After the Apple announcement, people underestimated the iPhone 4s.
But the market reaction was different.
As soon as the pre-order started, the reservation orders soared, and in less than half a day, one million reservation orders were achieved.
It was more than twice as many as the iPhone 4.
The media’s prediction of low sales was completely wrong.
This was also a big difference from Kim Young-gil’s expectation.
Kim Young-gil, who was drinking with Yoo-hyun in the hotel room, stuck out his tongue.
“How can this be? They criticize it, but the customers seem to be more enthusiastic.”
“They must be fascinated by the Apple products.”
Yoo-hyun answered calmly and took a sip.
As Yoo-hyun emptied his glass and picked up some snacks, Kim Young-gil’s face became thoughtful.
“Huh? Yu, Yoo-hyun...”
“What?”
“Wow! Look at this.”
Yoo-hyun took Kim Young-gil’s phone and froze.
“...”
Yoo-hyun knew very well that Steve Jobs didn’t have much time left.
But he didn’t expect that moment to come so soon.
He had met Steve Jobs a few days ago, and his eyes were full of life.
He still felt like he could hear his voice when he closed his eyes.
Maybe that’s why?
This moment, which he knew and prepared for, felt like a lie.
His mind went blank and he couldn’t think of anything.
Kim Young-gil filled his glass carefully, thinking that he was especially shocked.
“It must be hard for you.”
“Honestly... I can’t believe it.”
“Me neither. I had some connection with him, so I feel more sad.”
Kim Young-gil had met Steve Jobs as an Apple representative.
He had only talked to him face to face at the product review, but he received a huge reward and a promotion opportunity just for being there.
He also had an amazing experience of making his company the world’s number one thanks to Steve Jobs’ words.
From Kim Young-gil’s perspective, it was enough to call it a connection.
Yoo-hyun, who had a sincere conversation with Steve Jobs, was not feeling any better.
“I feel the same way.”
“Let’s go to pay our respects as soon as the sun rises.”
“Okay.”
Yoo-hyun nodded and emptied his glass.
One glass, two glasses.
As he quietly drank, Steve Jobs’ teachings flashed through Yoo-hyun’s mind.
-You have to get rid of the distractions and focus on the essence. You have to decide what is the most important thing to do, and concentrate on achieving it.
Thud.
Yoo-hyun put down his glass and looked at Kim Young-gil.
He had something to say to him, who was a long-time colleague and a trustworthy partner.
“Manager, I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“Well...”
Yoo-hyun mentioned something to Kim Young-gil that was not about the past, but about the future.
It was a story that he had to hear for the sake of the future.
When Yoo-hyun returned to his hotel room, it was late at night.
He sat on the outdoor terrace and placed his phone on the table.
Tap.
On the screen, there was a message from Vice President Yeo Tae-sik that he had received a while ago.
-Congressman Heo Jeong-ro called Chairman Shin directly and asked for mediation. The chairman was furious and convened an emergency meeting.
Congressman Heo Jeong-ro, the next presidential candidate, summoned Chairman Shin Hyun-ho to cover up the Russian corruption.
Shin Hyun-ho, who was enraged by the corruption involving his family, threatened to explode for the last time.
“That’s true. I should have expressed more gratitude then.”
“You didn’t look like the type to regret?”
“I felt like I received too much from him.”
Paul Graham, who had been glancing at Yoo-hyun, laughed.
“That’s interesting. Even in this situation where we’re talking about tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, you have such a romantic thought.”
“That money is not mine. And I don’t think money is the essence.”
“Hmm. That’s how a businessman should be. Money is something for investors to think about.”
“You’re pushing me too hard.”
“Ha ha! Did I? Oh, right. I have something to say to you, who are not a businessman but an investor now.”
Paul Graham didn’t call Yoo-hyun just to chat. Yoo-hyun knew that from the beginning.
Yoo-hyun asked calmly, without showing any curiosity.
“What is it?”
“You’re straightforward. Do you plan to keep your stake in Airbnb as it is?”
“Can I know why you’re asking?”
“Did you hear that Airbnb is getting an investment review from Andreessen Horowitz?”
Andreessen Horowitz was one of the big players among the venture capital firms in Silicon Valley.
If Paul Graham dug up gems as a hobby, they were the ones who raised companies with their money.
Yoo-hyun nodded his head, having heard about their interest through Brian Chesky.
“Yes. I know they’re preparing for it.”
“I didn’t tell the Airbnb founders, but they’ll probably pass. I’ve already agreed with their representative.”
“What does that have to do with my stake?”
“They’re planning to invest 500 million dollars (about 600 billion won) in Airbnb.”
Yoo-hyun reacted realistically rather than being surprised by the huge amount.
“That’s a good opportunity. But they’ll have to give up a lot of shares in return.”
“Yes. The shares of the founders, including me, will be reduced. Of course, we’ll get money for that. And even if the shares are reduced, the value of the company will increase a lot.”
“You don’t have to say that. I understand that I have to give up some of my shares.”
When Yoo-hyun pointed out the core, Paul Graham spoke directly instead of beating around the bush.
“Brian couldn’t say that to you, so I called you. You know that, right?”
“Of course. I know very well.”
“Good. You’ll get at least 20 million dollars (about 24 billion won) per one percent. You can get cash or exchange it for other startup shares.”
“Startup share acquisition is mediated by you, right?”
“Yes. You can choose anything from my basket. Whatever you choose, you won’t lose.”
Yoo-hyun had a total of 5 percent stake in Airbnb.
Even if he sold only 2 percent, he would get 48 billion won.
If he reinvested that in a small company, he could get a much higher stake.
Of course, money was not important to Yoo-hyun.
“I have no complaints. I’m just curious if we’re getting the right value and investment.”
“What do you mean?”
“This investment will greatly shorten the growth time of Airbnb. But that doesn’t mean Airbnb won’t grow without it.”
“So?”
Paul Graham couldn’t predict how far Airbnb’s dazzling growth would continue.
There were not a few startups that soared high and then crashed.
But Yoo-hyun was a person who had witnessed the future of Airbnb with his eyes.
He spoke with confidence that only those who had experienced it could have.
“I’m sure that Airbnb will dominate not only guesthouses but also hotel business in a few years. Then it will easily surpass the value of Hilton Hotel.”
“Hotel, huh. That’s possible. We’re people who live on dreams.”
“It’s not a dream. If you add luxury to the current growth rate...”
Yoo-hyun predicted the future based on the objective facts about Airbnb.
He had memorized the information to help Brian Chesky prepare for the investment, so he didn’t need to look up any data.
Paul Graham was amazed by the accurate figures that Yoo-hyun spit out.
He was even more amazed by the way he added the luxury idea to the figures and drew the future.
“Huh.”
He was speechless for a moment, and then he straightened his posture.