Several years ago, I experienced some painful losses cutting my losses on LG Energy Solution, which I had invested in at its peak. However, this became an opportunity to study the company and develop a deeper interest in the secondary battery and electric vehicle markets. Perhaps, even knowing it was already overvalued during its spin-off and listing from LG Chem’s battery division, my desire to hold the leading stock in the secondary battery sector overrode my judgment. Had I stopped investing in stocks, I would have ended up with significant losses in my portfolio. Instead, I continued holding some shares, gradually lowering the loss rate through dollar-cost averaging (additional purchases) and maintaining a long-term position.

Reading the book by Vice Chairman Kwon Young-soo, the CEO who successfully led the company to its IPO, I felt fortunate I hadn’t sold all my shares. His autobiography gave me some insight into the history of LG Group’s development, and it reinforced my belief that a company with such a leader was bound to succeed. I also learned that during his tenure as CEO of LG Uplus, the telecom company that had perpetually ranked last achieved a major breakthrough by partnering with Netflix and outpacing competitors in the content sector – a direct result of Vice Chairman Kwon’s leadership. It became perfectly clear why the late Chairman Koo Bon-moo valued him so highly and entrusted him with key executive roles.

For me, dreaming of becoming a CEO of a global corporation, Vice Chairman Kwon’s success story left a profound impression, and I instantly decided to make him my role model. He led change and innovation across multiple LG Group affiliates, becoming an icon of trust for clients and a formidable presence for competitors – reasons I deeply respect him. For instance, his ability to thwart SK Telecom’s acquisition of CJ HelloVision, his recognition of Apple CEO Tim Cook’s listening skills, and his insight into Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s role as a transformative leader during a brief conversation all demonstrated his keen observation of people and his mastery of negotiation.

Learning that he was the driving force behind LG Group’s major affiliates achieving their current stature, having personally directed business with global companies from overseas branches, made me truly appreciate LG’s underlying strength once again. I couldn’t help but agree 100% with his statement that a CEO’s role is to constantly question, study, and secure talent. Realizing that behind those dazzling results lay tremendous effort, execution, and trial and error, I resolved to emulate Vice Chairman Kwon’s management style myself. Grateful to Vice Chairman Kwon, whom I met through a book during my Shanghai trip, I rise at dawn today to write my blog and start the day energetically.