The Money Tree
“A tree that bears money. You’re truly remarkable.”
Attorney Choi Kang-wook offered his sincere admiration after hearing a brief summary of the events from the past few days. Selling thousands of copies of the program to Sambo Computer had been impressive enough. Of course, the program’s quality was so high that even Choi Kang-wook had to acknowledge it. The attorney, who had only ever used a typewriter, made a firm decision and brought an XT computer into his office. The efficiency in document preparation was incomparable to a typewriter. With the typing practice software Yoo Jae-won had thoughtfully provided for his inner circle, even Choi Kang-wook, who had been completely computer-illiterate, quickly grew accustomed to the machine.
Yet in that short time, Jae-won had created another program and launched it in the United States, where it was achieving massive success. It was enough to leave anyone stunned. Seeing the documents filled with English text made it impossible to doubt.
“How on earth did you handle business in America? The U.S. isn’t like Japan, right next door—it’s across the Pacific.”
In response to the follow-up question, Yoo Jae-won explained that he had used the internet and Remington Sting’s detective agency, along with a subscription event to recruit a large number of testers and generate buzz.
“Wow. I never could have imagined such a clever approach. The fact that communication technology has advanced this far is almost frightening.”
It wasn’t just the technological progress that was terrifying—Choi Kang-wook felt a chill at the thought of Yoo Jae-won himself. An ordinary person could never even conceive of the methods Jae-won employed. Entering the American market typically meant establishing a local branch and gradually supplying products, or securing a buyer with an established distribution network.
“So you’re saying you’ll hire this Remington Sting fellow and a local American attorney to negotiate with distributors. And I’ll have to prepare all the necessary documents?”
“Yes. I’m counting on you.”
Even at Yoo Jae-won’s request, Choi Kang-wook did not give an immediate answer.
“This might be difficult.”
His words, spoken after a brief pause, were not encouraging. Was he refusing?
“Even if the scale is small, this is still international business. I’m not familiar with that field. Besides, all the documents will have to be in English. I can manage everyday conversation, but I’m honestly not confident with business English.”
“Is that so? I thought it would be fine.”
“No. We need someone with real expertise. Wouldn’t it be better to look for an international attorney currently active in Korea?”
“Do you know anyone?”
“Ah, I do know someone. But their fee will be much higher than mine.”
Money was not an issue. The remaining payment from Sambo Computer would arrive soon, and once contracts were signed with U.S. distributors, advance payments would follow. The government would also loosen its purse strings, and other conglomerates would be unable to resist the trend. Jae-won’s revenue was only going to keep growing.
“That’s fine.”
“Really? Understood. I’ll introduce you tomorrow at the latest.”
“Hehe, so does that mean you and the international attorney you’re introducing will both be working at ID Technology?”
“Huh? Me too?”
“Keyboard Warrior is only the beginning. My head is filled with incredible ideas—innovations that will cause an uproar in the market once they’re released. There will also be plenty of legal and administrative issues. So I need someone to handle legal affairs, and if possible, I’d be grateful if you, Attorney Choi, whom I already know, would take it on.”
Yoo Jae-won felt embarrassed praising himself, but he said everything that needed to be said.
“Hmm. I don’t have to decide right away, do I?”
“Of course not.”
“I have several ongoing cases right now, so moving immediately would be problematic. I should also discuss it with my wife. I’ll talk it over and let you know.”
Although Choi Kang-wook had not given a definitive answer, it was as good as a 90% acceptance. Working with ID Technology had proven far more lucrative than his previous legal work. His wife was unlikely to object when she saw how much their household finances would improve.
After sharing the latest updates, the two soon moved on to practical matters.
“By the way, I have some concerns about the American representatives.”
“What is it?”
“Whether we can truly trust them. They’re thousands of kilometers away, after all. Communication has improved enough for phone calls, but no one knows what might happen in such a distant place. There’s always the risk they could structure deals to benefit themselves personally at the expense of ID Technology’s interests during negotiations with distributors.”
Yoo Jae-won nodded readily at Choi Kang-wook’s concern. It was a valid worry from someone who didn’t know Remington’s background—though now he was more of an uncle than a grandfather.
“But if we want to do business with such a faraway place, this is still the best approach, isn’t it?”
“Even so, we need safeguards.”
“Is there a way?”
“Tighten control over the money flow and implement cross-checks.”
Choi Kang-wook’s method was simple. Regardless of how contracts were structured with distributors, all payments had to be deposited directly into ID Technology’s account in Korea. Deposit records could not be falsified, and cross-checking against those amounts would verify whether the U.S. representatives had reported accurately.
“Of course, we must proceed carefully. If done wrong, it could weaken our representatives’ negotiating power. But nothing hurts more than being blindsided without any preparation.”
“Understood. That approach does seem effective.”
Choi Kang-wook’s method would likely work well, though it was disappointing. Originally, Yoo Jae-won had planned to open an account in the United States to keep the money earned there. No country had more advanced financial instruments like stocks and futures than the U.S. He had intended to use those earnings for major investments. There were also countless companies with technology that made his mouth water. After hearing Choi Kang-wook’s advice, however, it seemed premature. He decided to open a freely usable account in America during winter break by going there in person, and for now, he would follow the attorney’s method.
