These days, I really have no idea where the time goes.
With so many projects in motion, a single day felt like a minute, and before I knew it, April had arrived.
I started the month with a call from Steve.
Although he usually communicated with the development or design teams, this time, he called me directly.
[The software development is complete. This is on a whole different level compared to the phone software we've seen so far.]
"You've done a great job. All the features I requested are included, right?"
[Of course. That's why it took so long. I've added the calculator and memo functions, just as you asked. I even threw in a simple pinball game. I can understand why you wanted the other features, but I still don't get why you insisted on adding a game.]
Right now, mobile phones were nothing more than telephones—just devices that let people make calls wirelessly.
But in just a few years, we'd enter an era where everything could be done on a phone.
"My goal is to let people listen to music, watch movies, and play games on their phones."
[Well, I share almost the same goal—except for the gaming part.]
Why did he dislike games so much?
Steve was a well-known music enthusiast, but he had always been skeptical about games.
But if people could listen to music and watch videos on a phone, playing games would be a natural next step.
"Putting aside the game issue, this means the flip phone development is practically done, right?"
[From a software and design perspective, there's nothing left to change.]
"Then it's time to move on to the next phase."
[We haven't even started full-scale production on the flip phone yet, and you're already thinking about the next step?]
"We have to keep moving forward so no one can catch up."
[Fair enough. What's the next goal?]
"We need to make it possible to listen to music on a phone—just like you've always wanted."
[Now that's what I like to hear.]
As expected from a music fanatic, his voice instantly became more enthusiastic.
"We're in the process of developing an MP3 player. But it's not quite ready to be implemented in the next phone model. In the meantime, we need to focus on developing another type of phone first."
[You're toying with my emotions here. So you're saying the next model still won't be able to play music?]
"If you want a music-playing phone, you'll have to return to Apple to make it happen. Both the flip phone and the next model are just stepping stones for your comeback."
[Got it. So, what kind of phone are we making next?]
"We've made a flip phone, so now it's time to make a slide phone."
[Ah, I remember seeing a slide phone concept in one of the design drafts you showed me.]
The next big thing would be slide phones.
After flip phones hit the market, various new phone designs would start popping up.
Some would be massive hits, while others would flop—but I already knew which ones would succeed.
"Once we develop the slide phone, we can move on to creating a phone with music playback capabilities."
[And when that happens, I'll be able to return to Apple.]
"I promise—I'll make sure you get back to Apple."
[I'll hold you to that. By the way, when do you plan to start producing the flip phone?]
"Since everything is ready, we need to start production immediately. The launch is scheduled for October, but we have to begin manufacturing now to identify and fix any issues. Plus, we need to build up inventory."
There was no problem with launching the flip phone right away.
But since the factory capacity was still small, it was better to stockpile inventory before launching.
Also, for marketing reasons, the launch had to be in October.
"You know about the international electronics fair in Germany this September, right?"
[Of course.]
"I'd like you to show off the flip phone while you're there, Steve."
[So, you want me to promote it? But this isn't CES in the U.S.—would it even be effective at the international electronics fair in Germany?]
"Of course! If you promote it, it'll be a massive hit."
[Hmm... Alright. I'll make sure to prepare thoroughly. But in return, you better give me a perfect flip phone.]
"I won't release it unless it's flawless."
To keep my promise to Steve, I headed straight to the Incheon factory.
It was almost unrecognizable compared to my first visit.
As I admired the exterior, Manager Lee approached me with a greeting.
"Sir, welcome. Production is fully ready."
"The factory looks a lot cleaner now."
There wasn't a speck of dust in sight.
In fact, the cleanliness of the Incheon factory now rivaled that of a semiconductor plant.
Well, I had insisted on keeping it spotless.
"We've finished installing the air curtains, the air purification system is running smoothly, and all workers are now wearing anti-dust suits during production."
"They must find it quite uncomfortable, right?"
"There haven't been any major complaints. Since the food is good, they seem to let it slide."
At the end of the day, a company is about money and benefits.
And the most important benefit is food.
When you feed employees well, their loyalty to the company naturally increases.
On top of that, I had promised them bonuses, so wearing an anti-dust suit wasn't something they'd make a big fuss about.
"Make sure the quality of the meals stays top-notch. Let's discuss the rest in the factory manager's office."
Together, we headed upstairs.
Inside, I saw the factory manager working on paperwork—also wearing an anti-dust suit.
"Why are you dressed like that?"
"The workers have to wear them, so shouldn't I as well? It helps keep complaints to a minimum."
"...You didn't make the other office staff wear them too, did you?"
"I'm not that strict. As long as I'm the only one uncomfortable, that's enough."
Gu Cheol-gyu, the factory manager, was an interesting guy.
I wasn't sure if he had changed after working at the Incheon plant for so long, or if he had been chosen as factory manager because he was a unique person.
Either way, he fit this factory perfectly.
"Alright, let's begin full-scale production of the flip phone."
"We've been waiting for this moment."
"How many units can we produce per day?"
"If we run both the Incheon and Bucheon factories, we can produce at least 1,000 units per day."
Only 1,000?
That meant 30,000 units per month.
With six months until launch, that would give us a maximum stock of 180,000 units.
"That's not enough. If we run the factories at full capacity, how many can we make?"
"If we switch to a two- or three-shift system, we can increase production. But do we really need that much stock? Even with the current plan, the numbers are quite high."
His concern was understandable.
Even Samjin Electronics, which dominated half of the Korean mobile phone market, typically only sold around 200,000 units per model.
And here we were, planning to produce 180,000 units—a risky move.
If sales fell short, all those units would turn into dead stock.
"You've seen the product yourself, haven't you? This phone is guaranteed to succeed."
"That's why I agreed to producing 180,000 units. Even if some stock remains, it's manageable. But going beyond that would be too much of a gamble.
Why don't we monitor sales first, then decide if we should ramp up production?"
"I'll take full responsibility. Run the factory at full capacity and stock up as much inventory as possible."
At the end of the day, all the responsibility falls on me anyway.
Sure, some of it would technically be shared with the factory manager, but he had nothing to lose in this.
After all, the flip phone was guaranteed to be a success.
"Alright, then. We'll switch to a three-shift system. With that, we can increase daily production to 1,500 units."
"That means we can stockpile an additional 90,000 units. Even so, that only brings the total to 270,000."
"270,000 units is a massive hit. Even Samjin Electronics hasn't achieved sales like that."
"Once we launch, you'll understand exactly why I'm pushing this hard."
And just like that, the decision was made—the Incheon and Bucheon factories would transition to a three-shift system.
The workers, who had been working at a relaxed pace until now, would soon be cutting back on sleep to keep up with production.
More work meant higher labor costs.
Especially with night shifts, the company had to pay extra allowances, significantly raising expenses.
With rising labor costs came greater financial risk.
This was the perfect situation for those waiting for me to fail.
***
Taewoo Electronics – President's Office
President Park Jin-hoon and Vice President Woo Sung-il were enjoying a leisurely tea break.
"Word is that the Incheon factory has started three-shift operations today. They're requesting additional manpower support. How should we handle it?"
"Of course, we support them fully. Give them whatever they need—no holding back."
"Are you sure about this? With three-shift production, they'll be assembling 45,000 phones per month. If they can't sell them, the losses will be devastating."
Park Jin-hoon set his coffee cup down, a cunning smile spreading across his face.
"Think of it as the cost of training our future chairman. Not a bad investment, don't you think? Besides, if they end up with a surplus, we can dump the excess stock in China or Southeast Asia at dirt-cheap prices to minimize losses."
"Are you planning to completely take Kim out of the picture with this?"
"You already know why we've never gone all-in on the mobile phone business."
"Because Motorola and Samjin Electronics have already deeply entrenched themselves in the market. Jumping in now would only lead to cutthroat competition."
"And now, they're stockpiling nearly 300,000 units in such a market? Unless they achieve an unprecedented breakthrough, they're bound to be left with unsold inventory.
No matter how well they design the product, they'll never be able to claim it as a true success."
"...Now I finally understand your strategy, sir."
Park Jin-hoon had spent decades navigating the electronics market.
He prided himself on understanding market trends better than anyone, and to him, jumping into the mobile phone industry now was nothing short of suicide.
"Wouldn't it be better for him to go into finance instead of electronics or automobiles? He does have experience working on Wall Street, after all. We should send Kim somewhere that actually suits his skills.
Manufacturing is all about experience, and it's only right that he gains some first before jumping in."
"You're absolutely right. While Kim is busy gaining experience, we'll make sure to keep Taewoo Electronics under our control."
"Well, what choice do we have? Taewoo Electronics is our creation, so we need to see it through to the end."
It sounded like a loyal retainer's words, but in reality, it was nothing more than a scheme to sideline Kim Min-jae, the company's heir, and seize control of Taewoo Electronics for themselves.
"But sir, aren't you at least curious about the prototype phones they're producing?"
"It's best not to create unnecessary responsibilities for ourselves."
"Ah! If sales tank, people might say we should've done more to help after seeing the prototypes."
"If we want to avoid any blame, we just have to keep supporting them.
If they ask for money, give them money.
If they ask for workers, send them everyone they need."
"Understood. Who knew spending money freely could feel this good? Hahaha!"
Laughter filled the president's office.
They had already written off the flip phone's failure as inevitable.
In fact, they were hoping that more units would be produced, so the losses would be even greater.