Texas to Seoul: Twenty years on a Korean farm

A breakup sends him to Korea

Ryan Phillips moved to Seoul in 2006 after his relationship ended. He came home from his accounting job to find his girlfriend had moved out after only a couple of months living together.

“Man, just come to Korea. We'll find you a job.”

A son of Korean heritage, new to Asia

Phillips was 27, the son of a half-Korean adoptee, but did not speak Korean. He had traveled widely but had never been to Korea or even Asia before his friend's suggestion.

From accounting to cooking in Seoul

Phillips landed his first job teaching cooking classes at an expensive preschool. The department head persuaded him to teach in the culinary program at a small career-training college instead.

Back to school for hospitality

In 2015, Phillips went back to school for a master's in hospitality at Le Cordon Bleu in Seoul. This education shaped his path toward farming and food events.

Learning to farm from YouTube

Phillips and four others rented land and tried to farm organically without herbicides, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers. They learned mostly from YouTube and took three years to see results.

“Not like that! Single stalk!”

Bearfoot Gardens takes shape

Phillips started renting his present plot in Hwaseong, on the southwestern outskirts of Seoul, earlier this year.He named it Bearfoot Gardens and now grows 30 different varieties of chilies, plus basil, thyme, oregano, and corn.

Farm-to-table events and hot sauce

Phillips holds farm-to-table events at Bearfoot Gardens, charging between 50,000 and 150,000 Korean won, or $37 to $113 per person.

Twenty years in, no plans to leave

Phillips has lived in Seoul for 20 years.It took 10 years to feel at home, but he has learned to respect Korean culture as different.

“Other than family and friends living elsewhere, I have zero reasons to leave Korea.”