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| Choi Nan-joo, new general manager at The Plaza Seoul, Autograph Collection / Courtesy of Hanwha Hotels & Resorts |
By Jun Ji-hye
Choi Nan-joo has been appointed as a new general manager of The Plaza Seoul, Autograph Collection, run by Hanwha Hotels & Resorts, becoming the first female and the youngest leader since the establishment of the Hanwha Group's hospitality business.
The 41-year-old said she will push for enhanced change and innovation to offer guests experiences beyond expectation promised by the five-star luxury hotel.
Choi entered the hospitality industry in 2002 with a position at Hanwha Development's Seoul Plaza Hotel, now The Plaza Seoul by Hanwha Hotels & Resorts.
After joining Hanwha Development, Choi spent seven months gaining direct experience of work in all departments of the hotel as part of the company's management course for new recruits.
Through this, she learned that success for a luxury hotel begins with well-trained, professional personnel.
After joining the hotel's human resources team, Choi designed specific training courses for each hotel position, creating a framework for the cultivation of a truly professional workforce.
Choi also played a key role when The Plaza Seoul underwent a groundbreaking six-month renewal in 2010, undertaking responsibility for elements ranging from brand concept to interior design and management strategy.
At the same time, she took a pioneering approach to self-development, becoming a certified chef of Chinese cuisine in order to understand the expertise required in reimagining The Plaza Seoul's in-house Chinese restaurant.
Since then, she has worked on a variety of management strategy and business development projects.
"I have a motto of 'nothing is impossible, no matter how difficult,'" Choi said. "The Plaza Seoul has occupied a position at the heart of Seoul for the last 44 years, sharing the city's past and present. I will be working hard to continue enhancing the hotel's services and facilities, further cementing its status as a landmark destination of history and tradition."
Choi obtained a bachelor's degree in English literature from Seoul's Yonsei University, and a master's degree in business administration from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
