With 19 billion won in debt and internal exposés… Im Chae-mu, amid layered hardships, "I can't give up for the children's smiles"
Actor Im Chae-mu is appearing as a new boss on the variety show "The boss's ears are donkey ears" (hereafter "Donkey Ears"), drawing attention even before the broadcast. But behind that are 19 billion won in debt, the harsh reality of 160,000 won in daily revenue, and candid "internal exposés" from employees.
Previously Im Chae-mu revealed that the amusement park "Duriland" spans about 16,700 pyeong and confessed, "When I first built it I borrowed money from the late Lee Joo-il and Lee Yong-sik." The amount invested at the time was about 5 to 6 billion won. When MC Park Myung-soo said, "If it was 6 billion then, it's over 50 billion now," Im Chae-mu said, "That's right. I still have 19 billion won in debt. The interest is 80 million won a month alone, and the electricity bill is 30 million won," he disclosed.
He said, "Fixed expenses such as staff salaries are about 120 million won. The amusement park alone can't sustain it, so in the past I covered it with fees from nighttime venue events. But those jobs have mostly disappeared recently, so it's very difficult," describing practical hardships. He recalled selling an apartment in Yeouido two or three years ago and at one point sleeping in the park's restroom, saying, "I even used the whole family's overdraft accounts."
Although he is more dedicated than anyone, the "Donkey Ears" preview featured surprising testimony from employees. Staff members poured out bittersweet revelations, saying, "He's a nagging bombardier," and, "He can't wait even one second, so it's awkward," and Im Chae-mu shook his head, saying, "It's a mess. If I don't watch for a moment, it becomes like this."
"Duriland" is a theme park Im Chae-mu personally established in 1989 for children. After opening, it charged no admission for 18 years and was generous enough to buy homes for employees who worked more than three years. However, he said, "These days there's very little revenue. We make 160,000 won a day, at most 300,000 won," and added, "But when the little kids call me 'ajusshi' and cling to me, I get strength."
Ahead of the broadcast, online voices of support poured in: "That kind of person is a real adult," "I can't believe he has 19 billion won in debt," "I must visit Duriland once," "the last romantic of this era," and other reactions continued.
Meanwhile, the KBS2 variety show The boss's ears are donkey ears, in which Im Chae-mu appears, airs every Sunday at 4:40 p.m.
[Photo] OSEN DB, broadcast screen
[OSEN]