Korea University Ranked 28th in Marketing, 42nd in Business & Management, and 50th in Accounting & Finance in the QS World University Rankings     In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, published by the UK-based higher education evaluator Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), Korea University once again demonstrated its global competitiveness by ranking 28th in ‘Marketing’, 42nd in ‘Business & Management Studies’, and 50th in ‘Accounting & Finance’.    Compared to last year, the university saw significant improvements across all three disciplines— rising 13 places in Marketing, 12 in Business & Management Studies, and 7 in Accounting & Finance.    In particular, Korea University ranked 1st among domestic universities in the field of Marketing, demonstrating its excellence in both education and research. It surpassed Seoul National University (34th) to take the lead in the Marketing discipline nationwide. Globally, Harvard University, the University of Oxford, and Stanford University ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, respectively, in the Marketing category.    In Accounting & Finance, Korea University achieved the highest ranking among private universities in Korea, outperforming Yonsei University (51st) and KAIST (52nd). In both Accounting & Finance and Business & Management Studies, Harvard University, MIT, and Stanford University secured the top three positions globally.    Dean Eonsoo Kim of Korea University Business School (KUBS) stated, “As Korea’s first and leading business school, KUBS will continue striving to become the No. 1 business school in Asia and rank among the world’s top 30 by 2030. Building on this achievement, we will further strengthen our efforts to cultivate globally competitive business leaders.”    Meanwhile, the QS World University Rankings by Subject evaluates over 1,700 universities in more than 100 countries, analyzing 55 academic disciplines based on the following five indicators: Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation (reflecting employability of master’s graduates), Citations per Paper, H-index (measuring faculty productivity and research impact), and International Research Network (IRN). In the 2025 rankings, Korea University ranked within the global top 50 in 11 subjects, including Marketing, Business & Management Studies, and Accounting & Finance, across five broad subject areas: Life Sciences & Medicine, Engineering and Technology, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences & Management, and Arts & Humanities.   

Department of Business Administration, Graduate School of Korea University – 2025 Spring Semester Orientation for Incoming Students Held    The Department of Business Administration at the Graduate School of Korea University successfully held the 2025 Spring Semester Orientation for new students on Wednesday, February 5, in Room 432 of the LG-POSCO Hall. The orientation was designed to help new students gain a better understanding of the department and support their transition into graduate school.      The event began with a welcome speech from Associate Dean Dae Il Nam, who also serves as the department hair. He said, “Welcome to the Graduate School of Business at Korea university. I hope you build meaningful relationships and achieve academic growth through this journey of challenge and development.”    The departmental introduction included an overview of the department’s history, research capabilities, faculty, and global network. The presentation emphasized the department’s ongoing success in global business education and research, as well as its strong partnerships with leading academic institutions worldwide.    The main orientation covered detailed information on the curriculum, academic guidelines, academic records and degree requirements, scholarship programs, the BK21 FOUR R&E Center for Business, and available databases and research support systems. New students actively participated by asking questions, demonstrating their enthusiasm for graduate student life.      After the orientation, a networking session was held between the faculty and newly admitted students, providing a space for open discussion on research topics and academic interests. This was followed by individual orientation sessions for each of the nine majors—Accounting, Finance, Global Business, Information Systems (IS), LSOM, Management, Marketing, Strategy, and Business Analytics (BA)—where students explored their respective fields in greater depth.    During the orientation for newly admitted students in the Business Analytics (BA) major, an award ceremony was also held for the 2024 MSBA Capstone Project. Five outstanding teams from the 5th cohort were selected and recognized for their 2024 capstone projects, with the 6th cohort of incoming students joining the celebration. The MSBA Capstone Project is a practical, team-based initiative in which Business Analytics graduate students analyze datasets provided by partner companies to evaluate existing business models or propose new business strategies.      One newly admitted student who attended the orientation remarked, “My vague questions about graduate school life were resolved, and it was incredibly helpful to receive advice directly from professors and senior students.” Department of Business Administration, Graduate School of Korea University plans to continue offering a variety of support programs to help students focus on their research and academic pursuits. 

