I was bored with my middle school life. The excitement of seeing my friends, whom I barely remembered, wore off after a day. My larger physique drew attention at school, but it also kept people at bay. No one, including classmates and seniors, dared to pick on me. By my first year of middle school, I was already around six feet tall.
During recess, I'd observe the teachers' office, where male teachers discussed stocks and seemed happier than usual. They were unaffected by the bankruptcy of major firms like Hando, Samil, and Chamro, and the currency war in Thailand. All that mattered was the rise in stocks they bought the day before.
After school, I headed to Gimpo Airport to meet Jonathan, who was arriving from the US. I held a small sign with his name, and when he emerged, I was struck by his youthful appearance. He wore a black suit and carried a 007 bag, a far cry from the rugged, scarred man I remembered.
Jonathan's eyes sparkled with hope as he approached me. "Hi, I'm Jonathan," he said, and I replied, "Let's go somewhere else. Follow me." I led him to an empty restaurant, where he seemed surprised by my fluent English.
As we sat down, Jonathan's confident demeanor faltered. He stared at me, then covered his face with his hands, sighing in despair. "I came to Korea after betting my entire life on this! Everything on your little prank! Do you know what you have done?" he exclaimed, his eyes blazing with fury.
I handed him an investment draft, which he snatched, ready to tear it up. But he stopped, mesmerized by the chart on the report. "Please sit down," I said, and he began to read the draft intently.
"The current Asian economic crisis was inevitable," I explained. "The US government lent infinite American Dollars to Asian countries, hyping up the Four Asian Tigers. Hedge funds merely piggybacked on that."
Jonathan's eyes widened as he read on. "How is Wall Street?" I asked, and he replied distractedly, "What do you think?"
The report was missing one crucial element – dates. "This is how the trend will go," I pointed out, and Jonathan questioned, "You won't tell me the approximate date until I sign it?"
I asked him to piece together the process, using charts and graphs to point in a single direction. Jonathan's conclusion came quickly. "In the end, the attackers will win if there's one more condition..."
I tested him, and he smiled, refreshed. "Is my money, career experience, and time not enough for you?" he asked, but I replied, "It's enough if you're willing to step down from management. Are you?"
Jonathan smiled wryly. "I'm risking everything. What are you risking?" he asked, and I replied, "Opportunity cost. How much do you think I could've earned from March if I chose someone else instead of you?"
Jonathan hesitated, aware that I could have earned a fortune by betting on the opposite side. "Haven't you decided yet?" I asked, and he requested more time to think.
I gave him until June 3rd, and on that day, an email arrived. "What should we name our company?" Jonathan asked, and I knew our partnership was about to begin.
Jonathan's eyes narrowed, intrigued by my words. "Who will benefit the most?" he asked, his voice low and intense.
I smiled, knowing that I had piqued his interest. "The ones who are prepared for the war, but not participating in it," I replied, my eyes locked on his.
Jonathan's expression changed, a mix of surprise and admiration. "You're talking about us, aren't you?" he asked, his voice filled with excitement.
I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips. "We will be the ones who reap the benefits of this war, Jonathan. And I have a plan to make sure we come out on top."
Jonathan's eyes sparkled with anticipation, and he leaned in closer, eager to hear my plan. "Tell me, Sun. What's the plan?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
I leaned back in my chair, a confident smile spreading across my face. "We will create a fund, Jonathan. A fund that will profit from the fear and chaos that will spread across Asia. And with your expertise and my knowledge, we will make a fortune."
Jonathan's eyes widened, his mind racing with the possibilities. "A fund that profits from fear and chaos," he repeated, his voice filled with awe. "I like it, Sun. I like it a lot."
And with that, our partnership was sealed. We would create a fund that would profit from the financial crisis that was about to engulf Asia, and we would come out on top, no matter what happened.
I smiled, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. "Let's do it, Jonathan. Let's make 1997 a year to remember."
Jonathan's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he raised his beer can in a toast. "To our success, Sun. May we reap the benefits of this financial crisis and come out on top."
I clinked my can against his, and we took a sip of our beers, savoring the moment. We were two unlikely partners, a thirteen-year-old Korean boy and a seasoned American trader, but we had found a common goal in the midst of the Asian financial crisis.
As we sat there, I couldn't help but think about the journey that had brought us to this point. From my past life to this new reality, everything had led me to this moment. And I knew that I had made the right decision in trusting Jonathan.
The night wore on, and we continued to discuss our plan, refining our strategy and preparing for the challenges ahead. We were two warriors, ready to take on the financial world and emerge victorious.
And as I looked at Jonathan, I knew that I had found a true partner, one who shared my vision and my determination. Together, we would conquer the financial crisis and reap the rewards.
The night was young, and our journey was just beginning. But I knew that we would face whatever came our way, side by side, as long as we had each other.