Chapter 23: Boom (4)

“Miss, I told you not to… Look at your red lips.”

Lee Sihyeon sighs, seeing my tear-filled eyes.

Ignoring everyone’s warnings, I insisted on eating Shin Ramyun, and this is the result.

“Hwaaa! Spicy, spicy…”

Tears well up. In the mirror, I look like a heartbroken girl (which I am) wailing.

“M-milk… huec.”

I gulp down a glass of milk from the refrigerator. My tongue still burns.

All that milk I bought to help me grow taller is finally useful.

“Give me the rest. I’ll eat it.”

Lee Sihyeon cleans up and holds out her hand.

I cling to my bowl, tears streaming down my face.

“N-no… I’ll… eat it.”

It’s been ages since I’ve eaten spicy ramen; I won’t give up.

Lee Sihyeon looks at me with pity but doesn’t interfere.

Ten minutes later.

“Haa, I ate well.”

Patting my stomach, I jump off the chair and head to my game room.

It’s my escape from this harsh life. Now, only a game console, but later it’ll be a subculture haven.

“Miss, going to play games again?”

“Yes.”

It’s become routine; Lee Sihyeon doesn’t stop me. She trusts my abilities and judgment.

“What game this time? You got scolded last time for enjoying… Japanese culture.”

Cultural openness hasn’t arrived yet; I smuggle Japanese games. Power is convenient.

While it would normally be a problem, my abilities protect me.

They only advise against Japanese games, encouraging more wholesome entertainment. My leisure is, unlike in typical families, encouraged.

“This time? Zelda. The Legend of Zelda. I got the distribution rights.”

I only have the rights; domestic laws prevent distribution, but it will be useful later.

“Ah, is that the kid in green?”

“That’s Link. Zelda hardly appears in the game.”

“…?”

-Beep beep.

Ah, the controls are difficult. It’s the first game in a series I loved before dying; despite knowing it might not be great, I bought it.

But… sigh. No save/load function.

A truly terrible game.

“Tsk.”

Bored, I toss the console, burying my face in a pillow.

Kicking the blanket with my legs raises dust.

“Ah, bored. Should I visit the semiconductor factory?”

“Ugh… I don’t want to go there. I have to wear that weird stuff.”

Right. Cleanrooms and protective gear are uncomfortable and make you sweat.

It’s fine since Sihyeon also experiences this. Even the suit-and-shirt-wearing Sihyeon removes her jacket when it’s hot.

…If I were a boy, there would be gossip. It’s convenient that no one finds my indulgence strange.

“Let’s visit the research lab outside instead. Tomorrow, okay?”

It’s been a while since I’ve been out. Lee Sihyeon, whose job instantly transitioned from nanny to secretary, nods, taking out her notebook.

“Yes, I’ll inform them.”

***

Low oil, low dollar, low interest rates.

The Three Lows boom fuels semiconductor development.

“Ooo. Miss, it’s been a while.”

The lab director greets me warmly, without any hint of annoyance.

“Yes, it’s been a while. Last time was half a year ago?”

“Haha, yes. You last visited after the 1M memory chip was completed… Hmm, you’ve grown taller. You really look like a young lady now.”

“Right?”

I smile, glancing at the nearby mirror.

At ten, “pretty girl” no longer suffices; “beautiful girl” is more appropriate. Her black eyes sparkle, her face, no longer chubby, quite pretty.

The head of the DRAM memory research lab holds a high position. I use semi-formal speech with him, which is rare.

Understandably so. He’s more outstanding than most professors and is highly valued by my grandfather.

I speak with him, gathering information. Information gathering never stops, even when I’m taking a break.

“Sir, is the research going well?”

The technology gap between Daeha Electronics and its competitors is now only two years; the finish line is near.

The director nods, pleased.

“Haha, of course. Thanks to you, Miss, many obstacles were overcome. The researchers often say they owe their jobs to you.”

“I was lucky. It was in my field of study…”

It wasn’t luck that I solved the technical problems; it was luck that I studied those problems.

It’s arrogant, but he simply laughs it off.

“That’s like you, Miss. It’s true, but… remarkable. If I were a pure scholar, I’d try anything to keep you.”

“Given time, everyone would discover it. We have brilliant researchers.”

The director doesn’t deny it; his pride is evident.

“True. But the semiconductor industry is a race against time.”

Time is crucial in high-tech industries. Their success against Japanese and American companies is due to their youth, passion, and dedication.

If I hadn’t studied semiconductors in my past life, I couldn’t have advised them. But my current intellect has yielded immense results from that past knowledge.

Knowing the answer reduces trial and error.

“Hehe, thank you for the praise.”

I smile, unwrapping a candy.

Sweet.

I like smart people; they recognize my brilliance.

“So… we’ve restarted research. The Chairman generously provided funding, and you gave a large bonus, right? Huhu, we should work hard now.”

“I feel sorry for making you work so hard. The researchers need to rest.”

My apology is insincere, but I’m genuinely concerned. Replacing them if they die from overwork is impossible.

This lab employs Korea’s top semiconductor experts. Making them work 12 hours daily is luxury.

I contribute financially… but it’s still low pay for their efforts.

The director smiles.

“No, we aim to create a 4M chip before the end of 1987. The finish line is in sight; we can’t give up now.”

…According to my memories, the 4M DRAM is developed in February 1988. A three-month advance.

I have been actively involved.

I applaud them; they deserve it.

-Clap clap clap.

“Wow, amazing! This will be a huge achievement… Grandpa will be very happy.”

The head of Daeha Group’s most important lab is a political figure. He understands the current economic situation.

“It’s a boom, exports are booming. We need to maximize semiconductor exports; it’s crucial for Daeha Electronics’ survival.”

“Ooo…”

I actively agree, encouraging the director’s enthusiasm. Such people appreciate praise from their peers.

On the way back, Lee Sihyeon speaks.

“You seem more interested in semiconductors lately.”

Of course.

“It’s a boom. There aren’t many opportunities like this to grow a company.”

I can’t do much in this boom; I focus on semiconductors, even if it’s inefficient.

I steadily expand the workforce, oversee factory construction… it would happen regardless of me, but with free time, it’s better to be involved.

Building relationships will prove useful later.

The Three Lows boom sweeps over South Korea.

Foreign debt, once half of GNP, plummets to 15%; economic growth exceeds 10%. Over 80% consider themselves middle class.

January 14, 1987. A Seoul National University student dies during police interrogation. The government tries to cover it up, but the media, unusually, breaks the news on the front page.

Early April. The US dollar/yen exchange rate hits a record low. 137 yen per dollar. Ha Jusung shouts in triumph.

April 13th. President Jeon Doohwan announces the 4.13 constitutional amendment. Nationwide protests and calls for constitutional revision erupt.

Japanese real estate and stock prices soar. Korea also experiences a stock market boom. The KOSPI, at 200 at the start of 1986, exceeds 300 on January 27, 1987, and continues to climb.

June 9th. A founding member of Yonsei University’s “Manga Love” club (also a student activist group) faints after being hit by tear gas fired by police.

This sparks the June Democracy Movement.

Overall, it was a boom.