From Errand Boy to Shipping Magnate: The Inspiring Journey of Kim Hyun-kyum

The remarkable life story of Kim Hyun-kyum, known as the 'Ship King,' has resonated deeply with viewers. From a poor errand boy attending night school to a successful businessman leading a shipping company with an annual revenue of 300 billion won, his journey is nothing short of inspiring.

On the October 28th episode of EBS's 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighboring Millionaire,' the spotlight was on Kim Hyun-kyum, who launched the 'Northeast Asia No. 1 Cruise Ferry' with domestic technology. Despite skepticism from those around him, Kim's exceptional business acumen led to the project's success. The massive undertaking, which began construction in October 2023 and involved 450 workers, officially launched in April 2025. Seo Jang-hoon, who boarded the cruise ferry traveling between Busan and Osaka, expressed his excitement, joking about the need for a passport to avoid being considered a stowaway.

Kim's childhood in Busan was marked by affluence until his father's failed debt guarantee left the family in ruins. At 12, he recalled the humiliation of being unable to pay a 600 won school fee. Despite these hardships, he worked as an errand boy by day and attended night school. During his time at university, Kim showcased his business prowess by supplying yuzu tea to cafes and hotels, earning a reputation as a 'business genius.'

After graduating, Kim joined a shipping brokerage firm, where his sales skills shone. Using a strategy of targeting every trade company from the top floor down, he generated sales 140 times his 500,000 won salary, becoming a legendary sales king.

In 1990, at 28, Kim secretly mortgaged his home to start his own business, driven by the goal of owning a ship within ten years. By 2000, he achieved this dream, but faced a harsh reality with a 10 billion won deficit in his first year of the ferry business.

Despite the challenges, Kim's belief in the importance of reliability in regular shipping kept him going. After 18 months, he broke even, and with renewed confidence, he purchased a second ship. However, the 2008 global financial crisis hit, leaving him with over 100 billion won in debt and at the brink of selling his company.

At his lowest point, a letter from a major Japanese creditor, who owned hundreds of ships, arrived, encouraging him to persevere. Kim returned to basics, keeping just one ship, and within six years, he cleared his debts, honoring the trust placed in him. Today, he owns six ships valued at approximately 400 billion won.

As of 2025, his comprehensive shipping company celebrates its 35th anniversary with an annual revenue of 300 billion won. Reflecting on his career, Kim stated, "I dedicated everything to the dream of owning a ship within ten years." He added, "I question whether I deserve the money I earn and ensure that new ventures do not harm others," showcasing his unwavering business philosophy.

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