A Heartwarming Gathering Across Generations – KUBS Hosts ‘Faculty Appreciation and Reunion Day’      On Wednesday, May 14, Korea University Business School (KUBS) held the ‘KUBS Faculty Appreciation and Reunion Day’ at Young-Il Ahn Hall on the 6th floor of LG-POSCO Hall. The event was organized to express gratitude to senior faculty members who have devoted themselves to the school’s development over the years and to foster communication and camaraderie among professors across generations.    A total of 11 former professors and over 60 current faculty members attended, creating a warm and intergenerational atmosphere. Professors gathered to reconnect, share memories, and reflect on the past, present, and future of KUBS. The attending senior faculty included △ Ho Jin Kang, △ Wan-Soon Kim, △ Ick-Soo Kim, and △ Jang Rho Lee (Global Business), △ Hyoung Koo Moon, △ soosik Shin, and △ Jin Kyu Lee (Management), △ Joon Yong Shin, △ Kwan hee Yoo, △ Manwoo Lee (Accounting), and △ Young-Sup Yun (Finance).      In the opening ceremony, Dean Eonsoo Kim stated, “KUBS owes its current standing to the deep dedication and passion of our senior faculty. We are committed to carrying on that spirit and striving for academic and educational advancement.” He also highlighted recent accomplishments, saying, “KUBS has achieved remarkable results in the latest QS rankings, placing in the top 40 globally in ‘Marketing’, ‘Business & Management Studies’, and ‘Accounting & Finance’, and we will continue to work diligently to improve.”    Representing the former faculty, Professor Wan-Soon Kim delivered a greeting, stating, “KUBS has continuously evolved, but at the core has always been the devotion of our professors. I am deeply grateful to the junior faculty and KUBS for organizing this event.” He added, “Today, my son is here with me, and my entire family graduated from Korea University. I take great pride in saying Korea University is the best university in Korea.”      During the luncheon, Professor soosik Sin offered a toast, wishing for the continued honor and prestige of KUBS, as well as the health and scholarly growth of all attendees. He also presented one of his authored books as a gift to a professor couple, sharing a heartfelt gesture.    As the final part of the event, commemorative gifts were presented to the senior professors in appreciation of their service. Following the ceremony, the retired faculty visited the newly established faculty office in Room 525 of LG-POSCO Hall, where they witnessed firsthand the ongoing transformation and advancement of KUBS.      KUBS plans to continue expanding opportunities for intergenerational academic bonding and meaningful dialogue among faculty members through similar gatherings in the future. 

Debut Stage for Rookie Entrepreneurs – 2025 Spring CHOO CHOO Day Successfully Held      The 2025 Spring CHOO CHOO Day, a student startup demo day hosted by the Korea University Business School Startup Station, was held on Friday, May 9, in the Global Conference Hall on B1 of the Centennial Memorial Samsung Hall.  The event took the form of a demo day, where five rookie startup teams currently participating in the Startup Institute’s incubation program presented their progress, and shared the vision and potential of their ventures. Each team introduced their business ideas, go-to-market strategies, and future plans, gaining valuable, hands-on feedback from the audience.      The following five teams participated in Choo Choo Day , each showcasing their innovative startup idea: △ MARKWORKS: An AI-powered patent filing solution designed for patent attorneys, offering product similarity assessment and proactive search capabilities. △ NAWA: ‘CUPGGIRI’, a smart cup solution that automatically washes, dries, compresses, and collects cups, △ ATLO: ‘Ditto’, a personalized AI companion you can talk to anytime, anywhere, △ Live-Lively: ‘NoriCare’, a healthcare solution for managing chronic conditions in seniors, △ PEEKABOOLABS: ‘Carve’, an on-device AI solution that automatically optimizes system performance.    The event began with opening remarks by Youngkyung Kim, Director of the Iljin Center for Startup Incubation, who noted, “Today marks the moment when these well-prepared graduating startups declare their readiness to take off like rockets,” emphasizing the significance of CHOO CHOO Day.    Dae Il Nam, Vice Dean of Korea University Business School, delivered a welcome address, stating, “Today is not merely a presentation, but a stage to demonstrate your potential for the future.” He went on to encourage the participants, saying, “The journey of challenge, failure, and rising again will make each of you stronger.”      During the Open Mic session, Kwangsik Yoon, CEO of DONGJOO., that operates ‘SPINNOFF’—an AI-based team-building solution for creating novel comics—shared advice, saying, “If you have the reason why you started, a good grasp of market trends, and trustworthy teammates, your startup’s direction will naturally form.”    The event continued with five-minute pitches and eight-minute Q&A sessions for each team. The panelists included Eunwoo Park (Partner, MASHUP VENTURES), Ino Jung (Team Lead, POSTECH HOLDINGS), Hakyeong Kim (CEO, ZDVC), Ukjin Kwon (Principal, PRIMER SAZZE), and Minhong Jang (Advisor, BASS VENTURES), who offered sharp questions and practical advice while carefully evaluating the teams' potential.      The event concluded with closing remarks by Joon Ho Hwang, Director of the Startup Station, who said, “I could truly feel the spirit of youth, innovation, and challenge today,” adding, “I hope CHOO CHOO Day continues to support the growth of innovative startups and serves as a catalyst for revitalizing the economy.”    Korea University Business School’s Startup Station organizes CHOO CHOO Day each semester to provide young entrepreneurs with real startup experience and opportunities for network building. The institute plans to continue expanding various programs to support the growth of startups with innovative ideas and execution capabilities. 

Walking the Campus, Envisioning the Future: 2025 KUBS Regular Campus Tour and Youth Day      On Saturday, May 17, Korea University Business School (KUBS) hosted the “2025 KUBS Regular Campus Tour and Youth Day” on its campus. The event welcomed approximately 100 high school students from across the country, offering them a glimpse into real college life and in-depth insights into business studies. The program was organized and led by KUBE, the official student ambassadors of KUBS, who shared their personal university experiences and perspectives.  The program consisted of △an opening ceremony, △About KUBS (an introduction to the business school and its majors), △a group photo session, △a student transition period and break, △a campus tour, △a mentoring session with enrolled students, and △a closing ceremony.      During the opening ceremony, Associate Dean Hyun Seung Na warmly welcomed the students, saying, “I sincerely thank you for taking the time and effort to be here today. I hope this experience helps you understand why business studies are essential to society and inspires greater motivation.” He especially acknowledged participants who traveled long distances from cities such as Changwon and Busan, adding, “As a small token of appreciation, we will gift Korea University tiger plushies to those who came from the farthest regions.”  The remark was met with enthusiastic applause and cheers from the audience.      The event was emceed by KUBE President Ujin Shin and Vice President Minji Kang. During the About KUBS session, ambassadors Junseok Hong and Chaewoo Lee introduced the business school, followed by Sihoon Moon and Dajin Kim, who presented an engaging overview of the school’s nine academic concentrations.  They highlighted KUBS’s reputation as the top producer of certified public accountants (CPAs) in Korea and its global learning environment, supported by 90 full-time professors and over 61.2% of classes conducted in English. To make the content more relatable, the ambassadors used the example of ramen — covering its production, distribution, and marketing — to explain business specializations in a fun and accessible way. A final quiz session added to the excitement, with small prizes awarded to students who answered correctly.      Following the group photo, students were divided into teams and gathered in lecture rooms at Hyundai Motor Hall. Each group, guided by KUBE ambassadors, embarked on a campus tour that included key business facilities — LG-POSCO Hall, Hyundai Motor Hall, and the Main Building — as well as notable locations on the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus such as the Centennial Memorial Samsung Hall, SK Future Hall, and the underground facilities beneath Central Plaza. Students took commemorative group photos at each stop, creating lasting memories.      The mentoring session that followed provided an open space for questions on admissions, academics, and university life. When asked about study strategies, ambassador Chaewoo Lee shared, “Understanding the test maker’s intent is key to performing well on school exams. I used vacation periods to prepare for the Korean SAT and focused on school grades during the semester to maintain balance.”  The ambassadors also introduced diverse career paths including CPA preparation, the Public Officer Qualification Exam, and launching a startup, offering practical insights and motivation to participants as they explore their future academic and career goals.      One student shared, “I was unsure about my future, but today sparked my interest in business. Now I’m dreaming of entering Korea University and becoming a member of KUBE.”      The KUBS Regular Campus Tour and Youth Day has evolved into more than just a campus visit — it offers meaningful, hands-on experiences that help students envision their academic journey and future careers. Held twice annually in May and November, the next Youth Mentoring Day, providing deeper insights into business education, is scheduled for July. Applications will open in June via the official KUBE website. 

CEMS (KUBS Member School) Corporate Partner Survey Results Released  "Professionalism and business acumen alone will not be enough for leadership success after 2030"      The Global Alliance in Management Education, CEMS, of which Korea University Business School (KUBS) is a member, has released research findings conducted in collaboration with 20 multinational corporate partners, revealing a fundamental shift in the core competencies required for successful leadership beyond 2030.  The study was based on interviews with HR and leadership professionals from the 20 CEMS partner companies. While technical expertise and business acumen remain important, there was broad consensus that future leaders must be more human-centric, culturally agile, and entrepreneurial.  CEMS corporate partners have identified five core competencies that will be essential for next-generation leaders in the post-2030 era:  1. Fusion of Analytical Skills and Creativity  Future leaders must go beyond simply interpreting data—they must be able to synthesize complex information, derive strategic decisions, and combine analytical rigor with creative thinking that cannot be replicated by automation or AI.  2. Entrepreneurial Mindset  An entrepreneurial mindset involves the ability to challenge conventional business models, embrace change, and drive purpose-driven innovation. This adaptive and proactive approach is increasingly seen as critical for leadership in a rapidly evolving environment.  3. Cultural Intelligence (CQ)  The ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with teams from diverse cultural backgrounds is emerging as a key determinant of global leadership success. Cultural agility is essential in navigating multicultural teams and global business contexts.  4. Combination of Subject-Matter Expertise and Strategic Business Insight  Future leaders must go beyond general management knowledge. A deep understanding of specific industries—combined with the ability to integrate that expertise into strategic perspectives—will be a key differentiator in driving business success.  5. Digital Agility  While future leaders are not expected to be digital specialists, they must possess a keen awareness of major digital trends and data analytics. Equally important is the ability to bridge communication between technical and business teams to guide effective decision-making.  These competencies underscore the growing importance of human-centered qualities in future leadership. Essential attributes for next-generation leaders now include resilience, adaptability, humility, emotional intelligence, value-driven decision-making, and a strong commitment to physical and mental well-being—as well as to sustainability  Jonathan von Gutzeit, Head of Talent Experience at Lufthansa Group—one of the companies that participated in the research—remarked that “the next generation of leaders must be more than just capable.” He identified ambition, responsibility, and empathy as essential qualities, and added that future leaders should be able to “pioneer new markets through strategic thinking, innovation, and customer-centricity, while cultivating inclusive and empowering organizational cultures.”  Nicolas Barbier of BNP Paribas Portugal also underscored the importance of flexibility, global awareness, and a collaborative mindset. He noted that “those who can think flexibly in rapidly changing environments, adapt well to global organizations encompassing diverse nationalities and cultures, and co-create within teams are the ones who will grow into effective leaders.”      CEMS is a global alliance in international management education, active across six continents and comprising 33 leading business schools, more than 70 multinational companies, and 8 NGOs. Together, they jointly operate the CEMS Master in International Management (MIM) program, which produces over 1,300 graduates each year. Notably, the CEMS MIM was ranked 10th out of 206 programs worldwide in the 2025 QS Master’s in Management Rankings, reaffirming its position among the world’s top programs.  Korea University Business School, the only CEMS member school in South Korea, operates the CEMS Global MIM program and is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of global leaders through a practice-oriented international curriculum that includes overseas study, internships, and corporate projects.  The five core competencies identified by CEMS—△the fusion of analytical skills and creativity, △an entrepreneurial mindset, △cultural intelligence, △the combination of expertise and strategic business insight, and △digital agility—are closely aligned with the educational philosophy of Korea University Business School (KUBS).  Looking ahead, KUBS will further strengthen its integrated leadership education, encompassing interdisciplinary themes such as AI, ESG, multicultural management, and human-centered design. Through robust support across education, research, and industry-academia collaboration, the school is committed to fostering authentic and sustainable global leaders capable of creating meaningful value on the international stage.   

“A Business Major Embraces Art” — The Startup Journey of Open Gallery CEO Park Eui-gyu      A special lecture, part of the Entrepreneurship Academy, was held on Tuesday, April 29 in Room B307 (Kolon Lecture Hall) of the Hyundai Motor Hall. The event was hosted by the Startup Research Institute at Korea University Business School. The lecture, titled "Starting a Business in Arts & Culture: Pioneering a Non-Existent Market," was delivered by Park Eui-gyu, CEO of the art rental platform Open Gallery. He offered a candid and insightful account of the challenges and realities of launching a business in the cultural and arts sector, as well as his entrepreneurial journey in building a startup from the ground up.  A graduate of Korea University Business School, CEO Park founded Open Gallery with the vision of making art more accessible in everyday life. He shared candid insights into the process of turning an initial idea into a functioning service, the trials and errors encountered in the market, the strategies he used for growth, and how he continues to pursue his mission of “democratizing art.”      The lecture began with an introduction to Open Gallery. The company offers a service that allows users to rent and install artworks by popular Korean artists at affordable prices. It also provides personalized recommendations from professional curators, along with a QR code service that gives users detailed information about each piece. “By bringing art into everyday spaces, we act as a bridge between the public and artists,” Park said. “Our mission is to help talented artists gain the exposure they deserve.” Currently, more than 2,500 artists have registered approximately 67,000 artworks on the platform.      Park also shared how he drew on his background in strategy consulting to identify inefficiencies in the arts sector and develop an innovative model to solve them.  “There were virtually no international cases to benchmark,” he recalled. “So I conducted interviews with over a hundred people to understand consumer needs in detail, one by one.” His method of uncovering the intersection between art and business offered valuable insights to the audience.  He also shared practical advice for students preparing to launch their own ventures. “Starting a business is a highly unconventional path,” he said. “Once you make the decision, you must treat it as your top priority for the next ten years.”  Park emphasized the unique appeal of entrepreneurship, calling it “the most effective way to solve real-world problems.”  He also spoke about the mindset and leadership qualities essential for entrepreneurship.  “You need the resilience to endure failure and the ability to turn setbacks into assets,” he said, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and feedback. “Leadership is about earning people's trust,” he continued. “You have to find balance in your business by harmonizing with people from diverse backgrounds.”       The lecture concluded with a Q&A session, during which Park offered heartfelt encouragement to aspiring student entrepreneurs. “Entrepreneurship is ultimately an expression of individuality,” he remarked. “Above all, it’s important to meet people from various walks of life and broaden your engagement with the world.” By addressing the real concerns of student entrepreneurs, he offered both a realistic view of the startup ecosystem and warm encouragement—adding depth and energy to the event’s conclusion.  This lecture was part of the Entrepreneurship Academy series organized by the Startup Station. The program invites seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts to deliver practical insights and support for aspiring and early-stage founders. Korea University Business School will continue to support student entrepreneurs by offering a range of lecture series and practice-oriented programs designed to foster their growth and encourage new challenges. 

Korea University Business School Opens Applications for Fall 2025 G-MBA and CEMS Global MIM Programs      Korea University Business School is now accepting applications for the Fall 2025 intake of its Global MBA (G-MBA) and CEMS Global MIM (G-MIM) programs. As in previous years, the programs continue to attract outstanding applicants aspiring to become global business leaders, reaffirming their strong reputation and popularity.  Currently, both G-MBA and G-MIM programs are in the third round of admissions. The G-MBA interviews will take place on Saturday, May 10, and the G-MIM interviews are scheduled for Friday, May 9. Final admissions results for both programs will be announced on Friday, May 23 at 3:00 PM.      The G-MBA is a one-year, full-time MBA program focused on practical business training, designed to nurture future global CEOs. It offers students the opportunity to grow into management professionals who can excel across diverse industries and cultural environments. The entire program is conducted in English, and students can choose either an exchange track with one of 29 partner universities or a dual-degree track with ESCP Business School in France or EBS Business School in Germany.  Open to working professionals and aspiring managers from all academic backgrounds—including those without a business degree—the G-MBA provides a practice-oriented curriculum that cultivates integrated and strategic thinking. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are awarded a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, a highly valued credential recognized by global companies.      The G-MIM is a one-year, intensive full-time program designed for recent graduates with undergraduate degrees in business or economics who aspire to become global business professionals.  The program offers a distinctive curriculum in which students spend one semester at Korea University and another at a partner school within the prestigious CEMS Global Alliance in Management Education, gaining firsthand experience in diverse countries and cultural environments.  Korea University became the first and only CEMS member school in Korea in 2015 and has since maintained a world-class partnership in global business education. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn both a Master in Management (MiM) degree and the internationally recognized CEMS MIM Certificate.  Looking ahead, Korea University Business School will continue to nurture the next generation of global business leaders through world-class education and a robust international network.