Influence 10 magazine founder
Residence Seoul
Stephen Revere came to Korea on the mistaken assumption that he could be fluent in Korean in a year. Looking back in hindsight, had he known then how difficult that would be, he may not have come at all.
Having embarked on the quest to master the language (and becoming the first foreigner to earn a master’s degree in Korean language education), Revere stayed for another year, then another and then another. This year marks the 21st time he has stayed for another.
In 1995, there were just two English-language daily newspapers, the only lifelines for non-Korean speakers in the country. Even as late as 2008, social media was not the source of news that it is today; almost no Koreans used Facebook and Twitter was virtually unheard of. A commonly heard gripe from expats was that there was naught to do but while away the time drinking. But Revere knew that this was simply not true: Foreigners were being bypassed because all the information on exhibitions, plays, concerts, festivals and other goings-on in Korea’s vibrant entertainment scene was only in Korean.
Recognizing this information gap, Revere decided to start an English-language monthly magazine for expats and foreign visitors that would feature all of these events.
Trying to kick-start a viable business when the world economy was collapsing brought out the optimist in Revere. Imploding financial markets or not, he was starting at the point where sales were zero anyway, so he saw that the only way was up. In October 2008, Revere and his business partners launched 10 magazine.
Revere has since seen the English-language media scene in Korea take off, so much so that readers now have the luxury of choice. Through this flurry, 10 has created a niche for itself as a source of entertainment information.
More than six years later, Revere is still enjoying running the magazine. “On our wall in the office we have a big banner that says, ‘We make life more FUN!’” he says. “That’s what motivates me — and I hope my whole team. I don’t know as though I’d go as far as to say that we influence people’s perception of Korea, but I certainly hope that they are surprised at all there is to do here. We even have Koreans frequently tell us that when they look at our magazine they are surprised at all the things happening around the country.”
Looking down the road, Revere hopes that the magazine continues to grow, and he is excited to see what new ideas and attitudes the young new members of his team will bring to it. One thing’s for sure: Revere expects 10 to continue producing content to show what this country has to offer, and in doing so, will continue to show the fun side of Korea.
More info www.10mag.com
