Creating a Global Brand in South Korea
Did you know there are so many ways to grow your career with The Walt Disney Company on a global scale? All around the world, Disney employees are making the magic happen and using their expertise to bring stories to life.
Meet Kay, Seung, and Soonyon, employees in South Korea working in various roles by contributing diverse ideas everyday.
Tell us about your role at Disney. What makes you passionate about your field?
Kay: I currently serve as the Director of Public Policy, overseeing government affairs at Disney's South Korea office. In this role, I'm tasked with a range of responsibilities, including closely tracking and analyzing emerging regulations, fostering collaboration with government agencies, and effectively communicating Disney's perspectives and vision to key stakeholders in the public sector. It's a challenging yet deeply rewarding mission that fuels my passion for this work.
Seung: I work on the regional APAC Publicity Team and oversee Marketing, supporting and maximizing awareness of our local Disney+ titles produced in the APAC region. Our team works closely with local teams to promote originals and current offerings through various activities including interviews with global press, talent tours, awards, and more. We also work with various teams around the enterprise to share and deliver the right in order to help the title become a successful one.
Soonyon: The significant aspect of my role involves thoroughly reviewing scripts and videos. The main objective is to guarantee that our content is culturally sensitive while maintaining high creativity. The feedback from our review process helps our stakeholders prepare for any possible challenges ahead. It's essential to approach this task with an open mind to catch potential risks. One of the perks is getting to preview content before it's released, which is a true honor for a storytelling enthusiast like me.
Tell us about your Disney journey! Where did you start, have you held any different roles?
Seung: I started at Disney on the APAC Publicity Team working on Korean, Japanese, and Lucasfilm titles. However, with the increase of originals, now I mainly focus on Korean titles. I still do my best to provide as much help as I can to our team .
Soonyon: I started my Disney journey in Singapore as a video editor in 2015. Back then, I had never heard of the term "S&P" (Standards & Practices). Before joining Disney, my background was mainly in videography and illustration. However, my initial role at Disney focused more on technical aspects and quality control. The other portion of my time was allocated to creative work, specifically S&P editing. It turned out to be something I truly enjoyed! After spending almost five years in Singapore, I decided to return to Korea when the pandemic began. But when I stumbled upon a job opening for an S&P position at Disney in Korea, I couldn't contain my excitement and applied for the role immediately. It felt like I was returning home once again.
What has been your proudest moment or greatest achievement in your Disney career?
Kay: Right now! This role is unprecedented as I came in as the first person to work in government relations at the Korean office. I had to figure things out from ground zero, working step by step to establish structures for this position's sustainability. Through these challenges, I was able to gain practical skills that allow me to be both flexible and creative to tackle dynamic issues. Being the first person in this journey has been quite an honorable experience.
Seung: My proudest moment/achievement in my Disney career is when our team planned, organized, and successfully executed the Disney Content Showcase APAC 2022. We worked together and was able to pull off a regional event that involved top talent from Korea, Japan, and Indonesia. We were also able to virtually involve executives from each of our studios as well to introduce the exciting lineup of upcoming titles. More than 400 key press and partners took part and became a part of the excitement that Disney presented for the future.
Can you share what it’s like working with The Walt Disney Company Korea?
Soonyon: Korea's fast-paced and complex culture are globally well-known. The abundance of locally produced titles adds to the workload of the Korean team, making communication a vital aspect. Despite the demanding nature of the work, brainstorming and collaborating with my colleagues helped me find solutions more efficiently. The shared joy of having lunch together and exchanging laughter and jokes in the pantry truly energizes me for the day ahead.
Kay: For me, a highlight of working at TWDC is being surrounded by genuinely kind people. I'm constantly amazed by how willing and caring everyone is in the office. Of course, we encounter challenges and conflicts, but I trust that the social and emotional competency displayed in our team here can help us overcome them.
What’s your favorite thing about working at Disney?
Seung: My favorite thing about working at Disney is that I get to be a part of the journey of the largest entertainment company in the world with amazing IPs. To be a part of Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, National Geographic, and now an increasing lineup of APAC originals for Disney+ is very exciting. I think being in this kind of environment is something I wouldn’t be able to have in any other company.
Kay: I love how we are always immersed in our narratives. It seems like there's a constant influx of new stories! I find it a special experience to witness the ever-evolving landscape of the media world.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work at Disney?
Soonyon: It's important to gather relevant experience and persistently seek opportunities. Collaboration is a key quality needed to thrive in Disney's vast and successful organization. Strive for innovation!
Seung: Imagine and manifest being a part of this journey. Be a fan of entertainment and give it your 100% in everything!
To learn more about opportunities with The Walt Disney Company Korea, please visit here.
