Chapter 125: Overvalued More Than Reality
Chapter 125: Overvalued More Than Reality
―Who's the hottest guy in the US right now?
―Kim Shin, who made a fortune from stock investments.
―Kim Shin, the entrepreneur behind the COVID vaccine company, Source Coin issuer, and Earth Channel creator.
―Wrong. It's Kim Shin, who divorced Han Chae-won.
The book had been published, and his fame spread uncontrollably.
(Comic of a man happily doing the dishes)
(Photo of him buying a villa and getting flak for it)
(Short video of a guy about to propose, then reading the book about a year of marriage and running away)
(Balance game: Marry Han Chae-won for 100 billion vs. living alone)
Invitations poured in from nearly every broadcaster for talk shows, and videos and photos spread online like memes.
‘Marry Han Chae-won for 100 billion? As someone who's been through it, I'd say pass.’
He decided to calmly enjoy the situation.
KakaoTalk!
―Jeong Beom-tae, Executive VP: Director Seong Ho-jin is producing a documentary-style film about you, sir.
―Kim Shin: Me?
―Jeong Beom-tae, Executive VP: Director Seong Ho-jin himself insisted on doing it. The public is hugely interested in your success story. He's already shot some footage and claims no one else is as qualified, so he's started production.
―Jeong Beom-tae, Executive VP: What should we do? Stop it?
It felt like he was asking because he knew his personality.
Halting a documentary already in production would put the director and crew in a tough spot.
―Kim Shin: Sigh... No choice. I won't stop it.
He'd already given up on his reputation since Han Chae-won's book came out.
―Jeong Beom-tae, Executive VP: We've also gotten a proposal to make a drama based on you.
―Kim Shin: A drama too?
―Jeong Beom-tae, Executive VP: You know, all those business ventures and success stories. They suggested turning it into a fun sitcom vibe with a real-life feel.
―Kim Shin: Would a drama like that even be popular? It doesn't have any Korean sentiment at all.
―Jeong Beom-tae, Executive VP: A major Hollywood drama production company reached out first. They're offering to fund it if we let them produce and air it on Earth Channel, which is gaining worldwide popularity.
―Kim Shin: ....
He'd already given up.
The public's affection wasn't all bad.
Earth Channel kept steadily growing its market share even after surpassing 340 million users.
User growth had plateaued somewhat in the US and Korea, but it was booming in Asian countries and Europe.
‘Honestly, from a user's perspective, OTT services are a pain.’
When it was just Netflix, it felt great.
You could binge entire seasons anytime, not tied to schedules.
But in the US alone, there were Disney+, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO, Apple TV, and more.
In Korea, Tving, Wavve, KT, Coupang Play were all competing.
To watch exclusive movies and dramas, you had to subscribe to multiple services.
Even without a TV at home, you were shelling out for viewing fees, and now multiple OTTs on top.
‘The competition among OTTs will only get fiercer, and latecomers will inevitably struggle.’
A market outlook anyone could predict, not just him.
On Earth Channel, mukbang games, K-zombie flicks, and Top Gun-style movies were still hugely popular.
Trends faded fast in Korea, but in other countries, they dominated the top charts.
Earth Resource's steady revenue from Source Coin tied to shopping malls and cloud services, plus getting an early start, had secured Earth Channel's success.
―Jeong Beom-tae, Executive VP: They're basing it on Silicon Valley company vibes for an American drama. You'd be one of the protagonists.
―Jeong Beom-tae, Executive VP: You can decline, but even if you do, they'll probably produce it with another OTT. They'd just reduce your character's role so you don't appear directly.
No need to agonize over it.
―Kim Shin: Might as well air it on Earth Channel.
―Jeong Beom-tae, Executive VP: Exactly. Dream Art Rainbow will stay involved to make your character as cool as possible.
―Jeong Beom-tae, Executive VP: Since the role will be a Korean actor, we'll scout the best talent from Korea.
He was clearly loyal, but his attitude toward him felt way too casual now.
Han Chae-won's book had brought a lot of gains.
The public treated him more intimately now.
―Bro Kim Shin. As an investor, I thought you'd reached god-tier. Unshakable calm and restraint. Thought you were the perfect guy, but the book reveals you're a total softie ㅠㅠ
―He lets his woman walk all over him endlessly.
―The man who dreams of being a househusband.
―So relatable. For real...
―Stories from his PC bang part-time days too. The owner even released CCTV footage. When there were no customers, he'd disassemble and clean mice and keyboards. Everyone praised his work ethic.
