Hey y’all! Today was packed with company visits, adrenaline rushes, and some of the best food (and dessert) I’ve had so far in Korea. We started with a site visit to Fredit, the company behind the famous Yakult probiotic drinks. I always saw Yakult as just a grocery store item, but learning that there are over 11,000 “Yogurt Ladies” across South Korea (who actually outsell markets!) completely changed my perspective. It was a great example of how cultural trust and personal relationships drive business in ways that are very different from the U.S., where retail is usually more detached and transactional.
Next, we visited TK Elevator, where we got to see the behind-the-scenes of how elevators are produced and installed. One of the coolest parts was learning about their employee benefits, such as access to a virtual golf simulator and ping pong tables. These kinds of wellness perks seem to reflect a growing emphasis in Korean companies on mental health and work-life balance, which aligns with global shifts in workplace culture. The drop test, though, stole the show. It was only a few seconds long, but it felt like being on one of those free-fall water slides. It was terrifying in the moment but so fun in hindsight!
After all the site visits, Matt, Ethan, and I headed to downtown Gangnam for Korean BBQ. The lamb and chicken were next level. It’s easily in the running for best meal so far! Downtown Gangnam had similar vibes to Myeongdong but was more relaxed and less touristy. We checked out a gaming café, played Fortnite, and then hit up one of those claw machine arcades (definitely rigged, by the way). We ended the night with a light and fluffy milk crepe cake from a dessert shop, followed by a scenic 15-minute walk back to the hotel.
Today reminded me that professionalism and play don’t have to be separate. Korean companies are finding innovative ways to make work more human, whether through community-based sales or employee wellness programs. That balance is something I’ll take with me as I continue to explore global business environments.
