Transforming from a successful businessman to a champion of giving
"Today, walking together hand in hand is a blessing. The more we share love, the warmer our lives become," says Choi Se-kyu, chairman of the Korea Talent Donation Association. His day begins early, sending 40-character 'SNS postcards' to over 9,700 members without fail, and sending out brief text messages every Saturday at 2 p.m. He values connections with people and has made sharing a part of his daily life.
Choi shifted his life direction from a businessman with annual sales of 10 billion won to a philanthropist. After his business grew, he realized, "I didn’t achieve this alone; I received help from many people, so it’s time to give back to society." He has been actively involved in talent donation and volunteer work for the past 15 years.
The Korea Talent Donation Association, which he founded, started with just 30 members but has now grown to nearly 10,000 participants. Choi emphasizes not just monetary donations but also sharing individual experiences and skills through 'talent donation.' He believes, "What I have may be small, but when combined with the talents of many, we can create a bigger picture."
Diverse talents contribute to community support
His organization has engaged in various activities, including free weddings for the disabled and multicultural families, free meals for the elderly living alone, donations to nursing homes and orphanages, performances for prisons and military bases, support for single mothers, and assistance in rural areas. Members, including dentists, traditional musicians, photographers, and caregivers, connect their skills to those in need.
Choi describes talent donation as simple acts of kindness. Helping an elderly person with a shoulder massage, washing dishes, or picking up litter can all be valuable contributions. Ultimately, he believes the key is not having special abilities but rather a "willingness to share" and taking action.
His commitment to giving extends into his daily life. He has not raised rent for his tenants for over 20 years and has supported free entrepreneurship lectures and market access for small businesses. "Seeing my tenants save money to move to better homes makes me happier," he says, reflecting the joy he finds in sharing.
Choi aims to spread the concept of talent donation to more people. His aspiration is modest: to be remembered as a "good neighbor" by others. He continues to connect people in his own way, walking his 'My Way' path to create a warmer world through small acts of sharing.
74th Love Sharing Ceremony held in Hwasun, Jeollanam-do
On August 21, Choi traveled to Hwasun, Jeollanam-do, to hold the 74th Love Sharing Ceremony.
The event, co-hosted by the Jeonnam-Gwangju Cultural and Artistic Federation and Jeonnam Broadcasting, with support from Aksan Black Goat, took place at the Hwasun County Office (Mayor Lim Ji-rak). It featured the 'Elderly Love Sharing Concert and Gift Presentation.'
As part of the event, the 'Hwasun Citizens' Concert' was held at the Hwasun Flower River Fountain, where Korea Talent Donation Association ambassador and singer Koo Jae-young, along with singer Ban Geum-chae, performed, providing joy and inspiration to local seniors and residents.
This event was particularly meaningful as it combined talent donation through music with warm sharing, fostering a sense of community spirit.
Attendees included Lee Wan-guk, chairman of Shambhala CC, Yoon Jong-cheol, CEO of Utrax, Song Jong-chae, chairman of SM, Yang Hwa-cheol, chairman of Aksan, Lee Gi-sik, CEO of Hyosung ENG, Yoo Jeong-yeol, CEO of Hightech Yuil, Song Myeong-ui, chairman of Whale Food, Kim Dong-o, CEO of Dong-o Construction, Kim Han-byeol, CEO of Philip Construction, Choi Jong-jin of Yangja River, Lee Jeong-ok, CEO of Durigaon, Yang Yu-gyeong, CEO of Datastep, Ko Jeong-yong, CEO of Eisen Pharma Korea, Kim Hye-jeong, CEO of Neokim, and Choi Gyu-hyung, CEO of Daeil E&P, who all contributed donations. Additionally, Kim Young-ki, chairman of Kuuku, and Hwang Eun-joo, president of Yonsei University FCEO Alumni Association, donated rice, while Kim Jeong-an, chairman of Hope Sharing People, provided bathroom supplies, and Kim Sang-hee, chairman of the Health Food Research Institute, donated health supplements, among other contributions.
The organization aims to support socially marginalized groups through talent donation, including free weddings for disabled couples, performances for military and prison visits, support for multicultural families, concerts for helping youth heads of households, startup consulting, free moving services, and rural volunteer activities.
The following is a list of sponsors and attendees at the event.
▶Kim Joo-hyun ▶Im Seong-suk, CEO of Cheonil Construction Machinery ▶Song Soon-hee, team leader at Samsung Life Mokdong Branch ▶Heo Ye-hwa ▶Jeong Gu-min, poet ▶Hwang Cheong-seong, honorary branch manager of Kyobo Life ▶Choi Yoon-hee, CEO of Momstar ▶Han Jang-hyun, CEO of Y&N Construction ▶Choi Hae-yeon, poet ▶Choi Jeong-myeong ▶Hong Eun-soon, advisor to the Korea Talent Donation Association ▶Park Kyung-seop, president of the Korea Festival Culture and Arts Journalists Association ▶Jeong Yu-joo, president of the Korea Festival Culture and Arts Journalists Association Poetry Recital ▶Kim Young-hee, head of publicity for the Korea Festival Culture and Arts Journalists Association ▶Kim Jong-baek, representative of the Folk Music Group Cheonbudang ▶Baek Hyun-ok, chairperson of the Gwangju Nam-gu Scholarship Foundation ▶Kim Byeong-guk, head of the Saemangeum Arts Group ▶Lee Jin-chang, publisher of Franchise World ▶Sim Woo-yong ▶Jo Dong-min, former president of the Korea Franchise Association ▶Kim Choo-bong, CEO of Iben ▶Seo Dae-won, CEO of PAG Group ▶Yang Chang-sik, manager of Lotte Castle Signature in Central Park ▶Kim Chae-yeon, president of the Gwangju Art Model Association ▶Talent and Creative Golf members.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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