Chapter 200: Earth Platform
America had a romantic ideal of successful entrepreneurs and inventors.
Young age, enormous wealth, pioneering spirits who pursued whatever they wanted.
Howard Hughes was a golden boy born into a family of British aristocratic lineage that Americans admired.
He dove into the film industry at a young age, achieved massive success, and built his fame.
Then he founded an aircraft company and became a pioneer who set numerous aviation records.
He was the epitome of a billionaire who did everything he set his mind to.
〈Elon Musk Sells PayPal to eBay for $1.5 Billion〉
The image of the entrepreneur Americans loved evolved into Elon Musk.
His ventures included electric cars, rocket manufacturing, brain-computer interfaces, artificial-intelligence models, Hyperloop projects, and satellite internet encircling the globe.
None of it was easy, and everyone thought they would fail...
〈Tesla Achieves Miraculous Turn to Profitability〉
〈Tesla Records Sales Far Exceeding Analyst Forecasts〉
Tesla led the electric vehicle industry, and SpaceX opened a new era in space exploration with reusable rockets.
Elon Musk, a genius engineer pioneering new industries, more than qualified for people's attention.
And now, that American attention turned to Kim Shin.
Kim Shin had investment and business success, youth, and the achievement of distributing the K-Vaccine.
〈Earth Channel Hosts Massive Festival in Los Angeles〉
― The whole city is in festival mode.
― Streets are buzzing with tourists. Has it been like this in recent years?
― Nope. Earth Channel didn't exist back then. Though it was because of COVID. Oh, right, Kim Shin made the COVID vaccine too.
― Actors from around the world are flocking to this city.
― People in Los Angeles really love Kim Shin.
― K-pop concerts every day during the festival.
Interest in Kim Shin was immense.
It grew even more after he claimed the world's richest person spot, long held by Microsoft and Amazon founders.
〈Kim Shin Vacationing on Honolulu Island, Hawaii〉
― He's done incredible things the past two years. Time to rest.
― Rest? I wouldn't be surprised if he suddenly launched some amazing service.
― Earth Resource has become part of American life. Hobbies, shopping, investments.
― Elon Musk must hope Kim Shin rests well.
― Why?
― Because Kim Shin caught up to 17 years of Elon's work in a flash.
― Elon's working to normalize Twitter. But Earth SNS is way better.
― Ordered an Earth Car. Two years until delivery, but I'm already excited.
Americans had huge expectations for Kim Shin.
〈Kim Shin Spotted Strolling North of Honolulu Island with a Beautiful Woman〉
― Beautiful woman? Is he finally dating?
― Definitely better than his ex-wife in every way.
― Hope he has a good time with a good person.
― Wish people wouldn't interfere with Kim Shin's love life.
Divorce wasn't much of a stigma in America.
― Marry an American so Kim Shin can get citizenship quick.
― What? He has a green card?
― No, he's Korean?
― A Korean person?
Many Americans were surprised to learn late that Kim Shin was purely Korean.
* * *
Hawaii was a tourist paradise known as heaven on earth.
They bought swimsuits at a Waikiki shop to play in the ocean.
"How about this one?"
The swimsuit Jo Soo-ah picked was impossible to call good.
A black rash guard that thoroughly covered bare skin.
And she planned to layer a long-sleeved shirt over it.
"Hmm... Ahem, that looks fine."
"It feels too clingy to my body."
"No, it's a tourist spot. You've got to wear at least that much."
He didn't prefer his girlfriend overly exposed.
Still, there were minimum courtesies to observe at the beach, right?
They bought $20 snorkeling gear at a nearby Walmart and swam in shallow waters when the waves were calm.
"Swimming made me hungry."
"Let's eat. I'll pay."
"Really?"
"Yeah, as long as it's not too expensive? I got severance from Arcor."
They spent their days at the beach and their evenings in enormous malls.
We bought hats, sunglasses, and T-shirts like an ordinary couple enjoying a trip.
"It feels like a total break."
Jo Soo-ah's words didn't quite resonate.
Playing for hours drained his stamina relentlessly.
Even so, people were kind, and money was no issue.
'Is this the appeal of ordinary life?'
It would've been more fun traveling abroad in his twenties, but thirties weren't bad either.
He had both money and time.
It was a life full of leisure, made even better by Jo Soo-ah.
Someone he'd known for years, building experiences, memories, and feelings.
"Let's check out other areas."
"Sounds good."
They searched online and toured the island like other tourists.
We visited the outlets for heavily discounted clothes and travel bags.
"Clothes under $20."
"These are pricey in Korea."
"Yeah. Back when I was working, I wanted to buy stuff like this."
Now he casually bought custom suits over $10,000, but he grabbed casuals too.
At Hawaii's famous food trucks, they ate simple shrimp dishes.
Strolled beaches with ocean and grass, spotting sea turtles.
