Frank Ahrens Keynote Speaker

  • Principal, "BGR Group" (2014-present)
  • Vice President, Global Corporate Communications Hyundai (2010-2013)
  • Author, "Seoul Man: A Memoir of Cars, Culture, Crisis, and Unexpected Hilarity Inside a Korean Corporate Titan"

Frank Ahrens's Biography

Frank Ahrens is a leading expert on Korea and East Asia. He has a gift for storytelling, a heart for business and a combination of experience and insight few Westerners possess.
Mr. Ahrens was Vice President of Global Corporate Communications for Hyundai Motor in Seoul and was the only American at headquarters. After his three years at Hyundai Motor, he wrote “Seoul Man: A Memoir of Cars, Culture, Crisis, and Unexpected Hilarity Inside a Korean Corporate Titan” (Harper Business), which was selected as a New York Post 2016 Book of the Year.
As a Washington D.C. communications consultant with BGR Group, Mr. Ahrens has represented the government of the Republic of Korea through two presidential administrations. He has conducted Korean market-entry research for a Tier 1 U.S. auto supplier.
If you are a Western company entering Asia, or an Asian company trying to understand the American corporate culture, Frank Ahrens will use his experience to improve your performance. He can anchor your event with a lively, compelling presentation on a range of topics from U.S.-South Korean relations under the new Korean president to the future of the great Korean brands to living in the shadow of a nuclear North Korea. Mr. Ahrens has spoken to universities, think-tanks and a presidential library.
Mr. Ahrens’ writing has appeared in Foreign Policy, The Washington Post, Forbes and The Diplomat.
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Frank Ahrens's Speaking Topics

  • • Western and Asian corporate culture

  • U.S.-South Korean relations under the new Korean president

  • • The future of the great Korean brands

  • • Living in the shadow of a nuclear North Korea

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Videos of Frank Ahrens

Seoul Man: A Memoir of Cars, Culture, Crisis...Inside A Korean Corporate Titan
Frank Ahrens - WVU College of Business & Economics Speaker Series

Books by Frank Ahrens

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

Comments & Testimonials

"Frank Ahrens' talk on 'Corporate Confucianism' -- explaining and helping to solve the East-West corporate culture clash -- was eye-opening for our team. The reaction to Frank's engaging and entertaining presentation was overwhelmingly positive and left many team members eager to know more about Korean culture."

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