"One Free Ride for Every Soldier"... Suseong Parkland in Daegu Shines Until Midnight, Fueled by the Deep Warmth of Its 80-Year-Old Founder and 65-Year-Old CEO

365 Days of Warmth Spinning Beyond Time
A Place Where Human Touch Outshines the Thrill of Machines
Generous “Spontaneous Free Ride” Events

From 10 a.m. to midnight, 365 days a year, the clock at Suseong Parkland in Daegu has not stopped even for a single day over the past 30 years.

Although the official closing time is 8 p.m., if customers arrive, they gladly keep the lights on and leave the amusement park gates open until midnight.

While it may not have the grandeur of a flashy, large-scale theme park, this place is filled with something much richer and warmer: the unmistakable human touch.

Chairman Jae-bok Hwang (82), founder and employee of Suseong Parkland who is well over 80 years old, and current CEO Ki-young Park (65). Photo by Daeok Choi

After construction began in 1989, Suseong Parkland finalized its site, received approval and authorization in 1992, and began operating on July 23, 1993 (with some facilities opening on August 16). The founder, who also served as the first CEO of the former Suseongland, now runs Suseong Parkland as a completely independent company, separated from the current Suseongland by nothing more than a simple low fence, steadfastly maintaining this spot.

At the center of this long history is Chairman Jaebok Hwang (82), the founder and an employee, who is now well over 80 years old.

For more than 30 years, he has manned the ticket booth and personally operated as many as six amusement rides.

By his side is his wife, whose care has been a constant presence at the balloon-popping game zone throughout the years.

Even the peaceful scene of her dozing off in front of the ticket booth when there are no customers is a cherished moment that feels like a page from daily life here.

The wife, who has been maintaining the balloon-popping game zone for over 30 years next to Chairman Jae-bok Hwang, is dozing off during a quiet moment with no customers. Photo by Choi Daeok

The other pillar keeping this place going is the current CEO, Kiyoung Park (65).

Now nearing the age of 70, he began as a close acquaintance, and has become both a life partner and the only coworker, working together with Chairman Hwang to shape the rest of their lives.

Because of the realities of paying various taxes and fixed maintenance costs, it is not easy to hire staff full-time.

Especially in the middle of hot summer days, there are often no customers at all, and only a few visit even in the evenings. Except for rare occasions when family members or day laborers help during busy times, most days the two of them personally keep things running.

But as the weather cools, more customers come in the evening, and around May and during mild seasons, they enter the busiest time of the year with crowds flocking in.

What truly moves visitors to Suseong Parkland is not mechanical thrills, but the generosity of these two owners and their heartfelt, spontaneous events.

It is an ironclad rule that soldiers fulfilling their national service can always ride for free at least once, and teenagers or young adults who are polite and communicate well are frequently rewarded on the spot with discounts or at least one free ride.

The kindness does not stop there.

Hwang Jaebok, the sole employee and chairman of Suseong Parkland, and Park Kiyoung, the CEO, are explaining safety rules and discount events to customers on the night of the 9th. Photo by Choi Daeok

For example, the racing car attraction originally costs 6,000 won for three laps per person, but during quiet times, they may let a customer in their twenties ride as many as 10 times for just 10,000 won—a generous offer that stands out.

There is even a small touch of romance, as when a man comes alone, they often suggest, “It’s okay,” and gently offer him the chance to be paired and ride together with a female guest.

In fact, one regular in his 20s shared heartfelt sentiments, saying, “What deeply impresses me about this place is the warmth you feel from the older generation—something you simply can’t find at other amusement parks in other regions.”

On freezing winter days below zero, there were times when soldiers held their own Viking ride ‘rock-paper-scissors’ punishment games, shivering in their underwear from the cold.

At first, both Jaebok Hwang and Kiyoung Park were astounded and tried to stop them, but over time it became a unique tradition and a special memory just among the soldiers.

Even as they carried out their forfeits, the sight of those young men smiling brightly has now become the greatest balm and invigorating reward for the two owners.

CEO Ki Young Park is engaging in conversation with guests with a witty charm. Photo by Choi Daeok

Chairman Jaebok Hwang and CEO Kiyoung Park say, “When the children who once toddled in here holding their parents’ hands grow up to be fine adults and greet us warmly now and then, we feel the full meaning of having built this amusement park,” with a gentle smile.

However, they also have some regrets and a fervent wish. In the past, there were farmlands nearby, so tractors and all sorts of vehicles could freely pass in both directions. Now, though, the opposite entry road is blocked, causing significant inconvenience for visitors coming here.

Because of this, each visit brings renewed frustration, and complaints are ceaselessly being raised.

From 10 a.m. to midnight, with rides operating every single day of the year, the undying passion of an 80-something founder and a CEO on the verge of 70, their warmth that transcends generations, and their heartfelt hope that more people might come and enjoy this place are all carried round and round on the rides, which keep spinning energetically, even today.

Photo by Choi Daeok

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.