KU Bayes Colloquium 2025: Bridging Theory and Practice in an Academic Exchange Forum      Korea University Business School (KUBS) will host the KU Bayes Colloquium: Bayesian Inference for Econometrics and Marketing on Saturday, May 31, in Room 217 of the LG-POSCO Hall.  This colloquium provides a forum for sharing the latest research on Bayesian inference in the fields of econometrics and marketing, fostering academic exchange that bridges theory and practice. Since the spring semester of 2017, the KU Bayesian Econometrics Research Group—led by Professor Kyu Ho Kang of the Department of Economics and Professor Jae Hwan Kim of KUBS—has organized this event annually in collaboration with interested researchers at Korea University.  This year’s colloquium will feature a total of five research presentations.  The first presentation, titled “Market-Oriented Consumer Research,” will be delivered by Professor Greg Allenby of Ohio State University as part of an international collaborative project. This study explores consumer-centric quantitative modeling in the field of marketing.  The second session, titled “Linking Product Experience to Preference via Lexical Priors,” will be jointly presented by Professor Hyowon Kim (Sungkyunkwan University) and Professor YiChun Miriam Liu (Iowa State University). This study employs Bayesian methods to examine the relationship between product experience and consumer preference through the lens of lexical priors.  The third presentation, titled “Finding Inflation Uncertainty Factors: A Sparse Stochastic Volatility Approach,” will be delivered by Professor Kyu Ho Kang (Korea University) and Professor Hui-Jhong Choi (University of Rochester). This study investigates a quantitative method for estimating macroeconomic uncertainty through a sparse stochastic volatility framework.  The fourth presentation, titled “Modeling Disjunctive Topic Associations with Metadata,” will be delivered by Professor Dongsoo Kim (Chung-Ang University) and Professor Dongyub Kim (Gachon University). This study presents a novel approach to modeling topic associations based on metadata.  The final presentation, titled “Music Royalty Trading: Investment or Fandom,” will be jointly delivered by Professors Byungwan Ko, James L. Park, and Jaehwan Kim (all from Korea University Business School). This study analyzes transaction data to investigate the nature of music royalty trading platforms, exploring whether they primarily function as vehicles for financial investment or as fandom-driven marketplaces.  Following the colloquium, an open discussion session will be held under the theme “Bayesian Inference for Contemporary Research.”  This event is expected to serve as a meaningful platform for exploring interdisciplinary collaboration centered on Bayesian analytical methods, while also promoting active academic exchange among researchers from Korea and abroad. 

“Experiencing the Korean Business Scene”… KUBS Hosts Global Residency Asia for Xiamen University OneMBA Program      Korea University Business School (KUBS) recently hosted a short-term educational program titled the “2025 Global Residency Asia for OneMBA,” inviting students from the OneMBA program, including those from Xiamen University in China. The program was designed to provide global MBA students with practical insights into Korean business and management practices, while also promoting academic exchange between the two institutions.      Held over four days from Tuesday, May 20 to Friday, May 23, the program took place at the Hyundai Motor Hall at Korea University and across various locations in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. A total of 62 participants took part, including 55 OneMBA students, 6 faculty and staff members, and 1 accompanying spouse from Xiamen University.      The program served as a meaningful example of a collaborative model for global business education and further strengthened the partnership between Korea University and Xiamen University. Through lectures such as “Digital Transformation” by Professor Byung Cho Kim and “Data-Driven Decision – Default Prediction” by Professor Jeunghyun Kim, participants gained deep insights into Korea’s strategies for digital innovation. In addition, students participated in group discussions and presentations, actively exchanging ideas and perspectives. These sessions offered more than just classroom learning—they provided valuable opportunities to develop real-world collaboration and problem-solving skills.      As part of the experiential learning component, participants visited two major Korean companies: NAVER Webtoon and Amorepacific headquarters. At NAVER’s cutting-edge smart office, “1784,” students attended an English-language corporate introduction session and were given the opportunity to freely explore the facility. At Amorepacific, they joined a one-hour guided tour conducted in English, gaining firsthand insights into the business strategies and organizational culture of one of Korea’s leading consumer goods companies.      Students who completed the full program—which included six hours of lectures, three hours of presentations, and two company visits—will receive a certificate of completion signed by the Dean of Korea University Business School. This program provided participants with a valuable opportunity to gain practical understanding of Korean corporate culture and innovation strategies.      A special connection played a key role in bringing the OneMBA students to Korea University: Professor Xina Yuan, the accompanying faculty member from Xiamen University, is an alumna of KUBS. She was the first Chinese international student to earn both a master’s and Ph.D. in Marketing at Korea University under the mentorship of Professor Sang Yong Kim. Now a marketing professor at prestigious Xiamen University, Professor Yuan continues to enhance the global reputation of her alma mater.      One of the key features of the OneMBA program is that students can deepen their global perspectives and multicultural collaboration skills by directly experiencing the business environments and cultures of four continents—Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa—through local immersion modules.  After completing core courses at their home institutions, students participate in joint coursework through remote collaboration and residency modules, working alongside faculty and fellow participants from global partner schools.  For the recent OneMBA Global Residency Asia program, students from the △ School of Management at Xiamen University in China, △ FGV EAESP (Fundação Getulio Vargas) in São Paulo, Brazil, and △ Toulouse Business School in France joined students at Korea University Business School to study and engage in academic exchange together.   

The Power of Nurturing Future Leaders: Leadership Academy Entrance Ceremony for Korea Zinc and Affiliates Held      On Monday, May 26, Korea University Business School held the entrance ceremony for the “Korea Zinc and Affiliates Leadership Academy” in Room 301 of Hyundai Motor Hall. Jointly organized by KUBS and Korea Zinc to nurture future leaders, the program has enrolled 29 participants from Korea Zinc and its affiliated companies.      The ceremony was attended by KUBS Dean Eonsoo Kim and Kwon In Dae, Head of the Human Resources Management Division at Korea Zinc, among other officials. The event included a welcoming address, a program introduction, and participant self-introductions. In his welcome speech, Mr. Kwon stated, “Just like metals that withstand high temperatures and pressures to become high-purity products, we need leaders who grow through trial and error. I hope this Leadership Academy serves as an opportunity to develop the kind of leadership demanded by our times.” Dean Kim added, “A true leader is not just a figure of authority but a strategic thinker who envisions the future. I hope the spirit of ‘Keep reading, keep learning’ will come to life here at Korea University.”      The Korea Zinc and Affiliates Leadership Academy is designed around an action-learning-based curriculum, built on a deep understanding of the group’s history, mission, core values, and business model. Over the course of seven months and four educational sessions, participants will systematically strengthen their leadership capabilities as well as gain practical business insights.     KUBS plans to continue expanding its collaboration with the business sector through customized corporate education programs, reinforcing its role as a leader in practical management education. 

Endless Imagination of Youth Connects to Startups… 2025 Startup Express Summer Season Successfully Concludes      Korea University Business School successfully hosted the 2025 Startup Express Summer Season startup competition on Friday, May 30, at SUPEX Hall in the LG-POSCO Hall. Organized by the Startup Station under the business school,, the event was designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs in developing and growing their startup ideas.    Held every summer and fall, Startup Express is one of Korea University’s flagship student startup competitions.  Participants are offered opportunities to join the Startup Station for a minimum of 6 months up to 1 year, along with startup education programs. This year, eligibility was expanded beyond current undergraduates and graduate students (including those on leave) and alumni within five years of graduation to also include students from other majors, minors, and universities outside the Seoul metropolitan area—creating a broader, national startup networking platform.    Preliminary applications were accepted from April 14 (Mon) to May 7 (Wed). The face-to-face interviews were held on May 20 (Tue), followed by the final round and awards ceremony on May 30 (Fri). Twelve teams that passed the preliminary round advanced to the finals, where they presented creative and highly feasible startup ideas. Each team had five minutes for their presentation and five minutes for a Q&A session with the judges.      