Kim Byeong-hyun Reveals Closure of His Burger Shop
Reported by Kim Na-yeon, Star News
Photo credit: KBS 2TV "The Boss's Ears Are Donkeys"
Former baseball player and broadcaster Kim Byeong-hyun has announced the closure of his burger shop.
On the episode of KBS 2TV's "The Boss's Ears Are Donkeys" aired on the 5th, Kim Byeong-hyun shared his recent activities. He stated, “I've been busy traveling between Gwangju, Changwon, and Seoul, checking on my shop, and even going to Jeju for lectures. Since I made my mark in the baseball world, I’ve been giving success story talks. However, it seems I’m still not quite there in the business realm.”
During the segment, he visited the Gangnam Health Center, where Chef Jeong Ho-young asked him, “Is that what you’re dealing with?” He replied, “I’ve been running the burger shop for three years and worked hard, but I’ve decided to close it. I came to the health center to explore the closure process.”
He continued, “After holding on for a while, it was time to extend the lease, but with rising prices, it became difficult to manage the monthly rent. Since Chef Jeong is more experienced in closures, I sought his help.” His expression turned somber as he spoke.
Kim Byeong-hyun reflected, “When sales were good, my daily revenue was around 2 million won, but recently it has dropped below 1 million won. Things have become tougher than during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the three years, I incurred about 200 million won in losses. I’ve been covering those losses through my broadcasting income and personal funds. My wife says I shouldn’t run a business again. I also want to succeed in the food industry.”
A representative from the health center commented, “From the number of closures we’re witnessing, it seems to be higher than during COVID-19. Given that it's Gangnam, there are unique regional characteristics, so while the closure rate is high, the opening rate is also significant. However, there have even been cases of shops closing within three months.” They added, “Successful businesses thrive, while those that struggle tend to continue struggling.”
Moreover, Kim Byeong-hyun revealed that he has signed a contract for a new shop in Yangjae. In response, host Jeon Hyun-moo joked, “We might have to whip you into shape.” Kim responded, “After three years in business, I’ve realized that I couldn’t meet the expectations of my customers. It’s incredibly challenging. In baseball, I only had to focus on my performance, but in the restaurant business, I failed to create a place where customers would want to return, due to factors from pricing to taste. That’s my fault.”