The story of psychiatrist Park Jong-seok, who lost 400 million KRW (approx. $300,000 USD) in stock investments and suffered severe depression, offers crucial lessons for investors in 2026. After hitting rock bottom, he found recovery through a friend's support and the power of long-term investing, ultimately seeing a forgotten account miraculously grow. This experience highlights a wise approach to investing and life's enduring values.
How Did Stock Investing Start, and What Was the Initial Temptation?
Dr. Park Jong-seok began his stock market journey in 2011, investing 30 million KRW (approx. $22,000 USD) in Samsung Electronics after obtaining his medical license. Confident in the success of the Galaxy S2, he achieved an impressive 80% return within just five months. This initial success fueled his confidence but also led him into the dangerous trap of 'beginner's luck.' Enjoying expensive meals with his profits, his ambition grew, leading him to open a line of credit and invest 85 million KRW (approx. $63,000 USD) in SK Innovation. At this point, he was euphoric from his investment wins. (Source: tvN D ENT)
What Were the Investment Failures and Unforeseen Market Crashes?
Dr. Park's confidence was shattered by unexpected external events. Just two days after his SK Innovation investment, the news of Chairman Kim Jong-il's death sent the stock market into turmoil, causing his investment to plummet. He recalls experiencing panic so intense that he couldn't even hold his mouse. Despite his belief in the stock's fundamental strength, further bad news struck in 2013 when the CEO of SK Innovation was arrested. This led to a 65% drop in the stock price, forcing him to sell with only 25 million KRW (approx. $18,500 USD) remaining from his initial 85 million KRW investment, resulting in a 60 million KRW (approx. $44,000 USD) loss. This experience left him deeply skeptical of the stock market, and he decided to focus on his medical career, moving to Andong and vowing to stay away from investing. His despair after losing 65% of his investment was palpable.
Cutting Ties with Stocks, and the Return of FOMO
To completely disconnect from the stock market, Dr. Park deleted all related news apps and immersed himself in his studies. However, in 2015, the SK Innovation stock he had sold began to surge dramatically. Watching the stock he sold at 70,000 KRW skyrocket filled him with intense regret and triggered FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). His anxiety became so overwhelming that it interfered with his medical practice. Eventually, with the support of those around him, he decided to dive back into studying the market.
400 Million KRW Loss and Severe Depression: A Friend's Lifeline
During the 2016 US presidential election, Dr. Park was convinced Hillary Clinton would win. He invested his entire retirement savings, totaling 400 million KRW (approx. $300,000 USD), into stocks related to alternative energy, healthcare, and solar power. However, Donald Trump's unexpected victory led to the delisting of several of his investments within months, creating a catastrophic situation. Out of his 400 million KRW investment, only 84 million KRW (approx. $62,000 USD) remained. The consecutive investment failures and massive losses plunged him into severe depression, leading to thoughts of extreme measures. The self-blame for his efforts being in vain, coupled with a terrifying return of panic attacks, made this an incredibly difficult period. His distress upon realizing the failure of his 'Hillary beneficiary' stock picks was immense. (Source: tvN D ENT) The deep depression caused by his stock market losses and his plea for help to a friend highlight his painful struggle. (Source: tvN D ENT)
A Miraculous Turnaround: A Forgotten Account's Recovery and a New Beginning
In his desperate state, Dr. Park called over 200 acquaintances at 3 AM, but only one friend, Noh Sik, called him back. With his friend's support, he began to find a path to recovery. He stayed with his friend for four months, receiving treatment and warm encouragement, which gradually helped him regain his health. Time passed, and when he finally checked a stock account he had completely forgotten about, an astonishing event had occurred. The account, which held 84 million KRW (approx. $62,000 USD), had grown to 250 million KRW (approx. $185,000 USD). His investments, left untouched for over a year, had finally borne fruit through long-term holding. This miraculous turnaround allowed him to buy a house and gave him renewed hope. His ability to purchase a home and find new hope thanks to the recovery of his forgotten account symbolizes a dramatic comeback. (Source: tvN D ENT)
Discover more investment experiences and recovery stories in the original article.
