Korea University Business School Opens KUBS Trading Zone, a New Hub for Boundary-Spanning Exchange For Jungwoo Park, a student from the School of Art & Design, May 8 was a day of unexpected discovery. "Because students from different departments came together, I was able to gain insights into information I normally would not have encountered or considered. That was what impressed me the most." Hozayfa, a KUBS student, had a similar experience that day. "After multiple rounds of discussion, we were able to find the best point of agreement by reconciling one another's opinions." This did not happen in a classroom. It happened on the B1 floor of Hyundai Motor Hall, inside the newly opened KUBS Trading Zone. On Friday, May 8, Korea University Business School (KUBS) held the KUBS Trading Zone Opening & Demo Day. The event, which proceeded through an opening ceremony, artistic session, DOOSAN Art & Culture Room tour, Demo Day, and networking session, brought together around 100 participants, including corporate representatives, students, artists, and faculty members, creating a space where different perspectives could meet, collide, and give rise to new questions.   From Pipeline to Platform At the opening ceremony, Dean Eonsoo Kim explained the background behind the creation of the space. "In the past, universities trained students and sent them out, much like a pipeline," he said. "Now, we wanted to create a place on campus where companies can come in, meet students, and connect with future talent. Going forward, campuses will become places not only for students and faculty, but also for diverse internal and external participants to gather, find solutions and ideas, and interact with one another." The KUBS Trading Zone is an industry–academia collaboration platform designed around the 3Cs of Curiosity, Collaboration, and Contribution. Comprising an LED display, a baby grand piano, artworks, and a multimedia practice room, the space also serves as a hub for realizing the "3C 4Tech" vision, a key pillar of the KUBS 2030 strategy that connects business with four technology areas: AI, AI semiconductors, AI robotics, and AI energy.     Where Art and Business Meet: Seeing, Listening, and Asking At the center of the space stands artist Jeongsoon Oum's installation artwork, "The Elephant Without Trunk K." Oum is known for her artistic language that challenges conventional ideas and offers new ways of seeing human beings and the world. Taking the microphone during the artistic session, she said: "When the trunk, the source of absolute power for an elephant, disappears, we finally come to discover something we had not been able to see before. This work is not only an object of appreciation, but also a work that asks endless questions. The greatest power of contemporary art lies in raising new questions that have never been asked anywhere before. My work has also been collected by RM of BTS and covered by the media, but more than anything, I am proud that this piece now stands at KUBS." This is not the first time KUBS has brought art into an educational space. Following the installation of Lee Ufan's "Relatum–The Location" in front of the KUBS Main Building in 2022, the school has now placed an artwork at the very center of a core learning space. KUBS's philosophy has remained consistent: art is not treated as decoration, but as a device that brings a different perspective into business education.   The artistic session also featured a piano quartet performance by the Unhyun Ensemble, led by Dr. Juhi Kee. The space was filled with William Bolcom's "Graceful Ghost Rag," the third movement, "Andante Cantabile," from Schumann's Piano Quartet, and Brahms's "Rondo alla zingarese" from Piano Quartet No. 1. Dr. Kee said, "Thank you for giving us the opportunity to perform in a space that allows such a rich sound." After the performance, a three-way conversation followed among Dean Eonsoo Kim, artist Jeongsoon Oum, and Dr. Juhi Kee. When asked about the source of creativity, Oum replied, "I designed experiences through the process of meeting others who are completely different from me, yet ask similar questions." Dean Kim echoed this view, presenting "Boundary Spanning" — the idea that disruptive innovation emerges through interaction among people from different fields — as the guiding direction of the KUBS Trading Zone. It was a moment when business and art, two fields that may seem distant at first glance, converged toward the same question.   Real-World Discussions Between Companies and Students During Demo Day, the highlight of the event, four companies — Twinny in robotics, Finda in fintech and AI, Amorepacific in beauty and consumer goods, and SK Siltron in semiconductors — presented real business challenges and risks as discussion topics. The student teams responding to these topics were composed of participants from diverse academic backgrounds, including KUBS, the College of Engineering, the College of Liberal Arts, the School of Art & Design, and international students at KUBS. The very process of people viewing the same problem through entirely different lenses and working toward a single solution was at the heart of Demo Day.   The responses from corporate representatives were more enthusiastic than expected. Youngseok Cheon, CEO of Twinny, said, "If I had had an opportunity like this as a student, I might not have chosen a public enterprise for my first job," adding, "I think this could become an opportunity to work with even more outstanding talent." Hyemin Lee, CEO of Finda, said, "I gained a great deal of inspiration through the process in this space," expressing her intention to actively use the space. Yeonjin Park, Brand Strategy Team Leader at Amorepacific, remarked, "I was surprised that students could so quickly and accurately predict beauty trends I had been thinking about for more than a decade." Geonsoo Park, Pro at SK Siltron, said, "They identified the very problems our company had been thinking about with startling accuracy," adding, "When we want to gain fresh perspectives, it would be very helpful to come here and talk with students."   