The US gaming operator and integrated resort developer, Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, held a recruitment event on June 20, 2023 in southern Seoul to make the first selections for its Inspire Entertainment Resort to be launched in Incheon in December. According to Korea YoongAng Daily, the opportunity to work for the soon-to-become the Korea’s grandest integrated resort attracted around 1,000 people to the company’s information and hiring booths in Gangnam District in Seoul.

In the event’s opening speech, Chen Si, COO of Inspire reportedly said:  “We are the biggest resort in Korea, but we also want to be the best and that comes down to people. I’m very excited to be here today and meet all of you young people.”

First Mohegan’s Expansion in Asia:

According to Korea YoongAng Daily, the company intends to employ around 3,000 people at the Inspire Entertainment Resort, which is a $1.4 billion project led by the American resort developer and operator Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment owned by the Mohegan Tribe. In addition to seven integrated resorts operated by Mohegan in the United States and Canada, the Inspire project to be opened on Yeongjong Island in Incheon will represent the first Mohegan’s expansion in Asia.

Resort Features:

The opening of the non-gaming facilities has been scheduled for December with the gaming floors to start up in January 2024. As Inside Asian Gaming reports, the resort will include three hotel towers, an arena, a foreigner-only casino, dining, retail, convention center and other world-class casino resort amenities.

3,000 Jobs Offered:

Ahead of the start up, Inspire has already hired around 200 employees through the company’s partnerships with multiple Korean universities, according to Korea YoongAng Daily. The same source also reports that Mohegan and Inspire are looking for candidates passionate about communication and customer service encouraging them to have fun at work. The policy reportedly resulted in as many as 300 recruits during the event already.

Fun Pays Off:

Kelly Sullivan, global director of human resources and development at Mohegan’s U.S. headquarters, reportedly said: “Creating a good work environment is not just pay and benefits; it is having fun. Technical skills are important but not the most important. We are looking for people who have great energy and know how to have fun and be kind, to not only guests but their peers as well.”

Such a policy has recently placed Mohegan among the American news magazine Newsweek’s 2023 Global Top 100 Most Loved Workplace, as Korea YoongAng Daily.

Employee Experience First:

Sullivan reportedly commented: “It’s a huge win. Our initial focus is not on guest experience, but actually employee experience first. We know that if we create a work environment where people enjoy being at work, we are going to then have a great guest experience because they are just genuinely happy being there every day. We are working to tailor what we have done in the United States to be successful here in Korea, while still being respectful of Korean norms and practices.”

She was reportedly also very happy with the Korean candidates attending the recruitment event in Gangnam District in Seoul: “Young Koreans in particular are so eager to learn and it is something that I was blown away by. Their focus on continuously growing their skill set and their experience is something that stands out to me.”  It surely stands out to everyone. It’s the Gangnam style.