{"id":2262,"date":"2023-07-11T17:00:44","date_gmt":"2023-07-11T17:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/?p=2262"},"modified":"2023-07-11T17:00:46","modified_gmt":"2023-07-11T17:00:46","slug":"south-koreas-happiest-bar-owner-on-driving-his-local-cocktail-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/inspiration\/south-koreas-happiest-bar-owner-on-driving-his-local-cocktail-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea\u2019s happiest bar owner on driving his local cocktail industry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Terry Kim has built an empire of bar excellence in South Korea. He explains how happiness can inspire future generations as his local industry continues to grow \u2013 and how he ascended to the top of his game<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2018Happiness\u2019 is the word Terry Kim uses the most when talking about his career in hospitality. Approaching 40 years of age, he\u2019s been working as a bartender for almost two decades, pioneering the new craft cocktail scene in Seoul: \u201cI\u2019m happy to be part of the old school, we were the ones that started it. We are kind, but also the ones who can tell you off,\u201d he says, smiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kim was one of the first entrepreneurs to invest in Seoul\u2019s cocktail bar industry, and has piled up six successful ventures, spread all over South Korea: Alice, Get All Right (in Busan and Seoul), Jungle Book, Trala Bottle Club and Mood Seoul. His first ever venture was a Chinese restaurant which he opened when he was 22. While it wasn\u2019t a triumph, it did lead him to the career he finds himself in today: \u201cThe business failed. I had to go to school during the day and pay off my debts by earning money at night, so I became a bartender.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He majored in hotel and tourism management at the University of Suwon in Hwaseong, in South Korea\u2019s Gyeonggi Province. His choice in degree was in part encouraged by his employer at the time: \u201cWhen I graduated from high school and tried to choose a university major, the owner of the restaurant I worked at as a part-timer at the time recommended me to join a service business, because I laughed\u2026 and got along well with people \u2013 I agreed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&#8220;Eventually, I realised that I couldn&#8217;t do what I wanted to do unless I became an owner.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>He then went on to tend bars at high-end hotels, before realising that if he wanted to follow what he really wanted to do, he needed to take the next step: \u201cI thought I could organise the events that I wanted to if I became a manager, but the reality was different. Eventually, I realised that I couldn&#8217;t do what I wanted to do unless I became an owner.\u201d This is what led to Kim found the place he is perhaps best-known for: Alice, in the incomparably lively district of Gangnam, south of Han River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-id=\"2264\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 90vw, (max-width: 1440px) 80vw, 700px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Alice-bar-interior-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Alice-bar-interior-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Alice-bar-interior-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Alice-bar-interior-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Alice-bar-interior-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Alice-bar-interior-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Alice-bar-interior-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"618\" data-id=\"2265\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 90vw, (max-width: 1440px) 80vw, 700px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Alice-bar-exterior-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Alice-bar-exterior-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Alice-bar-exterior-1-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Alice-bar-exterior-1-768x475.jpg 768w\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Alice<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Building an empire<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAlice is actually hard to define,\u201d Kim admits. A staple in the continent\u2019s top-listed drinking spots, and inspired, as the name suggests, by the timeless 1865 Lewis Carroll novel, <em>Alice in Wonderland<\/em>, it is a former flower shop that hides a marvelous drinking lounge, reachable through a descending flight of stairs (just like the tale\u2019s rabbit hole). \u201cThe most important things in my life are experience and time. It is my philosophy to live once, without regret\u2026 I focus on how my thoughts live and breathe, not on the framework set by the world. I chose \u2018Alice\u2019 as a name that could seem a little childish, so that anyone could understand it was a friendly, easy space.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&#8220;Older generations could not understand hospitality, so it was harder to work in the business, as bartending was not socially well accepted. Today is much better.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Indeed, it\u2019s where, together with two business partners, he began his path with the idea that, \u201cwe can actually do whatever we want, and our guests can do the same\u201d. Sophisticated interiors are matched with a powerful drinks list, which is often updated with complex techniques ranging from the basic classics to the most advanced and sought-after flavours. The bar consists of a total of 10 team members (including Kim), who work side-by-side with also a manager, two head bartenders, two senior bartenders, three junior bartenders, and an intern. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A well-oiled machine, which, as is the same as for all Kim\u2019s venues, didn\u2019t require too deep of a recruitment process: \u201cWe don\u2019t ask employees for anything else but to bring their heart to the workplace. Technique is not relevant, as long as they are honest and believe in what they do.