ESSEC Alumni highlights Gaël Parienté, Co-Founder of the Paris Korean Club

ESSEC Alumni recently published an interview with Gaël Parienté, Co-Founder of the Paris Korean Club, which we are pleased to share today.

In this interview, he reflects on his vision of the privileged relations between France and South Korea, and on the role of the Paris Korean Club in reinforcing them.

The article highlights several key points:

• the intensification of economic, diplomatic, and cultural cooperation between France and South Korea

• South Korea’s growing position as a strategic partner for France in Asia, particularly in innovation-driven sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, green technologies, and creative industries.

• the rising influence of K-Culture in France, from music and cinema to gastronomy, literature, and cosmetics

• the persistent challenges, including cultural differences, regulatory complexity, and the need for stronger cooperation between SMEs and start-ups.

  
  

He also explains how the Paris Korean Club acts in practice:

• by organizing high-level events and networking opportunities,

• by building bridges between leaders, institutions, investors, and creators,

• by facilitating market access through initiatives such as Korean Wave at BHV Marais.

Finally, he shares insights from his personal journey, from his first professional engagements with Korea to the decision to co-found the Club as a structured, lasting, and value-adding platform for bilateral cooperation.

The full interview is available here.