The Rise of Trout Millionaire Kim Jae-yong: From National Hotspot to Unprecedented Farm Invasion

Discover the incredible journey of 'Trout Millionaire' Kim Jae-yong, who rose to fame as a 'cash-rich' entrepreneur by creating a national hotspot, and the shocking details of an unprecedented invasion that devastated his fish farm. Hosts Seo Jang-hoon and Jang Ye-won are left in disbelief as they uncover the full story.

Tonight at 9:55 PM, EBS's 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighboring Millionaire' will feature the life story of Kim Jae-yong, the 'Father of Trout' and the pioneer of South Korea's first trout farm. Spanning an impressive 30,000 pyeong (approximately 24.8 acres) and housing 80,000 trout, the farm boasts an annual feed cost of 500 million won. Kim's journey is set to inspire and amaze viewers.

Trout farming began in 1965 under government initiative and was taken over by Kim's father in 1975, transitioning to private hands. Kim Jae-yong, the second-generation owner, has been upholding the family business for 23 years. This episode will delve into the family's dedication to transforming Pyeongchang into a trout farming haven, a story that promises to move and astonish audiences.

The broadcast will also highlight the pivotal event that catapulted Kim's trout restaurant into a national sensation. Trout, an exotic species at the time, was unfamiliar to the Korean public. Facing repeated failures, the Kim family took a bold step by opening a restaurant next to their farm, a gamble for survival. One day, their lives changed dramatically as tour buses began arriving, bringing a flood of group visitors. The restaurant quickly became a bustling hub, gaining popularity among military generals who spread the word, saying, "If you haven't tried trout, you can't join the conversation." Kim recalls, "There was a time when 16 stars came at once," referring to the high-ranking military officers who visited. As the trout's popularity soared, so did the stacks of cash, with Kim humorously reminiscing about "piling up money." This success earned him the title of a 'cash-rich' figure in Pyeongchang.

However, success was not without its challenges. In 2022, an unprecedented invasion devastated the farm. An unknown perpetrator infiltrated the premises, consuming 40,000 to 50,000 trout, resulting in a staggering financial loss of 80 million won in just 10 days. The Kim family recounts the horrific scene, "Fish with only bodies left, no heads, were floating around." The shocking incident and the mysterious identity of the culprit will be revealed on the EBS broadcast of 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighboring Millionaire' tonight at 9:55 PM.

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