[Sports Chosun reporter Kim Soo-hyun] Actor Lim Chae-mu revealed his interactions with the staff of “Dooreeland.”
On the 12th, KBS 2TV’s “Boss in the Mirror” aired a preview for the next episode.
In the episode, Lim Chae-mu appeared not as an actor but as the boss of an amusement park. He mentioned, “The terms I dislike the most are boss, chairman, president.”
Lim Chae-mu showed humility, saying, “I’ve never thought of myself as someone in a high position or as a chairman.”
In contrast, the views of the staff were different. They expressed dissatisfaction, calling him a “nagging machine” and stating that he “can’t wait for even a minute” and has “obsessive tendencies.”
Lim Chae-mu was dissatisfied with the staff’s work, repeatedly pointing out dust and expressing frustration, saying, “It’s a complete mess.”
He predicted conflicts with the staff, commenting, “This is what happens if I’m not around for a moment,” sparking curiosity.
Previously, Lim Chae-mu gained attention by appearing on “Boss in the Mirror” and sharing stories related to Dooreeland.
Dooreeland is an amusement facility that Lim Chae-mu opened in 1989 in the Jangheung National Tourist Site in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, investing about 13 billion KRW. It includes around 30 rides, an outdoor swimming pool, and Asia’s largest jumping trampoline.
Despite difficult circumstances, Lim Chae-mu has not given up managing Dooreeland. He shared that “children’s activities are not profitable. Since machines need replacement as soon as they malfunction, I still have debts. Currently, I am in debt by about 19 billion KRW, with monthly loan interest at 80 million KRW, and electricity bills alone at 30 million KRW.”
He also revealed the challenges, saying, “The amusement park can’t be maintained through its income alone, so I used money from external events to pay staff salaries. For nearly 40 years, I performed at night venues, but now such gigs, as well as broadcasting opportunities, are scarce. There are days when the daily revenue is only 160,000 to 320,000 KRW.”
Nevertheless, he expressed his conviction, saying, “Dooreeland is the only amusement park run by an individual investor, not a corporation. It’s tough financially, but when children run to me and hug me, it feels truly rewarding. I can’t give up Dooreeland for the children’s smiles.”