The Inspiring Journey of Korea's 'Trout Family': From Pioneers to Millionaires

The story of the Kim family, known as the 'Trout Family' who pioneered trout farming in South Korea and led it to its golden age, has been unveiled.

On the October 4th episode of EBS's 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighboring Millionaire,' Kim Jae-yong, the 'Trout Millionaire' who raises 80,000 trout on a 30,000-pyeong land, shared his tumultuous success story of overcoming numerous setbacks.

The first trout farm in South Korea was introduced and operated by the government in 1965 to alleviate the hardships of residents in Gangwon Province. However, in 1975, Kim Jae-yong's father took over, bringing it into the private sector. Kim Jae-yong, the second-generation owner, dedicated his life to trout farming alongside his father. At the time, trout was an unfamiliar species to the public, with no market or buyers. The Kim family eventually opened a restaurant next to the farm to create a direct sales outlet. In 1983, a terrestrial broadcast program featured them, garnering nationwide attention and making trout a sensation, with military generals even saying, "If you haven't tried trout, you can't join the conversation." This catapulted the Kim family to become one of the wealthiest in Pyeongchang.

However, the boom didn't last long. In the early 1990s, trout farms sprang up everywhere, intensifying competition and causing prices to plummet. Just when Kim Jae-yong was struggling to hold on, the Pyeongchang Trout Festival emerged as a beacon of hope. The festival reopened sales channels, and it has since become a representative 'K-Winter Festival' in South Korea. Yet, another crisis hit in 2022 when cormorants attacked the farm, consuming 40,000 trout in just 10 days. Adding to the woes, otters also appeared. The Kim family shared, "Otters seem to think biting off fish heads is a game. In the morning, we'd find fish bodies floating without heads," shocking everyone.

The episode also featured Kim Jae-yong's children, who are his strong support system, showcasing the 'Trout Family's' prowess. His daughter manages the restaurant, while his son oversees the farm, exemplifying a model of family business through meticulous division of labor. Seo Jang-hoon asked Kim Nam-ho, the third-generation owner who took over management two years ago, "Is the trout I ate today raised by you?" He then praised, "The quality is outstanding. You should be proud."

Kim Jae-yong's philosophy of sharing also drew attention. He has lived by his parents' teaching, "What is earned in Pyeongchang should be shared in Pyeongchang." He established a scholarship foundation named after his parents, offering 20 million won for admission to S University and 12 million won for Y and K Universities, impressing many with his generosity. Seo Jang-hoon, an alumnus of Y University, humorously remarked, "It would have been better if you gave 20 million won to Y University students," expressing his unyielding school pride and bringing laughter to the scene.

Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr