After finishing work, I met Ellie and went to a cafe in Cheongdam-dong.
People stared wherever I went, but I'm used to it now. Fortunately, since our relationship was public knowledge, the paparazzi didn't chase us like they used to.
Ellie said, sipping her coffee,
"Eunsung Motors' new car seems to be selling incredibly well. An employee at my company ordered one, and they were told the wait is six months."
"They say pre-orders alone were 100,000 units."
The moment Eunsung Motors' new EV, the Raven, was released, deliveries began sequentially to customers.
Until now, the concept of autonomous driving in Korea remained at the level of driver assistance, like preventing lane departure and adjusting speed according to the car ahead.
However, the Raven implemented the same level of autonomous driving as the AD series. It can perceive its surroundings, stop, and change lanes without driver intervention. From starting the car to parking, driver input is barely necessary.
"Surprisingly, Korea lifted autonomous driving regulations quickly."
"Korea is practically Eunsung Motors' monopoly market."
Because of that, when Eunsung Motors introduces new technology, regulations are eased, or the government comes up with support measures.
Cars have a large impact on manufacturing overall and job creation effects. That's why every country tends to support its domestic companies.
Previously, when Eunsung Motors invested in hydrogen cars, the government created various support measures for hydrogen cars, talking about a 'hydrogen economy' and whatnot.
Then, when they gave up on hydrogen cars and announced they'd release autonomous EVs, this time they eased autonomous driving regulations and moved to strengthen support for EVs. Right away, they plan to use tax money to install an additional 10,000 EV charging stations at public offices and supermarkets.
Governments hesitate to tamper with regulations due to opposition from vested interests. However, since this step only permitted autonomous driving and didn't immediately authorize fully driverless cars, the opposition wasn't particularly strong.
Of course, this is just the beginning. The ultimate goal of autonomous driving technology is the driverless car.
For now, a person must be in the driver's seat, but the situation will change as more autonomous vehicles hit the road.
In public opinion surveys about driverless cars, many people answered that a driver should be in the car. This is because they think a human needs to be able to control the vehicle in an emergency.
However, people who have actually ridden in an autonomous car were much more likely to say a driver isn't needed compared to those who haven't.
It has already been proven multiple times that autonomous driving has a much lower accident rate than human driving.
When laws change, perceptions change, and when perceptions change, laws change. In the US, the number of states partially allowing driverless operation is increasing. Driverless trucks have already traveled roads using platoon driving.
CarOS directly entered the mobility business and started a pilot ride-sharing service using driverless cars.
For Iver, which had dominated the market, this was an urgent threat. Iver stopped its own autonomous driving experiments and considered buying AD series vehicles for driverless ride-sharing, but there was one problem.
CarOS uses its autonomous vehicles to collect road data in real-time, changing vehicle routes or updating software.
Data is core to ride-sharing companies, but all the information about when and where passengers are picked up and transported would go entirely to CarOS, the car manufacturer and a competitor.
The more customers Iver gained, the more ride-sharing data CarOS could accumulate passively. Because of this, there was fierce debate within Iver about the plan to adopt the AD series.
Once technological dependence begins, it's hard to break free. Eunsung Motors receives the core components of its autonomous EVs—software and batteries—from CarOS and TS Company, respectively. Because of this, there were many concerns among experts that Eunsung Motors would struggle to survive independently in the future.
However, the same applies to GM and Ford.
From OTK Company's perspective, these companies are dispensable, but from their perspective, OTK Company is indispensable.
Anyway, Korea was originally considered to be lagging behind not only Japan but also China in the field of autonomous driving. But thanks to the technology partnership, the situation reversed instantly.
Similar to the US, changes began across various industries: charging stations, logistics, transportation, insurance, and so on.
Seosung Fire & Marine Insurance launched an insurance product with reduced premiums for autonomous vehicles, and the logistics industry contracted CarOS's autonomous trucks capable of platoon driving.
K-Mobility plans to implement ride-sharing using autonomous vehicles. Since this sector is tied up by regulations in the Passenger Transport Service Act, they are considering operating it completely free and finding other revenue streams. Although the taxi industry will likely protest again.
Ellie said, resting her chin on her hand.
"A few years ago, when you said you were investing money, Jin-hoo, I never imagined it would turn out this well."
I smiled and nodded.
"The seeds I scattered here and there are now bearing fruit."
As we talked over coffee, I could hear people whispering my name and Ellie's here and there. Thankfully, my bodyguards were nearby, so no one approached.
"There are quite a few downsides to being famous."
Ellie nodded in agreement.
"That's right. Sometimes strangers ask me for autographs too."
The TV commercial has finished airing, but the product photos featuring Ellie can still be seen on the website. They plan to release a different version of the TV ad in the summer.
Vester requested additional filming, but Ellie politely declined.
"I really don't know how other celebrities live."
Some celebrities say they feel free when they go abroad during breaks, but since my face is known worldwide, that's difficult for me too. And it's not like I can just travel to some remote mountain area.
If you can't avoid it, should you enjoy it?
I sighed and said,
"Maybe this is why Taekgyu hates his face being known."
***
Even if people know the US President is Ronald Stamper, many Americans don't know who the Vice President is.
The Chairman of Seosung Group is Im Jin-yong. But who is the Vice Chairman? Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffet is so famous he's nicknamed the 'Sage of Edens'. And Vice Chairman Charlie Vane is also a world-renowned investor.
He always advises Warren Buffet on investments, and the two appear together every year at the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' meeting in Edens.
Nevertheless, his name is still unfamiliar to the general public.
The same goes for OTK Company. As much attention as CEO Kang Jin-hoo receives, the existence of the Vice President isn't widely known.
