The man sitting on the bench with Jaesung, evaluating the appearance of passing female college students, was none other than the King of Swing—no, the golf emperor Tiger Woods.
“Wow~! Look at that slim waist and huge hips. That’s what I call a true masterpiece.”
“Isn’t her chest too big? I prefer slim with moderate volume.”
“Slender type, huh. I unconditionally like big ones.”
Tiger Woods, causing a storm in the white-dominated golf world, would rise with skills and popularity surpassing size—no, scandals—showing the fall and revival of a rising star.
“You haven’t debuted as a pro yet?”
“I’m thinking of turning pro next year or at the latest the year after.”
Tiger Woods achieved three consecutive U.S. Junior Amateur wins from 1991 and three consecutive U.S. Amateur wins from 1994, then in summer 1996 signed an exclusive contract with Nike and turned pro.
Even to a kid who hadn’t debuted pro yet, Nike saw superstar aura and agreed to pay $40 million over five years from contract start, plus $7.5 million bonus.
Enrolling in Stanford’s economics department, Tiger confidently said, “I need to study accounting to manage the accountants who will manage my future wealth.”
Debuting amid huge expectations, anxiety, cheers, and envy, he dominated the tour perfectly with 15 major wins and 82 PGA Tour victories alone, ascending the throne.
With the emergence of mega-superstar Tiger Woods, the PGA Tour grew in size, prize money surged greatly, making other players wealthy too.
He’s still an amateur. Dominating amateur tournaments, debuting with major sponsorship.
Confirming he hadn’t signed with Nike yet, Jaesung relaxed a bit and chatted with Tiger Woods.
“What’s your average?”
“I want to say single handicap, but honestly early 80s, so still a bogey player.”
“Whoa! Being a bogey player at such a young age is impressive—early 80s average is no joke.”
In his previous life, he often played hospitality golf, and now too went to the field occasionally with Dad.
The school naturally had golf classes, and with previous life experience showing clean swing posture and solid impact, the PE teacher immediately registered Jaesung as school representative.
Not particularly wanting to focus on golf, but knowing he’d play with corporate tycoons or politicians later, he steadily played from young age.
In America, green fees were much cheaper, and Dad enjoyed golf relaxedly here, making it good father-son time.
“You’re young, so distance probably isn’t much yet—must be good at approach.”
“Definitely distance is a bit over half adult, but I tee off from forward tees, so not much handicap.”
Tiger Woods, with elastic body unlike previous golf pros, built muscle through weight training, hitting massive drives and setting the standard that under 300 yards makes winning hard.
Obsessed with distance, he suffered muscle injuries and changed swing forms multiple times, but long drives definitely brought victories and popularity.
“Distance can come anytime once you grow bigger and limbs longer. Now, focusing on fundamentals and strategy is far more important.”
With no new female students passing, conversation naturally shifted to golf, and at right timing, he suggested rounding together.
“Dad’s a Tiger fan too—could we round together? Dad’s single handicap.”
“Sure. I’d like to round with a medical professor once. Above all, my first boy fan appeared—this much service I should provide.”
Once Tiger Woods debuted pro and rose to stardom, private rounding was practically impossible.
Now, Woods was young and getting attention as amateur, so request was possible.
He gladly agreed, and Jaesung pondered briefly how to educate Dad, who didn’t know Tiger, into a fan.
“Then, talk to Dad and call this number. Hard for me to go to Seattle—if you come to San Francisco, let’s round.”
“I’ll reserve Pebble Beach.”
“Haha. I’m fine with it, but isn’t it too expensive?”
“I have lots of money—it’s okay.”
Promising to play golf with Tiger Woods, and as conference seminar end time neared, headed to medical school building.
“You promised rounding with a pro golfer?”
“Precisely preparing for pro, but at amateur level, he’s selected for U.S. national team and active.”
“If real pro, slightly burdensome, but amateur—rounding together fine. In Seattle?”
“We decided on Pebble Beach.”
Hearing Pebble Beach, Dad suspected if Tiger was a scammer, but when Jaesung said he’d pay even Dad’s rounding costs with his money, he pondered briefly and permitted.
“Already playing filial golf—feels good but weird.”
“You know I have lots of money. Not going alone—with Dad, so please allow.”
Dad was destined to lose to Jaesung, and with permission, Jaesung scheduled as soon as possible.
Talking golf, soon arrived at Pixar, greeted busy staff, and headed to CEO office where Steven Jobs was.
“Opening not much left now?”
“Thanksgiving nationwide release decided. Booking theaters no easy task. Good we handed distribution to Disney.”
Thanksgiving Day, Toy Story release date, little over a month away; Pixar, finished animation, dubbing, editing, doing minor fixes and preparing other work.
“Most opposed, but good you with second most shares agreed.”
“I think now’s appropriate timing. Pixar little known to public, but with Toy Story release, name will spread a lot.”
“Yes. IPO is timing. As planned, proceed one week after movie release.”
Confident in Toy Story success before opening despite opposition, Jobs pushes Nasdaq IPO.
Jobs’s animal instinct hits again; IPO explodes, and with most Pixar shares, his asset value instantly exceeds 1 trillion won.
Soon Pixar IPO, Jaesung with second most shares after Jobs will have assets massively inflated, finally becoming meaningful capitalist.
“If this IPO succeeds, you’ll become richest middle schooler thanks to trusting me.”
“Surely other middle schoolers richer than me. And not stopping here with Toy Story success?”
“Of course not. I never forget those who tormented me.”
Vindictive Steven Jobs sharpening knife for revenge on Disney who bullied him.
Plus, making Toy Story this year’s box office No.1, successfully IPO Pixar, announcing he’s still alive, he returns to dying Apple next year riding momentum.
“Hope you didn’t forget—if ever selling shares, priority to me.”
“How long invested to sell shares? No plan to sell unless Jobs messes company strangely.”
Shares value rises with IPO, need funds for dot-com bubble investments, but Pixar shares grow more swapping with Disney, so plan to hold until then.
Even without Pixar, have immediate cash holes.
Pixar records highest among this year’s IPOs, but second place company also holds shares.
“For now, IPO based on documents signed today. Contact if changes.”
“Then, see at preview screening.”
Toy Story preview in Hollywood Los Angeles; Jaesung’s family all invited as VIPs.
Seattle to LA far, but many American celebrities attending, Jaesung looking forward.
“Dad, sign here and here.”
“What contract this time?”
“Netscape IPO this time—consent documents.”
“Company founded not long ago, already IPO?”
Netscape, received $3 million for 30% early year, dominating 90% browser market, quickly preparing IPO.
“Seems fast here. I think now’s peak too.”
“Heard doing well, but didn’t know IPO level already.”
Dad signed documents worrying more about Jaesung’s assets increasing than congratulating IPO.
Web browser company Netscape, less than year founded, enters Nasdaq not just successfully but shockingly.
Public offering priced $14 per share jumps to $28 right before.
5 million shares offered sell explosively from first day, soaring to $75 near close.
Founders Marc Andreessen and Jonathan Clark become billionaires at just 24, compared to Microsoft founder William Gates.
Time magazine cover has Andreessen confidently smiling on throne.
Wait a bit, sells company to AOL for $4.2 billion in ’98 big money, but Jaesung plans sell about 10% shares cash out on this Netscape IPO.
Netscape’s shocking IPO and young billionaires’ emergence shocks world, triggering bigger event.
People realizing can become billionaires this way, everyone jumps into dot-com business.
Media hype Netscape success, sharp-nosed investors smell money, massive funds pour into online world.
Netscape fades into history with bubble, but this IPO recorded as signaling dot-com bubble start.
Finally, full-fledged dot-com bubble begins.
When bubble bursts, astronomical funds vanish, but until then infinitely multiplies inflating assets.
Especially this bubble recovers only after 20+ years and pandemic massive liquidity, absolute unmissable golden opportunity.
“James, received documents well. IPO next week as planned. Your name registered anonymous as requested.”
“Still people will find me—need create venture investment company to hide identity.”
“Will it really go that well?”
“Reactions already hot. This IPO will definitely make new history. Andreessen looking forward too.”