Park Chi-eun, known as the 'Icon of Good Influence' in the interior design industry, has revealed her life dedicated to sharing her talents with her neighbors.
On the November 11th episode of EBS's 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighboring Millionaire,' the spotlight was on Park Chi-eun, a young CEO and interior designer who renovates homes without charging a fee. Leading an interior design company with an annual revenue of 22 billion KRW, Park, born in 1986 and aged 39, was named the 'youngest millionaire in the show's history.' Her work with top stars like Girls' Generation's Yoona, comedian Yoo Se-yoon, soccer player Koo Ja-cheol, and composer Yoo Young-jin has drawn significant attention.
The episode showcased Park's Cheongdam showroom, a hub of cutting-edge interior design, featuring a 150 million KRW 'IU & Jennie bed,' a 40 million KRW sofa, mood-setting stone lighting, and open-space no-molding finishes, leaving viewers in awe. Seo Jang-hoon, observing the showroom, shared, "Having spent over 30 years on the basketball court, I find comfort in wood as I age," expressing his personal interior preferences.
The episode also delved into Park's unique career path, from graduating with a degree in political science and diplomacy to working as a parliamentary aide, a lumber company employee, and a day laborer before successfully launching her interior design business. At around 23, after her family's financial downfall due to her father's fraud, Park was driven by a 'thirst for money' to work tirelessly. Notably, during her time at the lumber company, she noticed the high salaries of field experts like carpenters and tile workers and thought, "If I learn the skills, I can earn that money too," prompting her to leave a major corporation and become a novice carpenter.
However, reality was harsh. She survived on a daily wage of 60,000 KRW, often eating 1,500 KRW rice burgers. In 2017, at the age of 31, she ventured into entrepreneurship, tackling the interior industry's chronic issues of haphazard work processes head-on, seeking differentiation. By detailing every aspect in estimates and transparently disclosing prices, she built trust, which became her competitive edge.
The highlight of the episode was Park's housing improvement project, dubbed the 'YouTube Love House.' Launched in 2021, this project selects individuals who wish to renovate their homes but lack the means, offering complete renovations for free. It revived the nostalgic TV program from the 2000s in an online format, gaining attention. Through this project, Park gifted new homes to 10 families with diverse stories, including a mother caring for her severely disabled son for 30 years and grandparents who had to send their granddaughter to a care facility. The transformation of homes filled with leaks and mold into warm, cozy sanctuaries, and the emotional reactions of recipients brought viewers to tears. Park shared, "Initially, it started as a marketing strategy, but now I do it because it makes me happy," explaining her continued acts of kindness. She concluded with her philosophy of sharing, "Anyone can be a hero if they can share their talents," leaving a lasting impression.
Next week's episode will feature 'The Reason a Gangnam Building Owner Became a Cheonggukjang Grandma,' focusing on Seo Bun-rye. EBS's 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighboring Millionaire' airs every Wednesday at 9:55 PM and is available on OTT platforms like Netflix and Wavve after the broadcast.
Reporter Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia one@tenasia.co.kr