Artist Repays Parents’ ₹23 Crore Debt Through Teaching Calligraphy for Over 13 Hours Daily

A 31-year-old calligrapher from Wuhan, China, has made headlines for using his artistic skills to repay his parents’ massive debt of 20 million yuan (₹23 crore) within seven years. Chen Zhao, who runs a successful calligraphy studio, began learning the traditional art form at the age of five, despite his parents’ initial doubts about its financial viability.

When it was time for Chen to choose a university major, his parents wanted him to pursue a business degree, but he followed his passion for calligraphy instead. After graduating in 2016, he opened his own calligraphy teaching studio, where his dedication and hard work paid off as student enrolment surged past 300.

In 2017, Chen had to return to China from France after his family’s factory closed down, leaving his parents with a staggering debt. Determined to support his family, he doubled the size of his studio, raised tuition fees, and expanded into online sales of calligraphy-related products. Despite concerns from friends about his exhaustion, Chen continued to work tirelessly, teaching calligraphy for over 13 hours daily.

By September last year, Chen successfully cleared his parents’ debt, proving the financial potential of calligraphy as a career. His parents, who once doubted the viability of his chosen path, now support his calligraphy business wholeheartedly. Chen’s story is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and the power of following one’s passion.