Chairman Im Jin-yong personally received the car and test-drove it with his executives. Then, saying he would use them for company business, he took 10 more.
In the days when Seosung SB supplied batteries to BMW, they had to defer to BMW, but that was no longer necessary. Seosung Group was the undisputed leader in automotive electronics and batteries. Since building autonomous electric vehicles without Seosung Group was practically impossible, these days, it was BMW who was carefully watching Chairman Im Jin-yong's mood.
Other major corporations also rushed to purchase several units each.
We parked an AD3 and an AD4 side-by-side in our parking lot. We also placed 10 units each in the OTK Company and Golden Gate buildings for employee use.
The reason we couldn't import the cars we invested in and built into Korea before was the lack of operating permits for autonomous vehicles. It would have been possible by restricting the autonomous driving system, but then who would pay this price for an AD series instead of buying a Mercedes or BMW?
Fortunately, regulations were now eased, allowing autonomous driving as long as a driver was seated.
Road conditions and signaling systems differ from country to country, requiring new recognition of signs, traffic lights, lanes, etc. However, CarOS's autonomous driving system easily solved this problem through machine learning. As the car drove, it recognized and learned from its surroundings. Road data from Korea and several other countries had already been learned and could be changed via software updates. It was truly the highest level of autonomous driving currently available.
Since CarOS hadn't officially entered the Korean market yet, no local corporation had been established, and there were no service centers. For the time being, we arranged with Eunsung Motors to handle repairs at a few service centers in major cities as a temporary measure. Since it's an electric car, there's no need for oil changes, and most issues can be resolved through updates, so unless there's an accident, there's little need to visit a service center.
Excluding the units purchased by corporations, the remaining cars out of the total 300 went entirely to car-sharing companies; none were sold directly to individual consumers (although, with the operating permit granted, it was possible for individuals to purchase and import them privately from the US).
The reaction in Korea was, as expected, explosive. People were amazed riding in cars that drove themselves even with their hands off the wheel, and reservations piled up from those wanting to rent and experience the AD3 and AD4.
Autonomous electric vehicles were a global trend.
The government formed a task force comprising Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and major corporations to promote power capacity expansion and the nationwide installation of EV chargers. Korea's small land area and high population density make it an optimal environment for building EV infrastructure.
The main issue was power supply. As the number of EVs increases, gasoline and diesel sales decrease, but electricity consumption skyrockets. The government's nuclear power phase-out policy hit a snag. While the ruling party and civic groups emphasized the dangers of nuclear power, advocating for halting construction and closing aging plants, the issue wasn't that simple. Alternative energy sources have limitations in meeting power demand, and thermal power plants risk exacerbating the already severe fine dust problem.
The government was also concerned about declining tax revenue. The annual revenue from fuel taxes is about 2 trillion won. With this easily collected tax source set to decrease, countermeasures were needed.
Thus, there were mountains of tasks to handle, but due to partisan clashes, the National Assembly showed no signs of even convening.
"And they'll still collect their monthly salaries without fail," Taek-gyu remarked.
I nodded in agreement. "That's why everyone wants to become a National Assembly member."
Getting paid even when you don't work. Truly a dream job.
Taek-gyu said, as if remembering something, "Ah! Old man Shigeru contacted me earlier, asked to borrow some money. Wants to acquire a game company."
"How much does he need?"
"$30 million?"
I nodded. "Do whatever you want."
Having earned over 20 trillion won with a single click (though 5 trillion of that was used for the foundation), what couldn't he do?
***
While CarOS soared with the AD series, Faceit wasn't idle either.
In fact, among the companies OTK Company invested in, the most profitable one wasn't CarOS, but Faceit. Even when CarOS was struggling with deficits and burning through cash, Faceit had already established a revenue model. And they poured all the money earned back into research and development.
Last year, they acquired an adult toy company called Dancing Rabbit and researched ways to integrate it with VR technology.
VR, once considered futuristic technology, had become somewhat commercialized. VR rooms replaced arcades and karaoke bars in downtown areas, where people wore headsets and enjoyed the virtual reality unfolding before their eyes.
