Chapter 51:

Late that night.

It was more like early morning. Jang Gwangchul, Woosung, and Hong Soobum sat down together. Woosung first explained what he had completed so far.

He showed the MQTT prototype. He even had a PPT prepared for them. He also had a similarly detailed presentation on the algorithm trading system.

Jang Gwangchul assured Woosung would welcome Hong Soobum to learn about the trading system, so he explained everything to both men.

There was still much more work to do.

Woosung was about 50% done.

However, Jang Gwangchul didn’t care about it. Hong Soobum listened with obvious interest. After Woosung finished, he asked a question.

“You still have much left to do. You need to figure out how to deal with message transmission failure. You also need to test different situations.”

“Yes. As I said earlier, only about 50% of the work is done so far.”

“But it was still interesting. After you are done, I can see Coconut will be perfect.”

“The best part is that it won’t be only for Coconut but could also be used for IoT (Internet of things). Its potential use will be endless.”

“That’s true. I am jealous you get to work on such a versatile program.”

Woosung, flattered at Hong Soobum’s compliment, smiled like a little child.

“Haha, thank you.”

Suddenly, Jang Gwangchul became impatient. “Now that we are done talking about the app, we need to discuss the smartphone business.”

Woosung began by comparing the iPhone and the Android. He listed the pros and cons of each. He provided the detailed information as if he created these phones himself. Hong Soobum asked in disbelief.

“How could you know so much about these phones? They haven’t even been released yet.”

“Why would anyone need to use it to know about the product? The Internet is filled with an infinite amount of information.”

“I agree you can learn about the iPhone since it has been released in the US, but android is still only at an early development stage. I don’t understand how you could know so much about it.”

Android 1.0 applepie version was to be released in September 2008. In Woosung’s previous life, the world’s first Android phone GI was released in Taiwan in October 2008.

The problem was these things haven’t happened yet in this life. It was no wonder Hong Soobum couldn’t believe Woosung.

“It’s an educated guess on my part. Information on iPhone tells me what android must be like.” Woosung took a sip of water and continued. “To me, it seems very obvious and common sense.”

Jang Gwangchul couldn’t take all this technical talk. “So are we going to do it or not?” He asked impatiently.

Hong Soobum didn’t answer. He was someone Woosung admired and respected. His opinion mattered to both Woosung and Jang Gwangchul.

“There are so many risks. Android is only at its beginning stage. There are so many unknowns. If we use it, then we will become dependant on Google. What about things like CPU and memory? They will have to be from Daeyang, but will they provide them to us?”

Hong Soobum.

He was a talented developer and a successful future businessman.

He was the best Woosung has ever met.

So for Hong Soobum to disagree with this business idea was a concern.

“Let’s say we did make a product. What happens then? In Korea, cell phones are sold only through the cell phone carriers. Will they accept our product?”

Jang Gwangchul looked disappointed.

“But you said…”

“I said I’ll think about it.”

“Hmm.” Woosung looked at Hong Soobum and started to doubt himself.

‘Is this not possible then?’

Woosung shook his head quickly. He was certain he could make this work.

Just like Chinese company Xiaomi or drone company DJI, late starters could still succeed in a saturated market.

Hong Soobum shook his head and said to Jang Gwangchul. “As you know, you shouldn’t do business with your heart. When you buy or sell stocks, you use your instinct, right?”

He then turned to Woosung, who replied slowly.

“Let me tell you a story. There was an average developer. As soon as he started his job, he realized how incompetent he was. He was reprimanded all the time at work, so he had to study very hard just to make it. Studying was not his thing. He barely graduated. He hated to study, but he had to do it.” Woosung looked out the dark window. “He had to do it to survive.”

It was early in the morning and so it was dark outside.

“Then, something amazing happened. He started to get better at his job. He realized he can do it!” The sun started to rise. Woosung continued as he stared at the dazzling sunrise. “Desperation was the key. If he worked like his life depended on it, then he realized he could accomplish anything.”

