Internships Abroad, GRIP Working Korean Skincare in Korea

GRIP: Media in Seoul (Sponsored by the Kim Center)

I can’t believe my time in Korea is over. Quite frankly, I got emotional as I stepped on the bus to the airport. As I sat on this one-hour drive, I reminisced on the experiences I had…meeting new people, exploring new places, and most importantly, calling Seoul my home for two months…something not many people get to say.

When we hear the word Korea, our minds often refer to K-pop, maybe food, but most importantly, in my mind, the famous Korean Skincare. When I initially got my placement for the company I would work for, BeMused Korea, I was very hesitant about what I would do. I was afraid of the work structure I would endure, especially since the work culture in Korea is very hierarchical with the hustle and bustle. Aside from my worries, as I deepened my research, I found that this skincare company focuses on curating vegan-friendly products for consumers…a mission I found unique and excellent for skin care.

As the days of my travel to Korea got closer, I was screaming with joy and ready to work.

When my work began at BeMused Korea, my role as a Social Media Marketing Intern was to advertise their many skincare products on social media, primarily on Instagram and TikTok, through different showcases. I mainly tried the products on, gave honest reviews, and created story sets for the two umbrella companies I was tasked with. I additionally followed up with engagement, establishing brand relationships and awareness, doing some product packing and research, and following up with the brand kits we sent to reviewers worldwide.

One of the main highlights of working at BeMused Korea was the freedom and opportunity to try the plethora of products I was offered. From different skincare products (some of which were bad because they left a white cast) to facial cleansers, to lotion, to even new products like Snail Mucin, it was an experience. Honestly, I thought these products would ruin my sensitive face, but in reality, my skin was glowing for two months, something I wish I could have again.

Oh…and I forgot to mention, the products I received were all FREE…yes, free, and I got to keep all of it–especially since skincare is expensive.

One of the main things I also enjoyed was our creative freedom. Though we had guidance on what should be applied as the main idea, we had so much fun showcasing the products through different TikTok and Instagram trends, including aesthetic and relaxing videos. This opportunity pushed me to my creative freedom. One of the memorable moments I will forever remember is when the company gave the three interns 60,000krw (50 USD) each to create a video at Olive Young (yes, the main store everyone flocks to when in Korea). We could buy any products we wanted; the only requirement was to film and make a haul.

As my internship at BeMused Korea concluded, I’ve come to appreciate how much fun I had and how much I learned. This once-in-a-lifetime experience further persuaded me to consider pursuing a career in marketing, with advertisements and managing public relations. I will forever cherish my many great memories, enriching myself in new cultures and lessons and the people I’ve worked with had fun with, and met during my two months.

Now, something quick besides working: the food I’ve eaten every day was incredible…it was delicious and enriching with flavor. Still, the United States will never offer how cheap the meals were. From what I would say, a maximum of $10 per meal, this was incredibly cheap. These included kimbap, pork stews, kbbq, ramen, and many more offerings… I still think about all the good food I’ve eaten. Additionally, though working and filming was quite a lot, I could explore and enjoy the cities of Seoul, Busan, Jeonju, and Seoraksan, experiencing new places, food, and the unique and unforgettable culture and architecture I saw.

Well, that was a snippet of the journey I experienced.

Thank you, GRIP, for allowing me to experience abroad for the first time; I will cherish it forever.

Until then, Korea, see you soon.