Seo Jang-hoon hopes EBS’ ‘Billionaire Neighbors’ runs 300 episodes

연합뉴스 / 2025-09-16 12:10:17

▲ Former basketball star-turned-TV personality Seo Jang-hoon attends the press conference for EBS' reality show 'Billionaire Neighbors' held in Seoul on Sept. 16, 2025, in this photo provided by the broadcaster. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Sept. 16 (Yonhap) -- Former basketball star-turned-TV personality Seo Jang-hoon said Tuesday he hopes his new EBS talk show, “Seo Jang-hoon’s Billionaire Neighbors,” will run for as many as 300 episodes.

“Many of the programs I’ve hosted have had long runs. I’d like this one to go at least 300 episodes,” Seo said at a press conference held at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul. “My secret weapon is sincerity. When my genuine heart reaches the billionaires, that’s when in-depth conversations come out. I try to put sincerity into every recording.”

The show highlights the lives and philosophies of Korea’s wealthy, exploring what true success and happiness mean. Following a pilot season that aired from April to June, the program will return as a regular series starting Tuesday at 9:55 p.m.

▲ The main panel for EBS' reality show 'Billionaire Neighbors' attend the show's media conference held in Seoul on Sept. 16, 2025, in this photo provided by the broadcaster. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Producer Kim Min-ji said the show focuses on people who may live close by yet remain unknown to the public.

“After the broadcast, we received suggestions of people to feature, and we continue to discover new billionaires like a never-ending treasure box,” Kim said. “We don’t expect difficulty in keeping the program going.”

Seo added humorously that high-profile CEOs are also welcome guests. “We don’t measure anyone by their net worth, so please don’t hesitate to contact us,” he said, drawing laughter.

The regular run introduces announcer Jang Ye-won as co-host.

“I’ve always liked the programs Seo Jang-hoon hosts,” she said. “He has a unique charm, and working with him, I’ve found he takes jokes in stride and has great chemistry with me. I think viewers will see him smile more here than on his other shows.”

Upcoming guests include business figures with extraordinary stories, such as the so-called “toilet king,” who built a lavatory empire spanning 15,000 pyeong (about 50,000 square meters), and a restaurant magnate known as the “legend of Gangnam Station Exit 7.”

Seo said one particularly memorable guest was Park Dae-sung, a master of Korean ink painting.

“He overcame many hardships to become a national figure. That was impressive,” he said.

Jang recalled an episode featuring a flower delivery entrepreneur that left the entire crew in tears. “It’s an episode you’ll want to check when it airs,” she said.

Both hosts said they gain new lessons from each guest and hope viewers will as well. Producer Kim stressed the show’s focus on wealthy individuals who practice sharing and social responsibility rather than just living well themselves.

“There are many admirable billionaires overseas, but I believe Korea also has many such figures,” Kim said. “If around 3,000 of them appear, we could create a program that stays on EBS for a long time.”