“The Beginning of a Valuable Two-Year Journey” – 2025 Executive MBA 23rd Cohort Orientation Held    Korea University Business School Executive MBA (hereinafter E-MBA) program marked the successful beginning of the 23rd cohort’s academic journey with both on- and off-campus orientation (OT) sessions.    The off-campus OT was held on Friday, February 7, at the Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts. All 51 new students of the 23rd cohort attended the event, which was also joined by key faculty members including Associate Dean Gangseog Ryu, Associate Dean Byung Cho Kim, E-MBA Academic Director Daeki Kim, and Professor Shijin Yoo. Associate Dean Gangseog Ryu welcomed the new students by saying, “I hope you enjoy both the joy of learning and the friendships you’ll gain through the E-MBA program,” and added, “All of us will do our best to ensure that your decision leads to a rewarding experience.” Kwangsun Kim, President of the E-MBA Alumni Association, offered his congratulations and encouragement in a celebratory speech, saying, “The E-MBA is a program for redefining a turning point in your life,” and expressed his strong support for the students’ future endeavors.      The first part of the event featured greetings from the E-MBA director and manager, an overview of campus life, self-introductions by the new 23rd cohort students, and an introduction of the 22nd cohort student council. The second part included a welcome address by the Dean of MBA program, greetings from the alumni and student council presidents, alumni performances, and the Night of Korea University Culture, which provided an opportunity for the new students to build connections and gain a deeper understanding of KU culture.      The on-campus OT was held on Saturday, February 22, in Room 530 of LG-POSCO Hall at Korea University. Dean Eonsoo Kim personally welcomed the new cohort, saying, “I hope the next two years of learning and growth provide practical value in your professional life.”      Director Daeki Kim introduced the structure of the E-MBA program, including its academic operations, graduation requirements, and class format. He also provided an overview of key programs such as the ELITE Project, the International Residence Program (IRP), and the CARE Program for alumni. Following his presentation, a program manager offered guidance on classroom usage, attendance management, student ID and portal access, and administrative matters such as community registration.    Next, a gender equality training session was conducted by the university's Human Rights and Gender Equality Center under the theme ‘Creating a Campus Culture of Respect for Human Rights and Gender Equality’. This was followed by a basic lecture on accounting and financial management, delivered by Professor Kwan Hee Yoo, Professor Emeritus of the Business School. In a lighthearted and engaging atmosphere, Professor Yoo encouraged participants to begin with the fundamentals of financial accounting, saying, "Let's start with the basics of financial accounting." He then introduced the sequence in which financial statements are prepared, using the acronym "Son-Ja-Jae-Hyun" —referring to the Income Statement, Statement of Changes in Equity, Statement of Financial Position, and Statement of Cash Flows.      Afterward, lunch was served in Ahn Young-Il Hall at LG-POSCO Hall, followed by a special lecture titled “Historical and Cultural Exploration - KUBS Museum Collection” delivered by Professor Jeong Ho-Seob from the Department of Korean History at the Korea University. Students were then divided into three groups for a campus tour led by KUBE (KUBS student ambassadors). The tour covered various landmarks across campus, including the three KUBS buildings (KUBS Main Building, Hyundai Motor Hall, LG POSCO Hall), Centennial Memorial Samsung Hall, Central Plaza, and SK Future Hall.      Following the tour, students were introduced to the major E-MBA events, the activities of various departments, and the executive committee, and participated in a Q&A session.    Kyungseon Kwon, a new student from the 23rd cohort, shared, “My thirst for new learning led me to pursue the E-MBA, and I hope to grow together with esteemed professors and classmates.” Seungmin Lee also remarked, “In today’s rapidly changing industrial landscape, I wanted to study management in a structured way. I look forward to broadening my perspective through exchanges with peers from diverse fields.”   Korea University Business School E-MBA will continue to nurture future-oriented global leaders through its systematic educational and networking programs.

Korea University E-MBA Successfully Concludes a Warm and Joyful ‘Year-End Celebration’      The Korea University Business School (KUBS), Graduate School of Business Administration (Dean: Eonsoo Kim) hosted the Executive MBA (E-MBA) 22nd cohort “Year-End Night” event on Saturday, December 7, 2024. The celebration was led by the lively emceeing of 22nd cohort students, featuring recreational games and a compliment relay that filled the room with laughter and heartfelt moments. Attendees reminisced about the past year as they watched a video compilation of their shared memories.      The lucky draw event, made possible through generous contributions, offered an array of exciting prizes. Each time a winning number was announced, cheers erupted, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. The event continued with special performances prepared by 22nd cohort, including dance and band performances that received enthusiastic applause. With glowing glasses, cheering sticks, and party props adding to the excitement, participants came together to fully enjoy the evening.      The Executive MBA 21st cohort “Year-End Night” took place on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Attendees were welcomed with a buffet-style meal, fine wine, and a selection of beverages. The first part of the event commenced with an opening speech, followed by an engaging introduction by the emcee. Participants reflected on their past year of dedication and achievements while watching a video capturing the treasured memories of the 21st cohort. Distinguished guests and faculty members were introduced, with special recognition given to academic directors, who took the opportunity to encourage and support the students. A lucky draw event and a magic show titled "Between Magic and the Magician" added excitement to the evening. During the break, a special photo exhibition featuring works by artist Kyung-Seok Yoon was displayed, offering attendees a moment of artistic appreciation.      The second part of the event, themed "Adieu! E-MBA," showcased the highlight of the evening: a spirited cheer performance, met with enthusiastic applause. The 21st cohort executive committee then gave a farewell speech and led a toast, after which students shared their personal reflections on the theme “What E-MBA Means to Me?” through video messages. A special guest singer then took the stage, reigniting the celebratory spirit. The evening concluded with a group photo session, capturing the meaningful bonds among classmates.      In the final moments of the event, participants expressed gratitude and reaffirmed their commitment to fostering deeper connections and continued personal and professional growth. The evening served as a heartfelt reminder of the enduring friendships and collaborative spirit cultivated through the program.      Meanwhile, the MBA Alumni Association Year-End Night was held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at The Plaza Hotel Grand Ballroom. The event provided an opportunity for MBA alumni to strengthen their bonds, reflect on their accomplishments over the past year, and celebrate their collective efforts. 

