The future is yours to create: Kim Dongje

Kim Dongje is a Korean bartender representing Singapore, who brought heart, heritage, and humility to the international stage at the 2024 Campari Red Hands Final in Milan. Drawing inspiration from Singapore’s kopitiam culture and backed by a strong team spirit, he delivered a performance rooted in identity, simplicity, and quiet strength.

A little bit about me

My name is Kim, and I’m the head bartender at The Backdrop in Singapore. It’s a fun story, originally, I studied hotel and tourism in university, planning to work somewhere quiet in Korea, maybe Jeju Island, with my girlfriend. But her parents encouraged us to experience more of the world, and that led us to Singapore. I’m still here and very grateful for that push, it changed everything.

I love that there’s always something new to learn. Honestly, I wasn’t someone who enjoyed studying back in school, I avoided books. But bartending sparked my curiosity. It’s not just about drinks, it’s reservations, hosting, kitchen coordination, office tasks, barback work, and more. This job constantly helps me grow across multiple skill sets.

I always start by asking “why?” it helps me see things from different perspectives.

What makes me happy is seeing my research or R&D efforts help my team makes me proud. If my work, even small things, can support someone else or improve service, it brings me real satisfaction.

What drives me? Curiosity and responsibility. I always start by asking “why?” it helps me see things from different perspectives. But beyond that, I feel a strong responsibility to share my experiences with my team and help them grow too.

How I approach my work

One of the most helpful pieces of advice I’ve received is, “If you want to improve, observe and copy.” I believe in learning by watching how others work, picking up their habits, and practicing by doing things myself. It’s a simple way to keep growing.

To feel like I’m moving forward in my career, continual learning is important. The more I know, the more confident I feel in what I do. Competitions are also a great way to reflect, challenge yourself, and meet new people, but they should always be fun. I enjoy sharing ideas and growing together with others. At the same time, I always remember that the most important thing is giving the best experience to our guests at The Backdrop.

When it comes to motivation at work, I’m not exactly sure what the best answer is. I try to follow the venue’s rules and SOPs as a basic guideline. Everyone brings their own style and background, so sometimes we need to give up a little and support each other to work well as a team. I try to set a good example for others, and I hope I’m doing that right.

I definitely believe that brands play an important role in supporting our industry. When brands and bars work closely together, both sides benefit, through sharing knowledge, growing exposure, and supporting each other.

My experience in Campari Red Hands 2024

Representing Singapore on an international stage was a big pressure. I’m Korean, but I was representing Singapore, and that dual identity wasn’t always easy. Still, it was something I felt proud and honored to carry.

At first, the pressure in Milan was intense. But the warm and supportive energy from the other contestants helped me relax. That shift in atmosphere let me enjoy the moment more, and I think that really helped me perform better.

There were many challenges throughout the competition, language barriers, jet lag, nerves, and the pressure of presenting on stage. But when I changed my mindset from trying to win to simply enjoying the experience, I felt more at ease. That’s when I did even better than I had in the earlier rounds.

For my competition cocktail, I drew inspiration from the role bars play in Italy, as open, social spaces, and compared it to kopitiams in Singapore, which serve a similar purpose. I created a Negroni using ingredients familiar in kopitiam culture to connect both worlds.

“I’ve learned that competitions aren’t about fighting, they’re about sharing, learning, and connecting.”

To bring in my local bar culture, I showed photos of Singapore kopitiams and focused on using simple, balanced ingredients instead of complex techniques. I wanted to share something honest and relatable with the judges.

One of the biggest takeaways from the other finalists was how everyone had their own style and energy. It made me reflect on who I am as a bartender and helped me grow in that way.

Looking back, what I’m most proud of is the teamwork. Our team at The Backdrop was still new when we entered the competition. We didn’t know each other very well at first, but we learned how to work together and play to each other’s strengths.

If I had one piece of advice for next year’s finalists, it would be: don’t drift too far from the classics. Campari has a deep history, especially with the Negroni. You can be creative with style, but don’t forget the beauty of simplicity and tradition.

This competition definitely changed how I see myself as a bartender. I’ve learned a lot about presenting, preparing, and staying calm under pressure. But most importantly, I’ve learned that competitions aren’t about fighting, they’re about sharing, learning, and connecting. I’ve made friendships I’ll keep for life.

What’s next for me? I’ll keep focusing on welcoming guests at The Backdrop, because that’s what I love. But I’ll also keep joining competitions to keep learning and share that experience with my team.