Joe McPhearson, the creator of Zen Kimchi is joining me on tonight's podcast. He has owned and run overseas businesses, including two restaurants and an award-winning tour company. He has hosted, produced, and directed TV and radio, designed websites, led marketing campaigns, and written for multiple publications. He has traveled globally for speaking engagements and even received personal coaching from TED's Chris Anderson.

These experiences have converted this natural introvert into a person comfortable with audiences and energizing teams.

As founder of ZenKimchi International, he promotes Korean food worldwide through food tours, events, education, communications, and consulting.

He runs ZenKimchi.com, the longest running Korean food blog. He has written for publications, including
- The Wall Street Journal
- Roads & Kingdoms
- Plate
- Vogue Korea
- Newsweek Korea
- Groove Magazine (Dining Editor)
- 10 Magazine (Dining Editor)

His media consultation achievements include
- CNN's "Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain"
- National Geographic Channel's "Chef on the Road" (on-camera appearance)
- The Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern"
- UK Lifestyle FOOD's "Discovering Korean Food with Gizzi" (on-camera appearance)
- PBS documentary "The Kimchi Chronicles"
- Australian TV's "Far Flung with Gary Mehigan" (on-camera appearance)
- British TV program "John Torode's Korean Food Tour" (on-camera appearance)
- Documentary "Savouring Korea" (on-camera appearance)
- Conde Nast Traveler
- Lonely Planet
- The New York Times
- The Washington Post
- The Los Angeles Times
- Apple Media (Hong Kong)
- Public Radio International
- Monocle


As to myself.
I am an Expat with close to a decade and a half of ESL experience. I operate a private language school franchise in the city of Ulsan, South Korea and know a thing or two about starting and operating an ESL business in South Korea. In this podcast I share some of my ideas and knowledge with a wider audience and also hope to learn new things along the way. I hope to provide our viewers with insights on how to start a Hagwon in South Korea, discuss some pitfalls and success stories, and bring an overall awareness to the beginning and running of innovative companies.

Teaching English in Korea comes with a lot of challenges for both the teachers and owners. In discussions with our guests I try to cover as many topics related to Hagwon Startups and teaching English in Korea as well as globally as our combined experience of this field allows.

As the Living Korea channel matures, and the Hagwon Startup Podcast chugs along, my goal is to include more episodes, in which I get to talk to interesting people doing exciting things in South Korea, outside of their regular teaching professions.

Do expect the unexpected though, as we do not shy away from off-
topic conversation.


 Check out Zen Kimchi online:

https://zenkimchi.com/

Making travel plans to South Korea? Visit:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/korea...

If you are interested in starting your own English School Franchise in South Korea, Contact me directly through either our ShaneEnglishKorea facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/shaneschools...

Or the facebook page for the Living Korea channel:

https://www.facebook.com/livinkorea/

Support the Living Korea channel on Patreon.
https://www.patreon.com/livingkorea