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An Interview with Juyoung Park: Host of Dîner en Blanc – Seoul

With such a vast network of food connoisseurs and Dîner en Blanc enthusiasts around the world, it’s all too rare that Le Dîner en Blanc International Team gets to play host to our organizers from across the globe. But last week, Juyoung Park of Le Dîner en Blanc – Seoul, graced our Montreal offices. After enjoying some delicious Korean treats gifted to us upon her arrival, we had the chance to get personal and ask Juyoung some questions about her background and about Le Dîner en Blanc – Seoul.

The first Korean Dîner en Blanc took place on last June with over 900 guests attending this first-time event. Le Dîner en Blanc – Seoul proudly took the reins, making it the first of what may become many more elegant picnics for South Korea in the coming years. 
 


Here are some insights into the debut event:
 
How did you come to organize Dîner en Blanc? Have you ever attended Dîner en Blanc in another city?
 
Since 2011, I had heard about and seen the photos of Dîner en Blanc through a friend who'd been living in New York City and had attended it every year. And by just looking at it, I was happy and ecstatic as if I was there myself, and set my heart on bringing the sensation to Korea and sharing it with my fellow Koreans. In 2015, I attended Dîner en Blanc – New York for the first time and fell in love with it.  
 
Can you talk about your personal background and experiences in event planning? How is Dîner en Blanc different from any other event in which you’ve been involved?
 
I've been working in film industry as a business executive for over a decade and event planning is always part of the overall marketing campaign for any movies set to be released. While film festivals and press junkets are more straightforward and business-oriented, Dîner en Blanc is a one of a kind event that becomes completed and enriched by guests themselves. That's why Dîner en Blanc is so meaningful and memorable to those who participate.
 
Describe your relationship to your city. How long have you lived there, and what is it about your city that makes hosting Dîner en Blanc such a good fit? 
 
I was born and raised in Seoul, the capital of Korea, which I believe is one of the most fast-evolving cities in the world both culturally and economically, with over 10 million residents who welcome and aspire to life-enhancing experiences. As Dîner en Blanc is a one-stop source where fashion, gastronomy and entertainment are offered at the same time, it couldn't be a better timing for Dîner en Blanc to be introduced to the Seoul residents who have been waiting for such an enriching experience.
 
How did your team of hosts come together? Tell us a bit about planning your first Dîner en Blanc event.
 
I was fortunate to team up with great people who share the same vision and lifestyle as myself. However, since it was the first time for anyone in Seoul to experience Dîner en Blanc, having its unique policy and principles understood well enough among leaders and participants was a challenge. Regardless, as they seem to have a better understanding after experiencing the event themselves, and I'm positive that the whole process will evolve as years and experiences add up.
 
What do you think will be the greatest challenge as you move forward with your event?
 
The more experienced the guests get, they might want to be more creative in terms of fashion and food.  My question, as a host, would be how to balance between the Dîner en Blanc's traditions and policies and Koreans' own creativity.
 
To sign up for next year’s Le Dîner en Blanc – Seoul, visit their website at seoul.dinerenblanc.info, and follow them on:
   Diner en Blanc - Seoul    @DinerEnBlancSeoul      dinerenblancseoul

 
Photo from Juyoung's visit with part of the Dîner en Blanc International team

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