Chapter 175: East Coast Trip
Chapter 175: East Coast Trip
Chairman Jin Myeong-il of Mirae Motors was awaiting his meeting with Kim Shin.
“They say you’ve met with Isung Group’s Seon Jae-yong and the chairmen of DK and LK Groups. Then you’ll probably see me soon enough.”
Mirae Motors Group was far removed from biotech or electronics.
They had built dormitories for Biolife in the construction sector, but it wasn’t exactly a massive undertaking.
〈Kim Shin Test-Drives All of Mirae Motors’ Electric Vehicles〉
〈Kim Shin Takes the Wheel: From Mirae Motors’ Ioniq to Genesis EVs〉
Suddenly, news broke that Kim Shin had test-driven all the electric vehicles Mirae Motors had released.
“What’s going on? Why’s he trying out our cars?”
He was pondering the reason when Jin Yoo-kyung spoke up.
“Dad, Kim Shin wants to meet you.”
“Does he? No big schedules, so let’s make it today.”
Meeting Kim Shin, who was drawing massive media attention, was intriguing in itself.
He was ready to cancel any prior commitments and see Kim Shin first.
“He says a week from now. No time until then.”
“…….”
* * *
The electric vehicle idea that had popped into his head at the coffee shop wasn’t backed by any solid conviction yet.
‘Even when Elon Musk founded Tesla or SpaceX, everyone around him probably said it couldn’t be done—but he pulled it off anyway.’
Honestly, it was possible because Musk was a genius among geniuses when it came to drive.
‘So, who could I consult about this?’
The first person who came to mind was Vice Chairman Seon Jae-yong.
―Kim Shin: What do you think about Earth Resource entering the electric vehicle market?
―Seon Jae-yong, Vice Chairman: Electric vehicles?
Isung Group had a history of founding Isung Motors.
It had been the previous chairman’s strong will that drove it, but the IMF crisis had tanked it completely.
That’s why Kim Shin figured he’d know a lot about the auto industry.
Experience and knowledge tend to pile up more from failures than successes.
―Seon Jae-yong, Vice Chairman: Is there a special reason you want to enter the EV market?
―Kim Shin: Truth be told, it’s embarrassing, but I got the idea from a comment saying, “Put wheels on a smartphone and it’s a car.”
―Seon Jae-yong, Vice Chairman: That’s a fun comment. But even so, Isung Electronics, which makes smartphones, can’t just start building cars.
―Kim Shin: If we get vehicle manufacturing tech from Mirae Motors, batteries and electrical systems from DK and LK, it should work.
Was this plan too outlandish?
Seon Jae-yong went quiet, maybe busy with something urgent.
After waiting about ten minutes, a text came in.
―Seon Jae-yong, Vice Chairman: Honestly, that idea surprised me. You’re thinking of collaboration among Korean companies.
―Kim Shin: Yes. It ties into President Biden’s Buy American policy too.
Those industries included automobiles, semiconductors, displays, and batteries.
Korea’s flagship industries were being semi-forced to build factories in the US due to the Buy American policy.
The massive market, tech, talent pool, and generous tax breaks only America could offer.
‘Build factories here, and you get all this. Don’t want to? Then don’t even think about selling.’
Korea’s industrial competitiveness and production capacity had no choice but to weaken under US pressure.
That’s why pooling strengths from Korean companies for a venture seemed like a smart move.
―Kim Shin: Just an idea I had—does it sound feasible?
―Seon Jae-yong, Vice Chairman: If Mirae Motors agrees, it could work.
Mirae Motors’ buy-in was key, as expected.
But Kim Shin didn’t think it would be easy. They’d have to hand over their entire vehicle development and production tech.
―Kim Shin: It’s basically asking for their whole foundation. Would they agree?
He’d asked half-expecting it to be impossible.
―Seon Jae-yong, Vice Chairman: They won’t like it, but they’ll participate.
―Kim Shin: You think so?
―Seon Jae-yong, Vice Chairman: It’s different from Isung Electronics’ memory chips. They hold nearly half the market share there, backed by capital and tech.
Isung Electronics’ memory chips commanded close to 50% of the global market.
They’d grown stronger through every chicken game, driving multiple Japanese firms to ruin.
―Kim Shin: And Mirae Motors?
―Seon Jae-yong, Vice Chairman: They’re fifth globally in production volume, but nothing special in assets or tech. Brand image isn’t strong either.
―Kim Shin: …….
Blunt criticism, more than expected.
―Seon Jae-yong, Vice Chairman: They’re even short on investment capital. They say they’ll invest about 20% of what Tesla’s putting into EVs by 2030. Compared to Toyota or Volkswagen’s investments in internal combustion, it’s less than half. And their talkative engines have been hiding defects, leading to massive recall costs.
Please, stop dissing Mirae Motors.
Isung Group and the old Mirae Group had a long rivalry in Korea before the split, but he hadn’t expected such a naked takedown.
Still, it wasn’t wrong.
―Seon Jae-yong, Vice Chairman: The auto industry is brutally competitive. Needs massive capital, and success is a gamble.
―Seon Jae-yong, Vice Chairman: For Mirae Motors, just participating could be an opportunity.
―Seon Jae-yong, Vice Chairman: Uniting Korean companies to challenge the EV market—an idea no one but you could dream up, let alone try. It’s your capital, fame, and influence over Korean firms that make it possible.
High praise from Seon Jae-yong.
