| It could be for his dream or for his son or for his family name.
But Park says "it is for Baduk". He wants to take
part in making Baduk the most popular leisure field
by providing Baduk fans diverse Baduk channels. He
would like to see Korean baduk not only the strongest
in skills but also the most successful in commercial
market.
That is how he could help his son, Park YoungHoon 5 dan.
Following is an interview with him.
When did you start preparing for the launch of the Baduk channel?
The actual preparation has begun since September 2003.
But the idea, feasibility studies, and etc started much
earlier.
What are the main programs so far?
Mostly baduk study programs such as "Life & death",
"Fuseki" and so on. "Born in the year of monkey" which
is the handicap game program for the new year's day
special received lots of attention. Thesedays, "Today's
big match" (weekly highlight) is beginning to get
popular.
"Baduk class for the beginner and intermediate learners"
is being planned. And also "Young professionals
and top amateurs" will be broadcast within this
month. From March, 50% of our programs will be of our
production. There are a lot of innovative ideas. For
instance, viewers can participate by producing their
own programs of 5~10 minute length. We are planning
to learn from the successful programs of Baduk TV (the
existing station) and compliment less successful ones.
What was the motivation to launch a new Baduk TV channel?
I wanted to offer an optional Baduk TV station for Baduk
lovers. Positive competition between the existing Baduk
TV and our Baduk Channel will contribute to better
quality programs for the viewers. Personally, I felt
moral obligation to my son Park YoungHoon who was put
into Baduk profession not by his choice but his parents'
I thought it is my duty to make Baduk more proliferated
in every respect including in TV. I will do my best to
make good programs for baduk fans.
The existing Baduk TV has been solidly established with the good size of viewers. Do you expect difficulties in getting started?
Among 11 million households of cable tv subscribers, 5.5
million households have not included Baduk TV as one
of their stations. So there is still a big potential
market. The competition between the 2 stations will
be better for viewers and also for the stations. One
thing very certain is that the basis for Baduk market
will expand. Korea recently initiated 5-working day
system for public offices. It will spread quickly into
private sectors. Then people will have 2 days of weekend
holidays which will lead to more development in leisure
industries. Baduk will be more popularized as part of
the process. I wish Baduk Channel could play a role in
the popularization of Baduk.
Do you think your channel will be a competition to Sky satellite baduk station?
The satellite tv stations are not in the same market.
For the time being Baduk TV will be our main competitor.
Do you have plans to merge with other stations in the future?
Yes. We are planning to merge with Human TV, Leisure TV
and other local cable Tvs.
Please comment on Park YoungHoon's defeat at the final of Samsung cup.
Losing Samsung cup was difficult for him and also for me.
When Cho ChiKun was YoungHoon's age, he lost against
Sakada Eio by 2:3 at the Nihon Kiin championship after
taking lead by 2:0. Cho ChiKun comforted YoungHoon
sincerely after the game. May be Cho ChiKun remembered
his painful experience.
I think that defeat will be a good lesson for YoungHoon
to become a good professional player. He has been in
slump after Samsung cup. I would like to see him recover
from that quickly.
What is your vision about the future of Baduk Channel?
I would like to make diverse programs to satisfy baduk
fans across age range. Baduk no longer is monopolized by
people in 50s and 60s. There are young people and also
people in their 30s and 40s. So I will make an effort to
see the preferences of various groups and make suitable
programs.
Park KwangHo
- born 1953
- 1979 started his career as a TV journalist
Worked for KBS, and SBS for 25 years.
- 2004 established the 2nd Baduk cable TV
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