Urban Air Mobility
Having successfully placed 12 geostationary satellites, 20 inclined orbit satellites, and 6 small satellites into orbit, Starlink had effectively established its own satellite navigation system. With this foundation, Taesik decided it was time to pursue UAM (Urban Air Mobility) and summoned Starlink CEO Jo Yun-je to Seoul.
"CEO Jo, are you familiar with UAM?"
"Yes. Isn't it the new transportation system currently being developed by the private sector to revolutionize the existing traffic infrastructure?"
"Now that Starlink has completed its own satellite navigation system, I want to begin UAM development. Is this feasible for Starlink Aerospace?"
"For starters, we have no issues with the airframe or propellers, thanks to our experience in developing maneuver helicopters. And while Deepmind possesses the necessary technology for autonomous flight software, we cannot solve the problems regarding secondary batteries and electric motors."
"Can this be done in parallel with the high-end aircraft, maneuver helicopters, and drone projects currently underway?"
"We are admittedly short on manpower. The Ministry of Defense has requested the development of derivative helicopter models once the current maneuver helicopter project concludes, so it would be difficult without increasing our staff. Even if we secured the personnel, the electric motor and battery components are the core issues, and Starlink Aerospace has absolutely no relevant technology in those areas."
"What about the electric motors used in Edison Motors' new vehicles?"
"Automotive motors have low RPMs, making them difficult to apply to aviation. They also lack the necessary output, so we would need to develop them specifically for aerospace use."
Unlike helicopters, UAM systems did not use gearboxes; they relied on electric motors to drive propellers for thrust. Consequently, the importance of the electric motor was paramount.
"Independent development would be difficult, wouldn't it?"
"If it were a jet engine, perhaps, but Starlink Aerospace lacks the internal capacity for electric motor development."
"It can't be helped. How is the independent engine development coming along?"
"Developing an engine that maintains high reliability while enduring harsh environments is no small feat. Fortunately, thanks to your generous support for development costs, we are making progress, but domestic material technology is lagging behind more than I anticipated."
"I was under the impression that our aluminum technology was world-class..."
"We lack the technology for the titanium used in the engine turbine section. Since it's difficult to develop everything at once, we are starting with the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for aircraft, which we should be able to complete by the end of this year."
"Understood. I will give you sufficient time, but you must succeed in this independent development. I want to mount our own engine on the high-end aircraft currently in development."
"Understood, sir."
Feeling the weight of Taesik's expectations, CEO Jo Yun-je left the office. Taesik fell into deep thought, searching for a way to develop electric motors and secondary batteries for the UAM project. Realizing that Starlink could not do it alone, he picked up the phone and called Chairman Lee Hyundo.
"Chairman! This is Kim Taesik of Starlink. Are you available to talk?"
"Of course. It's rare for you to call me first. What's the occasion?"
"There is something I would like to ask for your help with. Do you have some time?"
"I'm at home, not the office. Would you like to come over?"
Taesik arrived at the address provided by Chairman Lee and pressed the doorbell. A moment later, the door opened, and Miso greeted him.
"Miso? Why are you..."
"I'm unemployed, so of course I'd be at home. My father told me you were coming, so I was waiting."
Guided by Miso, Taesik entered the study, where Chairman Lee Hyundo stood up to welcome him.
"Is there a time when even you need my help? What on earth could it be?"
The Chairman instructed his assistant to bring tea and refreshments before getting to the point.
"I need the help of the Miso Group. I am..."
Taesik explained his desire to develop UAM and shared the difficulties he was facing regarding secondary batteries and electric motors.
"Hmm... Do you know about my history with the automobile industry?"
Taesik nodded, knowing that Chairman Lee's plans to enter the automotive industry had been thwarted during the IMF crisis.
"To ask for my help with that... it must be a project you're truly passionate about."
"The very reason I entered the business world was because I wanted to develop UAM."
"You came here because you need the battery technology Miso possesses, right? We don't have any special technology for electric motors."
"Yes, that's correct. If you are worried about technology leaks, Miso can develop them. Starlink has no foundation in secondary batteries, so we have no capacity to develop them in-house."
"I understand. I'll have Miso SDI review it. By the way, have you ever thought about pursuing this UAM business with me?"
"Yes...? Would that be alright?"
"It's a dream I had already discarded... but seeing you makes my ambition flare up again. If you're open to it, how about a 50:50 joint venture?"
Taesik responded to Chairman Lee's sudden proposal:
"If two companies run a joint venture, rapid decision-making becomes difficult. For now, I want to achieve this with my own strength."
"I suppose... an old man's proposal wouldn't be very appealing."
"That's not it, Chairman."
"Instead, I have a condition. You saw Miso when you arrived, didn't you? I heard you've met a few times since the introduction..."
"..."
"Take Miso with you! I want you to bring Miso into the UAM project you're planning. Can you do that?"
"Chairman. UAM is a project that is a concentration of the latest technology. I'm not sure if there's a role Miso could play..."