"Isn't that Kim Shin?"
"Yes, it is."
People recognized him regardless of Korean or local, so he gave autographs.
They stayed at a resort north of Honolulu Island, where fierce waves crashed at night.
―Diane: Festival's in two days!
―Diane: How's Hawaii?
―Kim Shin: Hmm... Did I ever say I was in Hawaii?
―Diane: Articles are everywhere. Everyone knows. Tons of reporters asking if you'll attend.
He'd avoided news to savor the trip vibe. But rumors had spread.
It was difficult to hide his location when he traveled by private jet.
―Kim Shin: I'll attend the festival.
Earth Festival celebrated the past year's achievements.
It would also be a good opportunity to spend time with Jo Soo-ah.
'Feels like inviting a girlfriend to the office.'
Last day, they rented a car and toured the whole island.
Exotic island scenery, kids playing in the ocean with parents—all etched in his eyes.
"They look happy."
"Yeah. Nice to live here when older."
Hawaii comprised multiple islands, reachable by private jet.
But with regrets, they headed to the airport for Earth Festival.
* * *
The Earth Festival had begun.
A corporate event, but the scale had the whole city buzzing.
Famous actors, singers, and athletes had arrived from around the world.
"Squid Game team!"
"Tiger Woods is here too!"
Red carpet rolled out at the Los Angeles Convention Center from morning.
Not just entertainment figures—politics and business elite attended.
Executives from Korea's Isung, LK, DK Groups, and Mirae Motors too.
"How long do we have to wait?"
"Over two hours left."
Celebrities with assigned entry times were frequent media stars.
They waited ages to enter under press and public eyes, then flaunted their beauty.
"Awards, performances, contests. Earth Channel prepared thoroughly."
"Heard Earth Channel's investing in a massive theme park like Universal Studios."
Reporters snapped photos nonstop.
Amid the citywide frenzy, influencers uploaded to Earth Channel or YouTube.
The guests included Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Robert Downey Jr., Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, and Dwayne Johnson.
Top global stars attended the convention center's film festival.
"When's he coming?"
"Landed 40 minutes ago. Call from the airport."
The press team awaited Kim Shin most eagerly.
Kim Shin attracted more public interest than the Hollywood A-listers.
His arrival would ignite the festival.
Much later, the Rolls-Royce SUV arrived. Door opened, Kim Shin stepped out in a suit.
"It's Kim Shin!"
Click! Click!
Cameras fired in unison.
They aimed to capture his festival essence.
Then came his walk down the red carpet...
But...
Kim Shin took the hand of a beautiful woman in a white dress stepping from the SUV.
Jo Soo-ah, cheeks slightly flushed from reporter attention.
* * *
Earth Festival spanned three days.
The festival covered movies, dramas, music, and games.
Diverse content debuted at the convention center.
"Lots of zombie dramas."
"Yeah. Popular in America and Europe."
I changed into jeans and a T-shirt, then put on sunglasses and a mask.
I held Jo Soo-ah’s hand as we wandered through the festival.
There were booths for films and dramas from each country, while music played nonstop in the concert halls.
The theme was fun and freedom.
Awards by category, but prizes generously distributed.
"Ooh, new high score!"
"Bro, I'm not losing!"
Oh Myeong-woo and Eddie went wild at game booths trying new titles.
Faces like rewarded for last year's toil, though no need for anime character costumes.
He didn't approach or pretend to know them.
"You're amazing, oppa."
"Yeah?"
"Doing all this in two years is unbelievable."
"......"
Honestly, even Kim Shin could hardly believe that he was standing there.
* * *
Press and attendees rated the festival positively.
"Earth Channel will dominate next year too."
"So much to see."
Earth Channel reinvested all revenue into content.
Channel 7, messaging, and social-media services were all expanding, while subscriber numbers continued to climb.
OTT market was share battles among companies, but Earth Channel's growth unmatched.
〈Earth Channel Raises Next Year's Investment Budget〉
〈Chicken Game Among OTT Firms Led by Earth Channel〉
Earth Channel's goal wasn't OTT profits.
Other Earth Resource ventures, ultimately Pangea Live— all-in on market share.
IT reporters eyed next year's film, drama, game production charts.
'Kill off competitors, and Earth Channel rules.'
'Not a chicken game. That's for equals. Earth Channel will devour them.'
Its original-content business was booming, and it was rapidly signing directors from Hollywood and Korea.
Its synergy with Channel 7 was another differentiator.
The Wall Street Journal described it this way:
〈Earth Festival Shows Earth Channel's True Platform Potential〉
Platform.
The word originally referred to a place where passengers boarded and disembarked from transportation, or to a hub of trade and logistics.
Many IT platforms, but Earth Channel could leap to global supreme platform.
Everyone knew sustained growth made it no dream.
