On the 18th at 10 p.m., TV CHOSUN's 'Modern Figures: Mister Lee' examined the life of Shin Kyuk-ho, the founder of Lotte.
Girl group Oh My Girl's Seung-hee appeared as the special MC this week, accompanied by political commentator Cha Jae-won as a special guest, adding luster to the show. MC Lee Kyung-kyu, who previously served as a model for Lotte CF, evoked laughter by saying during the recording, "I couldn’t attend the event due to a 'hidden camera' schedule," expressing his regret despite being invited by Lotte to an event in the hometown of Shin Kyuk-ho.
The broadcast revealed the story of how Shin Kyuk-ho, who loved 'literature,' became a businessman. His first job after graduating from an agricultural school in Ulsan was as a 'shepherd.' Living a normal life while raising sheep at a farm, Shin Kyuk-ho set off for Japan with a dream of becoming a 'literary figure.' In Japan, he graduated from Waseda University while working part-time delivering milk and newspapers. Suddenly abandoning his dream of being a writer was prompted by an encounter with novelist 'Lee Byung-joo.'
Shin Kyuk-ho's 'special management philosophy' was also highlighted. After stepping on Korean soil for the first time in over 20 years, invited by the Park Chung-hee administration, Shin Kyuk-ho declared his entry into the Korean market and led 'the first global corporations' by moving between South Korea and Japan with various businesses including Lotte Department Store, hotels, and amusement parks. During the IMF period, he evidently stated to an executive who suggested restructuring, "Where will the employees go if you let them go at times like this?" reflecting his firm belief that employees should not be recklessly dismissed.
Additionally, the unique relationship between Shin Kyuk-ho and the former top actress Seo Mi-kyeong, who is 38 years his junior, caught attention. In the 1970s, amid the buzz of the CM song, "If it’s gum, it’s Lotte~ Gum♪," a 'Miss Lotte' beauty contest was held to maximize the advertising effect. The protagonist of the first competition was Seo Mi-kyeong, a former child actress. She enjoyed her peak, but suddenly announced her retirement from the entertainment industry to study in Japan. A few years later, it became a hot topic that she gave birth to a daughter with Shin Kyuk-ho. Thereafter, Seo Mi-kyeong was known to be in a de facto relationship with Shin Kyuk-ho, and their daughter was said to have served as an advisor at Lotte Hotel.
Meanwhile, Shin Kyuk-ho passed away due to an illness at Asan Medical Center in Seoul at around 4 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2020, at the age of 99.
[Photo] Broadcast capture
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