Chapter 143: The Reputation of a Businessman
Chapter 143: The Reputation of a Businessman
Earth Channel's short-term results were continuing to pour in.
Despite the Chinese government's shutdown measures, the surge in subscribers was astonishing.
―Lin Ning [Hong Kong] I want to meet lots of friends.
―Qing Lei [Hong Kong] I like tricolor cats.
―Xiao Aqings [Canada] I work in construction.
―Liu Dan [Hong Kong] I love traveling.
Channel 7.
The space for uploading videos was buzzing with activity from Chinese people living in Hong Kong and Canada.
Oh Myeong-woo looked at the data and said,
"If you check the access locations, it's mostly Chinese people. Hong Kong subscriptions have actually spiked a ton."
It felt like Hong Kong's internet population had suddenly exploded.
Hong Kong was part of China, but Google hadn't been blocked there yet.
If Earth Channel got blocked before Google, it was predicted that the internet population using Chinese in Canada and Australia would skyrocket.
"But why did Hong Kong subscriptions increase so much?"
"Isn't it because you got into it with that Chinese reporter?"
"Huh?"
"Think about how satisfying it must've been for them to see someone who actually stands up to China."
Earth Channel's scale was growing to another level. It was certain to break 500 million subscribers soon.
They weren't just doing OTT—they were expanding into various businesses—but with Facebook at 2.8 billion users, there was still a long way to go.
"Still, I feel bad for you and the employees."
"Why?"
"I unnecessarily escalated things by arguing with that Chinese reporter."
He'd said what needed to be said at the press conference, but maybe holding back would've been better.
If the Chinese government had delayed the official site block, it would've helped Earth Resource's business even a little more.
"Nah. We're the internet generation. Losing an online argument hits your mental health hard. You can never lose a fight like that."
Oh Myeong-woo understood easily, but Kim Shin still felt sorry for some of the employees.
So he apologized to the staff he ran into in the hallways or saw in meetings.
"I'm sorry. For showing you that side of me at the press conference where I couldn't hold back."
"It's fine. It showed a human side of you."
"Huh?"
"Even when you're angry, you look cool, sir."
"......"
This company had a lot of fans who liked him.
* * *
Riding his bike to work every morning always left him feeling refreshed.
The number of employees working in San Francisco had surpassed 4,000.
I felt the joy of pioneering a new market alongside them.
'Earth Resource employees, my goal. At the very least, I won't let my presence slow down our growth.'
The outside world showered praise on his management skills, but in reality, he worried it might hinder the company's development.
"Jong-yeop."
"Yes, sir."
"If you see any flaws in me, tell me anytime."
"Pardon?"
"You need feedback from those close to you to fix your mistakes. If I'm doing something wrong, give me a stern talking-to."
Lee Jong-yeop acted as his personal assistant, following him everywhere.
He helped with a ton of tasks and observed his every move, so Kim Shin figured he'd spot the good and bad clearly.
"Sure, pointing out flaws isn't hard."
Lee Jong-yeop didn't take long to respond.
"You ride your bike to and from work every morning."
"Huh? How's that a flaw? Biking makes up for the lack of exercise, lets you start the day fresh. You get to enjoy the scenery and see people."
"......"
"Jong-yeop, you just don't get the appeal of biking yet."
"Yes?"
"This weekend, let's go hiking north of San Francisco. We'll cross the Golden Gate, ride the coastal highway about 100 km on bikes, and you'll see what I mean."
"......"
Lee Jong-yeop looked like he wanted to cry, but it couldn't be helped.
He wanted to share at least one good thing with his subordinate.
He spoke one-on-one with Oh Myeong-woo.
"It came up in a talk with Eddie."
The idea of providing software for subscribers' convenience could connect to the computer and mobile app markets.
And ultimately, it could even challenge the operating system market.
"Hmm. Makes sense. Pangea Live still has room to evolve."
"Yeah. High-speed comms tech keeps getting faster."
In just ten years, high-speed internet speeds had increased tenfold.
Korea had once been called the fastest, but as fiber optics spread worldwide, debating speeds became pointless.
Elon Musk was even installing the Starlink system in space.
A system launching over 40,000 satellites to provide 1-gigabit high-speed internet anywhere on Earth.
Ultimately, to create a communication network between Earth and Mars.
'You can see what happens when a genius sets a goal and steadily pursues it.'
Oh Myeong-woo nodded.
"Software market, huh. Feels like entering a new field, but it's not a bad idea."
"Yeah. Games are software too. Eddie says there won't be any issues supporting it through Earth Channel."
"Right. It's simple, but it's something we definitely need."
After aligning with Vice President Oh Myeong-woo, they reviewed the software market together.
The review covered not only Microsoft Office, but also Adobe products such as Photoshop and Illustrator.
Top software companies were raking in cash through subscriptions.
