Chapter 121: Absolute Sense
Chapter 121: Absolute Sense
The core of investing was a sense of balance and patience.
Putting money down, and taking money in.
“Kim Shin, watch closely. See what kind of man your dad is.”
In my childhood, my father would take me to a Go-Stop game two or three times a week.
A small room set up in a building materials store that sold construction supplies.
In a room filled with cigarette smoke, my father and the truck drivers or construction workers would play with the hwatu cards.
My father was really good at Go-Stop.
After a few rounds, he’d quickly dominate the table and get everyone excited.
“Pi for 7 points. What are you doing? I’m taking this and stopping. Obviously, it’s time for One Go!”
I’d play with toys in the corner, watching in awe as my father swept up the cards from the floor.
The other men would shake their heads, as if they couldn’t compete.
“Three more points for Gwang. Both of you going for Gwang-bak? You can’t stop now. Let’s go—Two Go!”
A game where each point was worth 100 won.
Because my father was so good at Go-Stop, he’d always brag about earning 100,000 won a day.
“Kim Shin, if your dad sits down to play, he makes at least 100,000 won. If he doesn’t make that much, it’s a loss. A loss.”
Back in the days when I believed his words without question.
When the men ordered delivery from the Chinese restaurant, I got to eat jjajangmyeon. Playing with the other kids who came for the card games, time flew by.
“Nothing good coming your way? Then I’m going!”
“Damn, Shin’s dad. Your Kut cards are on fire today.”
“When have I ever had a bad day? This is how you play Go-Stop.”
My father was good at Go-Stop, but he didn’t always win money.
If points came early, he’d get greedy and call Go too aggressively.
“Dad, maybe it’s time to Stop.”
“No way. That’s for fools. Right now, it’s Go time. Just call Go and you’ll rake it in!”
Following my father around, I learned that the moment greed kicks in, the money isn’t yours anymore.
Luck doesn’t always follow.
You also have to be careful not to lose people.
There were times when my father got into fights with the other Go-Stop players and was banned from the place.
‘If you don’t stop when you should, it’s not your money.’
My father was addicted to the greed for money and the thrill of gambling.
One day, after winning big at Go-Stop, he carried me on his back and boasted.
“Shin-ah, this is your dad. If I set my mind to it, I can do anything!”
My father really was great at Go-Stop.
To my young eyes, just watching him deal the cards felt like magic.
* * *
‘The jjajangmyeon I ate back then was so delicious.’
As time passed, I occasionally thought of my late father.
By the world’s standards, he was a man without a proper job, lost in gambling—but he was still a father with a warm, broad back.
‘If only he’d known the meaning of “moderation.”’
〈Dow Jones Hits Historic 30,000 Mark for the First Time〉
〈Democrats Seize Senate, Green Light for Biden’s Stimulus Package〉
〈Fed Signals Aggressive Support with Plans to Buy Long-Term Bonds〉
While staying in New York, the stock market showed steady gains.
Changes in the political environment, low inflation outlook, and more.
Various factors were instilling confidence in the 2021 economy.
―Alert! Bitcoin smashes all-time high!
―It’s rising. Keep rising.
―This is when you make money. No point grinding away to save pennies like a sheep.
―When will Source Coin break $30?
―Predicting January lol. Could be even sooner.
―If Channel 7 succeeds, it might hit $100.
―Why would Source Coin rise if Channel 7 succeeds?
―Who knows. It’ll rise anyway. Right?
The coin forums were buzzing.
Coin trading supported by Earth Resource was growing more than twofold every month.
Even without active marketing, user numbers kept surging since the launch of Earth Channel.
―Can’t trust the other exchanges.
―Cheap fees come with reasons. Earth Resource offers fair fees and secure trades—much better.
―When betting your whole fortune, go with a big company. It’s basic.
Seeing Earth Resource recognized as a major IT player now was something else.
It was like being so full you didn’t need another meal.
〈Midas Touch Kim Shin—Luck Running Out?〉
〈Wall Street Bets Dow to Break 35,000 in 2021〉
〈Tesla Surge Lifts EV Stocks, Big Tech Dips Slightly〉
〈Investors Who Sold with Kim Shin Miss Out on Rally Gains〉
As the New York market climbed, my words in front of President-elect Biden came back like a boomerang.
Still, I didn’t waver.
‘Trust myself.’
The stock market had risen too much this year.
When everyone’s greedy and money’s flowing, certain sayings emerge.
“Stocks? Just buy and you profit. Missing out now is dumb.”
“Coins are meant to rise. How? They just will!”
Korea’s twenties and thirties, short on assets, were pouring their souls into investments.
To avoid becoming sudden paupers after doing nothing.
