While Jaesung dutifully attended middle school second year, coming and going, a week passed quickly.
“Today’s the day Netscape goes public. They said 5 million shares at $14?”
“Yes. But depending on the situation, they might double it to $28 at the last minute.”
“Ugh~ When you first brought those strange young men home to invest, I wasn’t thrilled, but less than a year and it multiplies dozens of times—still hard to believe.”
Precisely, it would soar to $75 on the day and keep rising steadily for a while, returning not dozens but hundreds of times profit.
Dad thought even with IPO, it would close near opening price, but Jaesung, knowing the outcome, hinted it might rise more.
“Yes. Hope it rises. Can’t check while at school, so see when home.”
Dad wished luck and left for the university hospital; Jaesung took the school bus to school.
Spent time as usual reading classics and economics books, returned home, checked closing price.
“As expected, hit $75 then closed at $70 per share.”
With 5 million shares released diluting Jaesung’s stake somewhat, but price quintupling from original $14, he officially became a decamillionaire.
At 14, middle school second year, accumulated far more wealth than earned in previous life.
“Dad will freak when he gets home.”
Sister Jaeeun naturally uninterested, Mom not particularly minding what Jaesung was doing.
“Wahaha! James! Jackpot! Now we’re billionaires!”
“Congrats. Good they raised to $28 right before open.”
“Current atmosphere, seems it’ll keep rising for a while!”
Called Marc Andreessen and Jonathan Clark to congratulate.
“Getting investment from you was a godsend. Thanks to you, grew company fast and IPO!”
“You two made the browser well.”
“No. You helped whenever coding tangled. Wish you were here—regret.”
The two flew to New York for Nasdaq IPO, drawing media attention as young new billionaires.
“Those spots burden me. If known I have lots of money, it’d tire me.”
“We told no one you invested—don’t worry.”
In Korea alone, big money earners get swarmed; in America, far worse.
Especially if known young Jaesung made big money, hyenas would flock aiming for crumbs.
Wanted quiet life until adult full activity, so thought to create corporation for investments and asset management.
VROOM! SCREECH!
Watching Netscape IPO news, pondering future moves, heard car urgently stopping in front, running to garage.
“Dad’s off time far—half day off maybe?”
“James! How did this happen?”
“Talking Netscape?”
Man rushing home wasn’t Dad but next-door Amazon.com CEO Jefferson Bezos.
“Huff! Huff! Released 5 million shares, $70 per—huge! How much equity you have? 10%?”
“Can’t tell that.”
“Selling shares right away? Today overheated—might drop tomorrow?”
“Well. Overheat seems continue for a while. And can’t sell stake for a while to protect market, they said.”
Jefferson, seeing Netscape news and rushing, envied Jaesung’s already large wealth growing more, making a fuss.
“Recently invested eBay too—jackpot maybe? Should borrow money invest now?”
“Jefferson don’t distract—focus on Amazon. In my view, besides coding, you’re far better at business strategy—so Amazon will grow bigger.”
“True, Amazon.com just broke max registered members record.”
eBay would catch up, hit hard by dot-com bubble, record long deficits from continuous facility investment, but ultimate winner Amazon.com.
Future Jefferson wouldn’t react much to Netscape IPO, but now Amazon.com recently founded.
Plus, Netscape first showing online business quick big money possible—powerful impact.
“Anyway, invested amazing company. That bald Andreessen doing tons interviews?”
“Andreessen young, likes attention.”
“If Andreessen young, you… young beyond—child.”
Talking Netscape IPO with Jefferson, now Dad returned, entering garage.
“Jefferson here too. Came seeing news?”
“Haha. James caused big incident. Congrats becoming billionaire’s father.”
“I worry every time this guy multiplies money. Thought moderate increase, but news chaos.”
“But minor, no big worry.”
Dad pondered briefly, congratulated Jaesung, asked what to do with money.
Initially planned sell some shares invest dot-com bubble, but can’t sell stake while, and keep rising, decided leave.
