Seoul Man : A Memoir of Cars, Culture, Crisis, and Unexpected Hilarity Inside a Korean Corporate Titan

Recounting his three years in Korea, the highest-ranking non-Korean executive at Hyundai sheds light on a business culture very few Western journalists ever experience, in this revealing, moving, and hilarious memoir. When Frank Ahrens, a middle-aged bachelor and eighteen-year veteran at the Washington Post, fell in love with a diplomat, his life changed dramatically. Following his new bride to her first appointment in Seoul, South Korea, Frank traded the newsroom for a corporate suite, becoming director of global communications at Hyundai Motors. In a land whose population is 97 percent Korean, he was one of fewer than ten non-Koreans in a company of five thousand employees. For the next three years, Frank traveled to auto shows and press conferences around the world, pitching Hyundai to former colleagues while trying to navigate cultural differences at home and at work. While his appreciation for absurdity enabled him to laugh his way through many awkward... “This important book [recounts a] man's brief sojourn in a bewildering new environment... with wit about his personal dilemmas and a keen reporter's eye.” —Washington TimesWhen Frank Ahrens, an eighteen-year veteran at the Washington Post, fell in love with a diplomat, his life changed dramatically. Following his new bride to her first appointment in Seoul, South Korea, Frank traded the newsroom for a corporate suite, becoming director of global communications at Hyundai Motors. In a land whose population is 97 percent Korean, he was one of fewer than ten non-Koreans at a company headquarters of thousands of employees.For the next three years, Frank traveled to auto shows and press conferences around the world, pitching Hyundai to former colleagues while trying to navigate cultural differences at home and at work. While his appreciation for absurdity enabled him to laugh his way through many awkward encounters, his job began to take a toll on his marriage and family. Eventually he became a vice president—the highest-ranking non-Korean at Hyundai headquarters.Filled with unique insights, Seoul Man sheds light on a culture few Westerners know, and is a delightfully funny and heartwarming adventure for anyone who has ever felt like a fish out of water.“Priceless cultural and professional insights.” —Kirkus Reviews“Engaging.... A great read for business readers and for Americans-abroad memoir fans.” –Booklist“Not only a revealing personal odyssey, Seoul Man also looks into the history, culture, politics, and business of the remarkable success story of modern South Korea.” —Shelf Awareness“A wonderful coming of age memoir... irreverant, illuminating and deeply personal.” –David E. Hoffman, Pulitzer prize-winner author of Billion Dollar Spy Recounting His Three Years In Korea, The Highest-ranking Non-korean Executive At Hyundai Sheds Light On A Business Culture Very Few Western Journalists Ever Experience, In This Revealing, Moving, And Hilarious Memoir. When Frank Ahrens, A Middle-aged Bachelor And Eighteen-year Veteran At The Washington Post, Fell In Love With A Diplomat, His Life Changed Dramatically. Following His New Bride To Her First Appointment In Seoul, South Korea, Frank Traded The Newsroom For A Corporate Suite, Becoming Director Of Global Communications At Hyundai Motors. In A Land Whose Population Is 97 Percent Korean, He Was One Of Fewer Than Ten Non-koreans At A Company Headquarters Of Thousands Of Employees. For The Next Three Years, Frank Traveled To Auto Shows And Press Conferences Around The World, Pitching Hyundai To Former Colleagues While Trying To Navigate Cultural Differences At Home And At Work. While His Appreciation For Absurdity Enabled Him To Laugh His Way Through Many Awkward Encounters, His Job Began To Take A Toll On His Marriage And Family. Eventually He Became A Vice President—the Highest-ranking Non-korean At Hyundai Headquarters—but At An Untenable Price. Filled With Unique Insights And Told In His Engaging, Humorous Voice, Seoul Man Sheds Light On A Culture Few Westerners Know, And Is A Delightfully Funny And Heartwarming Adventure For Anyone Who Has Ever Felt Like A Fish Out Of Water—all Of Us. Recounting his three years in Korea, the highest-ranking non-Korean executive at Hyundai sheds light on a business culture very few Western journalists ever experience in this revealing, moving, and hilarious memoir. When Frank Ahrens, a middle-aged bachelor and eighteen-year veteran at the Washington Post, fell in love with a diplomat, his life changed dramatically. Following his new bride to her first appointment in Seoul, South Korea, Frank traded the newsroom for a corporate suite, becoming director of global communications at Hyundai Motors. In a land whose population is ninety-seven percent Korean, he was one of fewer than ten non-Koreans in a company of 5,000 employees. For the next three years, Frank traveled to auto shows and press conferences around the world, pitching Hyundai to former colleagues while trying to navigate cultural differences at home and at work. While his appreciation for absurdity enabled him to laugh his way through many awkward encounters, his job began to take a toll on his marriage and family. Eventually, he became a vice presidentthe highest-ranking non-Korean in the history of Hyundaibut at an untenable price. Filled with unique insights and told in his engaging, humorous voice, Seoul Man sheds light on a culture few Westerns know, and is a delightfully funny and heartwarming adventure for anyone who has ever felt like a fish out of waterall of us. Almost, not quite Three midlife crises At work: alien planet At home: alternate universe Detroit: showtime The Korean codes Reading the air Constant competition Admiral Yi: Korea's greatest Japan fighter Sejong the Great: give-and-take with China The dangerous cousins Kim "This doesn't rattle" The chairman arrives Seoul surprises Almost, not quite English Car of the year Bye, bye, baby Not here, not now Sang moo waygookin The 2013 model Genesis and Sonata Jakarta is no Seoul Escape plan The judgment of Genesis Finding home Epilogue. "Heartbreaking and hilarious, Seoul Man is Frank Ahrens' story of the three years he spent in Korea as the highest ranking non-Korean executive at Hyundai, shedding light on a business culture very few Western journalists have been able to experience"-- Provided by publisher