Professor Daehoon Noh (LSOM) said, "Smooth information exchange requires a setting where outstanding students and companies can come together and collaborate without being placed in a competitive relationship. I felt proud to see students doing so outside the classroom." Professor Minjung Kim (Strategy) said, "At first, the name 'Trading Zone' felt somewhat abstract, but after seeing the site today, I could understand why this space was given that name." She added, "I saw the potential for this space to become a true platform for exchanging ideas, where companies, students, and faculty members cross their respective boundaries, exchange knowledge and perspectives, and develop new ideas together."     "It Helped Me See Things Differently" In the latter part of the event, Broaden, a KUBS student dance club, gave a demonstration in the DOOSAN Art & Culture Room. Created with the aim of connecting artistic thinking with business innovation, the space will be operated on a regular basis as a practice venue for student dance and band clubs, as well as the faculty band. The event concluded successfully with a networking session accompanied by catering.   It was the students' words that best captured the day. Jungwoo Park, a student from the School of Art & Design, said, "What impressed me the most was gaining insights into information that I usually could not access." Hozayfa, a KUBS student, said, "After multiple rounds of discussion, we were able to find the best point of agreement by reconciling one another's opinions." These were experiences that would have been difficult to encounter inside a classroom. The KUBS Trading Zone aims to become a space where precisely such experiences can take place as part of everyday life.   KUBS  Student Press Reporting by Woojin Shin, Yeontae Kim, Dajin Kim, Jinyoung Park, Hyunji Lee, Chaewoo Lee

"From Research Topics to Advisor Selection" KUBScholars Hosts 2026 Overseas Graduate Study Information Session     KUBScholars, Korea University Business School's study-abroad preparation program, held its spring 2026 information session on overseas graduate study on April 14. The event was open to all KUBS undergraduate students, current graduate students, and those who have completed their required coursework. More than a standard information session, the event combined general guidance with tailored mentoring from faculty members to support students actively preparing for graduate study abroad. Faculty members representing key academic disciplines at KUBS participated in the event, including Professor Haekang Lee from Finance, Professor Minjae Koo from Accounting, Professors Jongsoo Kim and Minjung Kim from Strategy, Professor Seungwoo Jung from Management, and Professor Kyungsung Jung from IS. Drawing on their own experiences, from applying to doctoral programs abroad to navigating life as international students, the professors provided candid and practical advice. KUBS regularly organizes these sessions not only to offer academic guidance but also to nurture globally competitive researchers and provide a systematic path toward success on the international stage. During the Q&A session, the discussion focused on the core challenges applicants face, including securing strong recommendation letters, defining research topics, building a targeted school list, and making use of pre-doc programs. Faculty members offered practical insights based on their firsthand experiences.   (1) Letters of Recommendation and Writing Samples: Evidence of Research Ability Letters of recommendation and writing samples drew the highest volume of questions. Regarding recommendation letters, the faculty explained that students applying for a PhD after completing a master's degree in Korea typically request letters from their advisor or thesis committee members. They emphasized that the most important criterion is choosing an evaluator who can genuinely and effectively attest to the applicant's research potential. As for writing samples, the professors noted that while they are not always mandatory, they offer an excellent opportunity to demonstrate research capabilities. Whether the sample is co-authored with a faculty member or written independently, quality should come first. As a concrete strategy, they suggested revising and polishing a term paper written during the semester into a submission-ready piece. (2) Define Your Research Topic Before You Apply Questions regarding research topics prompted a firm response: applicants must have a clearly defined area of interest at the time of application. An uncertain or ambiguous attitude makes admission highly difficult. Even if a research topic shifts after enrollment, applicants must present a coherent research plan and clear academic interests during the admissions process. On contacting professors in advance, the faculty offered a realistic perspective. Unlike engineering schools, business schools generally admit students at the department level rather than through individual faculty members. As a result, reaching out to specific professors ahead of time may have limited impact on admission outcomes, and many such inquiries may go unanswered. (3) Application Strategy: Aim for 10 to 20 Schools and Be Cautious About Applying Across Multiple Fields The faculty also provided strategic advice on structuring PhD applications. They cautioned that applying to multiple fields within the same business school, such as both Finance and Accounting, may work against an applicant, as it can create the impression that the applicant is open to any program rather than committed to a specific discipline. Conversely, applying to entirely different colleges within the same university, such as engineering and business, can