SBS Plus Show 'Anyone Can Be a Boss' Offers Real Survival Solutions for Struggling Entrepreneurs
SBS Plus Show 'Anyone Can Be a Boss' Offers Real Survival Solutions for Struggling Entrepreneurs
Spotlight on Rising Stars: Catching the Brightest in the Entertainment Industry

"The goal of the program is to curb the desire to start a business without proper preparation. I've witnessed people running businesses without even knowing about VAT or accounting. If you're thinking, 'Maybe I'll open a cafe?' I urge you to reconsider."

Amidst a sea of celebrity-centric shows, a new kind of reality show has emerged, offering a helping hand to those in need. SBS Plus's 'Anyone Can Be a Boss' (hereafter referred to as 'Boss') is a refreshing take on reality TV, focusing on the real struggles of South Korea's 6 million small business owners. Premiering on the 14th of last month, the show follows 'Neighborhood Hotspot' and provides real survival solutions for entrepreneurs on the brink.

On the 24th, I met with Kim Myung-ha, the director of 'Boss', at a cafe in Seongnae-dong, Gangdong-gu. Kim, who has previously worked as an assistant director on popular shows like SBS's 'Running Man', 'Inkigayo', 'Law of the Jungle', and 'Same Bed, Different Dreams', made his directorial debut with 'Neighborhood Hotspot' and has been making waves in the industry ever since.
SBS Plus Show 'Anyone Can Be a Boss' Offers Real Survival Solutions for Struggling Entrepreneurs
SBS Plus Show 'Anyone Can Be a Boss' Offers Real Survival Solutions for Struggling Entrepreneurs
Kim explained that his experience with 'Neighborhood Hotspot' was the starting point for 'Boss'. "I felt the struggles of small business owners firsthand. I wanted to offer consulting or advice, but there weren't any shows like that. That's why I started this. Many entrepreneurs are struggling, yet ironically, many office workers dream of starting their own business," he said.

"These days, there are so many entrepreneurs that it's not an exaggeration to say we're in an 'everyone's a boss' era. Consequently, the number of people filing for bankruptcy is also increasing."
SBS Plus Show 'Anyone Can Be a Boss' Offers Real Survival Solutions for Struggling Entrepreneurs
SBS Plus Show 'Anyone Can Be a Boss' Offers Real Survival Solutions for Struggling Entrepreneurs
Among the five episodes, Kim highlighted the one dealing with delivery fees as the most memorable. "From a consumer's perspective, delivery seems expensive, but for business owners, the commission fees are a significant burden. The structure inevitably leads to higher costs. I realized that what seemed like a simple delivery could be a deadly poison," he revealed.

"This isn't just someone else's story. It's an important issue for both entrepreneurs and customers. Your favorite local spot could disappear. Through this show, I wanted to highlight the negative societal impact of the delivery system's vicious cycle. I hope viewers think twice about the commission fees when ordering through apps. I recommend opting for takeout or dining in instead."
SBS Plus Show 'Anyone Can Be a Boss' Offers Real Survival Solutions for Struggling Entrepreneurs
SBS Plus Show 'Anyone Can Be a Boss' Offers Real Survival Solutions for Struggling Entrepreneurs
Kim described the difference between 'Boss' and 'Neighborhood Hotspot' as "If 'Neighborhood Hotspot' was sweet and refreshing, 'Boss' is spicy." He added, "Analyzing POS data revealed the raw side of business. Those with data are the lucky ones. As the episodes progress, the show's intensity naturally increases, not because we intentionally made it provocative, but because it naturally evolved that way."

When asked about the criteria for selecting participants, Kim said, "We look for those who desperately need consulting and are open to expert advice for improvement. Due to the nature of the program, we can't show similar cases repeatedly to viewers. We also focus on differentiating each episode from the previous ones."
SBS Plus Show 'Anyone Can Be a Boss' Offers Real Survival Solutions for Struggling Entrepreneurs
SBS Plus Show 'Anyone Can Be a Boss' Offers Real Survival Solutions for Struggling Entrepreneurs
Kim mentioned that his experience transforming a 30-year-old abandoned school in Miryang during 'Neighborhood Hotspot' was invaluable. "I had a grand vision to transform a neglected space. Before the show, the 16,500-square-meter area had fewer than 1,000 annual visitors. Now, it attracts 500 visitors a day. I felt that sincerity resonated, and it was incredibly rewarding," he smiled.

He also expressed his passion for creating diverse content. Kim said, "I believe there's a need for programs that can introduce Korean culture abroad. I'm also planning a realistic dating show." He added, "Talk shows are disappearing these days, but I want to reignite the talk show trend," showing his determination for new challenges.

Lee So-jung, Ten Asia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr