Hyun-Ae Lee
Managing Director; Aju Incentive Tours; Seoul
What are some unique ways to incorporate Korean culture into agendas?
There are so many ways to incorporate Korean culture into incentive programs. For example, we can organize an on-site performance of Nanta (a popular stage show where performers use kitchen utensils to replicate the rhythms of Korean music). A popular request is having groups welcomed at Incheon International Airport by ladies or children wearing Hanbok (traditional Korean dress). We get a lot of requests for traditional programs and keep a price list of activities ranging from cooking classes to kimchi-making to traditional arts and crafts, so planners can easily incorporate cultural programs into their budgets.
Can you include noraebang (karaoke) in programs?
We frequently get requests for noraebang. We can either create a karaoke setup on-site, or we can take a group on our popular nightclub tour. Along those lines, with the growing interest in Korean culture, we are receiving a lot of requests for K-Pop (Korean popular music) performances, which we can also arrange.
What are some of your favorite venues for events?
There are so many great venues in Seoul. Right now, we’re seeing a lot of interest in the new Marina Club, which opened along the Han River last year as part of the Miracle on the Han River development. This all-glass building has amazing views of the river and banquet capabilities of up to 200 guests. Also, it is a working marina so yacht rentals are available.
Which areas in Seoul do you recommend for meeting attendees?
One of my favorites in the area is around Hongik University, where there are many cafes, clubs, restaurants and small performance halls especially designed for underground musicians. The area has a great flea market where university art students come display and sell their works on the weekends. I also like the Bukchon Traditional Village near Insadong. This is a favorite for visitors because these are original, traditional Korean houses and not replicas. People can explore this street on foot and browse museums and galleries that are all in traditional style.