Heads Up Hollywood

In order to cope with the Asian financial crisis, Samsung Electronics raised 3 billion US dollars through the stock market in those years, which is exactly 5 times the number of shares issued by Samsung Electronics in the past few decades!

Then, it borrowed another $3 billion, and with the help of Apple, it got through the storm.

Now Samsung Electronics, 90% of the shares are in the hands of outsiders, of which Americans hold 60% of the shares. The Li family only holds 2% of the shares, but they firmly control the company through a series of complex means of cross-shareholding.

The reason why Scott Swift was able to absorb a large number of Samsung Electronics stocks in the past few years was mainly because of the aftermath of the financial crisis, which was the acquisition of additional stocks and debt-to-equity swaps in those years.

In the past two years, Samsung Electronics has developed better and better, and has made great breakthroughs and progress in the fields of semiconductors, chips, computer monitors, ray tubes, and deflection yokes.

In the field of hardware, great success has been achieved.

However, screen technology is still a major difficulty.

Since 1991, Samsung Electronics began to develop display panels, but it was blocked by Taiwan and Japan, and the progress was slow. It wasn't until 1999 that Apple needed LCD monitors before it signed an order with Samsung Electronics.

With the help of Apple, Samsung Electronics has the technology of liquid crystal display, and then developed the LCD screen.

Currently, Samsung Electronics' screen technology may not meet the requirements of the iPhone.

But it doesn't matter, the iPhone needs several years of research and development time to launch.

Samsung Electronics can also use this time to develop technology. Right now, all we need is to demonstrate Samsung Electronics' strong R\u0026D capabilities and give Apple confidence.

Dawn Walker, Tim Cook, Scott Swift, Samsung Electronics' representative president Lee Ki-tae, executive assistant Lee Jae-yong, and a quartet of people gathered in Seoul.

Then, Samsung Electronics warmly invited everyone to visit Yongin City, which is 45 minutes away from Seoul.

Yongin is a tourist city with the largest theme park in Korea - Everland. More importantly, here is Samsung's research and development center, and there is a Samsung Creative Academy.

Tang En was deeply impressed by this creative college.

The traditional Korean house design is adopted here, and the surrounding environment is pleasant, no different from a park.

In a pavilion, there is a world map pieced together with tiles.

This map divides the world into two categories: one is the market that Samsung has set foot in, indicated in blue; the other is the market that Samsung is about to enter, marked in red.

There is no doubt that the huge ambition is obvious!

"Mr. Walker, why don't you come forward?"

Tang En walked slowly behind the inspecting troops, looking left and right, admiring the environment here. A good external environment is often the source of great ideas, and the conditions here are no worse than those in Silicon Valley.

Li Zayong walked over with a smile, a warm voice and fluent American English.

He is the prince of the Samsung Group. He just graduated from the United States with a Ph.D. three years ago and entered the senior management of Samsung Electronics directly.

In the future, he will be the president of Samsung Electronics!

Chairman of Samsung Group!

Tang En glanced at him, shook his head and said, "Let them discuss the matter of cooperation. I'm just here to join in the fun and not disturb their negotiations."

Li Zairong said with a smile: "You are so humble. Who doesn't know that your words have the weight of a promise in Apple?"

Tang En said seriously: "You can't say that, I'm just an independent director of Apple who doesn't hold real power. Apple's CEO is Steve Jobs, and the Apple inspection team this time is also led by Tim Cook. .”

Li Zairong had expected Tang En's cautiousness, but this did not dissuade him from inquiring about the news. He asked nonchalantly, "By the way, Mr. Walker, Apple sent such a large team this time... Is there something wrong with it?" Big project?"

The iPhone project is currently classified.

Tim Cook's trip to Asia this time is mainly to conduct some market research and open up the downstream industry chain of mobile phone manufacturing. The real order is signed, at least until 2006.

Tang En said calmly: "It should be a tablet computer, you should have heard of it."

"Need an LCD screen with touch technology?"

"Maybe, maybe not."

"oh?"

A look of suspicion flashed across Lee Jae-yong's face.

Tang En smiled and said: "Although I am a layman, I still understand some basic conditions. The plasma screens that Japan is promoting are much better than LCD screens. Not only does it have low radiation, but the price is also low."

Li Zairong's face turned dark, "Samsung and Apple have been partners for many years, and this year we will invest at least 4 billion US dollars in technology research and development."

Tang En said indifferently: "Everything is about mutual benefit, isn't it?"

Li Jae-yong laughed and said: "I heard that you are the behind-the-scenes boss of Swift Venture Capital Fund? Speaking of it, your relationship with Samsung Electronics is no worse than that of Apple."

no way.

Plasma screens are hot right now.

However, Samsung Electronics does not have the technology to develop plasma display panels at all. The current main direction of attack is LED screens.