be a viable strategy. When building a school list, the faculty recommended making an honest self-assessment and selecting 10 to 20 institutions, balanced across highly competitive programs, target programs, and more realistic options. (4) Pre-doc Programs: A New Stepping Stone to PhD Study Students showed strong interest in pre-doc programs, a pathway that has been gaining increasing attention. The faculty highlighted that completing a pre-doc program allows students to enter PhD programs with actual research data and hands-on experience, which can often lead to higher admission rates at top universities. Spending one to two years as a research assistant to strengthen practical research skills can serve as a strong foundation for doctoral study. (5) English Proficiency: "You Have to Create the Environment Yourself" Addressing language barriers, the faculty candidly acknowledged that English proficiency remains one of the most persistent sources of stress throughout the study-abroad experience. They advised students to practice speaking up and asking questions in class well before going abroad. Beyond academic English, they emphasized the importance of creating opportunities to converse naturally with native speakers, noting that such an environment does not simply arise on its own. (6) Choosing an Advisor: Academic Fit Comes Before Fame Finally, the faculty shared practical insights on advisor selection. Rather than focusing solely on a highly renowned scholar in the field, working with an active early-career professor or assistant professor can often lead to closer, more hands-on mentorship. Along with research alignment, students were encouraged to check in advance, through senior students or alumni networks, whether a professor's personality and working style are compatible with their own. Regarding timing, the faculty added that, from a career perspective, starting a PhD as early as possible is generally advantageous. KUBScholars continues to provide opportunities for direct communication between faculty and students, reinforcing its systematic support for KUBS students and students who have completed their required coursework as they prepare to pursue graduate study abroad.  

“Executing Business Strategy Ultimately Comes Down to People”  KUBS Holds Entrance Ceremony for Second CHRO Cohort   Korea University Business School held the entrance ceremony for the second cohort of the Chief Human Resources Officer Program, or CHRO, Korea's only specialized executive program for talent management leaders, on Friday, April 3, at 4 p.m. in the Cuckoo Seminar Room on the sixth floor of the LG-POSCO Building. The ceremony included an entrance ceremony address, the singing of the school song, a campus tour, a lecture, an orientation session, and a dinner, marking a meaningful start to the program.   Among those in attendance were Dean Eonsoo Kim of the Graduate School of Business Administration, Associate Dean Gangseog Ryu, CHRO Program Director Professor Kwanghyun Kim, EEC Director Professor Seokkyun Kim, and Youngsoo Lee, secretary of the CHRO First Cohort Alumni Association. They gathered to congratulate the incoming participants of the second cohort as they began their journey. In his entrance ceremony address, Dean Kim emphasized the central role of people in executing business strategy. "The execution of business strategy ultimately comes down to people," he said. "Because this work involves people—a softer, human-centered element—it is often the most challenging part of driving change. That is precisely why this role is so important." He added, "I hope the next 16 weeks will be a substantive and meaningful experience through which you can feel tangible change." In his welcoming remarks, Professor Kwanghyun Kim reflected on the launch of the second cohort. "When an educational program moves beyond its inaugural cohort and continues into a second cohort, it means that its necessity and value have once again been affirmed in the field," he said, expressing pride in the program's continued development. He further noted, "Organizations today are expected to pursue performance and fairness, flexibility and stability, and innovation and trust all at the same time." He added, "I hope this program will go beyond education and become a meaningful learning community where participants learn from one another and exchange insights."   KUBS-CHRO is Korea's only specialized executive program in talent management. Designed to cultivate senior HR professionals capable of proactively responding to the changing talent environment, the program brings together HR leaders from a wide range of industries. Over the 16-week program, participants in the second cohort will study the latest management trends and strategies for attracting and retaining talent amid rapid technological advancement and industrial transformation. In particular, the cohort network formed by HR leaders from manufacturing, finance, IT, retail, energy, and other sectors is regarded as one of the program's core assets. Centered on the latest HR agendas, the network is expected to encourage the exchange of practical field expertise and lay the foundation for long-term collaboration among participants.    KUBS Student Press Reporting by Yeontae Kim  Photography by Woojin Shin