Then he added:
―Seon Jae-yong, Vice Chairman: If Mirae Motors turns down the proposal, Isung Group will join.
―Kim Shin: Isung Group?
―Seon Jae-yong, Vice Chairman: Yes. We still have auto-related tech, and we own 20% of Isung Motors. We’ll participate actively.
Then a message came from Jin Yoo-kyung.
―Jin Yoo-kyung: Dad wants to meet today if possible.
After test-driving Mirae Motors’ EVs, it was already 4 p.m.
Jo Soo-ah would be getting off work soon.
Her summer vacation started tomorrow.
Even with the EV business being important, people needed rest.
―Kim Shin: Set it up for a week from now.
―Jin Yoo-kyung: He said today’s fine.
―Kim Shin: I don’t have time.
* * *
Jo Soo-ah’s summer vacation began, and they headed to Gangneung and Sokcho.
The East Coast in summer wasn’t paradise.
“Motel’s 180,000 won?”
Wearing masks and sunglasses like a young couple, they checked places, but the owner quoted 180,000 won right off the bat.
And it’d go over 200,000 after an hour or two.
“Why’s the sashimi from the harbor so pricey?”
Beaches were packed, hot spots had long lines.
At Sokcho’s Central Market tourist spot, people queued just to move.
‘Is this K-vacation?’
Living in the US had made him forget Korea’s summer vacation frenzy.
Honestly, he’d never properly vacationed in Korea even while living there.
“The ocean’s so pretty.”
“Yeah.”
He didn’t pretend to dislike it while watching Jo Soo-ah, who loved it.
Yeah, just enjoy the vacation, whatever.
“Feels good seeing the sea after so long away from Seoul, right? Staring at it clears your head and refreshes you.”
“Yeah. Though I saw it every day in Busan.”
“…….”
Maybe I had chosen the wrong tourist destination.
Still, we waded along quiet shores and drank coffee at cafés overlooking the ocean.
A date like any ordinary couple.
The 1-night, 2-day trip cost over 600,000 won.
‘No way I could’ve saved money if I’d dated in my twenties.’
Money saved from college part-time jobs.
Dad had blown it all, but he’d hit the jackpot with Bitcoin at the end.
Giving up romance for Bitcoin had turned out to be the best investment he had ever made.
* * *
It was the day of the *God of Investment* premiere at Coex.
Word spread early that Kim Shin would attend, so reporters camped out front from morning.
“He really coming?”
“Usually skips these, but Dream Art Rainbow said he’s attending, so probably.”
“Then it’s his first official event.”
The premiere was scheduled for three o’clock in the afternoon.
Domestic film reporters had staked spots from 10 a.m., but got pushed back.
“Excuse us a bit. Need to set up broadcast cameras.”
With broadcast cams and regular press piling in, the shooting zone shrank inevitably.
“KBS, MBC, SBS—all terrestrial here. What’s that one?”
“CNN, I hear.”
“Why’s CNN here?”
“With ABC, BBC, Fox already, no reason CNN wouldn’t.”
Just the overseas broadcast frenzy showed Kim Shin’s massive popularity.
Earth Channel streamers and foreigners around Coex were countless.
“There’s the Crime Alley director.”
“Busy as hell, but showed for the premiere.”
“The guy who directed last year’s hit drama Minor League’s here too.”
Directors of hit films and dramas flocked to the premiere.
This heat rivaled international film festivals.
Past 1 p.m., celebs in fancy outfits arrived.
“Triple 10-million actor Kang Ho’s here.”
“Jung Woo, look this way a sec.”
“Black Red. Guess the model/actor buzz drew him.”
Famous Korean actors, chart-topping singers with full makeup joined.
They posed in the photo area before heading inside.
“Never seen this many actors at a premiere. Can they all even watch?”
“They’re doing simultaneous screenings from Screen 1 to 6.”
“Dream Art Rainbow came prepared.”
The reporters were waiting for Kim Shin.
Today, he was the real star over the actors.
“It’s Prime Minister An Hee-sang.”
“The PM at a premiere?”
At 2 p.m., the prime minister arrived with security.
“Thrilled to be at this great event paving the future of Korean cinema with a fine film.”
No one cared about his words, but domestic press snapped pics for articles.
Overseas broadcasters ignored it.
〈PM An Hee-sang Attends ‘Investment God’ Premiere〉
The article appeared immediately, and the comments beneath it were not favorable.
―Why’s the PM at a premiere?
―Thirsty for airtime.
―Gotta show face since Bro Kim Shin’s coming.
Then ministers, the mayor of Seoul, and members of the National Assembly streamed in.
“Excited for a great film. Our party’s rushing laws to expand the Hallyu wave…”
〈Assembly Members Flock to ‘Investment God’ Premiere〉
―Wtf, politicians uniting? Lol
―Not like it’s in Yeouido.
―Gotta stamp face with Bro Kim Shin. Who knows, handshake pic might win votes next election on the campaign truck.
―Damn, picturing it’s even scarier.
Even Dream Art Rainbow, hosting, was flustered.
“Didn’t invite them—why keep coming?”
“Turn ’em away?”
“Who knows what fuss then. Let ’em in for now. Open Screen 7, herd politicians there.”
It was 2:40 p.m.
Multiple Benz limos lined up in front of Coex.
Security opened rear doors, and as Kim Shin in a suit stepped out—
Flash! Flash! Flash!
Reporters’ shutters exploded in a frenzy.