From Coal to Stone: The Inspiring Journey of Korea's Top Stone Bed CEO Lee Dong-hak

Lee Dong-hak, the CEO of Korea's leading stone bed company, is set to appear on EBS's 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighboring Millionaire' airing on the 11th at 9:55 PM. The episode will delve into his remarkable life story, highlighting his journey from humble beginnings to achieving over one million units in cumulative sales.

Lee's products are exported to over 10 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore, earning him the title of 'Export King' with $55 million in exports. His expertise in stone, soil, and jade heated beds has led to an impressive annual revenue of up to 50 billion KRW. Starting from scratch, Lee has tirelessly worked for 25 years to secure a 3,000-pyeong company site, realizing his dream of building a new headquarters.

In the upcoming episode, Seo Jang-hoon and Jang Ye-won visit Lee's stone bed headquarters in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Seo, known for his straightforwardness, questions how Lee became a millionaire with just stones, to which Lee humbly responds, "To be a true millionaire, you need an annual revenue of about 1 trillion KRW. I'm still just a 'newborn millionaire.'"

Lee's aspiration to become a 'trillionaire' is rooted in his childhood experiences. Helping his father with a coal business, he learned the value of hard work and perseverance. Reflecting on those days, he recalls the importance of not dropping a single 140 KRW coal briquette. His journey from a coal merchant's son to a successful entrepreneur with an annual revenue of up to 50 billion KRW will be revealed in the broadcast.

The episode will also showcase the fascinating world of stone beds, ranging from budget-friendly models at 400,000 KRW to premium versions priced at 12 million KRW. Seo Jang-hoon, a property owner worth 70 billion KRW, expresses his surprise at the comfort of the stone bed, even lying down on it in amusement.

Adding to the excitement, Seo and Jang engage in a spontaneous mission to find a special stone from North Korea, leading to a humorous and intense competition. Who will become the owner of the stone bed by finding the 'lucky stone'? The answer will be revealed on 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighboring Millionaire' at 9:55 PM.

Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr