From Street Vendor to Billionaire: The Inspiring Journey of Park Se-hoon

The EBS show 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighboring Millionaire' highlights the incredible rags-to-riches story of Park Se-hoon, who started as a street vendor selling melons and built an air conditioning business with an annual revenue of up to 140 billion KRW.

Airing tonight at 9:55 PM, the episode will delve into Park's tumultuous life, including his establishment of a 200 billion KRW valued urban silver town in Gangnam. This innovative space is the first in Korea to combine a silver town with a care facility, offering a futuristic living model for seniors that ensures safety, health, and a dignified retirement. Park's philosophy of not taking any profit from the silver town underscores his commitment to social value beyond wealth, drawing significant interest.

After failing to enter college, Park Se-hoon began his journey with just 1,500 KRW, buying a cart to sell melons in the market. His initial venture ended in disappointment, and subsequent business attempts also failed. In 1985, he faced his greatest challenge, overwhelmed by debt from a failed business. He had to sell everything, including his apartment and even his children's jewelry. Park recalls, "I held my wife as she cried silently on the balcony, fearing the children would hear. I felt so much self-blame," he says, tearing up.

Park's turning point came when he entered the heat exchanger business, a key component of air conditioners. His foresight in reading global market trends paid off, leading to a surge in orders from major Korean conglomerates like Samsung and LG. His factory couldn't keep up with the demand, even running 24/7. His business experienced explosive growth, eventually reaching an astounding annual revenue of 140 billion KRW. Park's story of resilience and his unwavering business philosophy will resonate deeply with viewers.

The episode will also feature a first look at Park's luxurious residence in Hannam-dong. Seo Jang-hoon remarks, "It's my first time here, and it's a very famous luxury apartment." Known for housing various celebrities, Park reveals, "BTS's RM is a neighbor," adding to the intrigue. Despite the opulence, Park's home reflects simplicity and love for his family, with traces of his past struggles and triumphs. Having overcome failure and achieved remarkable success, Park now dedicates himself to giving back to society, understanding the true value of happiness beyond money. Catch his heartfelt story on EBS 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighboring Millionaire' tonight at 9:55 PM.

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr