Three hours of sleep a night, overseas factory groundbreaking ceremonies, and a maximum annual revenue of 6 billion Korean won. That is the reality Son Ji-chang manages away from the cameras, following his peak as a 1990s youth star.
Building a Seongsu-dong Enterprise
Headquartered in Seoul’s bustling Seongsu-dong district, Son’s specialized firm has grown. The enterprise handles everything from corporate year-end parties and lectures to major concerts, award ceremonies, and groundbreaking ceremonies for overseas factories.
The scope of the business spans far beyond simple domestic gatherings. Operations stretch into overseas events, scaling the company’s maximum annual revenue to that notable 6 billion won mark.
Behind the Glamour of Corporate MICE Operations
The core of Son’s work falls squarely within the demanding MICE sector—meetings, incentive travel, conventions, exhibitions, and events. For Son, the motivation behind the grueling schedule stems from a desire to craft lasting impressions. I often thought about how to create memorable experiences that would stay in customers’ minds,
he explained on the broadcast.
Yet, maintaining those standards demands punishing sacrifices. Son recounted that his grueling three-hour sleep schedule during international business trips once moved Kim Min-jong to tears. Why are you doing this, hyung?
Kim asked upon witnessing the exhausting routine.
Checking Celebrity Pride at the Venue Door
Transitioning from a 1990s youth star to an event boss meant shedding ego entirely. Son admitted that the job frequently required him to set aside his pride.
On-site execution often meant stepping into the trenches himself. Son noted that he frequently took the microphone to host events directly, rolling up his sleeves to handle minute operational tasks that kept the company running.