Intern gets an inside look at South Korea’s creative industries

Gingerlei visiting the set of a K-drama in the historic city of Suwonk

From watching my first, and still one of my favourite, Korean Dramas, Strong Girl Bong Soon, I immediately found myself fascinated by South Korea and its creative industries.

What once was a childhood dream became a reality when I was chosen as an intern for the 2026 Asia New Zealand Foundation and CJ Cultural Foundation marketing internship.

With a background in cinema studies and now having recently completed my master’s in marketing, being given the opportunity to intern at CJ Cultural Foundation felt like an opportunity not to be missed.

CJ Cultural Foundation supports emerging and independent artists through programmes that help develop and showcase their creative work. During my eight-week internship, my fellow Foundation intern Abby [Abigail Masungi] and I worked alongside CJ Cultural Foundation and other interns on projects including an English Wikipedia page and conducted individual research into emerging themes and storytelling trends in internationally recognised South Korean short films.

Drawing on my cinema studies background, I researched why certain Korean short films gained international recognition, focusing on emotional impact, visual storytelling, narrative efficiency and festival recognition. It was particularly interesting to consider how uniquely Korean stories can connect with international audiences without losing their cultural identity.

The internship provided Gingerlei with opportunities to experience Seoul's creative industries

One of the most memorable parts of this research was meeting Korean Canadian filmmaker Jerome Yoo, a TIFF x CJ Cultural Foundation grant recipient, and watching his film Mongrels (2024).

Jerome was incredibly encouraging and knowledgeable about his craft. His observation that “...lots of people are trying to film the same things in the same way as others,” particularly stayed with me. It reminded me of the importance of finding your own creative perspective rather than simply following what has already been successful.

Before going to South Korea, my first impressions were that everything felt fast-paced, exciting and new.

Coming from New Zealand, I was particularly struck by the scale of Seoul, the efficiency of public transport and how seamlessly modern technology existed alongside history and tradition.

Living and working in Korea for eight weeks allowed those first impressions to develop into a much deeper understanding of everyday life.

As part of our internship, we did four weeks online where we often had to keep ourselves accountable by managing our own time, conducting individual research and asking for help whenever we needed it. This taught me to become more independent while also recognising when collaboration and communication were needed.

The in-person work environment was one of the biggest cultural learning experiences for me.

From our first day, Abby and I were warmly welcomed by CJ Cultural Foundation and CJ Welfare Foundation staff. Sitting alongside colleagues gave us opportunities to connect throughout the day and despite the language barrier, these small interactions became some of my favourite memories.

Gingerlei: "As part of work, I explored different parts of Korea through concerts, performances, festivals and everyday adventure."

As part of work, I explored different parts of Korea through concerts, performances, festivals and everyday adventures.

I attended performances featuring Tune Up artists, CJ Cultural Foundation’s support program for emerging musicians, visited Caribbean Bay at Everland and the Cass Cool Music Festival, and visited the CJ Entertainment Studio Centre.

As someone who grew up watching Korean dramas and films in general, walking through real-life film sets gave me an even greater appreciation for the work that goes on behind the scenes.

The Diversity Classroom was another highlight where we shared aspects of New Zealand and our own cultural backgrounds with Korean students.

I was particularly excited to share my Samoan culture and teach them the Samoan rhythmic chant Mili Mili Pati. They enjoyed it so much that their teacher kept asking me to play it again whenever she wanted to capture their attention!

Outside of work, Abby and I would often explore neighbouring areas near Myeongdong, where we quickly found that getting lost was all part of the fun and experience.

We wore hanboks, went to many malls, visited Suwon, where I rode a hot air balloon and saw breathtaking views of the city, and explored filming locations from well-known Korean dramas. It all felt so surreal!

The Myeongdong markets, which were close to where we stayed, quickly became part of my routine after work. I found myself visiting most nights to browse the shops, try different foods and soak up the lively atmosphere.

My time in Korea taught me that cultural understanding is not simply about knowing traditions or learning a language; it is about listening, adapting and developing genuine connections with people.

For anyone considering this opportunity, my advice is to just give it a go. Remember to stay curious, always be willing to step outside your comfort zone and say yes to opportunities, even when they initially seem scary or unfamiliar. It’s all part of the journey!

The Foundation's business programme supports New Zealand companies to better understand Asia so they can make the most of opportunities in the region. It also supports to grow the next generation of Asia-savvy business leaders.

Our internship programme helps interns build a better understanding of the people, place and culture of their Asian host country, while developing industry-specific skills that will benefit them as they progress in their careers. This internship was supported by a grant from Nakashimato Co. Ltd.