From the companies' perspective, steadily milking customers made sense, but it might not align with what users wanted.
"Let's scout the best software worldwide. Survey programmers, gather user feedback too."
They began analyzing software companies and deciding which ones to approach.
He figured it'd take at least a month.
"Why make it complicated when it's simple?"
Oh Myeong-woo occasionally had brilliant ideas.
He posted polls on a few communities he was active in.
Surveys on currently used paid and free software.
Participants could add new entries or pick from the list.
"We'll know what's popular in a day."
"A day?"
"Yeah. With over 50,000 votes, it'll be decided."
* * *
The next morning, the voting results were in.
Categorizing currently sold or freely available software.
The categories included image and graphics tools, document editors, audio software, PC management and security programs, web browsers, and more.
"Let's reach out first."
"Sure."
"The must-have is Figma, the graphics tool company. They're gaining market share against Adobe. Right now, they're offering it free to individuals."
"Hmm. Let's contact them first."
He scrounged up contacts from programmers and called the CEO directly.
"Hello. This is Kim Shin from Earth Resource."
―Pardon?
"I'm Kim Shin, CEO of Earth Resource."
―Is this some crazy guy?
Click.
The call ended.
After a moment of bewilderment, he called back.
"This is Kim Shin, CEO of Earth Resource. I'd like to discuss some business."
―Go to a mental hospital.
Click.
After another hang-up, he had no choice but to call in startup connections.
―Kim Shin: Trying to contact a graphics tool company called Figma.
―Chris: Huh? Just call them. Is there any company in San Francisco running a business that'd refuse your call?
The caller was the CEO of Aurora, the autonomous-truck company.
He'd invested in startups before and steadily R&D'd since, now partnering with Mirae Motors.
―Kim Shin: I introduced myself, but they didn't believe me.
―Chris: Haha. Can't blame them. Two years ago, maybe, but now? Hard to believe even if you call. Got it. I'll put in a word first.
Five minutes later, his phone rang.
He picked up, and a trembling voice came through.
―I'm so sorry. I didn't know and made a mistake.
"No, I'm sorry for calling out of the blue."
―I've always wanted to talk to you at least once. I subscribe to your videos on YouTube and Earth Channel.
"Me?"
―Yes. I respect you as a businessman.
"......"
He was momentarily speechless.
Even through the phone, the sincerity came across.
"I have some business to discuss. Mind if I stop by?"
"Here?"
"Yes. If meeting at your office is inconvenient, anywhere else is fine."
"Oh, no. It'd be an honor. But our place is like a pigsty garage. How about a nearby coffee shop? Or I could visit Earth Resource?"
"You'd come all the way?"
―It's close, and I've worked hard to succeed—I really want to see the Earth Resource building.
* * *
The meeting took place at a Silicon Valley software startup.
He met Dylan, the young CEO who'd started with ideas and dreams.
"It's truly an honor to meet you."
"No, haha, I wanted to meet you too."
Dylan showed up in jeans and a T-shirt.
Kim Shin had worn a luxury suit for business, suddenly feeling like an old fogey.
He envied the youth of someone in his twenties, even with all that money.
What you don't enjoy in your twenties is hard in your thirties, even harder in your forties.
If asked if he'd trade all his money to go back to twenty, he'd tell them to cut the nonsense.
"I learned you run a web-based graphics tool. Free to individuals with limited features, mainly sold to businesses."
"Still lots of room for improvement. We do make some revenue from the limited personal version, but not much."
"I see. Actually, I reached out about investing in and partnering on management with your company."
"Pardon?"
"We plan to distribute various utilities on Earth Channel."
He couldn't reveal the full Pangea Live plans.
He explained Earth Channel would distribute not just games, but utilities cheaply or free.
"To support ongoing software updates, we're thinking of buying some shares and investing funds. Without interfering in management..."
"I'll do it."
"Yes?"
"You're my role model. For a year now, my dream's been getting investment from you."
He'd known Kim Shin's name since he started investing in Silicon Valley startups.
Earth Resource invested 1.5 billion dollars in Figma, run by Dylan, acquiring 33% of the shares.
"Hello. Kim Shin here."
"Really? For real?"
Collaborations with other utility companies went smoothly too.
Most were small outfits not making big money, but thanks to his personal fame and Earth Resource's massive scale.
"If Earth Channel distributes it, we're set."
"Yes?"
"My software will be used worldwide."
"......"
Some boldly dreamed bigger, while others wanted to sell their entire company.
"I don't think I'm cut out to be a businessman. Paying employee salaries every month, rent—it's making my hair fall out."
"Oh dear..."
Kim Shin glanced at his head.
At least up front, there was no more hair loss to worry about.
"To save my precious hair, I'd love to sell the company and work as an employee."
"Your company or your hair..."
"Yes. Hair's way more precious."
"Then we'll acquire the company."