"Closing One Chapter, Opening Another"… KUBS Student Ambassador KUBE’s 20th Cohort Farewell and 22nd Cohort Inauguration Ceremony      The closing ceremony for the 20th generation and the inauguration ceremony for the 22nd cohort of KUBE (Korea University Business School Student Ambassadors) were held on Monday, March 31, at the Cuckoo Seminar Room in LG-POSCO Hall. KUBE is the official student ambassador group of Korea University Business School (KUBS), actively involved in planning and supporting various events to enhance the school’s reputation both internally and externally. The event was attended by Professor Eonsoo Kim, Dean of KUBS, Professor Hyun Seung Na, Vice Dean, and members of the 20th, 21st, and 22nd cohorts of KUBE.      The ceremony began with congratulatory remarks by Dean Eonsoo Kim, followed by a report on KUBE's activities from the second semester of 2024 and a presentation of the activity plan for the first semester of 2025. Certificates of participation and prizes were awarded to members of the 20th cohort, and appointment letters and scholarship certificates were presented to the 22nd cohort. Scholarship certificates were also awarded to members of the 21st cohort. The event concluded with a group photo session. In his remarks, Dean Kim emphasized, “The paths you have paved will continue the tradition of KUBE and serve as a valuable foundation that connects your experience to new opportunities. In this meaningful year marking the 120th anniversary of Korea University, I hope your passion and dedication will continue to enhance the legacy and spirit of KUBS.”      Following the speech, KUBE reflected on its activities during the second semester of 2024 and introduced its plans for the first semester of 2025.  In the previous semester, KUBE carried out a range of activities, including the Fall 2024 Regular Campus Tour, the 10th Anniversary Homecoming Day, the 18th Youth Mentoring Day, ongoing campus tours, self-promotion initiatives, and protocol support.  For the upcoming semester, KUBE plans to continue its efforts with a variety of activities, such as the Spring 2025 Regular Campus Tour, the 19th Youth Mentoring Day, KUBEmanza Season 5 — a themed annual interview series with KUBE alumni — along with continued self-promotion initiatives, ongoing campus tours, and protocol support.      During the closing ceremony, Dean Eonsoo Kim presented certificates of participation to six 20th-cohort members who successfully completed their one-year term: Kim Min-Jin (Business ’24), Kim Se-Eun (Business ’24), Kim Yeon-Ha (Business ’23), Park Su-A (Business ’24), Yoon Je-Woo (Business ’20), and Jang Jun-Hyeok (Business ’24). Vice Dean Hyun-Seung Na also presented prizes, followed by individual photo sessions for each member.      Next, during the inauguration of the 22nd cohort, Vice Dean Hyun-Seung Na presented appointment letters and scholarship certificates to six newly selected members: Kim Da-Jin (Business ’25), Moon Si-Hoon (Business ’25), Ahn Hyo-Won (Business ’24), Lee Chae-Woo (Business ’25), Im Jeong-Yeop (Business ’22), and Hong Jun-Seok (Business ’25). The 22nd cohort members were chosen through a highly competitive selection process that evaluated their school spirit, passion, written applications, interview performance, foreign language proficiency, and ability to create social media content.      Finally, Dean Eonsoo Kim presented scholarship certificates to six members of the 21st cohort, who have continued to lead KUBE activities into this year: Kang Min-Ji (Business ’23), Kwon Na-Yoon (Business ’24), Park Seon-Yu (Business ’24), Shin Woo-Jin (Business ’23), Jeong Jun-Hee (Business ’24), and Cha Jae-Wook (Business ’24).      Yoon Je-Woo (Business ’20), who served as the president of KUBE during the past semester, shared, “I constantly wondered whether I was a good fit for KUBE and whether I could contribute meaningfully as the president of such a prestigious organization. Thanks to the support of my professors and staff, I’m grateful to have completed my term successfully and to take part in this closing ceremony.” He added, “I hope my year as a member of KUBE was a meaningful one, and I wish the best of luck to the new members.” Kim Da-Jin (Business ’25), a newly selected member of the 22nd cohort, said, “Becoming a part of KUBE, which I had dreamed of joining since entering Korea University, fills me with excitement, nervousness, and a deep sense of honor. I will carry out my role with a strong sense of responsibility, as the face and voice of the Business School.” 

“Exploring the History of Technological Innovation and Startups” – Special Lecture on Entrepreneurship by Professor Seongmin Jeon of Gachon University      The Entrepreneurship Academy special lecture, hosted by the Startup Station at Korea University Business School, was held on Tuesday, March 25, at The STAGE on the second floor of the KUBS Main Building. The lecture was delivered by Professor Seongmin Jeon from the College of Business at Gachon University, under the theme “The Past, Present, and Future of the Startup Ecosystem.”      Professor Jeon explained that before the 1980s, the concept of venture startups was virtually nonexistent in Korea. However, the emergence of personal computers and the introduction of the internet gave rise to a new business culture. He discussed how startups such as ‘SayClub, Hangame, and SAEROME Technology (Dialpad)’ experienced growth and faced challenges during the venture boom.      Regarding Hangame, Professor Jeon shared an anecdote: “In the early days, when the company wasn’t making money, they opened a PC café called ‘Mission No.1’ and set all the PCs to display Hangame.” This strategy helped the company establish a D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) model, observe customer behavior, and complete its value chain. He also introduced startups that entered new industries through technological innovation, emphasizing the importance of pursuing business models even in ventures that may initially seem improbable. He stressed the value of not being afraid of failure.      Based on interviews with around 30 individuals who were active during Korea’s first venture boom—a period when Teheran-ro in Seoul was known as “Teheran Valley”—Professor Jeon’s book Teheran Valley Story traces the development of Korea’s startup ecosystem. The book is available for free through Startup Alliance and Ridi Books.      Meanwhile, Professor Seongmin Jeon of the College of Business at Gachon University, who delivered the special lecture, earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Seoul National University and his Ph.D. in business administration from the same institution. He previously served as President of the Korea Association of Venture Business, and currently holds various positions including Executive Board Member of the Korean Academic Society of Business Administration and the Korea Society of Management Information Systems, Editor-in-Chief of the Korean Business History Society, Economic Expert Panel Member at the Korea Development Institute (KDI), Outside Director of the Yoonmin Creative Investment Foundation, and Evaluation Committee Member for the Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea. 

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.