‘KUBS 120 MARCH’ Campaign Nears 40% of Goal … Total Pledges Reach Approx. KRW 4.6 Billion Three major large-scale pledges secured within four months of launch … Campaign continues through November 30     Korea University Business School’s KRW 12 billion fundraising campaign, “KUBS 120 MARCH,” has secured approximately KRW 4.6 billion in pledged donations within just four months of its launch, nearing 40% of its goal.   Since the campaign’s launch in January, when pledged donations stood at around KRW 2 billion, the total has more than doubled in just three months. From December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2026, total pledges reached KRW 4,652,317,231, with 324 participants, including corporations, alumni, faculty, staff, and students.       | Three major pledges secured … Alumni and corporations join forces    One of the most notable achievements is the securing of three major pledges. An anonymous donor pledged support for the research fund, Eugene Investment & Securities Co., Ltd. for the development fund, and Samyang Tongsang for scholarships. Alumni account for approximately 62% of total pledges, while corporations represent about 35%, jointly driving the campaign forward.   Group donations have also continued. Following the participation of the Class of ’81 alumni association, the Business School Class of ’79 Scholarship Committee (28 members), the KUBS Class of ’98 Alumni Night (126 participants), as well as faculty and staff, have also joined the campaign.      | Expanding participation across classes, generations, and professions    The donor base is highly diverse. Participation spans from alumni who entered in the 1970s to current students from the Class of ’26, as well as members of EMBA, DBA, and AMP programs, undergraduate alumni, and even alumni from the College of Medicine. From individual research labs and faculty bands to student councils, all corners of the Business School are actively engaging with the campaign, further broadening its base of participation.   This campaign is particularly meaningful in that it places value not only on the total amount raised but also on participation itself. From small contributions starting at KRW 10,000 to major gifts reaching KRW 1 billion, every act of giving becomes part of the shared legacy of KUBS’s 120-year history.    | Investing in the future campus… Advancing the 3C Trading Zone and 4Tech strategy    The funds raised are being used to realize the Business School’s future vision. Alongside the advancement of the “4Tech Strategy,” centered on AI, semiconductors, energy, and robotics, spatial innovation projects are also taking shape.   The Business School is already operating AI-focused tracks and 4Tech micro-degree programs, and continues to expand its educational and research capabilities with its largest-ever full-time faculty body of 95 members.   On the basement level of Hyundai Motor Hall, the “3C Trading Zone (tentative name)” is currently under development, with a trading demo day scheduled for early May. The space will also include an Art & Culture Room. Artist Uhm Jung-soon’s installation piece, K, the Noseless Elephant, has already been installed in the building.   Construction has also begun on an LED display in the lobby of LG-POSCO Hall, which will serve as a large-scale digital donor wall. An opening ceremony is scheduled following the conclusion of the campaign in May.   Dean Eonsoo Kim stated, “We have come this far thanks to the collective support of each and every member,” adding, “We hope more people will join us on this journey as we prepare for the next 120 years of the Business School.”   The “KUBS 120 MARCH” campaign will continue through November 30, 2026. Donations can be made via the official sponsorship page (box.donus.org/box/koreauniversity/KUBS120march).   As of December 1, 2025 – November 30, 2026 | Total pledged amount: KRW 4,652,317,231

“Coding Now Done by ‘Vibe’”... Special Lecture on AX-Based Startup Insights   On March 17, the Entrepreneurship Academy Lecture On-Demand was held, hosted by Korea University Startup Institute. The session featured Malacca, an AX strategist and AX builder, who delivered a hands-on lecture titled “Vibe Coding Practice: From Planning to MVP Deployment (Gemini & Firebase),” combining AI-based development methods with real-world startup experience.    The lecture drew strong interest from students and was held across two classrooms in the Hyundai Motor Hall. Approximately 170 participants attended, reaching maximum capacity. Although each classroom accommodates around 100 people, attendance exceeded seating capacity, with even stair areas being utilized. To accommodate all participants, a live Zoom broadcast was conducted simultaneously, allowing students to join from both classrooms.      Participants were highly engaged in the hands-on session, following along with coding exercises during the lecture. Students had the opportunity to build simple programs in real time, gaining practical experience with AI-based development processes.    During the lecture, AI-based processes were introduced, emphasizing that AI is not merely a tool but a key driver of AX (AI Transformation), transforming corporate workflows and organizational culture. While highlighting the high productivity of AI “vibe coding,” Malacca also noted the need for safeguards such as “context engineering” and “harness” to address the challenges of maintaining complex systems. He further emphasized that the essence of entrepreneurship lies not in technology-driven thinking, but in validating hypotheses through customer interviews. He advised that “starting quickly, failing, and learning fosters a virtuous cycle of growth driven by execution.”      During the session, Malacca utilized “Jjap Slack,” a tool he personally developed using vibe coding, to facilitate real-time interaction through live comments, enabling participants to ask questions and receive feedback instantly. The session was particularly meaningful in that it was conducted using the same harness template provided to students, allowing them to work with programs at a level applicable to real-world practice.    This “Entrepreneurship Academy Lecture On-Demand 1” highlighted both the evolving role of developers in the AX era and the practical capabilities required for entrepreneurship, offering students integrated insights that bridge technology and business perspectives. The Korea University Startup Institute plans to continue expanding hands-on, practice-oriented startup education programs. 

