Chapter 39: Information Trade
Chapter 39: Information Trade
After moving into the luxury apartment, high-end cars like Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, Ferraris, and Porsches were a common sight in the parking garage.
An apartment complex where entrepreneurs, celebrities, and old-money families lived.
The landscaping, adorned with expensive trees and large art installations, made walks around the complex enjoyable.
While there were mansions in the US with over ten rooms, considering the upkeep and distance from the city center, a Korean apartment was also a great option.
“Jason, have you ever been to Korea before?”
I had started talking frequently with my bodyguard, Jason, during our travels.
His experience traveling all over the world was helpful when arranging transportation or lodging, and I often referred to his perspective.
“This is my first time.”
“The security here should be pretty good.”
Traveling the world had made me realize just how outstanding Korea’s public safety was.
It wasn't like South America, with gangs on motorcycles carrying guns, nor were there pickpockets running rampant at every tourist spot.
A country where your wallet was safe even if you left it in a café.
Though the bike I used to ride to work two years ago was stolen, even though I had locked it up securely...
Having seven bodyguards skilled with firearms might be overkill in Korea, but it was reassuringly solid.
I could feel the residents' eyes on us whenever I took a walk through the complex with my security team.
“Hello.”
“Yes, hello.”
I exchanged light greetings with the residents out for a stroll.
One woman, walking with her husband, took an interest in me.
“I haven’t seen you around. You must have just moved in?”
“Yes, not too long ago.”
“Which building do you live in?”
When I lived in a semi-basement, I had no interest in who lived next door.
But in a luxury apartment complex, people were interested in their neighbors, and I heard residents even formed groups for wine parties and gatherings.
For someone like me, who had lived his whole life as an outsider, it was an unfamiliar yet refreshing experience.
“I live in Building 709.”
“Oh, really? I live in 709 too, but I’ve never seen you before.”
“I live on the top floor. It’s only been a few days since I moved in.”
“Ah, so you’re the one who moved into the penthouse. Honey, hurry and give him your business card.”
Her husband took out his card; he was a lawyer at a successful law firm.
“Nam Chang-jin, attorney-at-law. Please feel free to contact me anytime you need anything.”
“Yes, thank you.”
*Ping!*
*Ping!*
*Ping!*
As I was making small talk with the residents, a series of messages chimed in.
I needed to change my phone number, but I hadn't yet because of work contacts.
Various media outlets, reporters, and acquaintances had been contacting me.
But today, the message was from someone a little special.
- Jin Yoo-kyung: Kim Shin! You’re the Kim Shin who invested in Aurora, right?
- Jin Yoo-kyung: We need to meet and talk about the Aurora shares. Are you in Korea now? Or the US?
Managing Director Jin Yoo-kyung of Mirae Motors.
I had ignored her when she contacted me after we met on the plane.
‘She said Mirae Motors wanted the Aurora shares.’
I had heard about it from Chris but had just disregarded it.
However, I had recently developed an interest in some information.
Nikola, which constituted a significant portion of my assets.
Despite numerous media interviews and new model announcements from the company, the factory construction and production were being delayed.
‘Even if they plan to release a competitive model from the start... isn't it about time they moved forward with a production plan?’
Given the nature of hydrogen vehicles, hydrogen fueling stations would need to be installed across the US, and various other limitations existed.
Nevertheless, they continued only with technology development, without any vehicle production, and only spread rumors about new models.
Then there was Rivian, which dreamed of becoming the second Tesla and continued developing vehicles.
Rivian, backed by investments from Amazon and Ford, also saw its stock price soar without producing any vehicles, but still.
‘Mirae Motors would have detailed information on Nikola.’
They say if you want to know about a restaurant, you should ask the one across the street that serves the same menu.
Mirae Motors boasted incredible production volume, technology, and sales in the automotive industry, had been actively investing in the hydrogen sector, and had been developing related technologies.
They were the company that would have the best grasp on Nikola.
I just wondered if Jin Yoo-kyung would still be as talkative.
- Kim Shin: I’m in Seoul.
- Jin Yoo-kyung: This is the first time we’ve talked since that flight to San Francisco. The weather is so nice today!
- Jin Yoo-kyung: I had no idea you were *that* Kim Shin. You said you drove a Ferrari and that you invest. Everything you told me was true, wasn't it?
- Kim Shin: Yes. Well...
- Jin Yoo-kyung: Then why didn’t you reply when I contacted you?
- Kim Shin: I was busy with one thing and another in the States.
I had been busy hanging out with Oh Myeong-woo and traveling around the US.
As a salesman, I also wanted to keep the work-related texts to a minimum during my vacation.
‘She still seems to talk a lot.’
- Jin Yoo-kyung: Ah. I guess investing in Aurora and all must have made it hard to find time. I was a little suspicious when I found out you were Kim Shin.
- Jin Yoo-kyung: I suspected you got on the same flight on purpose to dig for information. Though we didn’t really talk about investments.
She had a very good memory.
To be honest, I could barely remember what we had talked about.
- Jin Yoo-kyung: How long were you in the US?
- Kim Shin: Almost two months?
- Jin Yoo-kyung: You must have worked a lot.
- Kim Shin: The investment was over quickly. I hung out with a friend and did some traveling around the US.
- Jin Yoo-kyung: Then you would have had plenty of time to reply to my message, wouldn’t you?
Did I bruise the pride of a third-generation chaebol?
Fortunately, perhaps because of her high self-esteem, she didn't dwell on it for long.
- Jin Yoo-kyung: Anyway, can we meet today? You have time, right? Hurry up and say yes!
I had been busy the past few days establishing a production company.
It was something I was interested in, but my lack of knowledge meant I was just holding the CEO title.
Once I recruited some producers, I planned to let them build their own team.
