Actor Im Chae-mu. [Yonhap]
Actor Im Chae-mu. [Yonhap]

Actor Im Chae-mu, 77, carries about 19 billion won ($13.6 million) in debt while running the Duriland theme park — yet he has opened the park's gates to people with developmental disabilities, the latest in a series of generous acts from a man already known for giving apartments to his employees.

A segment on JTBC's "Newsroom" that aired Wednesday featured footage of people with developmental disabilities riding attractions and enjoying themselves at Duriland in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province.

Im recently signed an MOU with Down Welfare Center after a chance encounter with people with developmental disabilities. Last month, as part of the agreement between Duriland and the center, he was also named an official ambassador.

"Until I met them, I couldn't tell the difference between Down syndrome and autism," Im said. "When I actually met them, I found them so much more innocent and pure. I realized I had been looking at them with prejudice."

He added that he simply wanted to give them the gift of laughter.

This is far from the first time Im has shown such generosity.

Duriland is a children's theme park Im built in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, in 1989 using his own money. The park initially charged 2,000 won per person, but after Im saw a young couple with two children turn away because they could not afford the 8,000-won admission for four, he kept the park free for many years.

His practice of giving apartments to employees also drew wide attention.

Im had promised to buy apartments for any employee who stayed for three years, and it became known that he followed through, gifting 26 employees with apartments of about 59 square meters each. Some of those employees are still living in the apartments they received.

Running Duriland for more than 30 years has left Im with mounting debt. He has said on multiple broadcasts that his accumulated liabilities from operating the park have reached about 19 billion won. He has also disclosed that monthly loan interest alone runs about 80 million won, with electricity bills adding another roughly 30 million won.

Asked why he keeps the park running despite the heavy debt, Im said: "Do you think I'm doing this to make money? I just want everyone who comes to Duriland to have a good time — that's all."

Born in 1949, Im made his debut in 1973 as a sixth-round talent recruit at MBC and went on to appear in beloved dramas including "Han Jibung Se Gajok," "Jeonwon Ilgi," "Apgujeong Baengya" and "Bitnara Eunsu."


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