Actor Lim Chae-moo has provided an update on the management of his amusement park.
On the broadcast of KBS2's "Boss's ears are donkey ears" on the 20th, the scene of Park Myung-soo, Yewon, and announcer Kim Jin-woong visiting the Duriland operated by Lim Chae-moo was shown.
That day, Lim Chae-moo greeted by saying, "Having operated Duriland for 40 years, I am living life happily." He shared, "About 70-80% of this place is drawn by myself. So I feel more affection for it and consider it my alter ego and life."
Park Myung-soo asked, "How long has it been running?" Lim Chae-moo replied, "I purchased it in 1988, constructed it in 1989, and opened it in 1990," adding, "I entered the broadcasting station in 1973, and now we go to places like Mungyeong for outdoor shoots. Back then, everyone came here. While filming, I saw that people flocked here in summer. Unlike now, when soju comes in packs, we brought it in bottles, and when bottles were discarded, it caused chaos as kids got hurt. That's when I thought that when I become a star and make money, I should create a space where my family can enjoy. So I started buying land little by little."
The scale of the amusement park is said to be 16,700 pyeong. Park Myung-soo, curious about how much money it took to purchase everything, despite buying bit by bit, asked, "It must have cost a lot to buy everything, how did you gather such a large sum?" Lim Chae-moo explained, "When I was building this, I borrowed money from the late Lee Joo-il and also borrowed money from Lee Yong-sik." This led to a flurry of questions directed at special MC Lee Yong-sik, asking, "Did you come just to get paid?" To which Lee Yong-sik responded, "Lim Chae-moo is the top of real men. He seems to be the best among men who keep promises. He asked me to lend him some money, saying he would pay me back exactly 15 days later. I vaguely remember lending it to him at around 2 p.m. After 15 days, at 2:30 or 3 p.m., he returned it exactly. I marked it on my calendar because the date was accurate."
The amount of money borrowed when Duriland opened was about 5 to 6 billion won. Park Myung-soo expressed surprise, saying, "At that time, 5 to 6 billion won would be over 50 billion won now," and Kim Suk noted, "In the 1990s, an APT. in Gangnam was 100 million won. That was enough to buy 60 units." Additionally, during its early days, it was said that they even bought houses for employees who worked for more than three years. Park Myung-soo then asked brightly, "Can I still go now?" to which Lim Chae-moo replied, "Now you have to pay to enter."
When asked about his highest sales, Lim Chae-moo said, "I don't remember the year, but on May 5, I think we made 120 million won in a single day." He added, "In business, one must look at profitability, but the children's business is not a money-making venture. Once something goes wrong, the damage is significant. If a machine is just a bit faulty, we throw it away right away and bring in a new one. Even after nearly 40 years, there is still considerable debt because of such reasons."
When Park Myung-soo asked, "How much have you actually borrowed?" Lim Chae-moo responded, "19 billion won," adding, "Interest alone is about 80 million won, and the electricity bill is 30 million won," revealing that his total fixed monthly expenses, including staff salaries, amount to 120 million won, shocking the others. He stated that he is barely maintaining operations, saying, "If it were only the amusement park, I wouldn't have been able to sustain it. However, there are external sources of income. I paid salaries and taxes from the event fees for night businesses. I've been doing that for 38 years," yet he lamented, "These days, I've been cornered. Night businesses have disappeared. Broadcasting has ceased, and it's getting difficult these days."
In response, Lee Yong-sik said, "I advised you against doing business, but you didn't listen. Back then, we had events at the same venues. Lim Chae-moo was shy and drank liquor before going on stage. After performing, he would fall asleep. While doing this, he invested the money here, and hearing that the debt is 19 billion won makes me feel bad again."
When asked about the time with the least sales, Lim Chae-moo admitted, "It's these days. To be honest, we make between 160,000 won and 320,000 won in daily sales." He revealed that he even sold his Yeouido APT. two to three years ago and lived in the amusement park's restroom. He lamented, "The price I sold it for has tripled," adding that he is continuing the business using total drawdowns on his family's minus accounts. When asked, "Why go to such lengths?" he replied, "My kids ask, 'Why are you stubbornly holding on to this?' To be honest, I'm tired too after nearly 40 years. But when I stand there and little kids call me 'uncle' and hug me, that's when I feel good."
In response, Lee Yong-sik stated, "It makes me even angrier. Shouldn't you be at an age to live more comfortably? The M broadcasting station has also been around for two more years than me, and you should judge with experience. Kim Suk added, "I think we should call you to the boss seat. Even though you are a junior, you should be called out on some things." It was noted that in the past, there were 18 years when they did not charge entrance fees and thus did not earn money, but Lim Chae-moo remarked, "Even though I don't have material wealth, I've been at peace, so I've been happy."
In response, Kim Suk expressed her concern, saying, "There's too much debt now. I understand your love for the children..." Park Myung-soo urged, "But now you are collecting entrance fees, and if everyone comes often, it will help."
[Photo] OSEN DB, KBS2
[OSEN]