Stepping out of the comfort zone - intern's Seoul adventures

Toosavili: "Interning in a new country goes beyond just the work itself — it requires an openness to understand the culture, try new things, and step outside your comfort zone."

I was recommended this opportunity by a friend, who thought it would be a great way to gain exposure beyond Aotearoa.

My motivation for applying came from a long-standing passion for K-Culture, as well as my career goal of working in international relations, particularly between Asia and the Pacific.

While I've known of the CJ Group (the parent company of CJ Cultural Foundation) for a long time, learning more about the Cultural Foundation drew me in, as its mission strongly aligns with my interests and aspirations.

The eight-week internship was split between four weeks online and four weeks offshore. Most of the hands-on tasks would take place once we arrived in Korea, so much of the report-based work was completed during the online portion. While it would have been ideal to spend the full eight weeks offshore, the online portion ensured a lot of research had been conducted with no disruptions.

Toosavili wearing traditional Korean clothing in front of the Geunjeongjeon Hall, Gyeonbokgung Palace, Seoul

As an intern, I worked on two main research projects: one supporting the Story-Up initiative and another exploring potential projects for the company’s upcoming 20th anniversary in 2026.

Beyond research, I also had the chance to help through CJ’s Tune-Up project, where I worked closely with the Aotearoa band There’s a Tuesday, who were in Seoul as part of an Asia New Zealand Foundation collaboration with CJ Cultural Foundation.

The Tune-Up x Fresh Finds concert was a collaboration between the CJ Cultural Foundation and Spotify, featuring both local and international indie artists. There’s a Tuesday performed alongside Can’t Be Blue and Jinsokury Club, creating a unique cross-cultural experience.

We had the chance to get up close with the bands, which made the event even more special. This concert was one of the main highlights of our programme, and we were fortunate to be part of it.

The night concluded with a classic Korean hoesik—the ultimate networking and bonding experience—where we connected with the staff, the artists, and our fellow interns over food, laughter, and great conversations.

It was a highlight to connect with familiar faces from home and build meaningful relationships.

One aspect I truly appreciated at CJ Cultural Foundation is its commitment to representation. I admire the organisation's dedication to supporting niche and emerging talent, and its overall goal of fostering diversity within the cultural space.

Through CJ Cultural Foundation, we were exposed to a wide range of projects and cultural experiences. In addition to our major involvement with the Tune-Up concert, we attended the Pentaport Rock Festival in Incheon, visited MCountdown, made multiple visits to CJ Azit, and even watched a film at CJ’s cinema franchise, CGV.

My favourite experience was a tour of CJ ENM Studio in Paju. Growing up, I’ve always been fascinated by Korean culture and media, so being there felt absolutely surreal. During the tour, we explored several active K-drama sets and got a behind-the-scenes look at ongoing productions.

Although filming on the current sets wasn’t allowed, we captured plenty of great content in the virtual set space. Surrounded by a 360-degree display, the immersive environment made it feel as though we were stepping into a completely different country, time period, or season.

Living in Seoul gave me a real taste of the city’s fast-paced lifestyle.

There was so much to adjust to, from navigating the subway and bus systems to discovering all the unique flavours the city had to offer.

At first, I was completely overwhelmed by the intense summer heat—my manager even joked that we were “swimming in the air.”

The humid heat, however, didn’t stop me from enjoying what Seoul had to offer—from wearing a Hanbok at the palace to exploring the vibrant food stalls and markets in Seoul, there was a burst of cultural flavour at every corner.

Learning to find my way around a foreign city like Seoul was definitely a character-building experience. By the end, I’d become somewhat of an expert on the subway—especially Lines 3 and 4—even if I occasionally got lost on my way to Gangnam.

Toosavili: "...there was a burst of cultural flavour at every corner."

When it came to the work culture, I found it truly inspiring to learn from my colleagues, especially my manager, Kim Jinsol, and the head of the Cultural Foundation, Jo Min.

Shadowing their work gave me invaluable insight into the meaningful projects and programmes they lead, as well as the immense effort they dedicate to each initiative. Their passion and commitment motivated me to push myself.

Something I noticed about Korean work culture is how highly organised and systemised everything is. I realised that the Korean work system is designed for efficiency and convenience, with a specific role for nearly every task.

Korean music labels operate under what’s known as a 360 deal, where all aspects of an artist’s career are managed under one roof, so each company could provide everything an artist might need—from producers and marketing teams to hair, makeup, and styling. It's a model that seems to be quite common and incredibly effective in Korea’s entertainment industry.

I think having an understanding of Asian cultures is incredibly important. Not only is South Korea a significant market for Aotearoa, but it is also rich, diverse, and very much alive. There is so much we can learn from the way Korea approaches and manages its affairs.

For anyone considering this internship, I believe the most important quality to have is cultural competence. Interning in a new country goes beyond just the work itself—it requires an openness to understand the culture, try new things, and step outside your comfort zone. That’s what allows you to gain a truly authentic experience of the country.

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.