TV
Korean Culinary Mogul Lim Soon-hyung Pledges Fortune for Social Good

On the 11th, the joint production of EBS and E Channel, 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighboring Millionaire,' featured the life story of Lim Soon-hyung, known as the 'business genius who built a 5,000-pyeong mansion after earning billions.' Lim opened a restaurant in the early 1990s specializing in whole roasted duck, but initially struggled with sales. However, after being featured in a newspaper column by Baekpa Hong Seong-yu, the original author of 'General's Son,' his business began to thrive.
Lim captivated customers with his unique combination of milk-infused pancakes and duck, maintaining a successful business for over 30 years. He humorously remarked, "I raked in money," and "My fingerprints wore out from counting money," astonishing many.

As a child, he raised rabbits and used the proceeds to buy goats, selling goat milk for profit. He also earned money by making a margin on errands for his father, amassing a significant sum equivalent to 500,000 won today as an elementary school student.

He added, "I thought money was thrown from the sky for me to spend lavishly, but it's meant to be used for good," expressing his desire to transform the restaurant into a park for people to enjoy. Lim practices frugality, living in a 30-year-old apartment, driving a domestic car, and receiving a daily allowance of 50,000 won from his wife, yet spending little on himself.

When Seo Jang-hoon inquired about his future plans for his wealth, Lim expressed his intention to establish the Gwanggaeto Scholarship Foundation to support those struggling to afford education, demonstrating his commitment to social contribution.
Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr