Lee Cheol, once the head of a construction company with a monthly revenue of 40 billion won, has transformed into a creator of dog wheelchairs, revealing his new dream of establishing a 'hospice ward for abandoned dogs.' His story left a profound impact, with MC Seo Jang-hoon shedding tears at the sight of a stray dog adapting to a wheelchair.
The October 8th episode of EBS's 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighboring Millionaire' featured 'The Wealthy Man Who Chose Dogs Over Real Estate Fortune,' focusing on Lee Cheol.
Known as the 'Dog Wheelchair Guy,' Lee Cheol was once a successful construction company CEO. Now, he has spent 15 years as a dog wheelchair maker, living a completely different life. He has given about 10,000 sick dogs the joy of walking again with his custom-developed wheelchairs and aids. Each wheelchair is meticulously crafted by hand, considering each dog's unique gait and physique. The episode unveiled the intricate world of canine aids, detailed down to the cervical spine, spine, knees, and ankles, akin to human aids.
Lee's journey into dog wheelchairs began with his pet dog 'Isle,' who suffered from a congenital deformity. He recalled, "I heard a suspicious noise from a black plastic bag in an alley, and inside was a small, frail puppy abandoned." Seo Jang-hoon emphasized, "There should be strict qualifications for pet ownership to prevent people from abandoning pets when they no longer want them." After Isle passed away, Lee found a turning point at a shelter while trying to sell a second-hand wheelchair he had bought in Japan. Witnessing how a small wheelchair could transform the lives of sick dogs, he began purchasing wheelchairs on every trip to Japan to donate to shelters.
However, the demand for wheelchairs was high, and the costs were mounting. Lee partnered with a former colleague who ran a wheelchair factory for the elderly to create the simplest and most comfortable walkers for dogs. He expanded his expertise to prosthetics, learning from masters to make aids for dogs that lost limbs. Importantly, Lee did not keep his unique skills and knowledge to himself. Despite criticism for sharing his techniques, he believed, "Knowledge should be widely shared to advance. Keeping it to oneself leads to no progress." He generously opens his workshop to pet owners and willingly shares his skills with those interested.
The episode also featured the story of 'Mugang,' a stray dog paralyzed in the hind legs due to an accident, adapting to his first wheelchair. Named with the hope of 'living a long life,' Mugang's temporary guardian purchased a wheelchair for him. As Mugang hesitantly placed his front legs into the device, he struggled with the unfamiliar sensation, evoking sympathy. Seo Jang-hoon, watching, tearfully questioned, "Why must they suffer like this?" Eventually, Mugang took his first steps in the wheelchair, moving everyone deeply.
Lee's good deeds continue. He donates about 10 million won monthly to shelters and supports them with a '1+1' system, matching the number of aids he produces. He stated, "This was never a business; it was always about improving the quality of life for stray dogs." He concluded by revealing his new dream of a 'hospice ward for abandoned dogs,' leaving a lasting impression. "Dogs only look to humans. It pains me that they leave this world with memories of abandonment instead of love," he expressed, hoping that "in their final moments, they remember their time on Earth as a happy picnic." His heartfelt words brought tears to the audience.
Next week's episode will feature 'Baek Jin-ho, a Traditional Korean Medicine Doctor Continuing a Five-Generation Legacy Since the Joseon Dynasty.' EBS's 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighboring Millionaire' airs every Wednesday at 9:55 PM and is available on Netflix and Wavve after broadcast.
Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr