'Billionaire' lend of the South Korean restaurant industry Im Soon-hyung revealed his beautiful intention to use his enormous wealth for society and those in need.
On the 11th, the jointly produced 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighborhood Millionaire' (hereafter referred to as 'Neighborhood Millionaire') aired on EBS and E-channel, showcasing the life story of 'a business genius who made billions and built a 5,000 pyeong mansion,' Im Soon-hyung. Im Soon-hyung opened a restaurant in the early 1990s, serving grilled duck as the main menu, but initially, sales were low, with only one or two sold per day. Then, following an introduction in a newspaper column by the original writer of 'The General's Son,' Baekpa Hong Seong-yu, his restaurant began to attract many customers. Im Soon-hyung captivated the tastes of guests with his super special secret of combining milk in pancakes and duck meat, continuing his success for over 30 years. He explained, 'I scooped money like a rake,' and 'my fingerprints have worn out counting money,' surprising many.
Im Soon-hyung, who achieved a success story with tenacity and diligence, has emerged as a significant figure in South Korea's restaurant industry, attaining the status of a 'billionaire.' Seo Jang-hoon admired his exceptional business sense, remarking, 'Even famous chefs find it hard to make billions in the restaurant industry.' Im Soon-hyung's 'business genius' traits were evident from an early age. He saved the money earned by raising and selling rabbits as a child to buy a goat and then raised the goat to sell milk, showcasing an innate sense of money. He also earned 10,000 won, worth about 500,000 won today, by finding ways to profit while running errands for his father.
Located in Gyeonggi Province, Im Soon-hyung's establishment is a hanok restaurant with a total area of 5,000 pyeong and construction expenses exceeding 10 billion won, resembling a mansion. In response to Seo Jang-hoon's question about whether he has recouped his expenses, Im Soon-hyung shook his head, saying, 'If a business person talks about recouping expenses after building something like this, they would be considered crazy.' He added, 'I thought money was being thrown from the heavens for me to spend freely, but it's for good causes,' expressing his desire to turn the restaurant into a park where many people can rest.
In reality, Im Soon-hyung lived in a 30-year-old APT., drove a domestic car, and practiced a frugal lifestyle. He received a daily allowance of 50,000 won from his wife, but he did not spend any money on himself.
Meanwhile, Im Soon-hyung, who is also known as a 'history enthusiast,' installed a massive monument of King Gwanggaeto the Great, measuring 6.39 meters tall and weighing 47 tons, made from the original model in Manchuria, in the restaurant's yard. He also holds an annual memorial service for King Gwanggaeto the Great. He explained, 'It's to inherit the spirit of King Gwanggaeto the Great, the greatest hero in our nation's history.' Finally, when Seo Jang-hoon asked, 'What are your plans for your wealth in the future?' Im Soon-hyung stated his intention to establish the King Gwanggaeto Scholarship Foundation to support those who struggle to study due to financial difficulties.
Next week, the episode featuring 'Daegu manufacturing giant' Shin Hong-sik will air. 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighborhood Millionaire' airs every Wednesday at 9:55 p.m. on EBS and E-channel.
[Photo] 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighborhood Millionaire'
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