Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea, heard the news that a restaurant he had connected with through a broadcast four years ago was facing closure and once again extended a helping hand.
On June 14, a video titled "Are You Going to Close Like This? Cheorwon Alley Restaurant" was uploaded to the YouTube channel 'Baek Jong-won PAIK JONG WON.' In the video, Baek Jong-won visited a restaurant run by a couple who owned a webfoot octopus restaurant in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, whom he had met through the SBS variety show 'Alley Restaurant' in the past.
The restaurant had received high praise from Baek Jong-won as "a taste worth coming all the way from Seoul to Cheorwon," but the couple had been considering closing the business since last year. The owner recalled, "We worked hard, but it was during the final phase of COVID-19, and after a customer and a part-time worker caught COVID, we had to close the restaurant for two months." He added, "Customers asked about parking and then didn’t come for 30 minutes. There was a parking shortage," and explained, "The military base also relocated, causing a population decline."
He continued, "Still, we tried to endure somehow because we had the opportunity from 'Alley Restaurant,'" but confessed that the harsh reality eventually made them consider closing. The couple said, "When we mentioned that we might close when the lease ended, the person in charge at The Born Korea said, 'That’s not right,' and said they would talk to Baek Jong-won."
Upon hearing the news, Baek Jong-won said, "It was heartbreaking that the circumstances were so difficult," and added, "I told them to come out (from Cheorwon) because there was no other way." Afterwards, Baek Jong-won continued consulting for the restaurant, which had relocated to Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, and newly opened. He gave advice on everything from kitchen size, number of tables, beverage refrigerators, to installing a waiting ticket machine, encouraging them by saying, "There should be promotion when you open. You should hang a large temporary banner. I will gift it to you."
He also said, "People mistakenly think that if sales increase 3 to 5 times, their profits should increase too. That’s human nature. Because expenses also increase, they think they’re not making money," and advised, "Profits don’t increase exponentially. Just don’t lose that initial mindset." When the couple expressed their gratitude, Baek Jong-won encouraged them, saying, "Be successful and be thankful. If you do well, help other young people who are struggling the same way," and added, "It’s not easy. One mountain after another. When business goes well, there are other worries."
On the first day of opening, a large promotional banner gifted by Baek Jong-won was hung in front of the restaurant, and the place was filled with customers. The couple said, "We will deeply cherish the words the CEO gave us and remain people who don’t lose their initial mindset. We will work hard. Thank you."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