\u201d It\u2019s one of the most emblematic sentences when it comes to Kim\u2019s approach to entrepreneurship in the bar industry. It also reflects how he sees the evolution of the industry: \u201cOlder generations could not understand hospitality, so it was harder to work in the business, as bartending was not socially well accepted. Today is much better: financially it\u2019s more stable, and overall, I think it&#8217;s easy to be a bartender. The hard part is being a good one\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1049\" data-id=\"2293\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 90vw, (max-width: 1440px) 80vw, 700px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-08-50-74_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2293\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-08-50-74_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-08-50-74_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-300x291.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-08-50-74_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-1024x995.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-08-50-74_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-768x746.jpg 768w\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"734\" data-id=\"2292\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 90vw, (max-width: 1440px) 80vw, 700px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-09-05-92_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-09-05-92_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-09-05-92_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-09-05-92_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-1024x696.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-09-05-92_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-768x522.jpg 768w\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Mood Seoul<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Championing change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you find proper bartenders \u2013 or better yet, you train them like Kim does \u2013 the rest happens to be fairly attainable, mostly thanks to a mix of elements that make Korean hospitality so dynamic and lively (it\u2019s very easy to open a bar in Korea, as there\u2019s no need to have a licence). Before Kim\u2019s contribution, what the local industry was in need of was a progression in cocktail culture and perception, he explains: \u201cAt the time of opening Alice in 2014, Korean bar culture was not very social, and being a bartender did not give you any social opportunity. I knew there were a lot of good bartenders, and as a lover of Korean bars, I wanted to establish something iconic and traditional \u2013 I wanted to open a bar that could last 100, or 200 years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To do so, Kim knew he had to change the Korean cocktail culture. As most cocktails were consumed in club lounges, not cocktail bars, the first thing to do was to change the perception of where cocktails were physically consumed. So, Kim enlarged his hospitality vision by opening Get All Right, a live music club with a remarkable food and drink offering, in the port city of Busan, the second largest in Korea. It was then time for the jungle-themed Jungle Book to open on Jeju Island, \u201cin order to protect and showcase the nature of Jeju, Korea&#8217;s representative resort\u201d. The most recent openings are Tralla, with live performances at restaurants and bars, and Mood Seoul with the Seoul Metropolitan Government recreating an artificial island symbolising Seoul, which is where Kim spends most of my time now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&#8220;I wanted to establish something iconic and traditional \u2013 I wanted to open a bar that could last 100, or 200 years.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s quite a serious CV, that won\u2019t stop progressing: \u201cThere&#8217;s still a lot I want to try. I tend to challenge [myself] a lot. There were many cases where the challenge ended in failure, but I still feel the greatest happiness when I do something for someone and see that they are happy for it. And it\u2019s worth mentioning, in hospitality, if you make someone happy, you make more money.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"803\" data-id=\"2287\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 90vw, (max-width: 1440px) 80vw, 700px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-05-36-15_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2287\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-05-36-15_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-05-36-15_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-300x223.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-05-36-15_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-1024x761.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-05-36-15_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-768x571.jpg 768w\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1079\" data-id=\"2288\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 90vw, (max-width: 1440px) 80vw, 700px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-05-18-88_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-05-18-88_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-05-18-88_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-05-18-88_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-05-18-88_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-05-18-88_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-768x767.