Chapter 754: Because We Shared the Same Thought

After finishing my meeting with Obama, I returned to the hotel and fell into a deep sleep.

Whether it was from the accumulated fatigue or not I woke up early. I managed to get up and sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.

I don’t know to what extent he’ll go but… maybe a strategic nuclear weapon will fall on Washington.

After organizing my thoughts I picked up my phone and called Han Gyeong-yeong.

After a long wait the ringing stopped and Han Gyeong-yeong’s groggy voice came through.

— Uh… Mu-hyeok.

His voice was hoarse as if he had just woken up from my call.

“Can you talk or should I call later?”

— No, it’s okay. I was about to wake up anyway. Just a moment.

I could briefly hear the rustling sound of blankets being moved through the receiver.

Soon after I heard the sound of curtains being opened and then Han Gyeong-yeong spoke.

— Oof, it’s blinding. Okay. Talk. How did it go? Did things go well?

“Yeah, it seems like he’ll move as we expected.”

— But is it really necessary for it to be him? There are two Democratic Party senators who’d listen to us. No, with this kind of opportunity any Democratic Party senator would be clamoring to do it.

As Han Gyeong-yeong said, such a scandal was an unmissable opportunity for politicians.

Leaving a deep impression at a hearing would make them known to the public, turning them into an overnight star.

Even though we supported the Republican Party in this election we didn’t neglect the Democratic Party.

So there were several people in the Democratic Party who would do as Han Gyeong-yeong asked. But it had to be Obama.

“Well, I’m planning on nurturing him. He’ll contact you soon. Once you hear from him…”

I summarized my conversation with Obama for Han Gyeong-yeong.

— Hmm… Will Plame really leave the CIA? After talking to him it doesn’t seem like he would.

In my past life, Plame kept holding on and eventually left the CIA.

All I want is to shorten that time.

“That’s his problem to figure out, you just need to make the position available.”

— That’s not difficult.

“When are you planning on signing the investment contract with the New York Times?”

— We decided to meet sometime next week after things are finalized. You’re coming too, right?

“No, now you can handle it on your own. I’ve done all I can.”

— Fine, whatever. Are you going back to Korea?

“I have to. It’s about time for North Korea to make a move…”

The Prime Minister of Japan was visiting North Korea next week. I had been getting reports from time to time, but I needed to go there and see the internal situation with my own eyes.

“I’ll return to Korea to review the plan. You should get ready too.”

— Okay, Boss.

“Let’s all go on vacation after this is over.”

— You better keep that promise!

“I will. Take care, I’m hanging up now.”

After ending my call with Han Gyeong-yeong, I got out of bed.

As I walked out of the bedroom and into the living room, Manager Ma was waiting.

“Did you wake up, Boss? Would you like some coffee?”

“Yes, and could you get me something light to eat too?”

Manager Ma bowed his head and left the room.

I sank deep into the sofa.

It seemed like I had resolved almost everything I had planned to do in the U.S.

Most of the things wouldn’t produce results in the short term, but the blueprint for everything I was planning to do was complete.

“This trip to the U.S. wasn’t bad after all.”

I looked at the newspapers laid out on the table.

Newspapers including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal were all there.

Among them, I picked up the Wall Street Journal, which had a large picture of Rupert Murdoch on the front page.

His face on the front page looked more than happy.

The interview with Rupert Murdoch started on this page.

As I was about to turn the page, Manager Ma came back with coffee and a sandwich.

I took a sip of the coffee Manager Ma handed me, and then I began to read the newspaper in earnest.

[Murdoch, the Future He Dreams Of.

Rupert Murdoch, chairman of News Corporation, succeeded in acquiring Dow Jones, which owns the Wall Street Journal.

Murdoch’s acquisition of this prestigious newspaper caused much debate among the Wall Street Journal reporters, including myself.

The biggest concern was that the newspaper would turn into a tabloid due to Murdoch’s past behavior in the media industry.

Most of the popular newspapers owned by Murdoch focus on entertainment, but this newspaper publishes serious editorials and fact-based articles.

Therefore, I, the reporter, decided to conduct an exclusive interview with Rupert Murdoch, the new owner of the newspaper.

Q: Congratulations on acquiring the Wall Street Journal. Could you explain the motive behind the acquisition?

A: I have had a dream for decades. To create a prestigious economic newspaper like the Wall Street Journal with my own hands. But reality wasn’t so easy. So I decided to acquire the Wall Street Journal to make my dream, which had been just a fantasy, come true.

Q: Please tell us about the acquisition process.

A: Ah, there were a lot of events that transpired. Among them, Sulzberger Jr. suddenly jumped into the acquisition battle, which put me in a difficult situation. But I had no intention of giving up. So I took a gamble and eventually succeeded in the acquisition.

Q: Most of the reporters at the Wall Street Journal, including myself, are worried that Murdoch might turn the Wall Street Journal into a tabloid. Do you have anything to say about this?

A: I know what you’re worried about. But I absolutely have no intention of turning the Wall Street Journal into a popular newspaper. If that were my intention, I would have never acquired the Wall Street Journal.

Q: When you acquired the New York Post, which was once a reputable newspaper, you swore to ‘maintain the current policies and traditions.’ But you soon reversed course and adopted a tabloid style over a highbrow one. The New York Post lost its authority because of this. If it happened once, wouldn’t it be possible for it to happen again?

A: I have made many mistakes. However, the New York Post is not one of them. Most people read the New York Post rather than the New York Times. There’s a gap between popular and highbrow newspapers, and I have always shown the public what they want.

(Omitted)

Now I own both popular and prestigious newspapers. They are media that play completely different roles, and I understand this. I hope you understand my duality, and I have no plans to change the editorial content of the Wall Street Journal. I swear on my name.