It started to get lighter outside. Woosung turned to Hong Soobum. “There is nothing he couldn’t do. I agree with you that you shouldn’t do business with your heart. You do it with your life.”

The sun shined behind Woosung. To Hong Soobum and Jang Gwangchul, it looked like a halo around Woosung. Woosung said to them.

“I will bet my life on this project.”

Hong Soobum and Jang Gwangchul stared in awe. After a few minutes, Hong Soobum finally replied.

“Do you remember when we first met, you told me how I was going to become very successful?” Woosung nodded. Hong Soobum said to him confidently. “Right back at you.”

Jang Gwangchul laughed happily.

Jang Gwangchul nicknamed this group the three musketeers. He decided that Woosung was the leader among them.

“We weren’t born on the same day, but we shall succeed together on the same day!”

Woosung smiled in embarrassment at Jang Gwangchul’s grand declaration. Hong Soobum seemed like he felt the same way but Jang Gwangchul continued anyway.

“Now we must chant together! The three musketeers!”

Woosung and Hong Soobum were too self-conscious, but Jang Gwangchul was insistent. He wanted all three of them to roar their nickname together. Woosung realized there was no way out. Jang Gwangchul wasn’t going to give up on it. After a few seconds of hesitation, all three raised their glasses and cheered.

“Three musketeers!”

After emptying their glasses, Jang Gwangchul gave out a hearty laugh. “I am so excited. It’s an honor to work with such heroes!”

“So now that you are free from your job, what’s your plan?” Hong Soobum asked Woosung.

“I need to first finish the on-going projects. Then I will need to go to the US for a while.”

“America?”

“I am planning to attend the Microsoft MVP Summit in June. It will take place in Seattle. I think I may be able to learn more about Google’s Android there.”

This was the reason Woosung was giving, but he had other reasons as well.

One of it was the financial crisis.

There were a few things Woosung had to take care of to prepare for it. Hong Soobum tilted his head and replied.

“Well, I guess if the OS doesn’t get released, we won’t be able to even begin.”

“There is no future for the Windows mobile system, and Apple won’t reveal its IOS. So our two options so far are either wait for the release of the Android OS or make our own OS.”

Realistically, making an OS (Operating System) was impossible. This meant their business depended on Google. Hong Soobum knew this very well.

“I guess all we can do is wait for its release.” Jang Gwangchul continued to drink as he chimed in. “Woosung, check your bank account. I just transferred you the rest of the money for the algorithm trading system.”

He also took out some paperwork and handed it to Woosung.

“And this is the Coconut contract. As we agreed, you will be getting 15% of the Coconut app company. Have a look.”

“But I haven’t finished the work yet…”

“I have no doubt you’ll get it done.” Jang Gwangchul continued. “And I thought that since you won’t be getting a regular salary from now on, you might need the money.”

Woosung felt overwhelmed. He bowed as a reply.

“Thank you so much.”

“Hahaha! Now you really like me the same way as a big brother, right?”

Woosung replied honestly. “I already knew you are a generous man, but I can’t help but be suspicious. I hope you know though that I do appreciate you.”

“Well, it’s good that you are cautious. You’ll make a good business partner.”

Time flew by as they chatted. Soon, it became sunny outside and Hong Soobum put down his glass.

“It’s time for me to go to work now.”

“No! Stay!” Jang Gwangchul tried to stop Hong Soobum, but it was useless.

“I need to get to work.”

“Well, I guess you’re right.”

Woosung stood up as well. “I need to get going too.”

“Why?”

“I have a lot to do. Two projects, research on Android, and so on. I have no time to waste.”

Jang Gwangchul emptied his glass. “Well, I guess I might as well get to work too.”

When Woosung left Jang Gwagnchul’s house, the street was already busy with people on their way to work. Woosung yawned as he got into a cab.