Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Goku]

I've been thinking of maybe starting a finishing school in Korea... When I get married and have the money to start it up (a long long long term thought). I mean, there are so many hagwons that emphasize education but a lot that lack some of the most important aspects of sucess, social aptitiude.

For those who aren't familiar with what a finishing school is, it's a school for manners, etiquette, the arts... or more generally a charm school. These schools are also well known for growing diplomants or government officals.

Now, I know most Korean parents emphasize education. But I wonder if a finishing school would appeal to them? Most parents want their kids to become professionals, but how about acting like one?

What do you guys think given your impression generally of Korean Culture. Do you think there would be any market demand?

EDIT: To clarify I'm aware of traditional Korean finishing schools. I was thinking more of a more contemporary western/eastern fusion mix.... more leaning on Western etiquette.

[Juregen]

I was actually thinking the same.

But, It is not because we think they need better manners that they are going to pay you to teach them .... :

[Skippy]

Actually, it might do good depending on where you set the school up ie Gangnam, Seoul. I do remember seeing an article in one of the English Korean papers about one of the nice hotels - Hyatt, Marriot, ??? doing a manners class where they taught the kids about proper fork usage, table set up, etc. The articles said they class was popular. Maybe "Real Reality" can find the article?

[SeoulFinn]

I think that's a good idea. Besides table manners official situations, there are so many things you could teach in a school like that. For example, one class room could have a fake door, a fake elevator and a fake service counter in it. I don't think I've to draw you a picture for you how to utilize these things, right?

Anyway, why only limit your repertoire to Western manners? People who are about to move to Muslim countries, India, Scandinavia (travel, work, international marriage etc.) might be interested in knowing beforehand what to do and what not to do. I'd think that students of different cultures must be interested to learn how to behave in the countries they are studying about.

[Goku]

[frankly speaking]

I think that your figure of 10 million is a little low. I think that you might need a minimum of 100 million won to start any school worth starting. You might spend at least 5 million just on advertising.

I think that your idea is sound and would have some appeal but I don't think that children should be your target.

How often does a kid entertain guests? I think that you would be teaching them things that they wouldn't be able to relate to or utilize for many years. Teaching out of context would not be the approach that I would take.

First, I would spend a few years building up some credentials. You might want to start by renting out a lecture hall or meeting hall somewhere and do small one day workshops. Western Interview Techniques, and Resume writing. You would need to self promote and advertise.

Starting a school without a reputation would be a mistake.

I do wish you good luck but I don't think that you have fully thought out a business plan yet. Don't bite off more than you can chew. A good idea is only the start of a good business. You need to do a lot of research on how to start a business and if you have never run a business before, you are in a world of trouble. You are not in a country that you are native too, so that means that you might need others to do simple things for you and you will have to trust that their advice is good. You might loose more than everything.

Take your time with this. Also going into business with your wife isn't always the best thing for a marriage. You will have normal troubles as all married couples do. You don't want to go and add economic and business difficulties on top of that.

Good luck overall

[Skippy]

Here is the articles I mentioned - took the 10 seconds to google for it


http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2886631