Q: Can you talk about the future you dream of for the Wall Street Journal?

A: The Wall Street Journal has the highest authority as an ‘economic newspaper’, but it is a reality that it is lacking in other fields. Like the New York Times, I dream of a comprehensive national elite newspaper. TV stations decide their news direction based on the New York Times articles, and local newspapers do the same. It’s an unimaginable amount of influence. I want to challenge that.

Q: The basic premise of the Wall Street Journal is an economic newspaper. Don’t you think the basic premise might disappear if you try to do too much?

A: The Wall Street Journal has been trying to improve its constitution for several years, such as reducing costs by downsizing and establishing a Saturday edition to attract more advertisers. But since I’ve acquired it, that will not happen anymore. The space will increase, and I plan to increase the online version to adapt to the changing times. Also, the investments will continue for several years. I don’t intend to make money with the Wall Street Journal. I’m confident I can endure losses for my dream. I’m richer than you think.

Murdoch is the emperor of the media who loves the media and makes money by using it. Whether you like him or not, Murdoch exerts great influence in the media world. He promised a huge investment.

I hope his oath will not be broken.]

I put down the newspaper and took a bite of the sandwich. As I swallowed the food, I couldn’t help but smile.

“I can feel how excited Murdoch is even from the writing.”

I finished my simple meal while reading other newspapers and called Manager Ma.

“Manager, I think it’s time to return to Korea.”

“I’ll prepare it, Boss.”

“Is there anything else to do?”

I asked, feeling like I’d forgotten something.

Manager Ma also thought for a moment and then shook his head.

“There isn’t anything else you instructed.”

If Manager Ma says there isn’t, then there probably isn’t.

“Then please prepare it.”

No sooner had I finished speaking than my phone rang loudly.

I checked the caller ID and quickly answered the phone.

“Jobs, what’s going on?”

— Hey, Charlie. How could you come to the U.S. and not even call me once?

“Ah, I’ve been too busy with other things. I’m sorry.”

When I honestly apologized, Jobs replied in a casual tone.

— Well, you are a busy man. I can understand. But you will be coming to the Macworld Expo this time, right?

“Macworld Expo? When is that happening?”

— I’m disappointed, Charlie. It’s in two days. Didn’t you know?

I felt like something was missing. I forgot about this.

“…Of course I knew.”

— …You didn’t know. I’m really disappointed.

Jobs said curtly. Is he sulking?

“Haha. I’ve been swamped with work lately. I’m sorry, Jobs.”

— Still, isn’t it a project that started with your ideas? How can you just ignore it like this?

“My idea? It’s all Jobs’ ideas.”

At my words, Jobs raised his voice as if he was hurt.

— Charlie, are you trying to make me look like I steal other people’s ideas?

“Of course not. I gave you some hints but, you did think of it as well, it’s a fact.”

My hints played a crucial role, but even if I didn’t give them, he would’ve found a way to create it.

— I did think about it myself. But you presented a more concrete idea.

That’s strange. He’s not usually like this, why is he giving me so much praise today?

Without any intention of resolving my question, Jobs gave his closing remarks.

— Anyway, let’s talk when we meet.

“Yes, let’s do that.”

After finishing my call with Steve Jobs, I called Manager Ma.

“We’ll have to cancel the return to Korea, Manager. It looks like Steve Jobs is finally going to unveil the iPhone to the world.”

“Understood, Boss.”

“Please make preparations so that we can head to Silicon Valley immediately.”

“Yes, Boss.”

The iPhone is being unveiled more than two years earlier than in my past life.

I wondered what kind of impact this small change will have in the future?

I was very curious about that.

* * *

The George R. Moscone Convention Center.

It was the largest convention center in San Francisco, California.

It was a place where many conferences by IT companies in Silicon Valley as well as trade shows and exhibitions were held.

Apple had been holding the Macworld Expo at this location for many years to announce their new products to the world.

As such, the Macworld Expo was an event that raised expectations for many.

I arrived at the Moscone Convention Center where the event was being held.

I had arrived a day early to meet Jobs but he wouldn’t show me the iPhone, telling me to see it myself tomorrow.

He bragged that it would be different from what I saw before.

“I can’t believe he actually sulked.”

As he was excitedly explaining things I couldn’t help but laugh internally at how sullen he had gotten because I forgot about the Macworld Expo.

I suppressed my laughter and moved to the place where the keynote speech of the Macworld Expo would be held.

Many reporters had taken their spots at the front of the venue, and the back was filled with people who had come to watch the event.

I could see the founders of several familiar IT companies as well.

It was clear from that alone how authoritative Steve Jobs was in the information and communication industry.

Manager Ma and I stood at the very back and waited for the event to begin.

I could hear the conversation between two people sitting in front.

“I heard Jobs is giving a keynote speech today?”

“Yeah. What do you think he’s going to announce? They’re so tight lipped, no one knows.”

“Maybe an improved iPod? They said they were improving the touch pad last year.”

“Well, I’ve heard that Jobs isn’t the same as before.”

“Jobs isn’t directly involved in development; he only provides ideas.”

“Still, I have high expectations. Jobs is a genius.”

From their conversation, I could tell that no one knew about the existence of the iPhone.

That made me even more excited.

‘What kind of reactions will they have after seeing the iPhone?’

It wasn’t that smartphones didn’t exist.

But the world would be divided into before and after the existence of the iPhone.

It was like that in my past life.

Not long after the event started, the host called on Steve Jobs.

The lights in the venue dimmed, and Steve Jobs appeared.

He cleared his throat in his usual outfit of jeans and a black t-shirt.