This year’s presented startup ideas included:  Thermit: An AI-based product detail page creation service  Nobel Ideas: A global web novel platform powered by fan translations  Gaon: A deep learning-based sound control instrument  Tarte: An AI-based fractional investment platform  During: A premium self-care brand for menopausal women  CEEDERS: A greenhouse gas reduction MRV procedure system  ANYWAY: A data analytics platform for solo content creators  Haneulcheon: An automated electronic disclosure platform  Franchat: A random chat service for acquaintances  LectureMate AI: An AI-powered lecture automation platform  Socially: A regional social engagement platform  Mindful Labs: An AI-based solution for mental health challenges      The judging panel consisted of 10 experts from various fields, including Hwang Joon-ho (Director of the Startup Station), Park Jin-gyu (Director of Seung Myung-ho Education Center), Kim Young-kyung (Director of Iljin Startup Support Center), and representatives from Dongwha Enterprise, The Korea Times, Iljin Global, Sopoong Connect, Talink, and Kingsbay Capital.      A total of KRW 10 million in startup support funding was awarded to the winning teams.  The Seung Myung-ho Entrepreneurship Award went to 'Mindful Labs' The Iljin Startup Award went to 'Tarte'  The Choo-Choo Entrepreneurship Award, determined by audience vote, went to 'Thermit'  The KUBS Class of ’79 Award was given to 'Thermit', 'LectureMate AI', and 'Socially'  All award-winning teams will receive Startup Station residency opportunities, expert mentoring, and entrepreneurship education programs.    During the opening ceremony, Professor Nam Dae-il, founding director of the Startup Station and Associate Dean of the Business School, said, “I’m proud to see this event continue its stable growth over the past nine years. I hope more students will create successful career stories through entrepreneurship.” Following this, Director Joon Ho Hwang presented a plaque of appreciation to Lee Sang-hyun, Chair of the KUBS Class of ’79 Alumni Association, which sponsored the event. Lee expressed, “I’m proud to see Korea University fostering such a vibrant startup ecosystem and hope to see a unicorn company emerge from our alma mater.”     In his closing remarks, Director Hwang added, “The quality of student startup ideas continues to impress me every year. Defining and solving problems that don’t have a fixed answer is the essence of entrepreneurship, and the fact that you’re at the starting line is meaningful in itself.”  The Startup Station also announced plans to offer additional residency opportunities to non-award-winning teams. All selected teams will receive two months of foundational entrepreneurship education from July, covering areas such as team building, market validation, intellectual property, law, finance, taxation, and mental health. 

Korea University Business School Hosts ‘Academic Advisor Mentoring Day’ for Freshmen     Korea University Business School (KUBS) held its "2025 Spring Semester Academic Advisor Mentoring Day" over three days from Tuesday, May 27 to Thursday, May 29. This event is part of the "Academic Advisor Mentoring Program," which has been running since the 2007 academic year. It was designed to provide freshmen with an opportunity to meet their academic advisors in person, receive guidance on their studies and career paths, and communicate in a relaxed setting.    The mentoring day was held for 2025 freshmen enrolled in the “Freshman Seminar I” course in the Business Administration Department. Students checked their advisors’ schedules in advance and made individual appointments to participate in the sessions. The meetings took place face-to-face in locations such as the Ahn Young-Il Hall and Cuckoo Hall at the LG-POSCO Hall, as well as the Business Lawn.    On the first day of the event, Tuesday the 27th, professors and students gathered around round tables at Ahn Young-Il  Hall to share lunch together. This created a platform for open conversations on a variety of topics related to university life, including academics and career planning. English mentoring sessions were also held for international students, and special discussion tables focused on major current topics like exchange programs and artificial intelligence (AI), facilitating in-depth discussions on diverse interests.  Professor Jae-Nam Lee, who participated in the event, remarked, “It was a bit awkward at first, but I really enjoyed having direct conversations with the students.” Park Ji-hwan (Business Administration, Class of ’25), who spoke with Professor Lee, said, “It was helpful to get realistic advice from a professor on things I haven’t experienced yet.” Another student, Lee Hyun-ho (Business Administration, Class of ’25), added, “It was meaningful because we don’t usually get many chances to talk casually with professors.”      On the final day, outdoor luncheons and open conversations were held at the Ahn Young-Il Hall and the Business Lawn, creating a particularly special atmosphere. This was the first time the event included outdoor sessions, which received positive feedback from the students.  