Andy Rubin and his fellow co-founders were the core developnt team behind Android.
Without them, Android itself could not exist.
In that case, it was obviously better to let the people who had originally developed and nurtured it continue to lead it.
“Will you accept the offer?”
“Are you saying you’ll acquire Android itself?”
What an obvious question. I nodded.
“Yes. We’ll acquire Android, on the condition that developnt remains entirely in your hands. I intend to put into the contract that none of you may leave for at least ten years.”
“.......”
Ten years was more than enough ti to extract all of their technology.
What they chose to do after that would be up to them.
“Managent will be handled by us. Of course, we’ll respect your opinions as much as possible. We’ll also accept releasing Android as open source. However, the revenue model will be our responsibility.”
“If it’s released as open source, how exactly will you generate revenue......?”
“It won’t be easy right away. But first, multiple handset manufacturers need to build phones using Android. Only after that can a revenue model be established.”
“You’re saying you’ll charge the manufacturers?”
I shook my head. He was clearly intelligent, yet communication wasn’t smooth—it was a little frustrating. Still, I decided to explain it step by step.
“No. Like I said earlier, it will be released as open source, free for anyone to use. But if you later tell people they now have to pay for sothing that was free, who would accept that? I plan to build the revenue model elsewhere.”
“Tell now.”
“That cos later. I need to hold at least one card myself. For now, just focus on developnt. Create an operating system that anyone can use freely—simple and intuitive. I won’t hold back on support. So, what do you say? Will you accept?”
Andy didn’t answer imdiately. He hesitated—probably worried about interference once the company was acquired.
“I hold quite a lot of shares in major Arican IT companies. I own enough equity to interfere in the managent of companies like Apple, Google, and Amazon, but I’ve never once forced my will on them. I respect their ideas and let them do what they want.”
Only then did Andy lift his head and look straight in the eyes.
“I use the sa approach with every company where Dreamhigh has acquired managent control or invested equity. So turn your ideas into reality. I’ll provide as much support as you need.”
“What exactly did you see in us that made you make this offer?”
“Well? Andy flying all the way to Korea on his own di to sell sothing he hasn’t even packaged properly? Or Android’s future?”
“.......”
I smiled.
I knew a future that no one else in this room knew.
In the future, Android would divide the mobile operating system market together with Apple’s iOS.
Depending on my intervention, Apple’s smartphone might even co out sooner.
‘Co to think of it, I haven’t spoken to Jobs in a while.’
After this eting, I should give Jobs a call.
I brushed aside the stray thoughts and asked Andy again.
“Have you decided?”
“May I have so ti? I need to talk with the others.”
“Of course. Go ahead.”
“Then I’ll step out and make the call.”
Andy excused himself and left the conference room. Once he was gone, Hong Seokhyun asked ,
“President, what exactly did you see in that man?”
“Didn’t you see his eyes? He’s not a businessman—he’s a drear. If you let soone like that do what he wants without worrying about anything else, he’ll eventually bring good results. No matter what form they take.”
“That’s exactly why I don’t understand. Not only the operating system he brought, but even the phone itself doesn’t differ much from technologies we already hold patents for.”
“You’re looking at the present, President Hong. I’m looking at the future.”
When I said it firmly, Hong Seokhyun fell silent. He hesitated, unsure what to say.
“And yet, President Hong, you were the one who scheduled this eting in the first place. Why? Wasn’t it because you, too, wanted to et him while ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) thinking about the future?”
There was no way a eting with Ilseong Electronics’ managent would happen for no reason.
“He’s a fairly well-known developer in the U.S. I thought it wouldn’t hurt to et him.”
I nodded.
Just hearing Andy Rubin’s na was enough reason to et him.
But what he brought was the Sidekick phone and an Android OS that hadn’t even produced proper results yet.
From Ilseong Electronics’ perspective, it wouldn’t have seed attractive.
“With people like him, you invest not in their current output, but in their future potential. President Hong, don’t limit yourself to a short-sighted view of the present—look further ahead. That’s how you survive in the mobile market.”
Then again, demanding that of a professional manager rather than an owner was a bit unreasonable.
Still, Hong Seokhyun listened with a serious expression.
“Continue developing Ilseong Electronics’ OS as well. Why not? Build it, and then use whichever one turns out better.”
“Is that acceptable? Wouldn’t it be better to focus on one?”
After thinking deeply for a while, Hong Seokhyun asked whether they really needed two OSes.
“Doesn’t it succeed as long as one of them succeeds? Is there any reason to stop what Ilseong’s researchers are already developing?”
“No. In that case, our researchers could also work together with them......”
I cut him off. There was no need to limit Ilseong’s potential by tying it to Android.
“There’s no reason for that. Ilseong Electronics and Android are separate entities.”
“I understand. Then we’ll continue with our work as planned.”
“Good. Then try to make an OS even better than theirs. If you beat them and dominate the mobile operating system market, I promise substantial rewards to everyone involved in this effort.”
