A week later, at the Blue House.
"Did you call for me?"
"Shouldn't you have a talk with me before leaving the country?"
When the President says this, I'm in a difficult position.
I can't just come here at my own will to see the President's face before leaving the country; I can only come when I'm summoned like this.
"I'll make sure to return safely. Please trust me."
"Good grief, you're really something. Sit down."
"Yes."
There was still some time before my flight.
Moreover, since I have a diplomatic passport, the departure process won't take much time.
"About that thing you have called Kabla. The scientists and even the soldiers couldn't keep their mouths shut. They're questioning if it's really something made by a mere company."
Honestly, the aramid bulletproof material surprises even me.
"I think Heaven has responded to the tireless efforts of our technicians. It seems luck is on our side."
"Luck is on our side, huh... Well, considering it's classified national technology, you could say that."
I was truly grateful. The Blue House's proactive stance allowed Kabla to be registered as a patent within a week and designated as a national secret.
In the 21st century, patents related to national security could be kept confidential through a secret patent system, but in the 60s, it could only be designated as a national secret.
With this, we would be in a favorable position when negotiating with Van Flint.
No matter how powerful the U.S. is, it's difficult to suppress the secrets of an allied nation by force.
In other words, we could sell the license at a fair price.
"If I may be so bold, may I ask how the negotiations with Japan are going?"
"I actually called you for that. As you said, our diplomats have completely overturned the negotiations with Japan."
I wanted to cheer out loud.
"That's great news."
"Does it sound like that? Anyway, the Japanese government must be in chaos right now. They didn't expect Korea to come out this strong. Honestly, the National Assembly ratification and everything else has become a farce. It's irreversible. You have to take responsibility."
"I will do my best."
"It's better to see it in writing than to hear it. Here, take this. Read it carefully and make sure to sell it properly."
The President handed me a copy directly.
It was an agreement document stating that individual Koreans, not the Korean government, could claim civil rights against the Japanese government.
It was so perfect that I wondered if we had ever had such capable diplomats in our country.
While perfectly understanding the President's intentions, they also completely deceived the Japanese government.
The Japanese government would think that the Korean government inserted the civil rights claim to appease domestic public opinion while avoiding government responsibility.
In Japan, it would be seen as a matter of dealing with individuals, which could be lightly stepped on or settled with a few compensation payments.
The Japanese side must have been secretly laughing.
"This is the perfect negotiation clause I wanted."
"Yes, it seems our diplomats were just as frustrated with the negotiations as I was. They pretended to retreat by agreeing to Japan's terms for grants and commercial loans, but managed to secure the civil rights claim on our terms."
"They will be remembered as great diplomats for generations."
"Haha, they will be very pleased to hear that."
The President, in a good mood, patted my shoulder several times.
Judging by his expression, it seemed he had also found a solution for political funds. I should slowly find out after returning home.
"Then, I'll take my leave."
"When you meet Van Flint, convey my regards."
"Yes, Mr. President."
The President knew exactly who I was going to meet in the U.S.
When I sent the Goldskin sample to Phil Knight by air, I also sent a Kabla sample to Van Flint. Both of them urged me to come to the U.S. as soon as possible.
There were probably more than a few Blue House staff keeping an eye on me, so there was no need to report my schedule to the President separately.
"Take the secretary's car and travel comfortably to the airport."
"Thank you."
I headed straight to Gimpo Airport.
I boarded a flight to the U.S. via Tokyo.
The journey for a citizen of one of the world's poorest countries to the U.S. was tough, and even traveling luggage couldn't be taken freely.
***
New York JFK International Airport.
"Mr. Woo, over here. Over here."
"Phil, long time no see."
Phil Knight was there to greet me at the arrivals hall.
His face was already flushed with excitement.
He must have realized instantly that this was a jackpot just by receiving the samples.
Even in the 21st century, it was an advanced product, so his reaction was understandable.
"How's the preparation for the customer meetings going?"
"You want to start working as soon as you arrive? You can rest today and start tomorrow."
"I had plenty of rest on the plane. It's time to work now."
I was sincere.
Although I flew, it took a day and a half to get here.
I was tired of sleeping and had adjusted to the time difference on the plane.
"We can start working right away. Honestly, the department store buyers are already camping out in the office. It's no exaggeration to say we just need to decide where to contract."
"Buyers are camping out?"
It was surprising.
No matter how excellent Phil Knight's marketing skills were, was a new company already in a position to choose its customers?
"I didn't expect such an explosive reaction either. Who knew swimsuits would be popular in winter?"
"Swimsuits are popular?"
"In the fashion world, they're calling our swimsuits body suits."
"Body suits?"
A body suit, like the tight outfit Catwoman wears in comic movies?
Our swimsuits have elasticity, but they don't emphasize the body that excessively.
"It's faster to see the billboard than to explain. This way."
Phil Knight, carrying my travel bag, strode out of the airport.
There was a large billboard at the airport entrance.
「Welcome to New York」
It was a simple airport advertisement welcoming people to New York, but the model and fashion were extraordinary.
"Audrey Hepburn!"
Why is Audrey Hepburn wearing our clothes?
This is a miracle!
"Haha, you recognize her."
Of course, I do. Is there any actress loved by so many generations like Audrey Hepburn?
She's not only beautiful and graceful but also elegant.
Despite being an actress mainly active in the 60s and 70s, she's known to the public of the 21st century through many anecdotes and quotes.
"The Goldskin suits her perfectly."
Goldskin looked like it had become a custom-made outfit just for her.
She wore a black swimsuit, or rather a body suit, underneath, along with long gloves we provided to test the texture, paired with a light gold mini skirt and a matching gold cape draped over her shoulders. Red stockings added an accent.
It was a perfect harmony of black, red, and light gold.
With pearl necklaces and ivory-like accessories, the fashion was so sophisticated that even a 21st-century person wouldn't feel any discord.
"It's a fashion that cleverly combines the movies 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and 'My Fair Lady.' People in New York and the entire U.S. are going crazy, asking where they can buy those clothes."
"What happened? How did Audrey Hepburn end up wearing our clothes?"
Isn't it a world where people fight fiercely to get celebrities to wear their clothes? How did our clothes win?
"I'm just as surprised. I gave some samples with different colors and fabrics to a Hollywood acquaintance. I thought it'd be fine if a rookie actor wore them, but to my amazement, Audrey Hepburn insisted on wearing our clothes. She said she wouldn't attend the party without that fashion."
"She insisted on our clothes?"
Amazing. It's quite a bold fashion statement.
"Yes, it must have been a gamble for her too. It's the time of year when she's lobbying for the Academy Awards. She's been involved in some scandals recently, like lip-syncing and family discord."
"She wanted to draw attention with a bold fashion statement?"
"Probably. The fact that she chose a Korean product instead of existing luxury brands also became a hot topic. Of course, it's possible because the product quality is excellent."
This is really a blessing.
I thought it would hit big someday, but for Audrey Hepburn to advertise it from the start.
She was a woman who never forgot the hunger she experienced during World War II and devoted her life to social activities.
Did she want to help post-war Korea too?
If I ever get the chance, I should thank her. I'll definitely repay this favor.
"Everything is going smoothly. It seems like Nike will become a luxury brand soon."
"It must. Let's go."
Phil Knight quickly left the airport in the car he brought.
After driving for about 40 minutes, a building with a prominent Nike logo on the rooftop appeared.
"You've already put up a brand billboard?"
"It was a condition for leasing the office. Don't worry, it's not a waste of money."
Worry? I wanted to praise him.
Putting up such a big Nike logo, it was bound to become a historically famous landmark.
**
At the Nike office,
"You're still here? I told you it's not time to sign a formal contract yet."
As soon as Phil Knight entered the office, he started complaining.
"Can't you at least give us a preliminary contract?"
"Have a seat, Mr. Knight."
"Who are you?"
The office was filled with unusually neat men.
There were three of them, and they all had a similar atmosphere and impression.
"Ah, introduce yourselves. This is Mr. Woo, the owner from the headquarters."
"Oh! Mr. Woo
."
"Nice to meet you. I'm CS Woo."
The three men rushed towards me simultaneously.
"We're from Neiman Marcus. We only serve the top 1%."
"We're Nordstrom. You've heard of us, haven't you?"
"We're Macy's. No department store can match our growth."
Each of them promoted themselves as high-end luxury department stores, traditional luxury powerhouses, and rising stars.
Even Macy's, which feels old-fashioned in the 21st century, introduced itself as a rising star...
"Such prominent customers. I flew here in a hurry because of an urgent matter, and it really was urgent."
"Of course, of course. We need to get the products out before the Academy Awards in March next year. We don't have time to be leisurely."
"Of course, of course."
Even though they were competing department stores, they agreed on the urgency of getting the products out quickly.
Merchants succeed by rowing hard when the tide comes in, regardless of East or West.
"The key is how to divide the production volume by next March. Phil, have you organized the requested volumes by customer?"
"Not yet. Each one requested a secret negotiation, so it's difficult."
"There's no need to drag it out. Let's decide here by betting. Delays in delivery mean losses for everyone."
They say to strike while the iron is hot.
It was clear that it was a jackpot, so I just needed to make the customers compete.
If you hold the knife, you must swing it.
"If we give Macy's exclusive rights, we'll offer stockings for 30 cents, evening gloves for $5, body suits and mini skirts for $10 each, and capes for $15."
"Haha, how can we give exclusivity for such an amount? Nordstrom will pay 20% more."
"Neiman Marcus will pay double that price. But we want limited editions."
From the start, the customers were aggressively competing.
As expected from top department stores.
"You seem to be mistaken. Stockings are $1. Evening gloves, body suits, mini skirts, each $50, and capes are $100. The maximum quantities are 10 million pairs of stockings and 150,000 pieces each for the others. You have to divide them."
"What! Stockings are $1?"
"$100 for a cape?"
"Fine. Give Neiman Marcus exclusive rights for stockings."
"What!"
While the other two were surprised, Neiman Marcus quickly moved in. Neiman Marcus knew.
That these stockings were products that could sell with a huge margin.
"Fine, let's sign the contract..."
"No, you can't. What about us if you give Neiman exclusive rights for stockings?"
"This is a betting place. What I can promise is to supply the goods at the price the customer offers on time."
I said firmly.
There was no reason to negotiate in detail.
Phil Knight, who was next to me, was only startled at first but soon showed a relaxed expression.
"Nike's Goldskin products are incomparable in functionality, elegance, and glamour. Right, Mr. Woo?"
"Indeed. There are no products in the world that can surpass ours. Since they're made of patented fabric, they can't be imitated anywhere for a while. We'll give priority in future allocations to those who make deals today."
"P... Patents, priority?"
The customers' eyes widened.
They felt that if they missed this opportunity, they would fall behind in the new product competition.
"We at Nordstrom will take exclusive rights for stockings at $1.05."
"That won't do. Sears will take stockings at $1.10, and we'd like to secure 100,000 pairs of evening gloves as well."
"In that case, we at Neiman Marcus will take stockings at $1.20 and 150,000 capes!"
"That means exclusive rights for capes too. Don't you have any business ethics!"
The atmosphere heated up.
Indeed, the best way to make customers compete is to limit the time and quantity. Limited resources always increase in value.
"Phil, can you wrap up the betting? I have another appointment, so I'll have to leave."
"Leave it to me, Mr. Woo."
It was wise to step aside.
With this much groundwork laid, Phil Knight would finish the rest well.
At least a $40 million contract would be made.
Many people would cheer when they heard this news.
Considering the volume, I should offer a hefty New Year's bonus.
The short-term foreign debt that needed to be resolved decreased from $268 million to $228 million.
One of the two rabbits, the smaller one, came running and jumped into my arms.
If the start is this good, luck will follow when I meet Van Flint too.
"Let's go to Wall Street."
To where the big rabbit is!