"Nonsense! Miso is only sitting at home because she's bored. She's a talented individual who even studied abroad in the U.S. She has a knack for management, so try working with her."
"..."
When Taesik remained silent, Chairman Lee Hyundo revealed his true feelings.
"To be honest, it seems like things aren't progressing between you two, so I want to keep you close. Wouldn't you get closer if you worked together? She really is a capable person who graduated from business school on her own merits. She's only staying home because she doesn't want to compete with her older brother and sister, but she's a daughter too precious to let go to waste like this."
Taesik nodded at Chairman Lee's sincerity, and the Chairman shouted for his assistant to bring Miso in. When Miso entered the room a moment later, Chairman Lee conveyed the matter they had discussed.
"You're starting at Starlink tomorrow!"
Miso looked at Taesik's face without answering.
"Miso, let's work together."
At Taesik's response, Miso smiled and replied to Chairman Lee Hyundo.
"Yes, Father!"
"Tsk tsk... raising a daughter is a waste of time. She's already worrying about what her boyfriend thinks..."
Miso blushed and asked Taesik what she was curious about.
"What will my position be?"
Taesik, thinking it would be good for Miso to handle the collaboration with Miso SDI while overseeing the UAM project, replied:
"How about Business General Manager?"
"If I take that position, do I have to work alone?"
"Nothing is concrete yet, so you'll have to work with me for now, but I plan to spin it off into a separate business later."
"Then, instead of a manager, I want to be your secretary. I think I could fulfill that role while staying by your side, Taesik."
Taesik looked flustered at Miso's request to handle the UAM business while working as his secretary.
"If I'm separated from you, there's no point in me going to Starlink. If you don't listen to me, I have no intention of going."
Taesik had no choice but to nod, and Chairman Lee Hyundo wore a satisfied smile as he offered Taesik a drink.
After leaving Chairman Lee's office, the two spoke.
"What rank are you going to give me?"
"Honestly, this is my first time in a situation like this, so I'm not sure what rank to give you. Should we start with Executive Director?"
"No. Let's just start as a regular employee. And I'd like to be called 'Chief.' In dramas, everyone calls the second-generation chaebols 'Chief'."
"Hahaha. I didn't know Miso had thoughts like that."
After leaving Chairman Lee's house, Taesik realized that if Miso started working, the role of Security Chief Park Kyung-hoon, a former NIS agent, would become ambiguous. He immediately called Park to a restaurant outside. Since he had never called Park outside of the office, the Chief looked at Taesik with a curious expression. As Taesik placed pork belly on the grill, he went straight to the point.
"Chief! Has it been difficult since CEO Cha Youngjin left to become a president? You both started as department heads, and I imagine it must have been emotionally taxing to see him become a CEO first."
"Not at all. One does work suited to their own abilities. But why did you suddenly call me out here? This is the first time something like this has happened..."
"Do you have any interest in running a company yourself?"
"Me...? Unlike CEO Cha Youngjin, I lack technical knowledge and don't know much about management."
"You don't need to know about management. Starlink has grown in size, but our security sector is still vulnerable. I want you to take charge of 'Starlink Security' and run the company. Instead of using an existing security firm, Starlink Security can take over that role."
"I have zero experience in company management."
"It's not a company established to generate profit, so you don't need to worry. You just need to take responsibility for Starlink's security using people who have retired from the NIS or discharged military personnel. As for the IT side, you can get help from CEO Cha Youngjin at Deepmind."
"..."
Taesik poured soju into the glass of the silent Chief Park.
"CEO of Starlink Security. Let me pour you a drink."
At Taesik's words, Chief Park grabbed the glass.
"I'll give it a try."
In the end, Chief Park accepted Taesik's proposal, and they decided to launch the security firm in time for the expiration of the existing security contracts.
"Oh! And a new secretary will be starting tomorrow. Her name is Lee Miso, and she will be helping me from close range."
At Taesik's words, Chief Park looked bewildered before he began to laugh.
"Isn't Lee Miso the third daughter of Chairman Lee Hyundo? Have you two decided to date?"
"It's not like that... I'm just having her work at Starlink in exchange for receiving Chairman Lee Hyundo's help."
Finding Taesik's flustered reaction amusing, Park continued to talk about Miso.
"Lee Miso seems like a down-to-earth person, unlike a typical second-generation chaebol. I hope things work out well between you two."
"We aren't in that kind of relationship yet."
The two bickered as they finished their soju. The next day, Taesik arrived at work and was surprised by the atmosphere in the secretary's office. The staff, having been notified by Chief Park, were trying to seat Miso in the best spot, while Miso was arguing that she would sit at the desk by the entrance. When Taesik entered, the staff returned to their seats in a panic, and Miso greeted him with a smile.
"CEO! Hello. I'm Lee Miso, and I'll be starting today."
She sat down at the entrance desk, checked her computer and office supplies, and looked at Taesik.
"CEO! What would you like to drink?"
Taesik, watching Miso act naturally as a secretary, replied:
"I'll have a cup of instant coffee, please."