Professor Woochan Kim, who attended the event, said, “This year, students submitted questions in advance through a survey, enabling more meaningful conversations tailored to their interests.” Kim Sun-bin (Business Administration, Class of ’25), who spoke with Professor Kim, shared, “As a freshman, I had many concerns about my future and school life, and talking with the professor helped resolve many of them.”  Kim Ji-na (Business Administration, Class of ’25), who had lunch with Professor Gangseog Ryu, said, “The professor generously gave advice on studying abroad, which really helped me prepare in advance.” At the event, students and professors also exchanged opinions on a wide range of topics, such as career planning, job preparation, and on- and off-campus activities. Students wrapped up their mentoring experience by taking group photos with their professors and receiving commemorative gifts.      KUBS plans to continue regularly hosting mentoring programs to help students receive practical advice and support from their academic advisors for various concerns they encounter during university life. The school aims to further expand these opportunities to foster meaningful relationships and communication between professors and students built on mutual trust. 

AMP Alumni Jangsun Park and K-MBA Alumna Kyunga Eun Awarded the Order of Industrial Service Merit      Jangsun Park, President of the Advanced Management Program (AMP) Alumni Association (CEO of TodayArt Co., AMP Classes 52 and 97), and Kyunga Eun, Executive Vice President of the Korea MBA (K-MBA) Alumni Association (CEO of CeraArt Co., K-MBA Class 81), have elevated the reputation of Korea University Business School (KUBS) by receiving the Silver Tower and Bronze Tower Orders of Industrial Service Merit, respectively.    President Park was awarded the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit on Friday, May 23, 2025, during the commemorative ceremony of the 2025 Korea Small and Medium Business Conference, held at the KBIZ Hall of the Korea Federation of SMEs. He was recognized for his outstanding business achievements and significant contributions to industrial development. For over 30 years, he has led technological innovation in the printing and cultural content industries and played a key role in the globalization of K-POP content. By implementing smart factory systems based on IoT, AI, and big data, he has spearheaded digital transformation and helped establish eco-friendly production systems across the sector. He also earned high praise for his dedication to talent development, community engagement, and employee welfare—exemplifying sustainable management and corporate social responsibility.      Executive Vice President Eun received the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at the commemorative ceremony for the 60th Invention Day, held at COEX Magok in Seoul. As the founder of CeraArt Co., a company specializing in advanced ceramic materials, she has led the development and production of zirconia ceramic components for global luxury brands and a wide range of industrial sectors—achieving 100% export-based operations. Under her leadership, CeraArt has been recognized as a World-Class Product Manufacturer for eight consecutive years. This prestigious honor acknowledges her continued commitment to sustainable technological innovation, pioneering efforts in global market expansion, and socially responsible business practices. Notably, Eun has been reappointed as an international judge for the Global Awards hosted by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) under the United Nations, affirming her global expertise. She also plays an active role in advancing social value as a member of the Presidential Council on Intellectual Property, director of the Korea Entrepreneurship Foundation, Vice President of the Korea Venture Business Women’s Association, and advisory board member of Korea University Business School (KUBS). She is currently enrolled in the KUBS-DBA program at Korea University, where she continues to expand her management expertise by integrating academic theory with practical experience.    These two honorees are exemplary leaders who have embodied the core values of Korea University Business School’s (KUBS) vision—“Business for Society – Inspiring Next Leaders”—by advancing technological innovation and demonstrating a deep commitment to social responsibility in their respective industries. Their achievements serve as a powerful source of inspiration and pride not only for fellow alumni but also for current students and future generations.    The Order of Industrial Service Merit is the highest national honor bestowed upon individuals who have made outstanding contributions to industrial and technological advancement. These awards stand as a meaningful testament to the role KUBS MBA alumni play as trailblazers in driving the future and innovation of Korean industry.