In Haneda Airport, Shin and Lee Han waited for their airplane at the art exhibit.
"So, the one who wants to see me is the Chairman of SamStar Group?" Shin pondered, looking at Lee Han.
Lee Han nodded, "That's right... It's my cousin, Han Woon-Sook."
"Now that I think about it, what is your Korean name, Han?" Shin inquired.
"My name in Korea is Han Lee-Ryu," Lee Han replied.
"So your name is Han Lee-Ryu all this time and not Lee Han, huh..." Shin chuckled.
"Well, I'm in Japan, so I thought Lee Han is much simpler..." Lee Han smiled.
"And because of that, when I first met you, I thought you were Chinese." Shin couldn't help but laugh.
"Chinese? I'm not surprised, in Taiwan, everyone thought I'm from China..." Lee Han chuckled wryly.
"Well, it's because it sounded like Li Han, and that indeed sounds Chinese..." Shin smiled.
Shin accepted the invitation to see one of the most powerful families from his previous life. Despite differences in names and surnames, he knew the SamStar Group paralleled a certain company that would control 20% of South Korea's GDP in the future.
Shin anticipated that this company might surpass even the Suzuki Group, which he acknowledged was equivalent to Sony. Despite specializing in motors and cars, the Suzuki Group's vehicles were globally popular, with estimated sales of 2 million units annually and 8 to 10 million minivehicles sold in Japan each year.
Shin was uncertain whether SamStar would truly surpass the Suzuki Group, given Suzuki's ventures in various business sectors.
But who could know for sure? Even with knowledge of the future, Shin couldn't guarantee that things would unfold similarly to his past life, as this world was a parallel one.
Especially now that he was here, the future might unfold differently. His company, KiShin, and its affiliates were already making a significant impact.
Companies like Nvidia, Apple, Amazon, invested in by KiShin, ensured a steady stream of billions in the future. Even if KiShin's primary business became average, these investments alone could provide Shin a comfortable life without actively working.
Despite amassing billions, Shin wasn't driven solely by wealth. He dedicated himself to recreating games from his previous life and possibly creating new ones, advancing technology in this world with his knowledge. This became Shin's priority.
In essence, even with ample wealth, he worked for a better future in video games, technology, and his company. Contributing, even in small ways, to society and human civilization was Shin's goal, beyond monetary success.
Notably, Shin's overarching vision for the video game industry has yet to come to fruition. The likes of PSP or PS2 are non-existent, and the creation of PS3, PS4, and beyond, along with the rise of PC gaming, especially online gaming, is still on the horizon. With much to be achieved, Shin can't afford to rest.
This world is yet to discover the genuine joy and challenges of playing video games, including the true pain of experiencing losing streaks.
In the USA, the Electronic Gaming and GameFan's Game Ceremony Plan was already in its final stages. They selected Carnegie Hall as the venue, aiming for an intimate and classical atmosphere for the game awards.
With KiShin's support, organizing the Game Awards event at Carnegie Hall posed no difficulty. Moreover, with the Game Awards Ceremony set to be televised through KiShin-affiliated channels, the organizers anticipated widespread recognition, given KiShin's backing and funding for the event's success.
Following the premiere of Toy Story, the audience praised it, and TV channels sang its praises, highlighting the top-notch 3D animation quality of the film.
Most film critics offered positive reviews, expressing admiration for the animation, story, and portrayal of the life of toys in Toy Story.
Affiliated channels of Warner Bros. and Universal also praised the film, although their subtle grievances were evident due to KiShin's frequent mentions in the animation.
For instance, in scenes like Woody and Buzz being in the Pizza Planet truck, the KiShin logo discreetly appeared just above the Pizza Planet logo, hinting at Pizza Planet's connection to KiShin. Even the toy manufacturer of Buzz Light-year was revealed to be under the KiShin umbrella.
This self-promotion tactic within the animated film irked higher-ups at Warner Bros. and Universal, given the existing tensions with KiShin.
