The vitality of any cocktail scene owes a great deal to the courage to experiment. And it doesn’t hurt if there’s a trailblazer who isn’t afraid to explore previously unknown paths, leading the way for everyone else. This is the opinion of Won Jang, who was born in Seoul but grew up in Hong Kong, and “from a young age came into contact with food, drink, music and literature from different cultures and traditions”.
His open-mindedness subsequently kindled a passion for travel: “So far, I’ve visited over 30 countries and I’ve lived on three continents for at least a year.” Won is an expert fine drinker with very varied tastes, and he has learned one of the industry’s greatest secrets: bartenders make the difference. “I have a kind of database in my head that reminds me who to ask for a Bloody Mary, a Ramos Gin Fizz or a Negroni. Even a seemingly simple drink like a Martini changes significantly depending on who’s making it. I’d go as far as to say that it’s the cocktail with the greatest spectrum of taste and quality depending on the bartender.”
Won Jang Between Travel And Drinking Well
Speaking of bartenders, when it comes to naming those who have perfectly combined cocktails and nightlife, Won Jang puts the spotlight on Byungjin Lim, also known as BJ.
“He’s one of the best bartenders I know because he’s a pioneer. He was the first to open a craft cocktail bar in Seochon, one of Seoul’s oldest neighbourhoods. Before him, there was a preference for already established areas such as Cheongdam and Hannam. After the success of Bar Cham’s opening in 2018, he started two more exceptional places nearby: Bar Pomme and Bar Cham in Season. Effectively, Byungjin has single-handedly created Seochon’s cocktail- drinking nightlife, bringing cocktail lovers to a place that was previously only known for restaurants and cafes.”
In a nutshell, Byungjin Lim has managed to find the right formula with a mix of daring, vision, expertise and a pinch of good fortune.
Between Luck And Talent
And a bit of luck is often important. It’s something Won Jang is well aware of when he says: “No one has a crystal ball and can predict the future with certainty. Sometimes successful bars close and sometimes mediocre places stay open.” In the face of uncertainty, the spirit of a pioneer counts for a lot. And so does “being able to attract people who still don’t know much about cocktails and perhaps just order a rum and cola. But for that, you have to be willing to do some bold experiments.”
From this perspective, Won thinks there’s an establishment in Seoul that’s making the right moves. It’s Magazine Notes, which “combines coffee and cocktails employing professionals trained in both fields. This isn’t new in the world, but the special feature is that there’s an alcoholic and a non-alcoholic version of each drink.
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Images courtesy Won Jang
