Seo Jang-hoon & Jang Ye-won Kick Off 'Millionaire Next Door' with Strong Debut Ratings

The new EBS program 'Seo Jang-hoon's Millionaire Next Door' has launched its first season with a promising start, thanks to the excellent chemistry between hosts Seo Jang-hoon and Jang Ye-won.

The inaugural episode, aired on the 17th, featured CEO Kang Woo-hyun, the mastermind behind the 'Nami Island success story.' His remarkable life journey, from overcoming humble beginnings to becoming a top designer and environmental activist, captivated viewers.

Jang Ye-won, who had expressed her strong desire to work with Seo Jang-hoon prior to the show's launch, brought a refreshing and bright energy to the hosting duties. Her natural hosting style was widely praised.

As a result, the premiere episode achieved a viewership rating of 1.5% (based on Nielsen Korea, paid households), with the highest minute-by-minute rating soaring to 1.93%. The broadcast was met with enthusiastic viewer feedback, including comments like "The combination of Seo Jang-hoon and Jang Ye-won is comfortable and fresh," and "Jang Ye-won's bright hosting stood out." Many also expressed admiration for Kang Woo-hyun's dramatic life story and his philosophy of valuing principles over money.

Kang Woo-hyun is a renowned designer credited with creating iconic designs known nationwide, such as the 'Thumbs Up Bank' logo and the 'Gwacheon Land' mascot. He later took on Nami Island when it was on the brink of bankruptcy and transformed it into a world-class destination attracting 3.3 million visitors annually. He also established the '30,000 Pyeong Republic' in Jeju, creatively reusing discarded waste, further astonishing the world with his continued passion even at the age of 70.

Next week's episode will feature Park Hyun-soon, known as the 'Toilet King.' 'Seo Jang-hoon's Millionaire Next Door' airs every Wednesday at 9:55 PM on EBS.

CEO Kang Woo-hyun is a visionary who transformed Nami Island from a near-bankrupt state into a globally recognized tourist attraction. His design work includes widely recognized national symbols. Even in his seventies, he continues to pursue innovative projects like the '30,000 Pyeong Republic,' demonstrating his enduring passion and creativity.