PhilaKorea 2025 was held during September 17–21, but the organizing committee had in fact launched into operations from the 13th–14th, and endured hard labor until the 22nd, when most of the overseas visitors departed. The reception team at the airport was handled by Vice President of the Federation Yoo Yong-Sang’s protocol team, which in effect acted like a de facto ribbon-cutting ceremony at the very start of PhilaKorea. Except for a few exceptional cases, customs clearance did not cause any serious problems.
Since the most worrying part went relatively smoothly, this was a sign things might be okay. Still, when doing this kind of work, there are countless moments when you grit your teeth or feel like lashing out at whoever happens to be nearby, and if one wanted to emphasize just how angry one felt, perhaps it would be best to leave nothing at all in writing. Nevertheless, as a record for the Federation’s official magazine, it was unavoidable to set down an account of events. Matters related to individual personalities or details that might affect the very existence of the Federation will not be discussed here. The author has already sought out those he wished to confront and said what needed to be said, and so there is no need to write it again. As someone who does not pretend calmness on the outside while writing anonymous complaints or scribbling on social media, but rather vents his anger on the spot, I believe I did enough of that already, and therefore will only list those things which, in retrospect, might be considered to have gone reasonably well to a certain point.
What a fantastic candid behind the scenes report on PhilaKorea 2025! Thanks for this summary, Jin Hur. Bob
Regarding unsung heroes, you have to take the crown, Jin.
You must have heard of Murphy’s Law, which basically states that ‘Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong’. So, the fact that the vast majority of visitors, exhibitors, commissioners, etc., had either no idea of any behind-the-scenes ‘issues’, or if they did then they were incredibly impressed at the way you and your team responded so proactively, says a great deal about the professionalism that (outwwadly) defined PhilaKorea. That will be your legacy, not the aggravation that any event of the magnitude of an international exhibition is bound to create.
As you also know, it’s not the fact that organising anything will bring problems, it’s how you deal with the problems that matters. Certainly, everyone that I have spoken to is full of praise for the atmosphere, organisation, fun and enjoyment that you created in Seoul.
Well done – even if I was responsible (or rather my computer was) for those 5 empty frames!
Tony
Mr. Finder, I thank you for your kind wards. Tony, many thanks. It was a marvelous opportunity for me to stay together with you for couple of days. To be frank, your confident gesture, composed manner and imposing character with full of humor and satire impressed me rather than your unseen 5 frames exhibit!! After some rest, lets talk on the next project with sober head and refreshed mindset. .