Department of Business Administration, Graduate School, Korea University Recruiting New Students for Fall 2026… Applications Open Until April 9   A new opportunity is opening for those seeking to advance both their research direction and career development. The Department of Business Administration at the Graduate School of Korea University has begun accepting applications for domestic students for the Fall 2026 intake, with the application deadline set for 5:00 PM on Thursday, April 9.   As the business environment continues to evolve rapidly, the criteria for selecting a graduate program are also shifting. Beyond the name of the major, the strength of the research environment and academic network has become an increasingly important factor.    ▲ A group of full-time faculty members at Korea University Business School pose for a commemorative photo.    Korea University Business School boasts one of the largest research infrastructures in the country, supported by 95 full-time faculty members. This is considered a key strength, as it enables applicants to choose academic advisors who closely align with their research interests and topics. The faculty’s diverse expertise, spanning a wide range of subfields and research areas, provides a strong foundation for graduate students to conduct rigorous and advanced research.    As a research-oriented graduate school, Korea University Business School is also strengthening its interdisciplinary research environment to reflect rapidly evolving industries and societal needs. With a focus on the so-called “4Tech” fields—AI, semiconductors, robotics, and energy—the school is expanding the scope of business research beyond traditional boundaries and fostering the exploration of emerging challenges. Through this approach, students are able to analyze business phenomena from a more multidimensional perspective and develop their research questions into independent scholarly work.    Its research infrastructure is another key strength. Graduate students are provided with dedicated research spaces, including offices, seminar rooms, and lockers, along with access to data analysis software such as SAS, SPSS, STATA, and MATLAB. In addition, Korea University Library houses approximately 3.31 million volumes and 86,000 non-book materials, offering a comprehensive foundation for academic research.    In particular, students have access to major databases such as Bloomberg, Compustat, CRSP, WRDS, and LSEG Workspace. Recently, thanks to a donation from Eugene Investment & Securities, the number of Bloomberg terminals has been expanded to 12, further enhancing the research environment in finance and related fields.    Korea University Business School also offers a range of scholarship programs to support students in focusing on their research. These include full tuition coverage through research and teaching assistantships, as well as research scholarships under the BK21 program and merit-based scholarships. Approximately KRW 2.3 billion in scholarships are awarded annually, along with programs that encourage research activities, such as support for participation in international academic conferences.    For the Fall intake, the department will admit students to master’s, doctoral, and integrated master’s–doctoral programs in the following fields: Management, Global Business, Strategy, Finance, Information Systems (IS), and LSOM. The Marketing field will recruit only for doctoral and integrated programs, while Accounting and Business Analytics are excluded from this round of admissions.    The Fall admissions cycle is particularly meaningful as it provides another opportunity for applicants who have reassessed their academic or career paths following the Spring admissions cycle. For those who have further refined their research interests or career goals, this can serve as a strategic opportunity to select a research environment that best fits their needs.    Daeil Nam, Associate Dean for Research at Korea University Business School, stated, “As business studies become increasingly interconnected with industry, the importance of research environments and networks continues to grow,” adding, “We support our students in expanding their research and connecting it to real-world applications.”      ▶ Apply for Fall 2026 Domestic Graduate Admissions at Korea University ◀