KUBS Faculty News for January to March 2025    Professor  Johngseok Bae (Management)      Professor Jong-Seok Bae collaborated with Professor Chris Rowley of Oxford University and other scholars as an editor for the Routledge Handbook of Korean Business and Management, published by the prestigious British publishing house Routledge in February 2025. The handbook brings together contributions from 36 domestic and international business scholars and consists of 21 chapters, including the introduction and conclusion, providing an in-depth analysis of Korean business management.  The book is structured around key themes: (1) the institutional context of the labor and capital markets; (2) macro-level issues related to Korean corporate management, including corporate governance, professional management, the structure of large business groups, the role of the government, corporate growth, and management strategies; (3) micro-level aspects such as human resource management, labor relations, and executive compensation; (4) emerging topics such as CSR and ESG, entrepreneurship, diversity, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and employment; and (5) challenges and future directions in business management.    Professor Kwanho Suk (Marketing)      Professor Kwanho Suk was awarded the Best Paper Award by the Korean Academic Society of Business Administration (KASBA) journal Business Administration Research on Wednesday, February 19. Professor Suk co-authored the paper “A Study on the Relationship Between Crowdfunding Goal Amount and Crowdfunding Performance: Focusing on Kakao Together Donation Campaigns” with Professor Sanyoung Hwang (Research Professor at the Institute for Business Research and Education). The study provides an in-depth analysis of the relationship between crowdfunding performance and goal amounts, offering valuable insights into the characteristics of the domestic crowdfunding market and strategies for successful campaigns.    Professor DaeSoo Kim (LSOM)      Professor Daesoo Kim published two new books in February and March 2025. The first book, Purchasing and Supply Management: Digital Transformation, Resilience, and Sustainability (Choa Publishing, February 2025), explores the latest issues in purchasing and supply chain management, focusing on digitalization, supply chain resilience, and sustainable management. The second book, A Journey Through Data Analysis with ChatGPT (Cheongram Publishing, March 2025), introduces practical data analysis methodologies using ChatGPT, covering topics from basic concepts to advanced techniques in data analysis. 

KUBS Holds the ‘2024 KUBS Thesis Advisory Award’ Ceremony      Korea University Business School (KUBS, Dean: Eonsoo Kim) held the ‘2024 KUBS Thesis Advisory Award’ ceremony on Tuesday, March 11, at the Dean’s Office. This event was organized to recognize the contributions of faculty members who have guided master’s and doctoral students in their academic achievements and to further enrich the research environment.    The ‘KUBS Thesis Advisory Award’ is given to faculty members who have made significant contributions to the advancement of education and research at KUBS MS/PhD through outstanding thesis supervision. The award aims to commend faculty members for their dedication and commitment to research guidance. At the ceremony, the award recipients in attendance included Professors Jeunghyun Kim, Kwangtae Park, Shijin Yoo, Gunwoong Lee, and Kyuhan Lee, who celebrated the occasion.    The 2024 awardees were as follows (listed in Korean alphabetical order): △Jaehwan Kim (Marketing), △ Jeunghyun Kim (LSOM), △Jungbien Moon (Global Business/Strategy), △Kwangtae Park (LSOM), △Shijin Yoo (Marketing), △Gunwoong Lee (IS), △Kyuhan Lee (IS), △Jay Hyuk Rhee (Global Business/Strategy), △Wooseok Choi (Accounting).    Dean Eonsoo Kim expressed gratitude, stating, "The research achievements of our students have been made possible through the continuous guidance and support of our faculty members. Moving forward, KUBS will continue to enhance the research environment and provide unwavering support to ensure both faculty and students grow together."    KUBS remains committed to promoting excellence in research supervision and academic achievements by continuously implementing various support initiatives.