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-05-18-88_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-250x250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-05-18-88_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-05-18-88_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-05-18-88_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-800x800.jpg 800w\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Trala Bottle Club<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bright future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Through his contagious smile, optimism, and never-ending passion for showcasing quality drinks to influence local habits, Kim worked his way to the top of the Korean hospitality pyramid. His ascent peaks at an exciting time for the local bar industry: \u201cAfter the war, Korean industry grew rapidly in a short period. The cocktail scene has just begun in the same way, but it is growing faster than any other country: in the past 10 years, it shifted from being a bottle-spinning activity, to an extremely refined experience, involving food and drinks. We are renowned for the ability to handle work quickly and keep concentration on the job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kim describes it as the golden age for Korea\u2019s hospitality industry, with ever-improving awareness and a more fun, relaxed approach by professionals. \u201cStar chefs created a before-and-after, contributing to the industry to be exposed on numerous media. Now it\u2019s about working on this good wave: places surfing simple trends will easily appear and disappear; it is time to think about depth, little by little.\u201d The strong presence of food in Korean culture also helps, allowing bartenders to work with the same local ingredients as their kitchen counterparts. Kim describes sesame seeds and sesame oil as his favourites to work with, indicating watermelon as one of the most frequently asked for ingredients by local drinkers: \u201cThe scent and sweetness of watermelon in Korea are like a mixture of roses and melons.\u201d Sikhye, a Korean traditional sweet rice drink, is very popular too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"767\" data-id=\"2289\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 90vw, (max-width: 1440px) 80vw, 700px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-08-00-21_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-08-00-21_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-08-00-21_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-08-00-21_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-1024x727.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-08-00-21_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-768x545.jpg 768w\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1294\" data-id=\"2290\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 90vw, (max-width: 1440px) 80vw, 700px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-07-43-32_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-07-43-32_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-07-43-32_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-250x300.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-07-43-32_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-855x1024.jpg 855w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-07-43-32_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-768x920.jpg 768w\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1318\" data-id=\"2291\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 90vw, (max-width: 1440px) 80vw, 700px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-07-11-18_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-07-11-18_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-07-11-18_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-246x300.jpg 246w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-07-11-18_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-839x1024.jpg 839w, https:\/\/www.campariacademy.com\/en-ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2023-07-04-18-07-11-18_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9-768x937.jpg 768w\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Jungle Book<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pushing boundaries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From being a university student paying back his loans, to holding the top spot among industry leaders, Kim\u2019s recipe for success is testimony to the importance of having a well-mannered and positive approach to the bar business. This is what he shares with the younger generations: \u201cBe honest and love yourself, so you can love others. When you are happy, you can make other people happy, and that\u2019s the key for a healthy hospitality enterprise. And remember that being a mentor is about understanding: to be a good one, I have to protect my team, talk to them, spend time with them, understand what everyone needs. I push for the market to grow, because sharing it makes it stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s the future for the Korean hospitality industry, then? \u201cIt\u2019s like a train without windows. It&#8217;s hard for me to know where the destination is now, because it\u2019s not easy to measure the success of it: it\u2019s about happiness, not numbers. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to know the consequences of my efforts.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The forecast is positive for Korean bartenders, though a bit of a boost is needed for local craftmanship to be finally recognised everywhere else, as it deserves. And it should not come from the inside, necessarily, reflects Kim: \u201cIn order for Korean bartenders to become more known abroad, Korean government must accept cocktails as a food and beverage category and provide support. This way, various collaborations with Korea&#8217;s traditional culture will be possible and there will be many wonderful things that cannot be achieved individually.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Carlo Carnevale<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Terry Kim has built an empire of bar excellence in South Korea. He explains how happiness can inspire future generations as his local industry continues to grow \u2013 and how he ascended to the top of his game \u2018Happiness\u2019 is the word Terry Kim uses the most when talking about his career in hospitality. Approaching [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":2263,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,27],"tags":[],"theme":[94],"class_list":["post-2262","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inspiration","category-trends"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>South Korea\u2019s happiest bar owner on driving his local cocktail industry - Campari Academy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Terry Kim, owner of seven venues all across South Korea, shares his insight on local bartending community. His secret? 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