Due to the animated film's promotion of KiShin as the toy manufacturer of Buzz Light-year, attendees at the premiere learned that KiShin indeed sold Buzz Light-year toys. KiShin Merchandise also offered complete sets of toys featured in Toy Story.
While Toy Story had not yet reached wide screening, frequent visitors to KiShin Merchandise occasionally spotted Toy Story toys and merchandise in the store. This exposure allowed people, even if they didn't make a purchase, to become aware with Toy Story.
Most customers that didn't even watch the animated film yet, were enticed to buy Toy Story toys because of their appealing designs, particularly capturing the interest of children who had not seen Toy Story yet.
The animated film's premiere, coupled with TV channels praising it and positive word of mouth, led to a slight surge in Toy Story merchandise sales.
However, the president of KiShin Merchandise anticipated that sales would experience an even greater surge after the nationwide screening of the Toy Story animation film.
Shin and Lee Han finally reached Seoul Gimpo Airport.
"Is your family already waiting for you here?" Shin inquired as they walked towards the airport with Lee Han.
Lee Han nodded, replying, "Yes, my wife and daughter are already in the Arrival Lounge."
Shin followed Lee Han into the airport arrival lounge. Upon entering, people seated on comfortable sofas turned to see if Lee Han and Shin were the ones they were waiting for. Realizing they weren't, the onlookers ignored them.
Lee Han scanned the lounge and spotted his wife reading a newspaper while her daughter played on a Gameboy.
Turning to Shin, Lee Han gestured for silence. Shin, initially confused, observed as Lee Han quietly approached the two women seated at the end of the arrival lounge.
The older woman wore fashionable clothes and accessories.
The pretty young woman, seemingly Shin's age, sported a Beret hat, a short skirt, and long sleeves...
Choi Mishil, a middle-aged woman, awaited her husband's return while engrossed in a newspaper. It covered the news of the Japanese government building's demolition in Seoul, which commenced on South Korean Liberation Day, August 15, 1995.
Choi Mishil believed it was the right decision, given her parents' deep-seated hatred for the Japanese due to the war. Although she, like many South Koreans, harbored contempt for the Japanese, her feelings began to wane as her husband started working in Japan.
Despite her reluctance to see her husband leave for work in another country, especially for Japan, they had no other option. The feud between her husband and his cousins at the SamStar Group, coupled with his initial job as a janitor in a random company, brought disgrace to the Han family, pushing him to seek better opportunities abroad.
Fortunately, the decision to work in Japan turned out to be beneficial. Within a few years, Choi Mishil's husband rose to the position of a manager in a mall, significantly improving their lifestyle.
Each time Lee Han, her husband, returned, he shared stories of his experiences in Japan. While Choi Mishil's contempt for Japan diminished, she still had reservations about visiting the country, except for her daughter.
In 1990, when her husband revealed that he had quit his managerial position in the Japanese mall for a job in a small company, Choi Mishil berated him. However, as time passed, that small company evolved into a major player, gaining recognition even in South Korea before the ban on certain Japanese products.
Remarkably successful, her husband's company became a notable presence, even catching the attention of the SamStar Group, which began distributing its products.
The fact that her husband ascended to a high executive position in that company filled Choi Mishil with pride. Their lifestyle improved significantly – they acquired a spacious house, a car, and enrolled their children in a better school. Choi Mishil indulged in luxuries like gold earrings and fashionable clothes, earning her the title of "madam" among friends.
Their transformation from once-humiliated, poor relatives in the eyes of her husband's cousins at the SamStar Group became a pleasant sight for them.
The SamStar Group even employed her 23-year-old daughter, Han Soo-Yun, starting her off as a sales associate.
Despite her daughter's age, she had a hobby – playing video games. Choi Mishil attributed this to her husband's influence, bringing home products like consoles and video games. Consequently, both her daughter and son became gamers.
At this moment, her 23-year-old daughter was engrossed in playing a video game on a Gameboy, one of the products from her husband's company. Choi Mishil chose to ignore it, opting to read the newspaper.
Suddenly, a hand gripped her wrist, prompting a frown. Ready to utter a curse, she looked at the person holding her and was taken aback.
Exclaiming, "Dear!" she caught the attention of Han Soo-Yun.
"Dear!"
Amused by his wife's surprise, Lee Han chuckled, saying, "Haha, I thought you were about to curse me with the expression you initially showed!"
Choi Mishil playfully nudged Lee Han and asked, "Why would you surprise me like that?"
"Haha, it's because you're not paying attention! I am already so close, yet you didn't notice me..." Lee Han laughed.
"I am reading a newspaper, so I didn't notice."
As they conversed, their daughter Han Soo-Yun exclaimed, "Dad!" and eagerly hugged Lee Han. She excitedly inquired, "Did you bring some games?"
Lee Han chuckled wryly, remarking, "You little... you're so engrossed in playing on the Gameboy that you didn't notice me either! You really take after your mother."
Choi Mishil and Han Soo-Yun burst into laughter at Lee Han's comment.
While chatting, Choi Mishil noticed Shin just behind Lee Han. She turned to him and quipped, "Are you the chauffeur? Wait for my husband's baggage instead of observing our little reunion—"
Initially thinking his wife was talking to someone else, Lee Han realized she was addressing his boss. Panicking, he abruptly ignored his daughter and forcefully pulled his wife away, he momentarily forgotten that he had brought his boss along.
Meanwhile, Shin, hands in his pockets, observed Lee Han's family reunion. Since they were conversing in Korean, he couldn't understand.
After a minute, the middle-aged woman in fashionable attire seemed to address him in Korean.
Confused, Shin asked Lee Han, who was still reeling from pulling his wife forcefully, "What did she say?"
Upon hearing his boss inquire, Lee Han awkwardly expressed in Japanese, "Uh... Nothing, cough. This is my wife, and this is my daughter." Instead of elaborating, he gestured towards his wife and daughter to introduce them to Shin.
Choi Mishil and Han Soo-Yun, overhearing the young man behind Lee Han conversing in Japanese, then noticed Lee Han also engaging in Japanese conversation with him confused them.
This prompted a slight frown from Choi Mishil.
Choi Mishil frowned and nudged Lee Han discreetly.
Feeling the nudge, Lee Han chose to ignore it. He turned to Shin and introduced his wife, Choi Mishil, and his daughter, Han Soo-Yun, in Japanese. "Mr. Suzuki, this is my wife, Choi Mishil, and this is my daughter, Han Soo-Yun," he gestured towards them.
"Oh, nice to meet you, Mrs. Han, and Lady Han," Shin bowed slightly in a formal greeting. However, since Shin spoke Japanese, only Han Soo-Yun, Lee Han's daughter, could grasp the essence of Shin's words.
Upon hearing his boss's greetings, Lee Han smiled and remarked, "Well, Mr. Suzuki, my wife's surname is Choi, but I suppose Mrs. Han isn't bad either."
Shin nodded in response, stating, "I see... It seems like it's different here in Korea."
Lee Han, acknowledging this, then overheard his wife asking, "Who is this young man, husband? Isn't he your chauffeur?"
Curiosity also struck his daughter, Han Soo-Yun.
"He isn't a chauffeur! He is my boss, the owner of KiShin!" Lee Han hastily clarified in Korean.
Choi Mishil and Han Soo-Yun, initially curious, were shocked at the revelation.
"He is Shinro Suzuki!?" Han Soo-Yun couldn't help but exclaim.
Lee Han nodded, and witnessing their astonishment, Choi Mishil, who had mistaken Shin for a chauffeur, immediately bowed towards him, saying, "Anyong Haseyo!"
Han Soo-Yun followed suit.
Observing the exchange, Shin understood they were greeting him and reciprocated with a polite, "Anyong Haseyo."
Amazed at how the attitudes of the two women changed so quickly, Shin thought Lee Han must have informed them of his identity.
"Why didn't you say he was your boss immediately? If he understood Korean, do you know how embarrassed I would be?" Choi Mishil whispered to Lee Han, adding, "I'm already feeling embarrassed even though I know he doesn't understand me."
"Hahaha, don't worry. Even if my boss knew what you said, he'd forgive you," Lee Han reassured his wife. The happy reunion of the Lee Han family was somewhat restrained by Shin's presence, especially making Han Soo-Yun shy.
Despite Lee Han's assurance, Choi Mishil decided not to make Shin too uncomfortable. As they headed to the airport baggage claim area, with Shin following behind Lee Han and his family, Han Soo-Yun whispered to her father, "Dad, I don't know Japanese. Can you tell him that I loved his video games?"
Looking at his blushing daughter, Lee Han replied, "Why are you acting strange? I already told Mr. Suzuki while we traveled here."
Han Soo-Yun became more embarrassed upon hearing her father's words. Observing this, Choi Mishil said in a hushed voice to Han Soo-Yun, "Soo-Yun still doesn't have a boyfriend. If you want, you can introduce your daughter to your boss."
"Mom!" Han Soo-Yun felt increasingly embarrassed with her mother's comment.
Lee Han, hearing his wife's comment, felt a bit awkward as he glanced at Shin, who was curiously looking around the place.
"I already told you when I returned a few months ago, right? Mr. Suzuki is already married! He also has a child!" Lee Han clarified to his wife.
"Yeah, but what if their relationship isn't working? You can pave the way for your daughter—" Before Choi Mishil could continue, she was interrupted.
"Stop! Never talk that way. Never play with our daughter's future, and especially discussing such things about Mr. Suzuki, even in his presence? Don't do that again," Lee Han rebuked his wife with a serious expression. Then he added, "The purpose of Mr. Suzuki being here is for business; he's not here to play around."
"Sigh, alright. What a pity," Choi Mishil sighed.
"Stop it, Mom. I don't have feelings for Dad's boss; I just admired his video games a lot!" Han Soo-Yun explained.
"Enough about that. Let's talk about the video game I brought. It's the recent release from KiShin!" Lee Han changed the topic.
"Oh! What is it?" Han Soo-Yun's spirit also lifted hearing that.
"One of the cool video games I brought is called Monopoly! Trust me, this video game will not disappoint; it's perfect for family bonding!"
"Yay! Where's the game?"
"It's in my baggage; we'll pick it up at the baggage claim area."
"I can't wait!" Han Soo-Yun couldn't help but say.
"There's also a physical version of that game; it's a perfect game to play, especially during outings," Lee Han said with a smile.
As the family of three conversed, Shin listened in curiosity, though he didn't understand a thing they were saying.
After retrieving their baggage from the claim area, Shin and Lee Han proceeded to Han Soo-Yun's car.
Sitting in the back seat, Shin couldn't help but ponder SamStar's technologies at this time.
Though it was still behind, Shin knew that in certain technologies such as LCD technology, SamStar would be quite advanced in the future.
Even though Shin possesses future knowledge, it doesn't mean he had a complete understanding of LCD and other future technologies. If he did, the LCD research on the Gameboy Advance would have been completed instantly.
Beyond SamStar's LCD research, what Shin was truly interested in—the reason for accepting the invitation—was SamStar's Semiconductor technology.
Semiconductors held immense importance, extending their influence across various industries, including game consoles.
KiShin also delved into semiconductor research, focusing on CPU and GPU for the KS1, thanks to their collaboration with Rebolt Technology. However, the research was gradually slowing down. Shin recognized that without his insights into the future of video game development, Suzuki and Tora might have already developed a 64-bit console through their semiconductor research.
Fortunately, Tora and Suzuki weren't overly fixated on the video game sector. Instead, they unwittingly fell into Shin's trap, relying on his software for video game production.
Currently, SamStar, although lagging behind some Japanese companies in semiconductor technologies, is gradually gaining ground in semiconductor research, particularly in DRAM.