K-pop, Running, and Beyond: SeoulShare Stories with Manager Ine and Writer K.T.

Hailing from Norway and Germany respectively, Ine and K.T. share their personal stories that led to their serendipitous journey to Seoul and SeoulShare Community.

Winter progressed and just a few days from 동지 Dongji (Winter Solstice), the three of us met for a conversation behind Dongdaemun.

Ine came to the land of Morning Calm in 2019 with an itinerary that was anything but placid. With two of her daughters (the eldest) she embarked on a 2.5 month jam packed schedule of K-pop concerts, tv broadcasts, music showcases, and fan meetings. Every day, a different K-pop event to cheer at, a new Korean dish to savor, a vibrant street of Seoul to wander. (Her favorite moment was a VAV concert and speaking to them at the fan sign.)

In the midst of this dynamic cultural experience, she envisions realizing one of her dream projects: orchestrating K-pop concerts akin to the ones she successfully organized in Oslo alongside her daughters. She fondly recalls the zealous energy behind stage; in spite of her breadth of responsibilities – from sound, lighting, backstage management, artist and fan coordination – she seemed to never lose steam within the whirlwind.

Not unlike Ine, Running club member and writer K.T. developed a keen interest in Korean culture through Korean music. For her, THE carpool karaoke video marked the beginning of a transformative journey, leading to three months of firsthand experiences in Korea– attending a Korean language school and traveling throughout the country. Following her visit to BTS Jimin’s dad’s cafe in Busan and consistent engagement with the SeoulShare Running Club, she experienced a revitalization that inspired her to finish a book during her short time here.

Korea can become the cure to writer’s block, a new life chapter after the kids have left the nest, a wellspring of inspiration unfolding fresh stories waiting to be written.

In the spirit of Dongji, where the cold winter is a good sign of abundance in the next year, we will continue our conversations, recording and sharing moments, so please enjoy this inaugural interview!

How did you first get involved with SeoulShare and become community manager or member?

Ine: I met Iggy last summer through a SeoulShare event. After exploring and going to all the concerts and historical sites on my own time, I wanted to find new friends. When I read about SeoulShare I decided ‘This is it.’ I met Iggy at the islands near Incheon for an event, and I was participating in so many events that I was asked to be an organizer, so it happened very organically. I started with walks, remote work… then as Iggy and I got talking he discovered that I had been running an organization for single-parent families, similar to SeoulShare, for six years with substantial funding from the Norwegian government. I served as the main manager overseeing regional managers. We did everything from business and marketing, media engagement (newspaper, TV), promoting as much as possible through groundwork at festivals and events. This background led me to become an organizer, and now I am SeoulShare manager and organizer alongside Iggy. It’s a busy job, and I have to be vigilant about sensitive interpersonal cases.

K.T. : Within the language school, everything organized were typical touristy attractions, and I wanted more local activities. I used to be an organizer of a writing meetup in London, so I was already familiar with the platform. SeoulShare Running was one of the first events I attended, and the environment was so positive that I explored further events. After your 4th or 5th event, people are on a first name basis so it felt like a real community. Drawing parallels with writing events in London, the socializing part is important—after writing sessions, creating a space where everyone can relate through their shared interests.

Ine, what was the motivation to organize such diverse events, from Knitting to Special events like the Market Exchange, as well as the longer day trips to Nami Island or the Strawberry Farm. What are your objectives and hopes for the activities?

Ine: We have special events now in addition to our regular stable weekly events. Regular people return and new friends joining is super important. People find each other. For foreigners who come for a year for study or work it’s important to connect them and help them build. Talking to them and hearing their story helps (me) connect them to relevant people. It’s easy to feel isolated, lonely, depressed and we receive really positive feedback about the way SeoulShare bridges people through activities.

Ine at one of the first SeoulShare events

K.T. and her boss holding her book *Cornflakes*

1. Favorite dish

Ine: dakgalbi

K.T.: samgyeopsal

1. Favorite band or song

Ine: Today’s favorite song is “Hot” by Seventeen

K.T.: “Spring Day”, BTS

1. Favorite author or novel

Ine: I don’t read at all

K.T.: A little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

1. Favorite travel story or place

Ine: Turkey, swimming with dolphins in the sea with two of my daughters.

K.T.: Busan. Also, in my early twenties I flew to Detroit, USA for a blind date and ended up touring with the guys’ younger brother’s band for 3 months.

1. If you can go anywhere in Korea (all expenses covered) where would you go and what would you do?

Ine: I would go to Busan and spend a heck of a lot of money on food. A must do is visit Jimin’s dad’s cafe (Magnate cafe). I want to meet Jimin’s dad and stumble upon Jimin in the cafe…

K.T.: Then you have to go in 2025! For me it’s also Busan. I want to go back to Jimin’s dad’s cafe. When I went there previously, I was writing for 7 hours straight daily and strolled along the beach after. It was the best holiday. But this time I will do more sightseeing.

(Could there be a Busan/Jimin’s dad’s cafe SeoulShare event brewing?)

1. If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be and why?

Ine: Thor from Norse mythology, because he makes the thunder.

K.T.: Jesus…Voldemort..I want a challenge.

1. If you had a time machine, would you go to the past or the future? What time period would you visit?

Ine: 1988. To see my brother, sister, grandma, dad who have passed

K.T.: The 1920s. My first novel is about car racing in the 1920s so I want the full experience.

1. What’s your spirit animal and why?

Ine: Eagle, strong and fly high

K.T.: Dodo, died out out of stupidity

1. What’s the most unexpected or unusual talent you possess that people might not know about?

Ine: I design clothes and do the sewing and knitting for my children and myself.

K.T.: …

1. What’s the weirdest or funniest job you’ve ever had before?

Ine: When I was 15 years old I worked at a hotel doing hospitality. One day I was bringing a meal to a hotel guest. The man who answered the door was a famous Norwegian celebrity singer/ comedian. He begins singing as I, stunned, hand him the tray. I asked him to sign the receipt (for the hotel records) but he thought I was asking for his autograph.

K.T.: I worked as a mascot for running events (athletic events) as a dinosaur, moose, rudolph, or fantasy character. The money I earned was spent on my trip to Korea.