The privilege of being a CEO was being busy yet always able to make time.
- Kim Shin: I have time. Shall we meet in an hour?
It had been a while, and I had been ignoring her calls, so I suggested meeting right away.
- Jin Yoo-kyung: In four hours!
- Kim Shin: Do you have plans in an hour?
- Jin Yoo-kyung: I don’t have anything scheduled, but it has to be four hours from now.
- Jin Yoo-kyung: It absolutely has to be.
- Kim Shin: Understood.
* * *
That evening, I entered the Japanese restaurant where I had arranged to meet Jin Yoo-kyung.
A restaurant with an illustrious chef that only served two tables.
‘I’m coming to Japanese restaurants a lot.’
I came to meet Jin Yoo-kyung feeling more at ease than I did with the female employees at Arcor.
Back when I was a salesman, meeting a conglomerate's daughter would have crushed me with the pressure of her power and wealth.
The anxiety of a poor, ordinary citizen meeting someone with the power to control his life.
I even used to get scared just seeing police officers.
I spent my life worrying about things that would never happen.
But after making an incredible amount of money, I realized that whether someone was rich or poor, they were all just people.
If someone tried to crush me with their power or wealth...
‘I probably have more cash than they do.’
Jin Yoo-kyung waved her hand.
“Over here.”
“It’s been a while.”
Jin Yoo-kyung was wearing a very stylishly designed outfit.
It wasn't something an ordinary office worker would wear, but rather a luxurious ensemble that looked like it had an extra zero or two on the price tag.
She was dressed to perfection from head to toe, looking almost like an actress.
“It really has been a long time, hasn't it?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know what the commercial shoot in the US was like? The wind was blowing so hard, we had so many takes…”
As soon as the food arrived, she talked about the commercial, boasted about the new electric car released by Mirae Motors, and discussed their future vision.
After listening to various bits of information while eating, the conversation soon shifted to business.
Jin Yoo-kyung’s eyes were sparkling.
“Mirae Motors wishes to acquire the shares in Aurora.”
Her atmosphere changed, proving she wasn't just a chatterbox.
Her demeanor seemed accustomed to managing and directing people.
“It seems Mirae Motors is very interested in autonomous trucks.”
“Yes. Aurora is a company with proven technology in the field of truck automation. I believe a collaboration with Mirae Motors would lead to high growth potential for both of us.”
“I see.”
I had contacted Chris before coming to meet Jin Yoo-kyung.
Aurora was steadily continuing its technological development, and Chris, the CEO, was in favor of Mirae Motors acquiring a stake in their company.
A startup and a finished-vehicle manufacturer could complement each other’s weaknesses.
‘Selling the shares would be the right thing to do.’
It was right to sell to a company that could create synergy, for both Aurora's and Mirae Motors' sakes.
However, I still held a bit of a grudge against Mirae Motors.
“I once bought a Mirae Motors car.”
“You did? What model did you drive?”
“It was an Avante.”
A compact car.
They say it's a segment unique to Korea, but honestly, I was satisfied with the car itself when I drove the Avante.
It accelerated and braked better than I expected.
It made me re-evaluate Mirae Motors' technical capabilities.
“But that car burned a bit of oil.”
“Pardon?”
“And because of the fishtailing phenomenon, I had trouble controlling it on the highway. When I went to the service center, they told me I was being overly sensitive, not that the car was defective.”
“...”
I had always wanted to voice this complaint at least once.
It was a bit ambiguous to hold Jin Yoo-kyung responsible, but she worked for Mirae Motors nonetheless.
Most Koreans probably had a love-hate relationship with Mirae Motors to some extent.
As Jin Yoo-kyung looked flustered, I spoke.
“I’m willing to sell about half of the Aurora shares I own.”
“Really?”
“If you give me four times my investment amount.”
“You th...”
For a moment, Jin Yoo-kyung’s eyes looked at me as if I were a thief.
Trying to sell it for four times the price in just two years.
But in a direct deal, is there really a need to look for a seller’s conscience?
“Alright. It’s expensive, but considering Aurora’s growth, I can accept that price.”
“And there’s one more condition...”
“There’s more?”
This condition was the important one.
The information I wanted to obtain in exchange for my Aurora shares.
“Mirae Motors must be well-informed about Nikola.”
Jin Yoo-kyung’s eyes flickered for a moment before she nodded.
“Nikola? I’m not sure what your intention is in asking, but we do have some interest. The competition in the auto industry is fierce, after all.”
“Mirae Motors has consistently invested in hydrogen cars, and I know that Nikola has proposed collaborations several times. What I want is the information Mirae Motors has gathered on Nikola.”
“What kind of information, specifically?”
“I want information that contains Mirae Motors’ comprehensive assessment of Nikola’s technology, potential, and possibilities.”
Jin Yoo-kyung’s composed expression didn't change.
Seeing that, I couldn't help but be a little impressed.
Her talkative and seemingly affectionate demeanor concealed the side of a cold-headed businesswoman, honed by her life as a third-generation chaebol.
“For what purpose do you need this information?”
“As a Nikola shareholder, it’s information I personally need for a successful investment.”
“You said it’s for personal use. Does that mean you won’t disclose it externally?”
“Of course.”
“And you’re willing to pay a massive penalty if you leak our information to Nikola or publicize it through the media.”
“Of course.”
“I understand, for now. But I can’t give you a definitive answer right now. I need to assess what problems providing this information might cause.”
“I understand.”
With that, our business was concluded.
Whether the deal was accepted or not, I thought I could just enjoy the delicious meal and leave.
But Jin Yoo-kyung kept pouring sake into her glass and drinking.
“You should stop drinking.”
“It’s fine. I can drink more. No problem.”
“No, you’re drinking way too much.”
“Why does this alcohol taste so sweet?”