However, in the subculture scene, his presence was overwhelming. Among those instances, his clash with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MGEF) over game regulations was a major issue.
The MGEF was notorious for imposing various regulations on subculture. This included censorship of manga, anime, and games, and furthermore, Minister Shin Jeon-mi even repeatedly stated that the laws regarding child/youth protection should be applied more strictly to virtual characters.
But when the OTK Company Vice President deliberately stepped up and effectively dismantled the MGEF's power in this area, applause poured in from all sides.
As a result, Minister Shin Jeon-mi resigned, and the MGEF lost its regulatory authority over the matter.
The video of the debate at that time, complete with subtitles, was uploaded to various video sites like A-Tube. And for a while, it became a global laughingstock.
Furthermore, the Lost Fantasy series, known to be personally invested in by the Vice President, hit massive success, first on mobile and then online. Lost Fantasy Online… nicknamed LFO, swept through Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, and then China and North America.
Until now, Japanese console games had often hit globally, but their online games were relatively sluggish. But LFO recorded an unprecedented hit.
Japanese media outlets, which had written critical articles after the Nishida Securities incident simply because OTK Company was the major shareholder, suddenly praised LFO as a victory for Japanese gaming once the game achieved massive success.
Various businesses utilizing Lost Fantasy content are also underway. There's talk of a Hollywood movie adaptation, and NetPlay plans to produce a seasonal drama series.
And on a major Korean portal site, a webtoon set in the Lost Fantasy universe began serialization.
***
Min Ha-young, who arrived first at the BBQ restaurant, sat down.
She had a small build, her hair tied in a ponytail, and wore round glasses. With monolid eyes resembling a rabbit's and finely-drawn, clustered features, she had a look that would earn her compliments of being 'cute' wherever she went.
After a short wait, a man with short hair and glasses arrived. He was wearing a tracksuit from an SPA brand.
Taekgyu sat down opposite her and said,
"Congratulations. It's a huge hit."
The reason they met today was because Min Ha-young's webtoon had passed the review by Neotin, the country's largest portal site, and started serialization.
She receives a monthly manuscript fee from the portal, and payments based on previews, overseas exports, book publications, etc., are separate. Depending on its fun factor and popularity, the income could grow substantially.
Now that she had started serializing on Neotin, she wouldn't feel ashamed to call herself a webtoon artist anywhere.
Since becoming a cartoonist had been her lifelong dream, her joy was magnified several times over. Moreover, the reaction was much better than expected.
Min Ha-young said excitedly,
"Just two weeks after starting, it climbed to 5th place. Though maybe half of that is thanks to Lost Fantasy's popularity."
"That's part of it, but it must also be because it's fun."
There have been many webtoons set in game worlds before, but many among them failed miserably.
Readers are harsh. Nobody reads a boring comic.
"More importantly, can you handle weekly serialization? It won't be easy."
"Of course! There's no such thing as a hiatus in my dictionary. Once I start serialization, I'll go all the way to the end without a break, no matter what!"
Min Ha-young looked full of motivation.
All creators think like this when they start. Then they end up taking breaks for all sorts of reasons.
'Well, as long as she doesn't stop serialization altogether, it should be fine.'
Taekgyu asked,
"But is it okay for you to be out today? Shouldn't you be drawing hard?"
"It's okay, I have a buffer."
"..."
All creators start with a buffer. But it vanishes in an instant, and then they're struggling with deadlines.
'I can practically see what she'll be like a month from now.'
Usually, when the two met, Taekgyu paid for the meal. But today, to celebrate the official serialization, Min Ha-young decided to treat.
"It's my treat today, so eat as much as you want."
"Is that okay?"
"Of course!"
Taekgyu opened the menu.
"Oh! Pork belly."
The main item was imported pork belly. The price was cheap too. Perhaps that's why many university students were visible at the surrounding tables.
Min Ha-young clasped her hands together and said,
"S-sorry. As you know, I'm still paying off debt. J-just wait a little. When I hit it big, I'll treat you to beef."
She succeeded in escaping the pyramid scheme, but the trash coins she bought back then remained as debt. Her parents paid it off first, and she is gradually paying them back.
"It's fine. I like pork belly."
Min Ha-young ordered meat and beer. Perhaps because she looked underage, the employee took her ID and stared intently at it.
Taekgyu diligently picked up the cooked meat and ate.
Watching him, Min Ha-young was slightly moved.
'He probably eats expensive food all the time. Is he deliberately eating deliciously so I don't feel awkward?'
It was a misunderstanding. Taekgyu inherently has simple tastes and eats everything well. Even nowadays, he happily cooks and eats ramen at home.
The two clinked their beer glasses.
"You've worked hard."
Min Ha-young said sincerely,
"It's all thanks to you. If you hadn't connected me with OTK Games, I wouldn't have had this chance. A-and also for looking over my work and giving advice every time..."
As she spoke, her face felt hot for some reason.
But just then, the phone on the table vibrated. Looking at the screen, Yang Ha-na's name was displayed. It seemed they kept in regular contact.
"Shouldn't you reply?"
Taekgyu said, as if it were nothing.
"I can do it later."
Min Ha-young recalled seeing her at a drinking gathering before. An appearance so beautiful that most celebrities couldn't compare, and a family background tied to the CL Group.
Her looks and family background were beyond comparison.
But it wasn't as if there was no way to compete. Having spoken to her briefly, it was clear Yang Ha-na had no interest whatsoever in manga, anime, or games.
'Our hobbies and interests are the same!'
Traditionally, romance works best when hobbies align. For example, shopping for comics together, or playing games together.
As Min Ha-young clenched her fist without realizing it, Taekgyu blinked and asked,
"What's wrong?"
Startled, she replied,
"Oh, it's nothing! Eat up. Should I order more meat?"