Jung Kim’s career in customer development, as lead host at SLS Las Vegas, all began with a dream and MTV. “I watched MTV and saw The Real World Las Vegas show, and saw all the nightclubs, and I dreamed about working in Vegas,” Kim said. The year the show aired, 2002, is the same year that Kim’s family moved from South Korea to Texas.
A few years later, Kim decided to follow his dream. “My parents didn’t support my decision, so I came to Vegas with just $20 in my pocket.” Within a few years, Kim’s hard work took him from parking cars at Circus Circus to becoming a lead host at some of the city’s hottest nightclubs. By the time SLS opened, Kim had already built strong relationships with many big clients.
Kim’s duties include tending to high rollers who stay at the hotel, but he also caters to clients visiting from other properties. “All my clients that I’ve taken care of throughout the years, they always contact me when they come into town; they trust me to take care of them,” said Kim, who oversees the hosts of The Sayers Club, Life Nightclub and Foxtail Pool Club.
Old Fashioned
You can catch him DJing on the property, too. “I’ve built a strong career as a host; now I want to build a career as a DJ. In 10 years, I dream of getting a Grammy for producing music. I want to own a nightclub or hotel, too,” Kim said. “I say to everyone, ‘Keep going for your dreams. Don’t ever give up. Become a dream chaser like me.’”
Old Fashioned
The Sayers Club has a classic feel. The dimly lit, intimate space—featuring leather furnishings and industrial finishes—provides a rock ’n’ roll, speakeasy atmosphere. The bar menu follows suit with many classic whiskey-based cocktails. And it doesn’t get more classic than the Old Fashioned. Sayers’ version mixes Maker’s Mark bourbon, house-made simple syrup, Angostura bitters, Filthy Food black cherries and fresh-squeezed lemon and orange juices.