‘Korea’s like a national indicator. Watch Korea, and you know the global mood.’
A manufacturing powerhouse with a lagging financial sector.
Yet individual investors had mindsets like aggressive hedge fund managers chasing profits.
‘Korean investors signal the economy’s overheating.’
It felt like Korea was leading the world in finance.
Maybe the media was fanning the flames.
* * *
Lee Jong-yeop was handling a mountain of tasks.
Pushing block deals for Kim Shin’s stocks with institutional investors.
On top of that, acquiring high-rises in New York and investing in sports teams.
Considering synergies, things to handle in partnership with Earth Resource.
―Lee Jong-yeop: CEO, needed for business. Available staff, come to New York.
It was Friday, so he felt bad, but he sent a group text to the secretarial pool.
―Melissa: Leaving first thing tomorrow morning.
He’d messaged at 3 p.m., and got a Saturday morning departure reply.
‘Thanks.’
He felt the U.S. staff were more diligent than Arcor’s. Sure, salaries were higher, but it was a crew of workaholics.
―Nina: Taking the 7 a.m. flight. 3 hours, factoring jet lag, arrive midnight—okay to contact then?
―Lee Jong-yeop: Yes. Will book extra rooms at the CEO’s hotel.
―Dana: In San Francisco. Will take the 5 p.m. flight.
The secretarial staff—all arrived in New York in under 12 hours.
“We need to acquire U.S. and European sports teams. Sponsoring individual tennis and golf players too.”
“Got it. Moving on it now.”
“Also need reports on U.S. economy and private companies. For the CEO’s investment prep.”
“Will team up with industry contacts and consulting firms.”
Lee Jong-yeop had it easy.
The secretarial pool: 6 men, 13 women.
Veterans from the industry or top grads from elite schools.
‘Give an order, and they deliver.’
Things he couldn’t do himself? They handled with just a word.
* * *
Han Chae-won got a call from her handler at Random Flower Publishing.
―The manuscript you sent is great.
“Really?”
―Yes. We’ll do light translation and editing, then publish as soon as possible. Okay to release simultaneously in the U.S., Europe, and Korea?
“Of course. Absolutely.”
She nodded as she spoke on the phone.
Arcor’s office.
Other employees stared oddly, but she had no time for that.
How many people had gotten rich publishing in America?
―First print run: 2.5 million copies.
“2.5 million?”
―We did prelim research—expect to sell out in the first week.
“Will it really sell that much?”
―Plenty. Trump’s niece’s memoir sold 950,000 on day one. Factoring Kim Shin’s fame, a week should be fine. European orders mean we’ll reprint if stock dips below a million.
“Oh my god.”
Han Chae-won felt like she’d float away, phone in hand.
Roughly $1.40 per book sold.
2.5 million copies meant $3.5 million right away.
Over 4 billion won at current rates.
‘End of this damn poverty.’
The agony of writing the manuscript paid off.
Time to overhaul her entire life.
‘Sell over 10 million copies, leverage fame for U.S. TV spots. Millions per interview.’
She’d envied girls born rich—fancy apartments, cool cars, designer clothes.
Now she could have that life.
‘Once famous, pivot to YouTube? Or broadcast on Earth Channel. Live like a celeb. Earn it all myself.’
Her hopeful fantasies unstoppable.
Kim Shin’s fame wouldn’t vanish overnight, and her ex-wife book would hook women everywhere.
―Royalties for 2.5 million deposit today.
“That fast? Thank you. Truly.”
Not for nothing a U.S. publisher, she thought, hanging up with the Random Flower handler.
Fingers trembling, body buzzing like electricity.
‘I did this myself. Royalties hit today—I’m rich.’
She sat at her desk, staring blankly at employees working.
“Jo Soo-ah landed three surgery machine orders this time.”
“Jo Soo-ah’s no joke. Sales holding steady even now.”
“Need someone for the Changwon Software support.”
“Me! I’ll go.”
Employees grinding for monthly incentives of 300,000 or 500,000 won.
Han Chae-won pitied them.
‘Quit, and no need to see them again.’
No attachment to her subordinates.
Work wouldn’t stick; she zoned out.
‘When’s the deposit? Finance said they’d handle. Americans quick on paperwork?’
After 20 minutes, the alert came.
[Deposit $3,500,000
Random Flower]
“Euuugh.”
Han Chae-won folded over in her chair, sobbing.
Tears of joy poured out. Calming, she grabbed her phone and wallet from the desk.
“Cheongdam-dong, please.”
In the taxi, she headed to the luxury shops in Cheongdam-dong.
Salary modest, but she’d upped her card limit for today.
Han Chae-won pushed open the luxury shop door with confidence.