The Dramatic Rise of Korea's Lab-Grown Diamond Pioneer, Kang Seung-gi

Kang Seung-gi, a trailblazer in the jewelry industry and the creator of Korea's first lab-grown diamond, shares his dramatic success story of bouncing back from rock bottom after a 30-carat diamond investment to building a 30 billion won building.

On October 25th at 9:55 PM, EBS's 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighboring Millionaire' will unveil the tumultuous life story of Kang Seung-gi, who became the first in Korea and the eighth in the world to develop lab-grown diamonds. Known as the 'modern-day alchemy,' lab-grown diamonds are artificially cultivated in laboratories, possessing the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds but at about one-fifth of the price. The broadcast will reveal the entire process from the creation of lab-grown diamond seeds to the transformation into jewelry through precise cutting and polishing.

Kang Seung-gi recounts his shocking past when he stood on the brink with a '30-carat diamond.' After his military discharge, he opened a jewelry store and made a fortune at a young age, eventually establishing himself in Jongno, the mecca of precious metals, within five years. During this time, he heard about someone wanting to discreetly sell a massive diamond and decided to secretly attend the transaction. Captivated by the presence of the 30-carat diamond, which was the same size as the engagement ring of soccer star Ronaldo, he made the bold decision to purchase it for 400 million won, even taking on debt. However, just two months later, an unexpected event left him with a mountain of debt. Kang recalls, "I sold my house and car to repay the debt. I thought making money was too easy when my business was doing well at a young age." The shocking details of the event that shook Kang's life will be revealed in the broadcast.

Subsequently, Kang Seung-gi made a dramatic comeback against all odds. In the early 2000s, he recorded annual sales of over 5 billion won and made a splendid leap by establishing his first headquarters in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul. One day, he received an unexpected offer to sell his company, and he amazed the industry once again by closing a historic 8.9 billion won deal, ensuring the employment of his staff and even transferring the cafeteria utensils. Using this major deal as a stepping stone, he built a 30 billion won diamond building and began to dream anew. The hidden stories behind Kang's legendary deal will also be revealed in the broadcast.

In this episode, '40-year veteran jeweler' Kang Seung-gi showcases his special collection, captivating viewers. As dazzling jewels like a vibrant red ruby ring, a deep blue sapphire ring, and a mysterious emerald ring appear, Seo Jang-hoon and Jang Ye-won can't help but express their admiration. Jang Ye-won, in particular, tries on a rose gold crown and candidly shares, "I haven't married yet, but I want to wear this at my wedding," while Seo Jang-hoon humorously reacts as if his reactions are malfunctioning. At this moment, Kang Seung-gi intriguingly hints, "I have the biggest and most precious jewel I've ever obtained," sparking curiosity.

EBS's 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighboring Millionaire' airs at 9:55 PM.

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