This also applied to the sex industry. Or rather, more accurately, the sex industry was at the forefront of VR technology. Advances in robotics and artificial intelligence opened up new possibilities for the sex industry.
After long research, Faceit launched its first VR sex device combining VR and realistic dolls, named 'Ani'.
Tobey and Gerard proudly declared that pornography was no longer about watching, but playing. "I sleep with Ani every night. You too can be with Ani anytime!" The slogan was 'Anytime Ani'.
To operate it, one wears the VR headset and embraces the realistic doll. The doll then makes sounds and moves in sync with the video, adjusting intensity. Videos featuring 20 carefully selected porn actors by Faceit were provided by default, with plans to continuously add more content in the future. Additional content required separate payment.
The set cost $5,990. Not an insignificant amount.
- Isn't that too expensive?
- What are you talking about? Considering the technology involved, it's cheap!
- With just this, you can meet all sorts of beautiful women from around the world?
- A Chanel bag costs $5,000. Isn't this better than gifting one of those?
- Thinking about it that way makes it seem cheap.
- The important point is that no matter how much money you losers spend, you'll never get a date anyway!
- F***, can't argue with that ㅜㅜ
- Starting today, my girlfriend is Ani!
- No more lonely nights!
- Let's just cleanly give up on dating and buy one!
The first batch sold out immediately upon release. The media lavished praise, calling it one of the most outstanding inventions of the 21st century. And rightly so, as it represented a fusion of software and hardware, signifying a major shift in the pornography industry. Some experts expressed concern, unsure how technological advancements would ultimately change human sexuality.
Some American women's groups and Christian organizations gathered in front of the headquarters, protesting vehemently. "VR sex devices commodify women's sexuality! Stop sales immediately!"
To this, Tobey nonchalantly replied, "Our business is originally about commodifying sex. That's why we plan to release a product for women soon too."
Despite some controversies, the product sold out faster than it could be produced.
Encouraged by the massive success in the US, Faceit subsequently launched in Japan. Japan has a highly developed domestic adult toy industry. Success here would provide a stepping stone for global expansion.
One problem was the strong anti-Faceit sentiment that had grown since the Nishida Securities order error incident, even leading to boycott movements.
When the news of Ani's release broke, Japanese internet sites went wild.
- After doing that, they think they can come make money in Japan?
- Buying that just helps Kang Jin-hoo make money.
- Let's not forget what happened to Japan!
- We are content enjoying Japanese AV!
- Japan might be smaller than the US, but Japan is the great nation of AV. We have world-famous AV actors and high-performance adult toys!
- I wouldn't accept a VR sex device made with Kang Jin-hoo's investment even if it were given away for free!
- Let's use this opportunity to drive Faceit out of the archipelago!
- Men of Japan, unite!
Japanese netizens firmly resolved never to buy it.
However, strangely enough, the moment pre-orders began, the Faceit server crashed. The initial batch of 690 units sold out instantly, and immediately started being resold at double the price. Inquiries flooded in asking if additional quantities could be obtained.
- lol Of course.
- Look at them promising not to buy and then stabbing each other in the back.
- This is why you can't trust what Japanese people say.
- But why aren't they selling it in Korea?
- Kang Jin-hoo invested in it, why isn't it being released in Korea?
- Tut tut! A VR sex device in the 'Eastern Land of Courtesy'! The scholars will be angered!
- Only watch legally approved adult content that has passed government deliberation.
- Who watches that?
- In an era where autonomous electric cars drive on roads, does it make sense that porn is illegal?
- Quickly convene a special session of the National Assembly and process the porn bill first.
- Only lawmakers who haven't watched porn should vote against it. If they watch porn behind the scenes and still vote against it, their wrists will fly off.
- Assemblyman Sung Gwi-nam, we love you ^^
- It's Assemblyman Nam Seong-gwi. Why does everyone keep calling him Sung Gwi-nam?
Unsurprisingly, imports to Korea were banned. Pornography was illegal in the first place, and realistic dolls were considered lewd and promiscuous toys detrimental to public morals. Assemblyman Nam Seong-gwi proposed a bill to legalize pornography, but its processing was delayed because the National Assembly wasn't in session. The opposition party strongly opposed it, and even the Minister of Gender Equality and Family, despite being from the ruling party, vehemently opposed it. With women's groups, conservative groups, Christian groups, parent groups, and various other scholars from all walks of life joining the opposition, the bill's passage remained uncertain.
***
Several times a day, requests arrive asking me to attend business gatherings, parties, and various events. Since I usually have nothing to talk about at such places, I typically decline them all. I'd rather spend that time reading Oh Taek-gyu's recommended masterpiece manga.
However, there's one important event this month that I cannot miss: the wedding of Public Relations Team Leader Jung Ki-hong. His partner is fellow employee Joo Hyun-jung. The decision to get married was made two months ago. The reason for such a rushed wedding, as everyone guessed, was speeding [a pregnancy].
Hearing the news, Sang-yeop sunbae nervously wiped sweat from his brow. "I need to be careful too, so I don't get dragged to the wedding hall in one shot." When it comes to this issue, one can never be too careful.
"Aren't you getting married, Sunbae?"
At my question, Sang-yeop sunbae firmly shook his head. "Nope. I'm going to enjoy life until I'm forty."
It felt strange thinking about seniors I went to university with getting married. Both of them were also employees who joined our company from the early stages.
Due to the lack of time, the wedding preparations proceeded at lightning speed. The parents from both families agreed that this was the opportunity to recoup the congratulatory and condolence money they had spent over the years. Isn't the purpose of a Korean wedding to invite as many people as possible, fill the venue, and collect the maximum amount of congratulatory money?
However, there was a slight problem here. Jung Ki-hong and Joo Hyun-jung were from the same university, same department, and were an office couple. In this case, the guest lists would overlap significantly. Moreover, our company has fewer than 100 employees!
Both families worried about low guest turnout and considered having a smaller ceremony. But Ki-hong sunbae was one of the few team leaders at OTK Company. Surely there wouldn't be a lack of guests?
As the CEO, there wasn't much I could do for employees getting married, so I just booked the wedding hall and arranged for them to use the private jet for their honeymoon.
I worried we wouldn't find a venue because the wedding was arranged so hastily, but fortunately, we were able to book the Ceylon Hotel wedding hall. Hotel weddings are notoriously difficult to book, as much as they are expensive. Luckily, there was a cancellation, so we could secure the reservation immediately.
"That was lucky," President Im Soo-mi said with a smile. "Things like this happen occasionally. Sometimes weddings get canceled right before the ceremony. People break up all the time; you never know until you're walking down the aisle."
"..."
Anyway, we also received a 20% discount on the cost.
On the wedding day.
An endless line of congratulatory wreaths stood in front of the hall.
Sang-yeop sunbae and I arrived early and met Ki-hong sunbae. Taek-gyu was coming separately with Hyun-joo noona. Ki-hong sunbae, dressed in his wedding suit, looked extremely nervous.
Sang-yeop sunbae asked, "Are you mentally prepared?"
"I don't think I quite am yet."
"How about Hyun-jung?"
"She's in the bride's waiting room."
We headed to the bride's waiting room.
There sat Hyun-jung sunbae in full bridal makeup and a pure white wedding dress. When we entered, her friends who were with her looked startled.
"Sincere congratulations. Be happy."
Hyun-jung sunbae smiled brightly. "Thank you."
After greeting her, as we came out, Ki-hong sunbae's father said urgently, "Ki-Hong's family called, said they're stuck in traffic and will be late. Is there anyone who can collect the congratulatory money?"
"We'll do it."
When I raised my hand, Ki-hong sunbae's eyes widened. "Y-yes? You, CEO?"
"Just for today, I should lend a hand as a university junior."
It was decided that Sang-yeop sunbae would receive the money, and I would hand out meal tickets beside him. On the bride's side, Yuri took on the same role as me.
Immediately, a guest arrived, handed over an envelope, and signed the guest book.
"How many meal tickets would you like?"
"Two... Huh?!"
The guest receiving the tickets gasped, mouth agape. "N-no way, Kang Jin-hoo?"
The next guest had a similar reaction.
Sang-yeop sunbae nodded understandingly. "It's like Chairman Im Jin-yong handing out meal tickets at a Seosung Electronics employee's wedding."