"I think the reason why we can be a unicorn is because Yanolja is number one hotel in Korea. But it's just the beginning, I think. So we are trying to be a number one globally," said Kim.
That means expanding into other hospitality services, including leisure bookings and experiences. The business has also developed its own range of software services to help partner hotels automate their check-in processes and other services. "The hotel is one of the items, but we are pursuing to realize a total package for the users," said Kim. "Yanolja is providing restaurant and activity, leisure tickets, transportation, and the others."
But, in its mission to reinvent the love hotel, there's one more goal Yanolja has its heart set on: An initial public offering. That public accolade, the company says, would mark the full transformation of an industry once shrouded in secrecy. "I don't know what's the best timing, because we need to consider the market situation etc., but we need to be ready anytime for IPO," said Kim.