“The Export-Import Bank would be good.”
When Yoo Jae-won was pondering which bank to use for the corporate account to receive overseas revenue, Choi Kang-wook recommended the Export-Import Bank. It could receive not only dollars but various foreign currencies directly, and it could assist with import and export operations. Moreover, as it was established to support small and medium-sized enterprises, borrowing would be cheaper than from commercial banks.
Ever quick to act, Yoo Jae-won immediately went with Choi Kang-wook to the Export-Import Bank and opened the corporate account.
The matters discussed with Choi Kang-wook were relayed to Remington Sting at dawn the next day.
“Hmm, that works for us too. We were already short on hands, so this is perfect! If we had to handle all the financial paperwork ourselves, we’d have been buried alive.”
Remington Sting actually welcomed Yoo Jae-won’s policy. Afterward, they exchanged documents proving the company’s existence, such as the business registration certificate, via fax. Remington Sting and Ellen Schmitt, whom he had recommended, were formally hired, and employment contracts were drawn up. Choi Kang-wook handled nearly everything, while Yoo Jae-won simply sent money whenever payment requests came through.
ID Technology in Korea had also grown. Attorney Choi Kang-wook officially joined the legal team, and a one-year contract was signed with the international attorney he recommended. Surprisingly, the international attorney’s name was someone Yoo Jae-won already knew—Robert Halley, the American with the thick Gyeongsang dialect. In Jae-won’s memories, the man had been categorized as a celebrity, but in 1988 he was still practicing law. When Choi Kang-wook had applied for Ribbon Interface patents in the U.S. and Europe, Robert Halley had helped prepare the documents, and that connection now extended to Yoo Jae-won. He was an international attorney fluent in Korean and clearly competent. The smooth communication with the Remington team in California was all thanks to Robert Halley.
Finally, Kang Chan-ho, the owner of the advertising shop in Yeoju, also joined. For now, they agreed to work together as the primary partner company, with a contract stipulating that once ID Technology grew larger, the advertising shop’s assets would be fully acquired and merged.
The company’s main focus was computer program development, yet somehow its key personnel had become dominated by legal professionals—an odd phenomenon. Nevertheless, ID Technology ran smoothly without the slightest hitch. In fact, it wasn’t just running—it was hitting the daily upper limit every single day.
News from America began spreading to Korea through correspondents’ reports, and with it, Yoo Jae-won and the typing practice program Keyboard Warrior received intense spotlight. Advertisements and feature articles for Sambo Computer, delayed by several days from the original plan, began pouring out. It was a true media bombardment.
As expected, the advertising and news translated directly into purchasing power. The packaged versions sold at Sambo Computer dealerships sold out in an instant. To meet the clamoring consumers, they had to place bundled versions on the shelves for sale. Once ID Technology and Yoo Jae-won gained momentum, nothing could stop them. Like a fishing god, every cast—whether in America or Korea—brought in massive catches.
The biggest catch came from America. The Remington team, who had been working tirelessly on Yoo Jae-won’s behalf, finally landed a major deal. Electronic Arts, America’s largest software distributor, placed a huge bet on Keyboard Warrior and became the primary negotiating partner.
The next big catch was a domestic conglomerate. Though smaller than Electronic Arts, this computer company—arrogant and without rivals in Korea—also bit on Keyboard Warrior. They tried promoting their own typing practice software, but it was no match for consumer demand. After all, in the computer industry, second place was as good as defeat. Keyboard Warrior was undeniably number one. Everyone was asking only for Keyboard Warrior.
Among these conglomerates was Sambo Computer. But their situation was better than the others. Vice President Lee Yong-kwon had anticipated this development and made reservations in advance, allowing them to receive stock first. They weren’t in as much of a rush as the other companies whose feet were already on fire, yet they still requested a meeting with Yoo Jae-won.
Of course, meeting requests didn’t come only from Sambo Computer. Other conglomerates also sought meetings, hoping for even a photo with Yoo Jae-won. Interestingly, the requests weren’t limited to corporations. High-ranking government officials were also looking for him. His position was nothing less than a minister—the Minister of Communications had scheduled a meeting. Director Kim Won-jung must have said something to his superiors, because they sent an official document treating Yoo Jae-won not as an elementary school student but as a legitimate businessman, with a polite request.
While some faxes from conglomerate-affiliated computer companies addressed him as “Student Yoo Jae-won,” the document from the Ministry of Communications was addressed to “President Yoo Jae-won of ID Technology.”
For Yoo Jae-won, who had always associated the government with rigidity and authority, the Minister of Communications was an exception. In any case, every catch that had been reeled in was a substantial one. They were so plump that he momentarily wondered which to devour first. In particular, the meeting with the Minister of Communications was the most sensible and realistic priority.
Yet the very first schedule Yoo Jae-won set was with Sambo Computer. The reason was simple. While other deals were still far from generating deposits, Sambo Computer had already sent the money. Nothing motivated Yoo Jae-won more reliably or practically than that.