“Understood. The researchers will be pleased.”
This ti, would Ilseong’s own OS—not Android—win out?
Either way, it benefited .
After finishing my conversation with Hong Seokhyun, I turned to Lee Taekgi beside .
“Chairman Lee.”
“Yes, President.”
“How is the physical spin-off of the semiconductor division progressing? I believe approval has already been granted by the Fair Trade Commission.”
“Yes. We’re planning to establish a new affiliate called Ilseong Semiconductor soon. Since that person had already prepared everything, there haven’t been any major difficulties.”
At his words, sothing suddenly ca to mind.
Seo Jaehun—he was the one who’d been put into a coma.
“Seo Jaehun is unconscious?”
“Yes. That’s what I’ve been told.”
“Do you know why it happened so suddenly?”
“I don’t. Chairman Seo Yonggeon collapsed, and now Vice Chairman Seo Jaehun as well......”
A dark shadow crossed Lee Taekgi’s face.
They were people who had worked together under Seo Yonggeon to build Ilseong Electronics.
Even though Seo Yonggeon had fallen and Seo Jaehun’s actions had pushed them to take our hand, they were still core mbers of Ilseong Electronics.
“I should visit the hospital. I need to find out what actually happened.”
Of course, I already knew it was the hospital director’s doing—but I wanted to see it with my own eyes.
“How long until everything is finalized?”
“All procedures should be completed within three months. But are you really planning to list Ilseong Semiconductor on NASDAQ?”
“Yes. In the long run, that’s the right move. The handset business and the semiconductor business need to be separated. The U.S. already knows that the major shareholders of both Joongwoo Semiconductor and Ilseong Electronics are investnt firms connected to . If they start throwing around antitrust accusations later, it’ll be a headache. Ilseong Semiconductor will be listed on NASDAQ, and we plan to expand manufacturing facilities in the U.S.”
Ilseong Semiconductor would fully pivot to foundry operations, while Joongwoo Semiconductor would grow into a comprehensive semiconductor company handling both design and production.
“I see. Then what about the researchers?”
“Over ti, we’ll transfer the research staff to Joongwoo Semiconductor. So don’t worry too much.”
“Understood. I’ll proceed with that in mind.”
Just as our discussion was wrapping up, the door opened and Andy Rubin returned.
He stood once more in front of the presentation area. I looked at him and asked,
“Have you made your decision?”
“If you keep your promise to release it as open source, I’ll hand over the company. And in addition, I want to add one condition.”
“A condition?”
“Yes. Guarantee our equity.”
“Guarantee your equity? You don’t even know how much money will go in, and you want guaranteed equity...... Are you asking to do volunteer work?”
Despite my cold question, Andy Rubin remained confident.
“No. Without equity, how can we work with a sense of ownership?”
“Hm.”
He had a point.
After thinking for a mont, I asked,
“There are four co-founders, correct?”
“Yes.”
“How much equity are you asking for?”
“If you could guarantee about 5% per person.”
That ant giving up 20% of the company.
But I had no intention of giving that much.
“I’ll pay 30 million dollars to acquire 100% of Android. Andy Rubin, your equity will be 6%, and the remaining three will receive 3% each—15% total. Of course, your shares may be diluted later through paid-in capital increases.”
“......Thirty million dollars?”
Andy repeated, sounding dazed.
“Ah, since 15% is carved out, it’s roughly 25 million dollars in cash. And if the company ever goes public, stock options will be granted beforehand. Any objections?”
“N-no. That should satisfy everyone.”
“Then return to the U.S. and focus on developnt. Soone from Dreamhigh will contact you. You can review the contract and discuss the details then.”
“You’re not investing personally?”
“No. I’ll simply instruct Dreamhigh to invest. The conditions we discussed will be explicitly written into the contract, so you don’t need to worry.”
At the ntion of putting it in writing, Andy’s previously uneasy expression relaxed.
“Go back to the U.S. and continue developnt as you were. Soone will contact you within a week. And......”
I paused, gathering my thoughts.
“If you’re planning to visit other companies to shop for a buyer, cancel everything.”
“.......”
“I don’t like others interfering with companies I’ve set my sights on. If you even think about it, don’t. If I hear anything of the sort, the acquisition will be scrapped entirely. And I’ll use all the power and money I have to destroy Android.”
“.......”
Andy hesitated, unable to respond.
He was probably already in talks with Google.
After being rejected by Ilseong Electronics, he sold to Google not long after.
Given how quickly that decision was made, it was obvious he was weighing Google and Ilseong on the sa scale.
“So cancel everything.”
“I understand. I’ll do that.”
Andy answered in a stiff voice.
I stood up with a satisfied smile and walked over to him.
“It was a pleasure eting you today.”
Andy Rubin took my hand.
Andy Rubin—the father of Android.
I had taken him.
What this choice would ultimately lead to, only ti would tell.
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