Im Chae-moo "Invested 20 Billion Won in Duriland... I Want to Enjoy Life"

Photo by KBS Cool FM 'Park Myungsoo's Radio Show'

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Actor Im Chae-moo revealed that he invested about 20 billion KRW in the amusement park 'Duriland.'

On the 4th, Im Chae-moo appeared as a guest on the 'Delicate World of Occupations' segment of KBS CoolFM's 'Park Myung-soo's Radio Show.'

On this day, Im Chae-moo spoke about the reason for creating Duriland, saying, "When I was filming historical dramas, I was still unknown. While working as an extra, I sat by a stream where children were playing, but their parents were drinking, making loud noises, and throwing soju bottles, which the children stepped on and got hurt."

He continued, "I thought, why do they behave so rudely and disgracefully when a family should come out, have fun, and talk together? I decided that when I make money, I want to create a place where a whole family can play together," he explained.

When Park Myung-soo asked, "I heard you invested 11 billion KRW of your own money in Duriland," Im Chae-moo confessed, "Actually, it’s between 18 to 19 billion KRW. Almost 20 billion KRW. I borrowed 14 to 15 billion KRW from banks."

He added, "I am definitely not greedy. I am already 70 years old. Duriland was created not to make money but to enjoy life. When I see others having fun, I feel happy and don’t age. From living life, I realized that I don’t need a lot of money. The richest person is someone who feels no lack in what they have. I am rich because I have received a lot of love while working as an entertainer. After all, isn’t life about leaving empty-handed?"

Meanwhile, Duriland, located in Yangju City, Gyeonggi Province, is an amusement park that Im Chae-moo built with his own money. It opened in 1990 and operated steadily until October 2017, when it closed due to environmental issues such as fine dust and underwent construction to become an indoor amusement park. Duriland was newly reopened last month on the 24th as a complex cultural space with various content after three years.