EBS's Seo Jang-hoon's Millionaire Next Door, Park Jong-seo episode on the 14th at 9:55 PM

[EBS Seo Jang-hoon's Millionaire Next Door]

"The late Chung Ju-yung and Chung Mong-koo... The man loved by chairmen?!" First-generation automotive designer Park Jong-seo appears, revealing the secret stories behind the birth of national cars!

- Why is a Fera with an 'estimated value of 50 billion won' here?! Park Jong-seo's unimaginable collection surprises Seo Jang-hoon and Jang Ye-won, saying "I even sent a letter to the Italian headquarters" - The unexpected daily life of 'automotive design master' Park Jong-seo! His personal car is a 26-year-old old car, and his sofa is full of holes... A bombshell statement: "I'd be a penniless beggar without my wife!"

'Seo Jang-hoon's Millionaire Next Door' shines a light on the success story of 'South Korea's first-generation automotive designer' Park Jong-seo. From the secret stories of the birth of national cars that overturned the company's cold opposition, to his obsession with dream cars with an estimated value of 50 billion won, and even his humble daily life driving a 26-year-old old car, everything will be revealed.

In the EBS 'Seo Jang-hoon's Millionaire Next Door' broadcast on Wednesday the 14th at 9:55 PM, Park Jong-seo, a key figure in the birth of South Korea's national cars and a pioneer of K-automotive design, 'first-generation automotive designer', will appear. Having started working at H Company since the era of the late Chairman Chung Ju-yung, Park Jong-seo is a leading contributor who led the golden age of South Korean automotive design, receiving the trust of successive chairmen including the late Chairman Chung Se-yung and Chairman Chung Mong-koo. During his 25 years at H Company, the cars he designed include major hit models such as Scoupe, Tiburon, Santa, Ssona, and Aban. Attention is focused on his story of opening an era of original design targeting the global market in South Korea, which was a wasteland for automobiles.

In particular, the secret story behind the birth of the Tiburon, which caused a sensation at the time of its release with its sleek and sporty design, adds more interest. The birth of the Tiburon, which left a strong impression with smooth curves reminiscent of a shark, was not entirely smooth. Park Jong-seo recalls, "When I first designed this car, the company opposed it all." This was due to concerns that production was impossible with the company's technology at the time. However, through a bold challenge by an engineer, the unconventional curves were realized, and the Tiburon demonstrated its presence, attracting attention not only domestically but also from foreign media. The Santa, H Company's first independent model SUV, was also a work of Park Jong-seo. Seeing overseas competitors rushing to develop SUVs at the time, Park Jong-seo read the market trend and ambitiously designed the Santa. This faced opposition stating "there is no domestic demand or industrial demand at all," but as the US sales corporation, which kept an eye on Park Jong-seo's design, requested production, even a dedicated line was established.

In this broadcast, the amazing dream car collection created by the persistent obsession of 'automotive design master' Park Jong-seo will also be unveiled. After guiding Seo Jang-hoon and Jang Ye-won to his showroom, Park Jong-seo leads them to a special car model. This model is a legendary masterpiece of Fera produced as a racing car in the late 1950s, and it is known that its auction estimate alone reaches approximately 50 billion won. This model, also owned by the global fashion master Ralph Lauren, is also a dream car that Park Jong-seo has long dreamed of. He reveals his extraordinary passion, saying, "I even wrote a letter directly to the Fera headquarters" to make a model close to the real thing. His dream car collection, finally completed after as many as 4 years of effort, and the production process of making dreams a reality will be revealed through the broadcast.

The unexpected daily life of Park Jong-seo, hidden behind his brilliant career and excellent insight, will also capture attention. Although he is the protagonist who wrote the history of South Korean automotive design, the car he actually drives is a 26-year-old old model that is scratched and broken here and there. The sofa in his studio surprises Seo Jang-hoon and Jang Ye-won as he uses it by patching the holes with cloth. Furthermore, Park Jong-seo, who is weak with numbers, reveals another unexpected side by stating that during his time working at H Company, he "has no idea" about his salary or incentives. To the question of how he manages money, a shocking answer appears: "I'd be a penniless beggar without my wife." Park Jong-seo's humble daily life, which is unlike a legend in the automotive design world, and the story of why he had no choice but to leave financial management to his wife can be seen on EBS 'Seo Jang-hoon's Millionaire Next Door' on Wednesday, October 14th at 9:55 PM.

Read the original (Korean)