Decisively, dividends more than expected—30% stake substantial.
Pocket change compared selling holdings, but steady cash not ignorable.
Pixar said no dividends? Good Netscape and eBay with large stakes give lots.
Dad relieved at Jaesung’s words not touch Netscape stake, leave until adult.
Before Jaesung adult, AOL full acquisition forces sale anyway, but not intentional sell.
“Far more than expected rise, but congrats successful IPO.”
Dad worried son changing as billionaire, relieved seeing usual calm Jaesung, congratulated stock IPO.
Officially wealth over $100 million, but Jaesung’s daily life unchanged, weekend arrived, headed south San Francisco Pebble Beach Golf Links with Dad.
Pebble Beach always top world golf course rankings, among public (non-membership) courses rated No.1 North/Central America.
Dramatic coastline overlooking Pacific Ocean, beautiful course with mystical forest—Jack Nicklaus picked as one place to round before death.
“Not too expensive?”
“Green fee not as expensive as thought. Problem reservation requires stay at resort—one night over $1,000.”
“So you scheduled overnight then home.”
Scenery so beautiful, resort food quality excellent—Mom and sister came too.
Costs increased much, but far less than Jaesung’s monthly dividends.
Mom and sister enjoyed resort staycation; Jaesung with Dad went round at Pebble Beach—place golfers want visit once before death—with Tiger Woods.
“Thank you for inviting. Tiger Woods.”
“James’s dad, Seokhoon.”
First meeting greeted, thanked expensive course invite.
“My first Pebble Beach too. Known expensive—hope not burden.”
“James paid all costs—no need thank me.”
Hearing Jaesung paid rounding costs, Tiger Woods looked surprised.
“Middle schooler that much money? How much allowance?”
“Over year since gave son allowance.”
“Actually make computer programs, sold here there—earned some money.”
Almost mention Netscape IPO, but held back fearing rumor from him thickening networks while golfing.
“Sold self-made programs to Microsoft, Costco, Walmart—tens millions. More money than me—already filial golf.”
“Insight amazing—not ordinary kid, but far greater middle schooler.”
Tiger Woods slightly interested Jaesung earned big young, paid all golf costs, but as athlete different field, not much mind.
Light talk, cart to 1st hole.
“My god, said swept amateur tournaments—tee shot level different.”
“One specialty long drive.”
Dad shocked Tiger Woods’s powerful driver swing.
Occasionally watched PGA Tour on sports channel, but live pro swing like watching ultimate master’s swordsmanship.
Dad best golf skill among medical professors, but rounding with Tiger Woods, nervous—mistakes out.
“My swing—if ordinary follow, could muscle injury.”
Tiger gave tips for even play to single handicap Dad.
Though young, Tiger Woods’s skill dominating U.S. amateur already complete—big help to Dad.
“Doing well. Don’t greed distance—direction straight. Course reading—you doing enough well, James.”
Single player Dad sufficient skill round Tiger, but middle schooler Jaesung, though outstanding for age, ball not fly far—inevitable difference.
Still teed far forward each hole, weak strength hard long putts, but approach so good—rounded Tiger not difficult.
“School rep—really plays well. But still less than me.”
“Rematch after fully grown. Then different.”
“Haha. Yes. Rounding again after grown—fun.”
Pebble Beach course excellent, Yoo father’s personality and golf skill good—Tiger Woods enjoyed rounding purely after long time.
“Today really enjoyable.”
“I too—great course with outstanding player. Thanks for arranging, Jaesung.”
“Next Augusta together. And when Tiger joins PGA, go watch as gallery.”
Thus befriended pre-fame Tiger Woods, promised play famous U.S. clubs.
Golf maniac Dad couldn’t refuse—agreed.
Rounded with Tiger Woods, returned Seattle daily life, Steven Jobs personally called.
“Come next Friday evening to El Capitan Theatre, Hollywood, LA.”
“Dress code?”
“Family preview—casual, not suit.”