Journey of attachment
Jun first came to Vietnam in 2009, when his father, an architect, came to Vietnam to work. Since then, he has spent his youth in this country, studying grades 11 and 12 in Phu My Hung (District 7). After graduating from high school, Jun returned to Korea to join the army for 2 years. Then, Jun returned to Vietnam to study international business at RMIT University until 2018 when he graduated. Those years left him with a deep affection for the people and culture here.
Mr. Jun is very friendly, speaks Vietnamese well and enjoys chatting with customers. PHOTO: KIM NGOC NGHIEN
Mr. Jun said that after graduating from university, he returned to Korea to work at a company as a real estate project manager. "The job brought him a stable income of more than 100 million VND/month, along with a team of more than 10 employees under his command. However, despite having a dream career, Mr. Jun gradually felt unhappy," Mr. Jun said.
“Korean culture is a bit different, the work pressure is high, and communicating with strangers is difficult. I don’t feel happy,” Jun shared.
After 6 years of working in Korea, with a regular schedule from 8:30 to 6:30 pm, sometimes extended due to overtime, Jun started thinking about changing his life. He spent 6 months considering before submitting his resignation. The reason was not simply boredom with the repetitive office work, but also nostalgia for Vietnam, where he felt more comfortable and familiar.
Mr. Jun when he was working in Korea. PHOTO: NVCC
The decision to choose Vietnam over another country came from personal attachment and the belief that this was the right place for him to start over. "Although I have traveled to many countries such as Australia, Thailand, Malaysia... Vietnam is still a special destination in my heart," Jun confided.
Starting a Korean BBQ Restaurant
In March 2024, Jun officially quit his job and returned to Vietnam. With the accumulated capital, he started to open a Korean barbecue restaurant in Go Vap district (HCMC). Jun wants customers sitting at the dining table to feel a friendly family meal, combining Korean culture and the closeness of Vietnam.
“When I was in Vietnam, I got to try many delicious dishes such as vermicelli with fermented shrimp paste, vermicelli with grilled pork... I want to introduce Korean cuisine to Vietnamese people, to thank them for letting me experience wonderful dishes in the past,” said Mr. Jun.
Mr. Jun said he likes his current life, even though it is hard and his income is lower. PHOTO: KIM NGOC NGHIEN
Jun's start-up process was not easy, from finding a location, repairing the shop with his father, to personally going to the market to buy ingredients, washing dishes, serving customers... Jun personally wrote the wifi sign in Vietnamese, decorated the shop with dolls wearing traditional hanbok costumes and went to the market to buy vegetables...
Initially, the shop only had 5-6 employees, but now it has increased to more than 10. He still keeps the habit of going to Pham Van Hai market every morning at 8:30 to buy vegetables, even learning how to bargain, a skill Jun admits is "difficult in Korea but interesting in Vietnam".
The restaurant's menu has a strong Korean flavor, but is adjusted to suit Vietnamese tastes. "Kimchi soup in Korea is usually eaten with rice and meat, but Vietnamese people like to eat the soup last. I have to reduce the spiciness and saltiness to make it more comfortable for customers," Jun explained. This sophistication has helped the restaurant gradually attract customers, from a few dozen people per day to the current 100 - 150 customers.
Although working at the shop lasts from 8am to 2am the next morning, much longer than the 9 hours he worked in Korea, Jun still feels happy. “I control my time, meet new friends every day, talk to customers, and get to know Vietnamese culture. That makes me happy,” Jun shared.
However, the journey has not been without its difficulties. Won Jun admits that he thought he understood Vietnamese culture, but actually doing business was a different challenge. “I used to think that I was 50% Vietnamese in my heart, but there was still a lot to learn about the culture,” Jun said. However, he gradually adapted and found joy in the little things, such as the bustling atmosphere at Vietnamese markets or the friendliness of customers.
When asked about his message for young people who want to give up a stable job to start a business, Mr. Jun said: “Prepare carefully, learn about culture and understand what customers want. Don’t do it just because of passion without thinking. Take care of your employees first, then yourself. That is the way to succeed.”
Jun said life may be busier and his income may be lower in Korea, but the smile on his face is the clearest proof of his right choice. For Jun, happiness does not lie in income, but in the feeling of freedom and connection with the people he loves.
Mr. Trinh Viet Long (46 years old), working at 18C Phan Van Tri, Ward 10, Go Vap District (HCMC), is the person who accompanied Mr. Jun on his journey to start a restaurant. Having met Mr. Jun since grade 11, Mr. Long commented that Jun is emotional, has a strong will, and dares to give up an income of more than 100 million VND in Korea to come to Vietnam to start a business.
“Jun is passionate about food and is attracted by the friendliness of Vietnamese people. Jun learned to cook Korean food for 6 months before coming to Vietnam to open a restaurant,” Long shared.
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