refuse once it was framed as official business. Even so, he glanced at Yoo Jae-won's face several times. He had received instructions from the perilla oil factory president, with whom he had a personal retainer contract, but had been uncertain. Yet from the moment they met that morning, it was clear Yoo Jae-won was no ordinary child. Whether he was truly a prodigy who appeared once in several hundred years, Jae-won's words and actions definitely transcended the category of an elementary school student. Well, he was supposedly trying to supply Sambo Computer with a program called Keyboard Warrior 1.0—at first, that had seemed impossible. But now? The success rate seemed at least fifty percent or higher.
"Chairman, how do you do? It is an honor to meet you. I am Yoo Jae-won of ID Technology."
"How do you do? I am Choi Kang-wook, legal advisor to ID Technology."
The two stood side by side and greeted the man in his mid-fifties with respect.
"Welcome. My younger brother has told me a great deal about you."
The man wearing large horn-rimmed glasses and a deep navy suit received their greetings. He was Lee Yong-tae, chairman of Sambo Computer. Chairman Lee Yong-tae's appearance differed greatly from what Yoo Jae-won had imagined. In his mind, he had pictured a benevolent, half-gray-haired grandfather, but waiting for him was a tall, lean man with a full head of black hair. Also present was Vice President Lee Yong-kwon, whom he had met before, along with a sharp-looking young man who appeared to be a working-level staff member.
"Please, have a seat."
"Yes, thank you."
After the greetings, Chairman Lee Yong-tae guided them to their seats. This was the Sambo Computer headquarters in Yeouido, and moreover the chairman's office, so Yoo Jae-won had expected something grand, but unfortunately it was not. The desk was somewhat large, but the atmosphere was that of any ordinary office. The familiar steel filing cabinets and bookshelves were items easily found at any office supply or furniture store. At best, the latest-model computer on the desk, the display case filled with numerous certificates, and the meeting table and chairs placed in front of the personal desk gave the chairman's office its proper character.
"Haa."
Vice President Lee Yong-kwon sighed as he took his seat. He had already exchanged a few words with the two before entering the chairman's office. He had intended to show Yoo Jae-won that business was not easy. Yet ID Technology was far more substantial than he had imagined. What kind of one-man company started with nearly fifty million won in capital and even had a legal advisor? When he, the chairman, and five other partners founded Sambo Computer in 1980, they had started with ten million won. ID Technology was merely a one-person company, yet it had begun with nearly five times that amount. Moreover, its structure was not a simple partnership or borrowed operating funds but involved issuing shares. And a lawyer on top of that. Sambo Computer had only hired a lawyer once its revenue stabilized. At this point, any advice that business was child's play had lost all meaning. Vice President Lee Yong-kwon's gaze turned cold. If this was the case, the story changed. He would calmly examine whether the item they brought was legitimate and treat them accordingly. If the product was shoddy, he would evaluate it thoroughly.
"Hm?"
For a moment, Lee Yong-kwon felt a sense of dissonance at how different his current self was from his original mindset. He was not normally this kind of person. Once he decided to help, he helped to the end—that was his nature. Yet he could not understand what this current feeling was.
"You said you had something to show Sambo Computer?"
Meanwhile, the chairman's words marked the beginning of the meeting's main discussion.