Tang En just laughed, "That's why, being sandwiched between Apple and Samsung Electronics, I'd better watch more and talk less, so as to avoid suspicion. I'm here this time, mainly to investigate the Korean film market, and the Ministry of Culture, Film and Television The officials of the revitalization committee have already made appointments."

Li Zairong said in a low voice: "Mr. Walker, to be honest, screen technology... has always been the biggest weakness of Samsung Electronics. We need the support of Apple to break the technical barriers between Japan and Taiwan. Huaying, Sharp, Sony, Panasonic, Friends The screen technology monopolized by companies such as Da Optoelectronics and Chi Mei Electronics is the root cause of the current high price of LCD screens."

"Okay, Zai Rong." Tang En smiled and patted him on the shoulder. This kind of action is very inappropriate in terms of age, but it is very normal in terms of status. "Everything depends on Apple's opinion, Tim." No problem, of course I would also like to see the cooperation between Samsung Electronics and Apple, are you right?"

Li Zairong grinned, "Of course! Of course!"

Tang En nodded, "By the way, I still have a little work here, and I need your help."

"Of course, if you need anything, feel free to mention it. In South Korea...Samsung has the strength to meet all your requirements!" Lee Jae-yong spoke earnestly and confidently.

Tang En was not polite, and said: "I have a few friends who came from Japan, and it is not convenient to live in a hotel."

"Ah? This..."

A look of embarrassment appeared on Li Zayong's face.

Tang En frowned, "Can't do it?"

"No, no, no." Lee Jae-yong quickly shook his head and lowered his voice, "Mr. Walker, in fact, we also know that you came here this time mainly to care about our Korean film market. Coincidentally, we also have many female artists here. I admire you very much and want to meet you. We have arranged... a meeting at Shilla Hotel."

After finishing speaking, fearing Tang En would be jealous, he added one more sentence: "Shilla Hotel is owned by Samsung, and its confidentiality is guaranteed."

Tang En looked indifferent, "Don't arrange for dirty women."

Li Zairong's face flushed suddenly.

This is the current state of the Korean entertainment industry.

Female stars in mainland China must always carry hangover medicine in their bags, because there are always drinking parties and dinner parties; , need both!

A large part of South Korea's contemporary social system is imitating Japan, and the entertainment industry is also copying the Japanese model, but the squeeze on artists...is intensified!

Artists, regardless of gender, participating in business entertainment is a must-have job, and it is a clause that must be written into the contract.

Why are Samsung, Hyundai, LG, Elephant and other big Korean companies wanting to invest in entertainment clubs?

Is it because you make a lot of money?

Wrong, that small amount of money is not worth the effort of the giant groups.

It's because of handsome guys and pretty girls!

Once you become a shareholder, you are the boss, and you can freely dispatch the artists under the banner to accompany the company in various business negotiations, and then arrange some special services for customers.

This has formed a unique Korean negotiation culture - entertainers accompany wine.

In fact, all Asian countries have the behavior of entertainers to accompany drinks, but other countries are dispensable. South Korea is different, and South Korea is a must! Receiving important guests, especially business negotiations, without a few entertainers in the entertainment industry to accompany them, it is not called entertainment at all!

Of course, because the supply exceeds demand, many intermediary companies have been born, specializing in providing some special services such as playing, drinking, singing, and sleeping. Some fake stars are even forged to participate in this industry and provide special services.

This is what Tang En was worried about.

To create a group of artificial beauties, they either took some photos, or played a few small roles, or looked like big stars, and then they were packaged and sent to various negotiating tables, where they had close contacts with many business elites.

Even intermediary companies often arrange some commercial performances for "artists", run around and meet some rich people... Later, the "showbiz videos" released by Japanese rich men are just like this. (Everyone should be familiar with it, this set is well learned by the French)

Where is this artist?

It is the chicken of the new era!

But Tang En obviously worried too much, what kind of level, what level of entertainment to arrange. For different levels of entertainment, the entertainers who come to accompany the wine will also be divided into high and low.

At Tang En's level...of course she is the hottest and hottest actress in Korea!

Li Zayong explained in a low voice for a long time before Tang En's face turned slightly better.

"My friend, we need to make arrangements." Tang En nodded, acquiescing to his arrangement.

Lee Jae-yong breathed a sigh of relief, and said with a smile: "No problem! I have a villa in Gangnam District, which has been vacant, and I can lend it to your friends."

He didn't ask too many questions, but he also had a lot of guesses. The so-called "friend" should be a woman, right?

A woman from the Japanese showbiz?

Well, very likely.

As soon as Li Zayong thought about it, he ordered the assistants around him to arrange the house. Finally, he added in a low voice: "Investigate, what are the origins of those Japanese guests..."