―He felt bad for not even paying minimum wage lololol
―Hard work pays off in the end.
―If only he'd had even one-tenth of that eye for spotting women as he does for the economy.
* * *
Every morning, he chatted with Lee Jong-yeop to set the day's schedule.
Most days were meetings with New York finance execs, but today a senator visited personally.
“I'm Republican Senator Bill Karen.”
“I'm Kim Shin.”
“My deepest condolences. Reading the book, I was struck by your patience and resilience.”
“......”
Why did everyone dive straight into book talk when they met him, even though he didn't write it?
“Have a seat first.”
He greeted him in the hotel conference room.
A Republican senator and economics expert, with a background as a doctor.
Bill smiled lightly.
“I'm in awe of Earth Resource's rapid growth. You've shown incredible business acumen.”
“It's not me. It's because I have talented people around me.”
In truth, he wasn't a genius like Elon Musk or someone who planned everything out.
“The reason I wanted to meet you is to discuss Earth Resource's ventures.”
“Our businesses?”
“Yes. Earth Resource isn't your average company anymore. It's become a massive dinosaur that will swallow the world.”
“......”
Earth Resource had grown successfully in under a year, but not quite to that level yet.
Bill laid out his reasoning.
“Earth Resource transcends national borders, signing up vast numbers of users. You're launching all sorts of services.”
“Yes, that's right.”
“Regular companies struggle to succeed at even one thing, but Earth Resource nails everything. You've built a cool image with users, so you dive into new fields without hesitation. The ambition and skill to challenge boldly and win—it shines through. You're swiftly encroaching on Google's turf in cloud systems and video platforms.”
“......”
It felt like opening a small shop without thinking, only to be accused of stealing business from a department store.
A bit absurd, but considering Earth Resource's growth speed, it made some sense.
No one had predicted it could grow this fast.
They'd secured top talent and capitalized on the COVID era.
‘I knew there was overlap with Google's areas, but I didn't see us as direct rivals.’
Google, starting with search engines, dominated global internet and mobile OS fields.
Competing with them for market share would be an honor.
“But what really catches my eye is Source Coin.”
“Source Coin?”
“You're distributing Source Coin to providers via computing power and cloud systems.”
“Correct.”
“You're issuing it on a massive scale through your shopping mall business, and now you've acquired a department store chain.”
“Yes, that's right.”
It felt like he'd done serious homework before coming.
“You're doing it on Earth Channel too.”
“Just a small bonus for long-term users.”
“I thought that at first too. But you're a star in finance, Mr. Kim. You grasp the essence of money.”
“......”
A Republican senator calling him a finance industry star—quite the compliment.
“You must have planned it ahead, but Source Coin stands apart from other cryptos. It powers services, sales, even leisure activities. It's usable in reality, with trading volume growing daily. It has the potential to become a powerhouse currency, and its ecosystem keeps expanding. Users holding Source Coin are fanatically loyal.”
“......”
“Some even hold most of their wealth in it. Isn't that right?”
He had no good response.
What could he say to greed-blinded folks?
“Looking at Earth Resource, it seems like you've set goals and knocked them out one by one. Level 1, Level 2, Level 3—like a game. For a genius of your caliber, it must have been child's play.”
“......”
He'd stumbled into creating Source Coin and added businesses piecemeal until an ecosystem formed. Would a skeptical politician buy that?
No way.
The world runs on conspiracy theories.
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
“Using Source Coin as bonuses to scale up is fine as is. As long as Earth Resource stays in the US, it's positive for America too. Plus, you've saved millions of American lives.”
“Millions?”
“Yes. Some still doubt vaccines, but I've seen reports from health authorities. K-Vaccine rollout has sharply reduced mortality. In the US alone, 30 million doses already. Those vaccinated know you and are genuinely grateful. Everyone knows the vaccine wouldn't be here without you. Politicians will actively support your ventures.”
“......”
The COVID vaccine had left a deep mark on Americans.
If they'd gotten K-Vaccine shots—themselves, spouses, parents, kids—they'd trust him.
“Personally, I respect you, Mr. Kim. Keep succeeding without getting arrogant and chasing weird goals.”
“What kind of goals?”
“It's trouble when a company tries to beat a nation.”
A US senator had come personally with a polite warning.
Work hard, but don't challenge the state.
This must be the Washington establishment's stance. After a moment's thought, he asked,
“As long as we don't fight the US?”
“Pardon?”
“I never intended to fight any country to begin with.”
“......”