Published on: October 20, 2025, 01:03h.
Updated on: October 20, 2025, 01:38h.
- Inspire Entertainment Resort in South Korea is set to appoint a new CEO.
- Inspire has not met its preopening financial projections.
- The casino is conveniently situated at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport.
A new chief executive will take the helm at Inspire Entertainment Resort starting in December.
Following its acquisition by Bain Capital in February after Mohegan defaulted on a loan, Inspire’s leadership has announced that Gyubum Ko will succeed Chen Si as CEO starting December 1, 2025. Chen will remain in his role until Ko’s onboarding to facilitate a “smooth leadership transition.”
Ko brings a wealth of experience, although his career primarily spans the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, with notable roles at Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble abroad. His new role will involve steering the casino resort toward improved financial performance, as initial business results have fallen short of expectations.
“I am incredibly eager to join Inspire during such a pivotal phase of growth within the global casino and integrated resort sector. Leveraging my international experience and customer insights from various business landscapes, I aim to collaborate closely with Inspire’s talented team to foster innovation, enhance customer engagement, and provide long-term value for our guests, staff, and stakeholders,” Ko stated.
Ohsang Kwon, a partner at Bain Capital in Seoul, expressed gratitude to Chen for his leadership throughout the resort’s development and launch. Inspire commenced operations next to Incheon International Airport in March 2024.
Resort Underperforming
Mohegan invested $1.6 billion, betting that a foreign-only casino at Seoul’s largest airport would thrive. The Mohegan Tribe’s commercial gaming entity had ambitious plans to further enhance the destination with an additional $3.4 billion in investments.
This initial $1.6 billion phase incorporated a luxurious hotel featuring 1,275 rooms, 11 dining establishments, five lounges, a 15,000-seat arena, a shopping mall, an indoor water park, and an immersive indoor street. Future projects were envisioned to include a walkway connecting Inspire to the airport terminal, a Paramount Studios theme park, and a sizable exhibition center.
The buildup to Inspire’s launch attracted significant attention. However, the casino, which houses 159 table games, 395 slot machines, and a 195-seat electronic gaming stadium, has struggled to draw the high-roller clientele from China and Japan it was designed for.
Local residents are prohibited from gambling at Inspire, with Mohegan reporting a loss of $112 million in operating Inspire in 2024.
Hope Remains
Bain Capital, which reportedly has plans to sell Inspire, continues to express optimism regarding the resort’s potential.
“The resort attracted four million visitors in its inaugural year and has positioned itself as a prominent entertainment venue for staycationers, tourists, convention attendees, and global music fans,” Ohsang stated.
“We believe that Ko’s leadership, combining international expertise and deep market understanding, will bolster this momentum. Bain Capital is enthusiastic about maintaining a close partnership with Inspire’s management team to continue advancing the resort’s long-term growth and operational excellence,” Ohsang concluded.