EBS's 'Neighbor Millionaire' highlights the life of Park Dong-hoon, who built a $100 million advertising company from humble beginnings as a middle school dropout and ragpicker.
In the episode airing on June 24, the story of Park, known as the 'Chungmuro Success Story' after 40 years in the advertising industry, will be revealed.
Starting with just 2 million won, Park grew his one-man operation into a company with 100 employees. After reaching the peak of his career in advertising, he is now taking on new challenges by creating seven street art museums in the Chungmuro area.
The broadcast will showcase Park's projects that transformed overlooked spaces, including areas littered with trash and leftover land from road construction, into cultural spaces.
When Park's home was visited by Seo Jang-hoon and Jang Ye-won, they were astonished by a massive 103-inch TV in the center of his living room. The TV commands attention with its impressive size.
Park explained that only 200 of these TVs were produced worldwide, with each sold to a celebrity representing their country. He revealed that the first buyer in South Korea was actor Bae Yong-joon, stating, "I bought it after Bae Yong-joon put it up for sale when he moved."
In the kitchen, Park also demonstrated his '7-Minute Cooking' skills, expressing a desire to be recognized for his discerning palate. Initially skeptical, Seo Jang-hoon was impressed after tasting the finished dish, exclaiming, "I had no expectations, but this is really delicious."
The episode will also delve into Park's past, revealing the struggles behind his glamorous success. He confessed that he once deleted all his daughters' phone numbers.
Having lived alone with his grandmother in the Jiri Mountain area of South Gyeongsang Province, Park moved to Seoul after middle school to pursue high school. However, due to financial difficulties, he dropped out and survived by collecting discarded items from the streets.
His experience of having to forgo education due to a lack of funds motivated him to ensure that he would fully support his two daughters' education. After they graduated from college, he decided to cut off financial support and contact, believing that once their education was complete, he would become a good friend rather than just a father.
However, a significant event a few years ago challenged his long-held beliefs, prompting him to reach out to his daughters again. The details of this turning point will be revealed in the broadcast.
'Neighbor Millionaire' airs today, June 24, at 9:55 PM.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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